Look, most of us are just happy CCP found a way to let us keep our SP. Presumably the "SP sink" people are complaining about is how we can keep our SP and coexist with the presumed influx of new players.

If you don't want to keep your SP -- then so be it. That's the choice I expect most of us will make. What that really means is that CCP has made a more attractive offer than getting your refund during the commercial release reset.

However, don't let that stop you from QQing.

[skip to SOLUTION section if you're familiar with the topic]

ISSUE: Merc Pack was advertised with the language "Mercenary Pack will be credited in full to your in-game DUST 514-« account after each character reset and for the commercial release." Understandably many buyers expected their AUR items to be refunded at release. Now that release is imminent, CCP has deemed it necessary to make certain amends to the rules in a recent Dev Blog entry.

These changes are either expected and fair, or blatant breach of contract and spitting on your most fervent supporters, depending on which side of the fence you are on. But that is off this topic; there are other threads for those discussions, some of which even remain unlocked as I write this.

There are currently two options offered by CCP:

1. "an optional full character reset with Mercenary Pack or Aurum reimbursement." - this is ostensibly offered to fulfill the advertised pack rules. While it arguably does meet the "credited in full... ...for the commercial release" -language, it is inarguably against the spirit of such an agreement.
2. no refund of AUR items you have already spent - this is against the pack offer, and is a stopgap measure CCP has put in place.

#1 means you lose all the progress you've made in the months of beta. As you can see, #2 is the only real option unless you plan on stopping playing Dust.

Since we essentially have only one option, we end up with no refund, #2. But I bet most of the buyers were not expecting refunds on boosters, as they will carry the benefit from using them in the form of higher SP.

The issue is with AUR items, such as dropsuits and weapons that were consumed during beta. CCP's most hardcore customers spent money to test their game for them, some with the expectation of a full refund at launch as a direct result of very clear language in the Pack description. CCP, you don't want to lose those customers, or to bear the loss of goodwill and resulting word of mouth.

But there is an workable compromise, an option much better than option #1.

SOLUTION: refund all Merc Packs, except for used boosters and UVTs.

This is the sensible thing to do: it will keep your most dedicated fans happy, yet will not give them millions of bonus SP for free in the form of refunded boosters.

And it will be a better business decision than this shortsighted, poorly designed and quite frankly insulting option of full refund with character reset you so graciously offer as a compromise in the dev blog. Hopefully the damage hasn't been already done - but given the numerous PR follies you've made in the past months I think your players will give you some slack.

For the record, I have two Merc Packs, and I bought a UVT, all the cheap BPOs and a few vanity suits before their prices were jacked up (wonder what happens to them on Monday?), and a booster or two. I did these purchases with the anticipation that I would not get refunded.

So you are basically saying CCP has lied, thumbed their nose at the agreement they authored and the only option anyone has is to accept less that what they are entitled to.

Please tell me why anyone would give money to CCP ever again?

So you are basically saying CCP has lied, thumbed their nose at the agreement they authored and the only option anyone has is to accept less that what they are entitled to.

Please tell me why anyone would give money to CCP ever again?

This sounds to me like some people are crying they don't get free boosters/SP.

truth is, CCP doesn't want people getting free skill points. if you used it, it's gone. Either that or, you can choose to get it back, but you lose all the SP you earned with it, and then some.

It's fair, if you don't like it, don't reset, and just take your licks like EVERY. ONE. ELSE. It is seriously an issue of wanting your cake, and to eat it too. Well, sorry kids, sometimes this world doesn't work that way. I think CCP has been MORE THAN lenient with the free items and "beta bonuses". You ever hear the term "don't look a gift horse in the mouth"? Yeah, that means this. Don't do this thing you are doing.

It's like you going to the bank, emptying out your savings, then asking for a free refill.

So you are basically saying CCP has lied, thumbed their nose at the agreement they authored and the only option anyone has is to accept less that what they are entitled to.

Please tell me why anyone would give money to CCP ever again?

*IMPORTANT NOTICE: During beta periods, CCP may need to reset characters, skills and other items included in the DUST 514-« Mercenary Pack. DUST 514-« Mercenary Pack will be credited in full to your in-game DUST 514-« account after each character reset and for the commercial release. CCP cannot guarantee all items will be identical and reserves the right to substitute items of similar value. No other form of refund is permitted.

No other form of refund is permitted.

So you are basically saying CCP has lied, thumbed their nose at the agreement they authored and the only option anyone has is to accept less that what they are entitled to.

Please tell me why anyone would give money to CCP ever again?

So you are basically saying CCP has lied, thumbed their nose at the agreement they authored and the only option anyone has is to accept less that what they are entitled to.

the only option anyone has is to accept less that what they are entitled to.

entitled

Found your problem.

You lost, just stop it, you dont get free stuff.

And CCP never get another cent.

Just bad word of mouth to every gamer they know and social media site they visit.

You lost, just stop it, you dont get free stuff.

Nah, ill just get Gamestop to issue me additional merc packs, since CCP didnt live up to the language. Then ill contact Sony for the ones i bought prior to the change in language.

What's been decided by CCP has been finalized. Besides, if you ever took the time to purchase all of the militia BPOs when they were dirt cheap (about 50-100 AUR) then you will get a huge influx of extra (FREE) AUR refunded to you anyways.

Did you even read the OP? I'm not QQing, I'm offering a solution to the QQing.

I doubt anyone wants a full reset at launch. The offer I propose is a compromise which I believe we can all live with.

Did you even read the OP? I'm not QQing, I'm offering a solution to the QQing.

I doubt anyone wants a full reset at launch.

What's been decided by CCP has been "finalised" but also leaves them wide open to perfectly-valid complaints of not honouring the terms agreed to in the Merc Pack.

Which means the discussion is still open until it actually happens. And even then, the way is open for further complaints.

Mercenary Pack will be credited in full to your in-game DUST 514-« account after each character reset and for the commercial release. CCP cannot guarantee all items will be identical and reserves the right to substitute items of similar value. No other form of refund is permitted.