DUST Search - Aurum Pushing

Eirnin Solista wrote:

DIsclaimer: I fully support the AURUM (AUR) microtransaction system. I think it's a great idea, really.

Now on to my review...

Last build I felt like the way AUR was being marketed was really great. I got enough exposure to consider it (I'm personally very frugal, and I wound up buying the Merc Pack), but I didn't feel like I was obligated to do so. In the Precursor build though, my opinion has changed quite a bit about the marketing.

Changes that make me feel that AUR is being pushed too much:

-Get AUR button at the top of every item category.
-AUR items (at least for dropsuits) are often listed above regular ISK items, even though they are being bought with much less frequency.
-Heavy increase in the cost of ISK items, while AUR item costs are the same (as far as I remember).

These changes dishearten me. The first option doesn't really matter, it's no big deal, the ever-presence of it though just changes my opinion a little. The second change makes it more tedious when I'm trying to restock. However, worst of all was the third change. Tier-1 dropsuits are now very expensive, new players are pressured into using militia only instead of playing with the fitting interface, making cheap, simple dropsuits which aren't much better. To me it felt like less of a balancing change and more a marketing scheme.

Well, I suppose that's it, what are other people's thoughts on the changes to AUR marketing in Precursor?

Edit:

Please don't devolve this into a microtransaction bashing thread, it's much more productive to discuss why you don't like something. (Felt the need to post this before it gets bad).


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Trinity Ashima Sanmatar Kelkoons Minmatar Republic 32	Posted - 2012.08.19 19:28:00 - [1] - Quote Eirnin Solista wrote: DIsclaimer: I fully support the AURUM (AUR) microtransaction system. I think it's a great idea, really. Now on to my review... Last build I felt like the way AUR was being marketed was really great. I got enough exposure to consider it (I'm personally very frugal, and I wound up buying the Merc Pack), but I didn't feel like I was obligated to do so. In the Precursor build though, my opinion has changed quite a bit about the marketing. Changes that make me feel that AUR is being pushed too much: -Get AUR button at the top of every item category. -AUR items (at least for dropsuits) are often listed above regular ISK items, even though they are being bought with much less frequency. -Heavy increase in the cost of ISK items, while AUR item costs are the same (as far as I remember). These changes dishearten me. The first option doesn't really matter, it's no big deal, the ever-presence of it though just changes my opinion a little. The second change makes it more tedious when I'm trying to restock. However, worst of all was the third change. Tier-1 dropsuits are now very expensive, new players are pressured into using militia only instead of playing with the fitting interface, making cheap, simple dropsuits which aren't much better. To me it felt like less of a balancing change and more a marketing scheme. Well, I suppose that's it, what are other people's thoughts on the changes to AUR marketing in Precursor? Edit: Please don't devolve this into a microtransaction bashing thread, it's much more productive to discuss why you don't like something. (Felt the need to post this before it gets bad). Ok let me break this down for you based on your bullet points for my own convenience ^^ - Honestly I don't think nor feel this is pushing AUR, merely a convenience over having to navigate to the main page. Honestly I'm ok with this and believe this is their intent. - It could just be the way the market filters things. And don't forget AUR items will always be availabel where as isk ones may not. - The isk increase is likely to bring stuff in line with EVE prices now that the game has been added to the EVE test server. I see why you're concerned but reassure you that this is likely not trying to push AUR. Now on to the actual problem with the current system; Honestly personally I think the game is pay to win. I'm not bashing microtransactions, I'm fine with them if they are handled properly. -ú5 for a car like some games do it is just a plain attempt at exploitation. I say attempt because in the end you are not forced to buy, though things that are rediculously priced and forward the story are simple exploitation. Pay to win is wrong. Items either need to be cosmetic, otherwise available with ISK or skill point gain boosts. Equipment for real money you can't get purely in game is just wrong. It has been suggested AUR items will be resellable and that this justifies it. It does not. I also see no incentive for players to sell AUR gear, it's better than anything else and what you're going to be fighting in why sell it? unless Vehicles are going to be isk only there's not going to be a reason to, even then they'll probably just leave vehicles to other people. Also from eve we know that what you sell is never worth the value of the AUR you buy it for. We can buy plex (game time) from other players for in-game currency. Instead of spending it on game time we can convert it to AUR. AUR can be used to buy cosmetic items (which is the only way to get them bar 1 or 2 exceptions). These can then, again, be sold for isk to other players. The issue is that almost all of these items are sold for isk at LESS than their ISK to AUR value (based on the price of PLEX). So again, less insentive to sell AUR items. Now don't go saying "Oh it's only 3 CPU". 3 cpu can mean fitting an extra shield extender or not. It is an in game advantage you can get from real money people who don't spend real money can't get. Personally I'd be fine if every item both had an ISK or AUR price. That way people can play to get them or if you don't have enough time to play you can buy them.