White Raven earring given out at The Rising event 2018

[Skivvy]

Yet the ToS User Agreement states that any and all in-game items (amongst other things) are the property of SE and not the players themselves, therefore as a company they can release items again and again however they see fit, whether demand requires it or there is some kind of value in doing so. It also states the User Agreement supercedes any other agreements in the event of a conflict (in case of the image provided by Istaru)

This argument doesn't really hold all that much water, imo. Of course SE can do what they please, I don't think anyone is really disputing that. They could also decide to start handing out past PvP rewards through seasonal events, or completely invalidate <insert random item>. Or perhaps they want to start deleting characters after being unsubbed for 30 days for whatever reason. It's totally their call, but that doesn't mean it's always a great decision.

However, as the developer, they are the ones providing a service to their customers. It is their job to ensure that the playerbase feels important to them as customers, and to offer a product that leaves us feeling content and happy with our purchase.

In this particular case, yes, it's just an earring, but it was a special item that was allowed to be carried over from their failed 1.0 game. In my mind, it was a token of "Hey, thanks for sticking with us through the bad here's a cool memento to bring with you on your new adventures". So if they start passing this out, where do they stop? What is next exclusive/rare item to be casually doled out to the greater mass?

[Kurando]

In this particular case, yes, it's just an earring, but it was a special item that was allowed to be carried over from their failed 1.0 game. In my mind, it was a token of "Hey, thanks for sticking with us through the bad here's a cool memento to bring with you on your new adventures". So if they start passing this out, where do they stop? What is next exclusive/rare item to be casually doled out to the greater mass?

Would you genuinely believe that most players continued on to 2.0 just because of free items? Definitely not, but one thing that did entice players was the reduction of their subscription which effects people much more greatly than that of something digital in-game that has literally no monetary value.

For something to be rare/exclusive, a customer needs to be able to have access to it to begin with, such as with the Collector's Editions of ARR/Expacs, or rare items in game that everyone can unlock through completing certain requirements etc. The earrings are currently impossible to obtain the only thing that you could claim is exclusive about them is SE giving legacy players a 5yr head start on having them before everyone else.

As stated in an earlier post, there is clear interest from players for SE to bring certain things of 1.0 back and they are actually open to the idea. In the end, despite legacy players sticking it out for so long, it's the 2.0 players onwards that are more in numbers for seeing old stuff, not to mention the money SE makes from the subs (as they do not get legacy discount) is much more profitable. The greater masses will get more treatment, that's how business works.

[Canadane]

For something to be rare/exclusive, a customer needs to be able to have access to it to begin with, such as with the Collector's Editions of ARR/Expacs, or rare items in game that everyone can unlock through completing certain requirements etc. The earrings are currently impossible to obtain the only thing that you could claim is exclusive about them is SE giving legacy players a 5yr head start on having them before everyone else.

How's a CE purchase any different than a timed exclusive event item?
Or perhaps a better example would be preorder bonus items. Should those all be given out too?

[Kurando]

How's a CE purchase any different than a timed exclusive event item?
Or perhaps a better example would be preorder bonus items. Should those all be given out too?

Collectors editions are still available to purchase (whether officially or not) they are not limited like time events, so there is a difference between these two. Considering there could be editions with pre-order bonuses somewhere online being sold, it's still another thing that's not impossible to obtain. However as some codes do have expiry dates, that can complicate it, but it still isn't completely out of reach. And honestly I really wouldn't be surprised if such things are released in the future, because if players ask enough, it might just happen.

[Skivvy]

Collectors editions are still available to purchase (whether officially or not) they are not limited like time events, so there is a difference between these two. Considering there could be editions with pre-order bonuses somewhere online being sold, it's still another thing that's not impossible to obtain. However as some codes do have expiry dates, that can complicate it, but it still isn't completely out of reach. And honestly I really wouldn't be surprised if such things are released in the future, because if players ask enough, it might just happen.

But it shouldn't happen. Pre-order bonuses and the like are a tried and true marketing practice. It would be shady to start selling those items independent of the actual pre-order itself.

[Nixxe]

How's a CE purchase any different than a timed exclusive event item?
Or perhaps a better example would be preorder bonus items. Should those all be given out too?

It's different because money is involved. Even though the pre-order bonuses are practically just freebies because a high percentage of players are likely going to order the expansion one way or the other, it's still involves real life currency, which brings legal considerations into the picture. These things are explicitly sold as being only available through these means, in stark contrast to the vague list of things that would be exclusive to 1.0 players and weren't sold to them one way or the other. Even if such statements as the ones linked throughout the thread about what would be unobtainable going forward might indirectly influence your purchasing decisions based on your understanding of them, changes to those statements, if a later decision even really is a change to them, would fall under SE's contractually secured right to change the game at will.

Though, personally, I wouldn't be bothered if people could buy a fat chocobo in the Mogstation for $5. It's just a goofy thing I enjoy using and I'm sure others would similarly enjoy using it, including those who may not have had an opportunity to purchase it originally.