Why are extra characters still $3?

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Originally Posted by Aenarion

You sure?

"As before, and until the release of Version 2.0, players will be entitled to employ two Retainers at no charge."

I take that as meaning that while we'll have our two retainer for free, there's also no option for purchasable retainers until at least 2.0, especially since they made no mention of the purchasable retainers at all :(

if you have info that indicate otherwise however, I'd love to see it, since I was really hoping to get some extra retainers :/

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I wonder if it may mean that new accounts created at or after 2.0, are only eligible for the one free retainer per character. So existing accounts will not be charged for the second retainer after 2.0 drops? Just my take on it, could totally be wrong.

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Originally Posted by Betelgeuzah

It sounds like no one was right? I see your point.

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yea... I guess one can read it either way :/ I was really hoping for some clarification from SE on this

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Originally Posted by redmage

I wonder if it may mean that new accounts created at or after 2.0, are only eligible for the one free retainer per character. So existing accounts will not be charged for the second retainer after 2.0 drops? Just my take on it, could totally be wrong.

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since they said this...

The fee structure for after the release of FINAL FANTASY XIV Version 2.0 (including those of retainers) is unconfirmed at the time of writing.

there's no telling what'll happen at 2.0

Honestly I think $3 is fine for additional characters...if you need more than 1 additional character as a 'mule' type, well you might need to consider being in an episode of FFXIV hoarders ;) ...

By making each additional character cost $3 dollars on your account SE is pretty much saying 'You can have a full army of mules, but it'll cost you.' At the same time, SE knows most people won't mind paying an extra 3-6 dollars a month for 1-2 'mules' that might operate as LS banks and/or storage mules. I get how this can be upsetting, but controlling how much inventory each player has is a way of controlling the in-game economy. Right now, people can just stockpile every mat, Rare/ex drop, and 'maybe I can use this somehow' item they desire. That just means that there are less mats and lower end crafted mats/items for sale on retainers (if you lack storage you sell/NPC/trade/ drop more stuff). But by charging $3 for each additional character, it will force some people to decide which is more important...more cash in real life, or a better stockpile/more gil in game.

Their dropping retainers (and giving us houses for storage) and the MW is why and gonna go with a full-fledged AH! /speculation

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Originally Posted by Kinseykinz

Honestly I think $3 is fine for additional characters...if you need more than 1 additional character as a 'mule' type, well you might need to consider being in an episode of FFXIV hoarders ;)

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Pfft, an episode? there's a whole season of FFXIV hoarders dedicated to me! :D

also, it's not just $3 for an additional mule, at minimum you'll require to have a separate account, which means it's another $9.99 per month if you want to have a mule.

Why another account you say? well, unless you have figured out a way to transfer items between different characters on the same account.... :P

and no, having a friend or ls member serving as a intermediary doesn't count, not only is it a huge inconvenience to both you and your friend by doubling the amount of trading needed to be done (who may reconsider being your friend after your 48th request for transferring stacks and stacks and stacks and stacks of items..), it is also unreliable at best, as you may not always find people to serve as a virtual deposit box when you need one.

When it comes to extra characters, there are those that, say, prefer to spend time in RP than grinding out endgame gear. Having extra characters to play different roles would be more valuable to such as those, but of course, $3 per month per character is pretty dissuasive.

It's too bad there couldn't be a multiple character plan that charged the same, but say, used less inventory space as a trade-off.

I don't see the problem, it's a Coca-cola in a restaurant. Don't tell me you're that stingy?

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Originally Posted by Renshi

I don't see the problem, it's a Coca-cola in a restaurant. Don't tell me you're that stingy?

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if you need the extra character as a mule, then it's at least $10 more per month, not $3.

also, there's also something called perceived value, just because it may be of the same price as an overpriced drink at a restaurant, doesn't mean that people will be willing to pay it if the perceived value is less than that.

would you pay $3 for a piece of post-it notes?

