[Suggestion/Idea] Introduce a Token System like WoW's

[Mimilu]

*Please note, I'm only suggesting adding a system similiar to what WoW has, not to turn the game into a carbon of WoW.*

I think XVI should have a Token System similar to WoW's WoW Tokens.
(I'm sure this subject has come up before but I couldn't find a thread to necro-thread.)

I started thinking about this after seeing Miste's Petition thread about making more cash shop items account wide.

Unfamiliar with WoW and/or WoW Tokens?
WoW has what are called "WoW Tokens".
WoW Tokens can be bought in Blizzard/WoW's cash shop with IRL money ($20 NA) and then bought and sold at the in-game auction houses for Gold (WoW's in-game currency).
When buying and/or selling tokens at an auction house, the price is a set amount that changes depending on their current value. This value changes overtime.
Tokens are sold in the order they were listed.
Players can also exchange Tokens for either subscription time (1 token = 30 days) or for Blizzard Balance (Blizzard's digital currency, 1 token = $15 NA) that can be used on ANY Blizzard game's cash shop or subscription.
When you purchase a WoW Token, you have 30 days to use it or put it on the auction house. Tokens cannot be traded or mailed to other players, or stored in the player's bank.
One account can only up to buy 10 Tokens a week, and a character can only carry up to 10 Tokens.

WoW implemented this system so players can safely trade Gold and subscription times (and to deter illicit RMTers and Sub-time sellers).

Link to a video explaining WoW Token

How I think it could work in XIV.
-SE could sell their form of Token on the Mogstation AND SE's Online Store for $20 NA.
I would keep limitation similiar to WoWs, requiring Tokens to be used or sold with in 30 days of purchase, only being able to buy up to 10 per week, and not allowing them to be traded, mailed, or stored in retainers. This would prevent people from hoarding tokens to flood the market with.

-Players could buy and/or sell Tokens on the Market Boards.
SE could follow how WoW did it OR have a set price-range and let players price them the way they want. SE could change the price range when you see fit.

-Players could trade in Tokens for Crysta (SE's digital currency).
I would make the convertion rate 1 Token = 1500 Crysta (That's $15 worth of Crysta, NA. That's the same price as a Standard NA Sub), similiar to WoW. This way, SE could still make a profit from Tokens.
As of now, Crysta can only be used on XIV (Sub, Retainers, and Mog Station Item and services), XI (Sub), and Security Tokens.
I would suggest going further and allow players to use Crysta on other cash shops in SE games, like XV's DLC or Mobile Game in-app purchases.

Why would this be good in XIV?
-It would help curb illicit RMTing as it gives players a legitimate and safe way to buy gil.
-Players now have the option of working towards their sub(s) (both XIV's and/or XI's) and/or cash shop items and services, instead of spending IRL money.
-To go with the above, this could help bring in potential new-players or returning-players who were turned off by the games monthly sub fee.
-This will give Crafters and Gatherers a bigger boon for being the gil-making jobs in the game.
-SE will still be making money. Plus cash shop whales are still going to buy things with IRL money anyway, so they aren't going to loose much.

Okay but what are some of the cons?
-SE would have to be more diligent and pro-active on Gil-farming bots (this is more of a con for SE).
-SE would have to know how to set up a system like this in the game...
-Players could potentially buy the best gear gil-could-buy them (which most of the time, isn't necessarily the best gear for that patch OR really even necessary unless you do harder content).

[JackHatchet]

http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxiv/t...not-pay-to-win.

[Emstidor]

I can't speak for everyone, but I know I'd probably balk at paying real money for a sub if there was a "free" alternative through in-game methods, but then I'd also feel pressured to constantly keep up my gil intake to keep buying tokens. Compared to now, where I don't really feel pressured to make/earn gil, so if I want to take a break from crafting, or treasure maps, or playing the market board, I can with no issue.

In the end it'd probably reduce my enjoyment of the game significantly.

[Tridus]

I'm surprised SE hasn't gone this way considering how many other ways they're trying to get extra money. This one just lets people who want gil easily to get it from people who are good at earning it and is pretty common in a lot of games. I'd have no problem with it. Probably not something I'd use as now that I have a house I just have no particular need to spend gil on anything, but it wouldn't bother me at all.

[Mimilu]

http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxiv/t...not-pay-to-win.

Maybe I should of look for more then just "WoW Tokens" or "Token System" in the search... >w>()

I'm surprised SE hasn't gone this way considering how many other ways they're trying to get extra money. This one just lets people who want gil easily to get it from people who are good at earning it and is pretty common in a lot of games. I'd have no problem with it. Probably not something I'd use as now that I have a house I just have no particular need to spend gil on anything, but it wouldn't bother me at all.

You could use your gil to pay for your sub, retainers, or cash shop items or services.

[NewAgeDoom]

They already make enough money with micro transactions for Cosmetics, in addition to the sub fee. I don't really see it going over well with the player base if they went with something like this.

[JackHatchet]

I would love it if instead of using game-time tokens they used fantasia tokens. I bet they could make a killing off of that.

[Aerlana]

I would love it if instead of using game-time tokens they used fantasia tokens. I bet they could make a killing off of that.

there is also the way of different MMORPG where any or some specific items from cash shop can be sold in AH with some limits. For example, buying edda outfit and then selling it in AH, with limit prices (to avoid some speculation on those)

For the wow system, when you bought the token, you cant sell it back so, no speculation.

And so many other way... To be honest, i really hate the idea of a cash shop in a sub MMORPG, but systems like those is a good way to make the cash shop less scandalous (all cash shop things become possibly free if you dont want to pay RL money for it)

[Tridus]

They already make enough money with micro transactions for Cosmetics, in addition to the sub fee. I don't really see it going over well with the player base if they went with something like this.

If that's the case, why come out with a phone app with another subscription? This has already been shown in multiple other MMOs to be something that works and is generally accepted by players. Far more than "pay us another sub on top of your first sub so you can have the option to pay us for another retainer!" has been, that's for sure.

[alimdia]

As many people have stated here and here a player obtaining extra gil is not pay to win, so as long as retainers and the app keep the extra advantages I 100% support a sub token. In the end this is just another way for players to financially support SE, and less intrusive than exclusive glamours.