Cash Shop: Stifling development.

[Ilitsa]

For example, the Eternal Bonding content was hyped and advertised a long time before we found out that the full experience was going to cost real money. .

My wife and I got platinum service and didn't spend a single dollar. Just saying, all we spent on it was 4 mil (person was selling them for 3.5 mil, but gave us the pair for 4)

[Dyvid]

Standard is a relative term. Yes WoW does have a cash shop which does sell minions and mounts but those are special unique not related to any single piece of content. They are not selling past content items (Seasonal Event) nor stuff we would have got from retainers (Metallic dyes). Most other cash shops are F2P so it's not a simple compare of X vs Y. F2P make their money from vanity items and lottery boxes. The Pay 2 Win items are minimal and usually included in a veteran or subscription type setup anyway.

Jynx is right. I'm worried about the future of content because they question is going to be can we sell this in the cash shop and get a way with it. How far is too far till they lose the player trust once again?

[Ilitsa]

Standard is a relative term. Yes WoW does have a cash shop which does sell minions and mounts but those are special unique not related to any single piece of content. They are not selling past content items (Seasonal Event) nor stuff we would have got from retainers (Metallic dyes).

No, they just completely lock players out of being able to get certain items, despite the item still being there in the coding. The way SE did it, people can still get the old stuff, and they can focus the new events on new stuff instead. Much better imo. as for the comment about "would have got from retainers" You never know that was the original intent for those dyes. They easily could have been crafted, or quested for, limiting you to 1 or 2 pots. Hell, for all I know the other dyes aren't in retainers either, I've never ONCE seen any of my FOUR retainers bring me back a jet black dye.

[Tupsi]

Standard is a relative term.

When the majority of the MMOs and other social games with online features have a Cash Shop or Microtransactions, it's safe to say it's a standard industry practice.

I'm worried about the future of content because they question is going to be can we sell this in the cash shop and get a way with it. How far is too far till they lose the player trust once again?

So you're basically admitting that ARR is doomed to go F2P or Freemium? Because the only time a cash shop "goes too far" is when it's their sole source of income. You know, like how D&D Online used to sell 'premium' access in order to access more of the game? That's called Freemium, something ARR is not.

[Jynx]

So you're basically admitting that ARR is doomed to go F2P or Freemium?

Stop with the hyperbole, what you think is too far might not be the same as others. As soon as they start selling anything that gives a unfair advantage over others in basic gameplay is when at least I will get upset enough to leave the game for good. To be honest this whole wedding band debaucle is bleeding edge on what is acceptable.

Just because I and others are concerned about the future of the game doesn't mean we are yelling from the top of our lungs.

We are however expressing our concerns and looking for some transparancy from the development team who has gone radio silence on the topic from day 1.

[Dyvid]

When the majority of the MMOs and other social games with online features have a Cash Shop or Microtransactions, it's safe to say it's a standard industry practice.

Are we talking subscription based MMO's or F2P / Freemium social gaming? Please list other P2P MMOs other than WoW that has the same sort of cash shop ARR does because I'm curious too. But you are correct that the gaming industry trying to see how far they can push it with Capcom being the worst offender.

So you're basically admitting that ARR is doomed to go F2P or Freemium? Because the only time a cash shop "goes too far" is when it's their sole source of income. You know, like how D&D Online used to sell 'premium' access in order to access more of the game? That's called Freemium, something ARR is not.

Please don't try to win your argument by putting your words in my mouth. I'm saying what I wrote.

But let's not forget why ARR had to come about to begin with. They didn't listen to the community and lost the trust from the customer, trust which they had to work very hard to get back. Now SE is push the boundaries again and trying to see how far that trust will go. First by charging real money for premium access to Eternal bond but also by re-re-re-releasing FFVII on PS4 while smugly pretending it was a big deal. Though jokingly, Sakaguchi-san said it best when commenting on FFXV and saying it's taking 9 years for a new FF to out. SE as a company needs to get better.

[Stihllodeing]

...snip.... To be honest this whole wedding band debaucle is bleeding edge on what is acceptable...snip...
We are however expressing our concerns and looking for some transparancy from the development team who has gone radio silence on the topic from day 1.

What you consider a debacle some consider a smart business move. If you are referring to people selling the plans, then SE corrected their mistake. If you want to call them stupid for the oversight I'll agree with you. Their decision to fix their mistake should give you an indication on where they stand, dumb and stupid or not.

Their lack of response should be enough for you to decide where you think they stand. They haven't answered most of these "concerned posts". This alone should be enough for you to decide if their stance on the subject is acceptable to you. Not to mention their public statement at the fan fest which is "no pay to win". And again, their actions regarding people selling the eternal bonding plans reinforce this.

They've painted a clear picture, written it on the wall, and even addressed the masses through a few statements and actions.

It's time to decide and move on.

[NoF2P]

...the development team who has gone radio silence on the topic from day 1.

Probably because decisions related to revenue are outside of their control. I'm guessing (I did say guessing) that they are very uncomfortable with the situation and the bitter division it is creating within the community.

[Jynx]

It's time to decide and move on.

I'm sorry but I'll be the one to say when I decide to leave the game I don't need you telling me when I need to make my choice thank you very much.

[Kiara1]

Currently, yes I think it's worth the money for subscription.
However I play mostly to collect vanity, and if they would add less crafted vanity and more cash shop vanity in future patches, I'm out.

Some people like to raid, and some people prefer the vanity part. And I think it's unfair that the people who plays like me have to pay more to get what we want.