Curse

Zaklex · Jan 16, 2006, 09:55 PM // 21:55

Try and imagine the size of the DB for all those characters, you seem to forget that everything is stored on the A.net servers.

Alias_X · Jan 16, 2006, 10:02 PM // 22:02

I know and realize that, isn't it the same for Ultima Online, on the private servers, and many other MMO's? They still offer it.

Also, how did you get the "Beta Tester" under your name, I played in many of the BWE's, yet I don't have that lol.

Loviatar · Jan 16, 2006, 10:11 PM // 22:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zaklex

Try and imagine the size of the DB for all those characters, you seem to forget that everything is stored on the A.net servers.

and being on schedule for 2 more chapters per year after chapter 2 there will be more added each time as new areas of the world (china/japan soon) are added.

maybe if you had to pay each year for the additional cost of the slots for the coming year.

EDIT

HE GOT IT FOR BEING A REAL BETA TESTER NOT A BWE PLAYER

Kaguya · Jan 16, 2006, 10:19 PM // 22:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alias_X

Like most other MMO's, I think we should be able to upgrade in game with in game gold. Make it cost a ridiculously huge amount of money to do, but I don't want to have to pay for something that should come in an update, or that other FREE MMO's offer as an in game upgrade.

I know and realize that, isn't it the same for Ultima Online, on the private servers, and many other MMO's? They still offer it.

A-ha. So if you wanted to have more chars, you'd have to farm weeks to get enough gold for that? If that was an option, I would be buying the gold needed for that from eBay.

And what's a free MMO? Anyone seen any? Atleast the stuff people play are usually pay-for-play monthly, Guild Wars comes pretty close to 'free' but there's still the price to pay for the game.

Ultima Online private shards are not ran by corporations that are trying to make a living. They are usually funded by paypal donations, hosted by private people's server boxes, just like many other 'free games' are, hacked/stolen/etc server emulators or similar.

Granted, I haven't played many MMOs, Anarchy Online for about a year (8 char slots, and dozen or so professions. Tho getting that 1 char there high/max level takes quite a long time, and having 8 high level chars isn't just going to happen that easy, if ever), EVE for the 2 week trial (3 char slots, which of only ONE could be training skills at any time. Most stupid thing I've seen this far, there the hardcore players have an account for each finger in their hand..)

I think buying extra char slots or even storage slots would be pretty close for something new that hasn't been in other games yet, and if people are willing to pay for the slots, why not? Sure, they should give us loots and loots of slots with the original game and expansions, but as people have said, all those extra slots would mean extra database usage. Extra DB load would balance itself if people paid for those extra slots. People are paying for those extra slots already, by buying 2nd/3rd/4th accounts as is, and most are annoyed at the unlock all stuff again-thing. Having extra accounts is something eBay-farmer-sellers can do for extra storage space as well, so I think saying that extra accounts would make eBay-trader's lives easier is invalid. eBay-sellers don't care about unlocking all the skills again. Real players do. eBay-seller buys the game for $50 or less if they find it cheap, get 4 char slots and a lot more storage space. A normal casual player buys the an extra slot for whatever sum, gets 1 char slot, which prolly ends up as another PvE char.

edit: spelling, forum being slower than a bunch of snails racing in tar.

edit2: more spelling. Sure there's more. ohwell.

Ristaron · Jan 16, 2006, 10:22 PM // 22:22

I rapidly skimmed everything except the first post, so forgive me (and don't flame me) if someone has already posted this... if someone has, this is to reaffirm it:

They're not going to add more character slots to the regular Guild Wars. They want every advantage to be gained from purchasing chapter II (more professions, new areas, more character slots). It's logical to assume that with the increase in character slots they will also increase your storage space, right? So that's that problem solved too.

If you want to spend money and get more space, chapter II is coming out soon -- and they're probably not going to make major changes to the current game since Factions is due to come out sooner than later.

But, because I support more space overall, I will sign... no matter how futile it may be.

/signed

Loviatar · Jan 16, 2006, 10:26 PM // 22:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ristaron

I

But, because I support more space overall, I will sign... no matter how futile it may be.

/signed

dont forget to add in your guild hall storage as well

Ristaron · Jan 16, 2006, 10:50 PM // 22:50

Indeed, we are due to get that by popular rumour... I haven't actually read anything saying it's promised yet... or I have and have simply forgotten.

twicky_kid · Jan 16, 2006, 10:58 PM // 22:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jaythen Tyradel

I agree with the whole "charge for more account space" idea.
But still, how many will be enough for people. Some want 8, others think having less or even more than that will be enough.
What will prevent those with money from buying 100 account spaces and hoarding all that they collect? Especially if they are farmers that sell thier stuff on ebay.
The balance would be more storage space for an account plus adding at least one per new expansion in addition to having an option to buy more account space for more charachters up to a per set number (lets say 8).
The amount of account space for characters has yet to be determined, btw, so lets be patient before making demands.

What stops the hoarders and farmers on ebay from buying multiple copies for storage right now? Absolutely nothing.