Why yes I would pay 3 dollars instead of 4...or where you meaning 1 single post it note tab? :P

Look at it this way. For the price of 3 characters on one account, you could dual-box 2 characters cheaper (and you can play both at the same time).

3 character account:
$29.94 = $4.99 X 6 months
+$0.00 = FREE X 6 months for 1st character
+$18.00 = $3.00 x 6 months for 2nd character
+$18.00 = $3.00 X 6 months for 3rd character
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$65.94

Dual-box:
$29.94 = $4.99 X 6 months for 1st character
+$29.94 = $4.99 X 6 months for 2nd character
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$59.88

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Originally Posted by OMEGA_HACK

Why yes I would pay 3 dollars instead of 4...or where you meaning 1 single post it note tab? :P

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yes, one piece, not one whole stack ;)

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Originally Posted by AmyRae

Look at it this way. For the price of 3 characters on one account, you could dual-box 2 characters cheaper (and you can play both at the same time).

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The point is that you can't log on multiple characters from the same account, which is why you need multiple accounts to trade with yourself.

Or can you?

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Originally Posted by Rentahamster

The point is that you can't log on multiple characters from the same account, which is why you need multiple accounts to trade with yourself.

Or can you?

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depends, if you use the super dimensional bridge key item you can, but you'd have to first kill ifrit 10,000 times, then sacrifice 2,000 lalafells, find the legendary pony's magic dust, and mix it with a certain hamster's bone before you can activate it.

Hey now, what you do with my bone and your pony is supposed to be private!

Don't get me wrong, I would take a free character account, but in this case retainers are supposed to act as mules and characters, characters. I think it's a fair price, and it's optional. I would like them to allow me to add additional retainers so I can set up shop in the different cities. :)

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Originally Posted by Delmontyb

Don't get me wrong, I would take a free character account, but in this case retainers are supposed to act as mules and characters, characters. I think it's a fair price, and it's optional. I would like them to allow me to add additional retainers so I can set up shop in the different cities. :)

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totally agree, the only reason I'm fretting here is that it seems rather uncertain whether we'll be able to let us purchase additional retainers when the sub goes live, so I'm not forced to use additional characters as mules.

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Originally Posted by Rentahamster

Hey now, what you do with my bone and your pony is supposed to be private!

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you don't want to know, something happened to it that involved the pony, several roegadyns and a whole lot of lalafells...

I love how they are starting to slide in the fact that retainers will eventually cost $, trying to act as if that has been the plan since day 1 and will change once 2.0 hits. Nice try trying to ninja that one in S-E. Crafters need those retainers. What if people only log in to craft? it is like your charging players more for prefering to craft rather then farm/sell. Isn't your crafting system broken enough already?

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Originally Posted by Aenarion

you don't want to know, something happened to it that involved the pony, several roegadyns and a whole lot of lalafells...

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What happens in Ul'dah, stays in Ul'dah.

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Originally Posted by UnrealTai

I love how they are starting to slide in the fact that retainers will eventually cost $, trying to act as if that has been the plan since day 1 and will change once 2.0 hits. Nice try trying to ninja that one in S-E.

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Ehm, it was a plan since day 1

extra character = 3$
extra retainer = 1$

been known since beta last year

So what are mog houses with storage going to be then?? 2$ a month for the Grand Vida in front of Gridania? Come on seriously enough is enough.

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Originally Posted by AmyRae

Look at it this way. For the price of 3 characters on one account, you could dual-box 2 characters cheaper (and you can play both at the same time).

3 character account:
$29.94 = $4.99 X 6 months
+$0.00 = FREE X 6 months for 1st character
+$18.00 = $3.00 x 6 months for 2nd character
+$18.00 = $3.00 X 6 months for 3rd character
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$65.94

Dual-box:
$29.94 = $4.99 X 6 months for 1st character
+$29.94 = $4.99 X 6 months for 2nd character
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$59.88

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Your first character is not free ^^;

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* One character save slot as well as a basic service fee is required to play FINAL FANTASY XIV.
* The price for one character save slot is $3.00. An additional $3.00 charge will apply for every additional character save slot.

