Golden Saucer

[Errors]

Dragonquest had a casino, i don't see a problem.
<EDIT> Immediately after hitting the post button Playstation Home sprang to mind too - poker etc.

Yes, that makes it perfectly fine.... /sarcasm "Hey look they are doing it so it's totally fine!"

Out of curiosity, can you let me know how those two examples compare to an MMO?

Would it surprise you the Playstation Home games spaces such as Poker aren't available in all countries and other mini-games that involve gambling. Some countries take gambling very seriously. For some folks it's not just a game.

[Sagittarian]

Folks my not realize this but having a system that allows betting/gambling with virtual currency for virtual goods can cause a lot of issues with local, state, federal, and international laws. Such is the world we live in. I'm curious on what SE plans on doing with the Golden Saucer.

I think that only comes up when there a real-world value associated with the virtual currency/goods.
If SE allowed players to pay real-world currency for in-game currency or gave out subscription rewards of in-game currency then it could cause an issue. Since RMT is forbidden by the TOS, I think SE is off the hook in that regard.
Going back to subscription rewards for a moment, those could be argued to have real-world value since you have to have spent a certain amount of money on the game in order to "earn" them. As such, if those items were available some other way in-game or could be traded/sold then someone could argue there is a correlation between real-world currency and in-game currency based around those items. Since I believe those items cannot be traded/sold and are not available any other way, I think SE is again safe on this front. If such items were later made available as 'gambling' rewards I can see it suddenly causing an issue with online gambling regulations.

[ForteXX]

Never said no to a card game, just to one thats a copy of an existing FF specific one.

[FritoBandito]

A mini game where two people can play against each other in a single FFT-style battle. Each team would have exactly the same generic characters with the same generic gear, typical abilities, and go at it.

Winner gets...I dunno, money or something.

[Laf]

add chess!

[XanderOlivieri]

I'm not sure if serious, if serious LOL. But I found the old live letters. They're in the old archived 1.0 section. Read the first three. And you don't know that the Platinum mirage is the same thing, please post letter where anything is said about it actually being functional.

In Game info:

NPC Essylt is interactive. She shouldn't be if they don't have any plans on making the area usable.

Her dialogue: "The gambling halls of the Platinum Mirage are as an oasis of fortune-a glimmering, silvery dream to which one cannot help but be drawn.

Beyond these doors are found fantastical amusements and thrilling games of chance to delight and entertain...assuming you are part of our exclusive membership.

I regret to announce that this most privileged club is not currently open for applications. But do not lose heart! Hoard your gil and pile your precious stones in preparation for that day when a position opens, and you, sir, might purchase the right to stride across the threshold into paradise itself."

So far every interactive NPC I have come across serves a purpose. If not right then and there, then in a later point in time, such as an in game event, quest, quest related event, or future content. If they weren't meant to be of relative use they just have text bubbles appear above their heads every so often. As it is, Platinum Mirage already IS the premise of the Golden Saucer. They ideally are the same building. Golden Saucer is more vocal due to its history.

I think that only comes up when there a real-world value associated with the virtual currency/goods.
If SE allowed players to pay real-world currency for in-game currency or gave out subscription rewards of in-game currency then it could cause an issue. Since RMT is forbidden by the TOS, I think SE is off the hook in that regard.
Going back to subscription rewards for a moment, those could be argued to have real-world value since you have to have spent a certain amount of money on the game in order to "earn" them. As such, if those items were available some other way in-game or could be traded/sold then someone could argue there is a correlation between real-world currency and in-game currency based around those items. Since I believe those items cannot be traded/sold and are not available any other way, I think SE is again safe on this front. If such items were later made available as 'gambling' rewards I can see it suddenly causing an issue with online gambling regulations.

Well, a few games were prevented the use of gambling in it without real world money tying in. I think the biggest hurdle SE has to overcome with gambling in the game is the fact its T rated and not M rated. If it were M they really couldn't stop them from adding gambling in, but T has a few more restrictions. I know Pokemon had to completely remove it to remain an E rated game.

Whether you would prefer to believe it not, no one really cares. Fact is, they said its coming.

I'm looking at the 1.0 info. Found the old Letters from the Producer. Selected "Search this Forum" and typed "Golden Saucer". No results found. This live letter set only goes to number 6 though. I cannot find 5 or lower on the site. Only other mention of Golden Saucer was repeated through questions. I counted it at least 20 times.

I've done a content search of all of the forums and Golden Saucer only comes up as a question to the producer/from a member or doesn't come up at all. Please if you have access to 5 or before link those cause I can't find any mentioning by the game developers that the Golden Saucer itself is going to be in the game. So far I only see the prospect of an area that is like the Golden Saucer appearing...which already exists.



So far only one Live Letter Q&A I've seen, from the 2.0 website, says the only planned Mini Game is a card game. There were already developers looking into making a card game.

found it. Letter 9.

1:50:35
Q: Are you looking into mini-games or other elements where free company members can gather and play?

A: I think some staff members are starting to think about a card game…


More than certain that if Golden Saucer was mentioned in a live letter it played out like this. They probably just said the name but didn't say it, itself would appear in the game or that we'd have something like it. Could have been a subtle, we'll see about it or We'll think about it, neither of which say that it will be in the game at all only that it was an idea suggested and acknowledged, but doesn't have to be done.

[Sagittarian]

Well, a few games were prevented the use of gambling in it without real world money tying in. I think the biggest hurdle SE has to overcome with gambling in the game is the fact its T rated and not M rated. If it were M they really couldn't stop them from adding gambling in, but T has a few more restrictions. I know Pokemon had to completely remove it to remain an E rated game.

I hadn't thought of the rating. That is a good thing to point out and keep in mind. But in the US at least..
TEEN
Content is generally suitable for ages 13 and up. May contain violence, suggestive themes, crude humor, minimal blood, simulated gambling and/or infrequent use of strong language.

[Airikay]

I left link so you could look at other letters, go look at letter 2.
28:49
Q: Are you looking into implementing mini-games like what is in FFVII's Gold Saucer or Triple Triad from FFVIII?
A: First, in regards to the Gold Saucer, the casino. It's actually among our plans, but it will be further down the track. Player housing is highest priority right now, but we think it might be a good next step. Since it's a casino, there might be certain rules and laws imposed depending on the country you're in. We'll be looking into this, but we do have plans for a little further in the future.

For the card game, it is surprisingly quite difficult to do. With enough resources, we could come up with a fun, balanced card game. But since it's an MMO, people would expect rewards for their efforts. I think it would be difficult to sustain interest in the card game itself, so we need to think about what kind of rewards we can offer.

I've actually received a couple of ideas for card games from developers, but I'm really looking for the perfect one, so I declined them all. I said that if they brought something really good, I'd consider it for the game.

[XanderOlivieri]

Ok, so they refer to it as "the casino". Platinum Mirage, as stated, is a casino. So its already in the game, under a different name and not accessible yet. So we essentially already have Gold Saucer existing as a casino under the name Platinum Mirage.

Now don't get me wrong. I would rather they rename the casino to Gold Saucer for fan appeal and Platinum Mirage is very meh as a name. Makes me think of the Japanese vanity system's name...which I agree the translated version is not as great. My issue is we have it. When will it be open?

[uryell]

A Gold Saucer would be a good feature but the same mini-games as in FF7 would be awful, especially Mog house (it was so boring)
Only Chocobo races were interesting.