They are going to buy more accouts for storage whether you can do it under one accout or multiple. The only thing this change would affect is honest people that do play the game have more pve characters.

I have 2 accouts and one is for storage. Saying that it will off balance the storage and mess up the econemy is completely wrong. That issue is has been present since release of game.

I say we do it. There is already more storage by buying another account. Unlocking all the skills again is so much grind. You can't stop people from buying accounts for storage. Hell you got to get paid. I don't see a problem with this at all and with the figures he posted I would go for. That's the same amount for each slot and storage I paid for when I purchased the game.

wolver1ne · Jan 17, 2006, 12:06 AM // 00:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zaklex

Try and imagine the size of the DB for all those characters, you seem to forget that everything is stored on the A.net servers.

Even if the whole database is say 1TB (a few thousands at MOST for a few fast harddrives to house all that data), which is outrageously a lot just for that in the first place, it's still not an issue. Nevertheless, I do NOT see how an extra slot multiplied by the total amount of users would be catastrofic for Anet/NCSoft as some tend to believe. A few millions of extra slots resulting in say 300GB of data would be a pocket change for Anet/NCSoft cost-wise. Storage is no longer a money issue. Even if they spent $100.000 (way way way too much money for storage.. and i'm just throwing figures here) to store all the data, it took most likely somewhat around 10000 GW copies at MOST to cover that. And how many copies were sold? Millions. And millions will be sold in the near future.

So again, storage is not an issue. Stop munching it.

Linsys · Jan 17, 2006, 12:16 AM // 00:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alias_X

I know and realize that, isn't it the same for Ultima Online, on the private servers, and many other MMO's? They still offer it.

Also, how did you get the "Beta Tester" under your name, I played in many of the BWE's, yet I don't have that lol.

Yes but don't u pay a monthly fee for Ultima Online? And most other games of this nature....

You can't compare apples to oranges here.... I 100% agree with the idea of allowing us to purchase more slots and more characters... as long as I don't have to pay a monthly fee for this... its PERFECT..

Linsys · Jan 17, 2006, 12:21 AM // 00:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by wolver1ne

Even if the whole database is say 1TB (a few thousands at MOST for a few fast harddrives to house all that data), which is outrageously a lot just for that in the first place. Nevertheless, I do NOT see how an extra slot multiplied by the total amount of users would be catastrofic for Anet/NCSoft as some tend to believe. A few millions of extra slots resulting in say 300GB of data would be a pocket change for Anet/NCSoft cost-wise. Storage is no longer a money issue. Even if they spent $100.000 (way way way too much money for storage.. and i'm just throwing figures here) to store all the data, it took most likely somewhat around 10000 GW copies at MOST to cover that. And how many copies were sold? Millions. And millions will be sold in the near future.

So again, storage is not an issue. Stop munching it.

You are obviously not a system admin and have never been one... just so you know I've served as a Sr Unix Architect for many of the largest telecommunication companies in the U.S and in Europe...

The issue isn't just storage... see your are correct the price of storage isn't an issue... the price of uptime and of man power goes up as you increase storage... If you think they are gonna buy $100,000 in storage you need people to set up the storage, monitor it for hot spots, etc.. etc.. etc.. backups now you need more tapes, oh and damn the backup window just got messed up, now I need another few fiber drives because of the new storage I just added... this is NOT a simple issue of going to best buy and buying a new hard drive.. there is A LOT more to consider then that... especially when we are talking about Database storage space.. you can't just plug and play... database archives need to be backed up every 10-15 min at mininum, with full system dumps to disk every night, with 3 days worth of database on disk before moving the data off site to tape..

If there is a SAN, WOW now you need more ports on your SAN switch, you need more cable, etc.. etc.. the list goes on...

Kaguya · Jan 17, 2006, 07:09 AM // 07:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Linsys

this is NOT a simple issue of going to best buy and buying a new hard drive.. there is A LOT more to consider then that... especially when we are talking about Database storage space.. you can't just plug and play... database archives need to be backed up every 10-15 min at mininum, with full system dumps to disk every night, with 3 days worth of database on disk before moving the data off site to tape..

What does this actually have to do with the topic, BUYING that extra char slot? Yes, that extra char slot would require more database space. But so does the EXTRA ACCOUNTS people are buying NOW. That eats even more database space.

A.Net's hardware and database size system IS NOT the issue here. You can buy kazillion accounts, and ANet just has to accomodate them.

Only change that is proposed in this thread, is an option to buy more slots to your existing account which makes the lives of 'real' players easier instead of spreading your stuff across multiple accounts.

Not really directed at you, Linsys, just wanted to point out discussing ANet's hardware is pretty pointless as well, when the thread starts from buying those extra slots, not giving them free for every player.

munkieix · Jan 17, 2006, 07:28 AM // 07:28

most of us need more space ^^

/signD

Thom · Jan 17, 2006, 07:43 AM // 07:43

Here is the problem. Say 3 casual gamers play a few times a week. If they have 6 slots, what prevents them from each taking a PvP spot and a PvE spot and playing at different times. I am sure some families already have an arrangement like this-- my little brothers shared an account for a few months until they bought another. Right now there is the possiblity of playing the game through with each of the classes (as primary and secondary) and keep those characters while having a 4th PvE slot. Nothing is lost if you delete a slot and start over if you so wish. This is enough for one person to "completely" play the game and makes account sharing less reasonable.

