Is CCP losing money on Dust 514 so badly that they must make everything available via AUR or they will go under?

Yes, how did you guess? I would prefer a game that doesn't throw a "SPEND AUR NAO!" ad on nearly every menu.

Warbarge component availability is really no different than SP boosters: Earn them in game, or pay to get them faster.

I'd say that yes, every new game feature should have a completely optional monetization aspect that carries no benefit than allowing you to access things faster. Because that means the game can make money without having to entertain really awful ideas that are distinctly pay-to-win. If you do not want the monetization component, do not buy the things, and it does not affect you, because it is not pay-to-win.

There are improvements every release that do not involve monetization at all.

The AURUM I bought to respec myself 100% into Pythons is the last money I'm spending on this game for the forseeable future.

I'd rather buy Sortie Fuel for Ace Combat Infinity.

Every new game feature?

Jesus Christ I'm glad I didn't vote for you, though I'm disgusted that there were clearly enough people who did.

A recent patch to Ace Combat Infinity put in Special Supply Tickets which you can earn in matches and trade for rare items that used to be random drops. With the exception of a group of one-time-purchase Fuel packs they released that have some Tickets in them, the ONLY way to get those Tickets is by logging into the game for the daily rewards, playing matches and getting them as random drops, or completing Challenges in matches that give you some.

So a game that requires you to purchase "tokens" to even play the game released a feature that you can't use money to gain any advantage in.

Last I checked, there aren't many games that say that every single feature they deploy must have an option to pay your way out of investing any time in it, and that's that way for a reason.

Do you really expect anyone to care about anything in this game when no matter how much they work at it, someone with disposable income can just buy their way to everything you worked your ass off for?

As I see it there are 3 ways of increasing revenue:

1. Sell existing products for higher prices to existing customers.
2. Sell new products to existing customers.
3. Sell products to new customers.

The most successful businesses do all 3 at different times.

I think CCP are too focused on option 2 and people are getting fatigued.

You don't play planet side 2 much do you?

FFXIV
WOW
Elderscrolls (though unsuccessfully)
Hell Star Citizen

Just about every mmo under the sun that is still up and kicking

Warbarge component availability is really no different than SP boosters: Earn them in game, or pay to get them faster.

I'd say that yes, every new game feature should have a completely optional monetization aspect that carries no benefit than allowing you to access things faster. Because that means the game can make money without having to entertain really awful ideas that are distinctly pay-to-win. If you do not want the monetization component, do not buy the things, and it does not affect you, because it is not pay-to-win.

There are improvements every release that do not involve monetization at all.

The game is monetizing so fricking hard you could think it has a triple A developer behind it.
Instead we have a tiny team that, while I understand is working their asses off, are asking far too much for what they're bringing to the table.

Warbarge component availability is really no different than SP boosters: Earn them in game, or pay to get them faster.

I'd say that yes, every new game feature should have a completely optional monetization aspect that carries no benefit than allowing you to access things faster. Because that means the game can make money without having to entertain really awful ideas that are distinctly pay-to-win. If you do not want the monetization component, do not buy the things, and it does not affect you, because it is not pay-to-win.

There are improvements every release that do not involve monetization at all.

war barge components?

does this mean that in order to be on a level playing field i will be forced to join a corp? really not liking the sound of this

Optimization and Performance are stated to be amongst the highest end of costs these days of any games budget easily knocking into the million dollar range.

1. Will I be able to buy the WARBARGE SUBSYSTEMS with straight ISK, or will their be a grinding mechanic to obtain resource X+ISK

2.Will I be able to name my Warbrage?

3.Can I walk in my Warbrage?

4. The more I hear of this warbrage more I think DCUO lairs... Gimmicky comes to mind.

tho the idea of owning a BPO dropship has been somewhat of a dream for me but i doubt i'll play enough strongbox 514 to own one

If anything, I think most of the newer AUR spending options like warbarge components and daily mission rerolls are likely to be more catered to new players who need the boost. Boosters are probably by and large mostly also beneficial to new players, as people at the veteran level likely don't need the SP that much. Vanity BPOs, I assume, tend to sell best to obsessive collecting nerds like Dennie and myself, but new players may also find appealing if they're tight on ISK.

I have heard so many complaints regarding recent monetization efforts on CCP's part. It appears that in Warlords 1.0 CCP will be adding even more avenues to extract our money from us.

The Augmented Ammunition Facility provides an up to 5% damage bonus flat. Like a damage mod, but without the slot useage, CPU/PG, or ISK loss. Experimental weapons will also make their debut in this expansion. These weapons are superior to proto weaponry in damage, clip size, ammo capacity, and reload speeds.

These subsystems can be purchased with AUR from the market, but can also be crafted with Construction Components. Since they can be obtained via in-game currency they are not P2W, but they flirt with the idea.

Let's not rehash the key/strongboxes "feature". It causes me physical pain every time one of my missions just rewards me with 15 Encrypted Strongboxes.

I think what this game needs is... An AI controlled LAV with a trunk full of KEYS that pops up every now an then. An friend and foe chase it around the map.

Lol that just makes me think of the gnome with a big bag in golden axe that ran around the screen and you beat up to get magic potions

Lol that just makes me think of the gnome with a big bag in golden axe that ran around the screen and you beat up to get magic potions

From a player perspective, the patch note would simply read: framerate optimizations. I know that from CCP's standpoint it would involve much more work than those two words imply.

That still doesn't mean it shouldn't be focused on heavily. Every single patch. Every single expansion. Until it's satisfactory.

We are getting sidetracked though.

Monetization has reached a saturation point. It needs to stop and soon. Every patch that rolls out with AUR features like Warlords 1.0 cheapens Dust 514 in ways that can't be repaired easily.

Couldn't the time spent on 'Quafe' things be spent on developing art assets for the missing weapons? How about the missing vehicles? That's just one example.

No

K

Glad we could work that out.