Fellhahn Aldrenhost
BetaMax.
3
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Posted - 2013.01.23 06:05:00 -
[1] - Quote
Yes, these prices are insane.
I'd like to draw a comparison to BF3 when it released it's "shortcuts" packs, allowing users to pay for immediate access to all items along a progression tree, or all progression trees.
The cost of buying BF3 (ie box cost which Dust doesn't have) plus all of the shortcuts, still equates to less than the total cost of buying all available BPOs in Dust.
And while the BF3 shortcuts gave you instant access to the absolute top tier items, sinking all this money into Dust will only provide you with a selection of the lowest tier items in the game. (And a personal annoyance of mine, there isn't even tier 1 BPO for Heavy dropsuits)
I was stunned, absolutely jaw dropingly stunned, when I read the adjusted prices last night. It's utterly incomprehensible that any employee would think this is a viable business strategy/pricing model
I really do want to see Dust succeed, for it to go on and further integrate with EvE and show the industry new and innovative ways to ENJOY playing a first person shooter.
But what I believe is that, before this price hike, Dust was teetering on a tightrope for survival and viability. Supported mostly by it's connection to EvE and the dedicated fan base that exists there. Now after this price hike, it's completely dead in the water, no chance of competing.
Yes you can still play the game without Aurum, and that's quite enjoyable and how I plan to play the game. But from CCP's perspective that does not produce a survivable product. Dust needs to make money, the only way it does that is through Aurum sales. And at these prices any consumer will immediately vomit with anger and reject the idea of ever purchasing Aurum.
You, the client, should be concerned about CCP's profits. They are a business, not a government, meaning they will not poor money into a burning pit just because they like the shiny lights. If Dust can't turn a profit, then the game you're enjoying will close it's servers.
You, CCP, need to come to proper grips with the term MICRO-transactions. $20 AUD to purchase one measly dropsuit BPO? $20 is not a micro transaction. If someone tried to tell you it was, you'd laugh at them, to their face.
$20 is 1/3 - 1/2 the box price of a new game, a game built on traditional marketing which I would never have to sink further money into, which is much more attractive to me as a consumer.
In EvE you have somewhat of a monopoly, as you've created a product that almost nothing else can compare to (grats, honestly). And thus you can afford to take risks with greed.
In Dust, you a trying to compete in what could justifiably be called the most over-saturated genre in the gaming industry. You are fighting against some real giants. Sadly you don't have much in the way of innovation to offer so far, a mildly tangible connection to the EvE universe, and a fitting system that will confuse and repel the average FPS purist.
That just leaves you with pricing to draw new customers in. Instead, you've put forward one of the worst free-to-pay proposals I've seen. |