Why do Vanity items / Player housing / Pets exist?

[Caselia]

My question is, why is catering to casual players a BAD thing if it extends the game's lifespan?

It doesn't, casuals may be the larger market, but they're usually the ones to quit first because something "new and shiny" comes along and they move there. MMOs are meant for longevity which means shit should take a lot longer than it does now, but because devs are just aiming for a quick buck they kill any long term goals that hardcore players/"dedicated" players play for.

Edit: And this game has no identity, so much crap tossed in taken from other games makes it feel hollow and without improving these systems to give it great depth will drive people away. A theme park style does not work for this game.

[Malkavianqueen]

casuals may be the larger market, but they're usually the ones to quit first because something "new and shiny" comes along

I get what you're saying, but that's a pretty big generalization. To me, hardcore does not necessarily = dedicated. How many 'hardcore' guilds from this game do the same sort of mmo hopping as 'casual' players? How many already left or are going to leave?

I agree that the game should be harder to extend its lifespan...for those that choose to play that way. I sometimes wish that they had servers with difficulty levels or slower progression rates but I understand why that would be difficult.

I'm just saying from MY experience there is a large group of people who play games for other things than raiding/grinding mobs and that we shouldn't be excluded. For me, most of my crafting professions are higher than my battle ones. And that's why they're adding these vanity/fluff items. To diversify the playerbase and make money.

[Kewhi]

A theme park style does not work for this game.

You mean it doesn't work for you. The game seems to be pretty successful thus far, and many of these "theme park" ideas were used as a main marketing point to boast sales & gain players.

- Non-combat pets
- Barbershop
- Player Housing
- Golden Saucer mini-games
- A vanity style "dressing room"

All these items were main points of focus during the marketing campaign to hype up this game, and all items are considered to be of a "theme park" style of game play. And the population continues to increase each day largely in anticipation for these things.

So how about we let the developers decide what works for this game. They seem to be doing a well enough job so far.