Aeon Amadi
A.N.O.N.Y.M.O.U.S.
Renegade Alliance
4028
   |
Posted - 2013.12.06 07:54:00 -
[1] - Quote
The theory is that the BPO(s) and boosters were nice additions but they weren't the real reason people bought Mercenary Packs en masse. It can be assumed that the reason they were so popular was because of the value associated with the pack itself.
$20 could get you 40,000 Aurum, a 30-Day Active Booster, the BPOs and a few other items to screw around with. You could get a 30-Day Passive Booster for 28,000 aurum, making the mercenary pack a really good deal considering you could get the two 30-day boosters and still have 12,000 aurum (a $5 value) to spend on things that were relevant to your playstyle.
Approximate aurum cost of two 30-Day Boosters with Merc Pack: $14
Approximate aurum cost of two 30-Day Boosters with Bundle: $22
At first I was a bit indifferent to this because on the one hand, greater value means the community is happier - thereby, playing the game more. On the other hand, the increase in cost means there is more revenue for CCP which in turn means that they have more room for development budgets which (normally) increases player happiness as a result.
All in all, it's a double-edged sword. The player-base loses out on value while the revenue increases as a direct result. However there is the prospect that, maybe, we can find some kind of middle-ground here. So, accompanying this bubble chart that I used to brainstorm (typo on the merc pack booster value), is this list of a few (theoretical) things that could help make the packs more appealing:
More Appealing to Personal Playstyle
- Less specific gear that the player may not utilize
- More general application items that everyone can use (modules, equipment)
- Less pre-fit dropsuits as they don't appeal to a player's chosen playstyle and sometimes can't even be used due to skill requirements
More Vanity
- Items that show a player's expressiveness (weapon, dropsuit and vehicle skins); vanity items.
- Vanity items are more appealing if they aren't consumable (as most players just 'favorite' the vanity gear for the warbarge)
- Vanity =/= Function; a re-textured suit does not need to be fully outfitted with gear
- (Author's note: I have long advocated that vanity items should be permanent BPOs that still require ISK cost)
Less In-Game Expenditure
- Aurum that can be spent on what the player wants
- Gear that the player is likely to use (modules, equipment)
More In-Game Benefit
- Boosters are fine, provided the value is right.
- Longer duration on boosters from packs. 60 and 90 day boosters are more likely to sell with high priced packs
- More included aurum to purchase what the player wants
But most of all: More Value
forums.dust514.com/default.aspx?g=posts&m=
(Frames) 1544109 (Advertisement) 1556863 (Packs) 1570030
|