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$65.94 + $18 = $83.94 for a 3 character account.

$59.88 + $18 + $18 = $95.88 for 2 accounts.

hmm? its 9.99 for basic service and "one" character. anything past 1 character is 3$ extra only. so that looks right.
I think you misread the slot charge.
The price for one character slot "IS" 3.00 as they said, meaning every slot over 1 character. Not for having only one.
The first character is part of the 9.99 package and is not an additional 3$.

Like everything else that sucks in this game, its born out of them making a priority of cutting down the RMT. Surplus, Market Wards, Gathering Fatigue, leve limits, 4 trade slots, no mailboxes, server lag caused by encryption and verification of every action to Japan -- All anti-RMT measures that have made this game suck. Instead of learning their lesson, they're at it again with this pricing model. Good luck with that.

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Originally Posted by UnrealTai

So what are mog houses with storage going to be then?? 2$ a month for the Grand Vida in front of Gridania? Come on seriously enough is enough.

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http://img827.imageshack.us/img827/6746/paymentbe.jpg
http://na.finalfantasyxiv.com/#/about/game_info

I know people who paid a good $2000 in a free to play just to get 1 vanity item. So all those complaining for a subscription based game to charge you a whole $3 dollar a month. I laugh and giggle...and those that think free to play games cause they don't charge and you can make x, y, z characters...you pay substantially more for a free to play if you really want to play and the community is generally atrocious.

If a person feels that they need an extra character/account to serve as a mule to store goods beyond:
What they can carry on themselves
What they can carry in retainers
What they can store in their house (pending I expect..)
What they can store in their mailboxes (also pending I expect...)

Then perhaps they are playing the game in a manner that the developers did not intend? If that is the case, then I would understand the developers from trying to limit this form of gameplay if they feel it does not lead to a good overall experience.

I know, if I had easy infinite storage, I may never sell anything ever and hoard everything I ever got. This could have undesirable effects for the rest of the game/economy/interaction. (I am less likely to sell. Also, less likely to buy 'that newbie gear I sold 6 months ago to make space').

I have not played the game enough to say for certain, but is it really difficult to play the game in a reasonable manner given the amount of storage that SE is willing to give/sell us without the need to have an additional account?

I'm just glad they didn't go with a free to play model, with people who pay the most, are the best.

The price is more than acceptable, £6.30 (googles conversion rate today (im british)) a month for 1 character is all I need, thats £1.50 a week. If you can't afford that, you shouldn't be wasting your time playing games, you should probably be out looking for work.

its to limit the number of people that do it, se doesn't want to have to save the data from 1,000,000 extra characters.

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Originally Posted by Asiaine

If a person feels that they need an extra character/account to serve as a mule to store goods beyond:
What they can carry on themselves
What they can carry in retainers
What they can store in their house (pending I expect..)
What they can store in their mailboxes (also pending I expect...)

Then perhaps they are playing the game in a manner that the developers did not intend? If that is the case, then I would understand the developers from trying to limit this form of gameplay if they feel it does not lead to a good overall experience.

I know, if I had easy infinite storage, I may never sell anything ever and hoard everything I ever got. This could have undesirable effects for the rest of the game/economy/interaction. (I am less likely to sell. Also, less likely to buy 'that newbie gear I sold 6 months ago to make space').

I have not played the game enough to say for certain, but is it really difficult to play the game in a reasonable manner given the amount of storage that SE is willing to give/sell us without the need to have an additional account?

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since the latter two doesn't exist...

moreover, you can't really pull a dev. intent card here (not that that's ever a good card to pull), as the armoury system inherently encourages people to train multiple classes, and it is due to the training of multiple classes that people starts to run into inventory issues.

