Possible solution for cash shop?

[Illmaeran]

I completely support this idea.

As a previous poster said, LoTRO has done something similar to great effect. Being able to use points/currencies earned doing in-game content (basically achievements) for things such as vanity items is a great incentive to do things I might not otherwise do and/or as a minor reward for participating in certain content.

"But that defeats the purpose of the cash shop!" some have said. (Points below)

#1- I both agree and disagree with that. Yes, some people will probably choose to spend the time grinding out currency rather than spend the real money if given the option. However; those are the centrists of the YEAYCASHSHOPGIVEITTOMENOW!<--------->HELLNOCASHSHOP continuum. If something's compelling enough there's a good chance they'll drop a few bucks to get it quicker, but if not they'll earn in-game currency to buy it.

#2a- This is the big one that most folks haven't been talking about: TIME. While SE does want our money (they're a business after all) the real currency they are interested in is our time. Why? Subscription. Because we have to pay for access to the game, the more time we invest in it the more $$ they make. I would argue that every single decision made in this game's core design is based on how long it will take to complete and how SE can keep us interested in playing the game. All to maintain subscription income.

Case in point: veteran ranks and bonus items awarded based on length of time subscribed.

#2b- Tying it together: incentivizing game participation, and thereby continued subscription income, through non-raid affecting options/items is beneficial to the game as a whole. It's all at matter of rate-of-(currency)gain. Say a new mount or (gasp housing option) comes out for 2500 IGC (in-game currency) but we only earn on average 1250 IGC each month, then SE will get 2 months' worth of subscription $$ for each 2500 point item they "sell".

Another example: Rotating monthly glamour sets (ala LoTRO). Say, SE puts together 4 or 5 complete glamour outfits (sans weapon) that are available for purchase every month either with $$ or IGC. You bet your ass that I'll be running content for points and saving them for the time when a badass outfit or chocobo barding hits the streets. Again, incentivizing time in game = subscription $$

"But that means they'll put the best looking gear behind a gate that will force me to grind content in order to earn said gear!!!" Of course, why do you think raid gear looks so cool? Raiding is the #1 prime example of this sort of model where time spent in game = currency. Grind CT/ST for Soldiery? Grind Coil for drops and Poetics? Both equal currency rewards for gear.

The entirety of FFXIV is built around the precedent of grinding for currencies to buy in-game items. It's time to expand on that precedent, and expand the currency and purchasing options.

<edited to fit it all in one post>

[TouchandFeel]

I think something along these lines is a very good middle-ground for the cash shop issue and similar methods have worked successfully in other MMO's.

[Bishop81]

this runs the same risk i mentioned earlier. money payers get access to the really good stuff for a while, then everybody gets it and then a new shiny good thing comes out so the people that don't pay are always behind. i've seen it happen and if people could always be trusted it would be a fine idea. sadly people can't always be trusted.

I don't like the idea of RL money influencing the game, in any way whatsoever, either.

But at least if the items are "timed exclusive" to the cash shop, you can "wait it out" if you are patient and you CAN get the item even if you don't spit out RL money.

Things devalue over time in RL, cash shop items can be made that way too - cheaper over time until it's buyable with in-game currencies.

[Mardel]

Should just make a server where those who hate the cash shop can migrate to. Then disable anything purchased from the shop to be used there; problem solved >___________>

In all seriousness though; can a moderator please make a cash shop thread (or mogstation thread)

[Raidou]

I completely support this idea.

As a previous poster said, LoTRO has done something similar to great effect. Being able to use points/currencies earned doing in-game content (basically achievements) for things such as vanity items is a great incentive to do things I might not otherwise do and/or as a minor reward for participating in certain content.

"But that defeats the purpose of the cash shop!" some have said. (Points below)

#1- I both agree and disagree with that. Yes, some people will probably choose to spend the time grinding out currency rather than spend the real money if given the option. However; those are the centrists of the YEAYCASHSHOPGIVEITTOMENOW!<--------->HELLNOCASHSHOP continuum. If something's compelling enough there's a good chance they'll drop a few bucks to get it quicker, but if not they'll earn in-game currency to buy it.

#2a- This is the big one that most folks haven't been talking about: TIME. While SE does want our money (they're a business after all) the real currency they are interested in is our time. Why? Subscription. Because we have to pay for access to the game, the more time we invest in it the more $$ they make. I would argue that every single decision made in this game's core design is based on how long it will take to complete and how SE can keep us interested in playing the game. All to maintain subscription income.

Case in point: veteran ranks and bonus items awarded based on length of time subscribed.

#2b- Tying it together: incentivizing game participation, and thereby continued subscription income, through non-raid affecting options/items is beneficial to the game as a whole. It's all at matter of rate-of-(currency)gain. Say a new mount or (gasp housing option) comes out for 2500 IGC (in-game currency) but we only earn on average 1250 IGC each month, then SE will get 2 months' worth of subscription $$ for each 2500 point item they "sell".

Another example: Rotating monthly glamour sets (ala LoTRO). Say, SE puts together 4 or 5 complete glamour outfits (sans weapon) that are available for purchase every month either with $$ or IGC. You bet your ass that I'll be running content for points and saving them for the time when a badass outfit or chocobo barding hits the streets. Again, incentivizing time in game = subscription $$

"But that means they'll put the best looking gear behind a gate that will force me to grind content in order to earn said gear!!!" Of course, why do you think raid gear looks so cool? Raiding is the #1 prime example of this sort of model where time spent in game = currency. Grind CT/ST for Soldiery? Grind Coil for drops and Poetics? Both equal currency rewards for gear.

The entirety of FFXIV is built around the precedent of grinding for currencies to buy in-game items. It's time to expand on that precedent, and expand the currency and purchasing options.

<edited to fit it all in one post>

Some great points here. I might not agree with all of them, but, It's clear people would like other choices when it comes to the cash shop.

[Zephyranthes]

The cash shop items itself are ok since they're mainly for vanity. Just make them untradeable so they can't be sold to other players for gil.

[Raidou]

I'd be interested to read more thoughts and suggestions about this. I know I'm bumping my own thread, but I think it's good to have positive feedback.

[Vstarstruck]

Can this be some ideas to explore?

[Emstidor]

This may be an unpopular opinion, but I actually disagree with making cash shop stuff attainable with in-game currency because I feel it personally cheapens the feeling of achievement I get for earning stuff in-game (cosmetic or otherwise), if I know that someone else could've just shelled out money to earn the exact same item.

Just like it would be real shitty to have someone shell out $$$ for raid gear or relic weapons, I take comfort in knowing that the cosmetic things I grind for (like minions, mounts, or glamour gear) can only be obtained by people willing to put a similar degree of effort.

If this means I can't grind for a panda mount or some glamour pieces brought over from the asian client and instead have to decide whether it's worth real life currency, then I take comfort in knowing that at least other people have to do the same, and they aren't effortlessly invalidating the work I'd put to earn them the "honest" way.

[Gleipni]

I would love too,but SE greed wont allow it ....