Or are you saying that once someone ranked, say, conjurer to 50, they should sell/trash all the gears they've obtained for conj since they're planning on ranking marauder next? or that the blacksmith should npc/firesale all his materials since he's going for weaver next?

as for whether it's that difficult to play the game with a total of 530 inventory slots (including bazaar space on character and retainer), yes, it is quite difficult, especially when you've ranked up all the classes and plan on continue to utilize all the classes without mothballing them.

and this can only get worse as more unique/job specific items are introduced into the game.

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Originally Posted by syntaxlies

its to limit the number of people that do it, se doesn't want to have to save the data from 1,000,000 extra characters.

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that fact that FF14 isn't ever likely to attain that sort of number aside, it's not like character data is a hard thing to save. If CCP, a much smaller company than SE can save every single character's data on every account that's ever created in EVE in the 8 1/2+ years of the game's history so far (which is actually likely far above just 1 million), along with FAR more items in their inventory space (which is unlimited, I myself have thousands, if not tens of thousands of different item stacks across my characters), then I don't see how SE can pull a too-much-stuff-to-save card unless they're cheap beyond a fault and/or utterly incompetent on how to create/manage a database.

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Originally Posted by Aenarion

that fact that FF14 isn't ever likely to attain that sort of number aside, it's not like character data is a hard thing to save. If CCP, a much smaller company than SE can save every single character's data on every account that's ever created in EVE in the 8 1/2+ years of the game's history so far (which is actually likely far above just 1 million), along with FAR more items in their inventory space (which is unlimited, I myself have thousands, if not tens of thousands of different item stacks across my characters), then I don't see how SE can pull a too-much-stuff-to-save card unless they're cheap beyond a fault and/or utterly incompetent on how to create/manage a database.

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thats just my best guess, maybe they're just greedy

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Originally Posted by Aenarion

since the latter two doesn't exist...

moreover, you can't really pull a dev. intent card here (not that that's ever a good card to pull), as the armoury system inherently encourages people to train multiple classes, and it is due to the training of multiple classes that people starts to run into inventory issues.

Or are you saying that once someone ranked, say, conjurer to 50, they should sell/trash all the gears they've obtained for conj since they're planning on ranking marauder next? or that the blacksmith should npc/firesale all his materials since he's going for weaver next?

as for whether it's that difficult to play the game with a total of 530 inventory slots (including bazaar space on character and retainer), yes, it is quite difficult, especially when you've ranked up all the classes and plan on continue to utilize all the classes without mothballing them.

and this can only get worse as more unique/job specific items are introduced into the game.

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They are working on that with the planned mannequin feature

$3.00 WHOA! Don't break the bank now!

Come on, even 15$! Those are prices you can pay with your freaking lunch money. I Can't believe that in a month you will not gain at least 15$ to pay the game.
And yes, I will not pay an overpriced coke for 3$ when I can buy one at like 1$, but if you're in a restaurant you can't do anything else, so you're stick with the 3$ or you don't take it.

the 3$ per extra character has got to go. It is silly and they are wasting their good will. SE cannot afford mistakes right now and this is a mistake.

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Originally Posted by Orcishgrappler

the 3$ per extra character has got to go. It is silly and they are wasting their good will. SE cannot afford mistakes right now and this is a mistake.

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Offering overpriced vanity service is hardly a mistake.

I wish that Square would have listed the price that the subscription is Actually going to cost players. Even if you buy the 180 day subscription fee you have to pay $3 per character per month. Not extra character, for your main. So you are paying $8 instead of $5.

I guess the business practice of listing the lowest price so people will think "oh what a good deal!" Is even used by square.

The issue I believe is that se is charging for both vanity(extra character) and storage (two retainers).
$1 character
$1 retainer #1
$1 retainer #2
which makes sense BUT I feel this is a big mistake. All three of those should go for 1 dollar together and instead of having one person buying a 3 dollar package you would have 3 people buying a 1 dollar package with the added bonus of a happy community. SE could really use a happy community spreading good word right now. The service fee discount was a step in the right direction, this would be a second.