The only ones hurt in the current setup are farmers who spend incredible amounts of time on a free game. It really isn't that difficult to dump a load of stuff on a storage account. If you are putting hundreds of hours into farming get another account and give A-net the full $50. I see no reason why farmers should get discounted storage space.

Kaguya · Jan 17, 2006, 08:15 AM // 08:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thom

Here is the problem. Say 3 casual gamers play a few times a week. If they have 6 slots, what prevents them from each taking a PvP spot and a PvE spot and playing at different times.

They would be breaking the EULA, and Anet could just terminate the account. I know some people are sharing the existing accounts, it's an existing problem, not something buying extra slots would cause. Buying extra slots would actually give Anet extra income even with the 'account sharers' as they would buy that extra slot, instead of not buying the extra account. Not supporting account sharing, it should be monitored (problem is, how?) and the offenders suspended. Thenagain, eBay etc is as well against EULA, but still people are selling stuff in eBay.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thom

Right now there is the possiblity of playing the game through with each of the classes (as primary and secondary) and keep those characters while having a 4th PvE slot. Nothing is lost if you delete a slot and start over if you so wish. This is enough for one person to "completely" play the game and makes account sharing less reasonable.

It has been stated earlier that W/Mo isn't the same thing as Mo/W. Players that would like to play each primary without deleting hundred or more hours of work suffer here. What's the point in buying 15k armor, superior vigor etc runes on a char you'll end up deleting because you want to try another primary profession?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thom

The only ones hurt in the current setup are farmers who spend incredible amounts of time on a free game. It really isn't that difficult to dump a load of stuff on a storage account. If you are putting hundreds of hours into farming get another account and give A-net the full $50. I see no reason why farmers should get discounted storage space.

I don't think of myself as a farmer. I want to play all the primary professions, and current char slots don't allow me to do so, without deleting hours of work. Casual farmers, limited slots in one account really hurt them sure, but they are OK'd by Anet, and I think they are allowed to farm if they want to, for buying ingame stuff anyways. Professional Farmers, meaning those selling virtual stuff for real currency aren't hurt by current situation either. Actually, they are profiting from forced to have 2nd storage accounts. They can farm on 1st account, and have their bot selling on the 2nd account.

IMehler · Jan 17, 2006, 08:28 AM // 08:28

/bow for you.
/signed
/salute

Moltov joss · Jan 17, 2006, 09:03 AM // 09:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by PMBjornerud

4 characters and a 16-slot cross-character storage? Skimpy stuff.

ArenaNet, I know you want my cash. And believe it or not, I am more than willing to give it to you. I bought the CE for the sole purpose of blowing more cash on this game, in the hopes that some of it found its way to you.

However, there is one small thing I would like in return. More space. Those 4 character slots and that chest of storage... well, it just isn't a lot of space, is it? And no, I won't just buy another account. that would just be another 4 useless char slots with no skills on them and no way to transfer goods from one char to another.

Can't you give me some more ways to pay you some more cash? Did you hear that??? ArenaNet, you have a customer asking for ways TO SPEND MORE MONEY ON YOU. Wow! Just mention that idea for your CEO and I'm sure he'll be whipping all the dev crew to get this stuff implemented within a week! And you'll get a bonus, you lucky guy that picked up this post and told him about it!

After all, GW is a great game, and it's also dirt cheap. Too cheap. I got an overflowing MMO budget here, and I don't know what to do with it. Help me out, will ya? All the other games are boring grinds, and instead of paying $15 a month, you should give me a good reason to pay you some more cash instead.

Just off the top of my head:
Additional characters: $10 per slot.
Additional storage space: $10 per 4 slots.
A fancy-schmancy interface to punch my CC number in: priceless.

It's nothing that will make me more powerful, nor give me any advantage in the game whatsoever. I'll just have to worry less, never vendor any items I might use, and I can finally give you some more money.

Great Game, now just let me blow some more cash and not worry about running out of storange or not being able to make that other PvP char without deleting a PvE thing in the middle of a campaign.

Thanks

(Of course, if I am horribly mistaken, and I can buy another account and merge everything into a 8-char, 40-item storage heaven, tell me about it, I'll type my cc card number into the first text box I find!)

While i think your idea for account upgrade it cool. I do think the amounts you posted for extras is wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy more extravagant than buying another account.

Chicken Rice Seller · Jan 17, 2006, 09:31 AM // 09:31

lol /signed

Deathqueen · Jan 17, 2006, 09:40 AM // 09:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by twicky_kid

What stops the hoarders and farmers on ebay from buying multiple copies for storage right now? Absolutely nothing.

They are going to buy more accouts for storage whether you can do it under one accout or multiple. The only thing this change would affect is honest people that do play the game have more pve characters.

I have 2 accouts and one is for storage. Saying that it will off balance the storage and mess up the econemy is completely wrong. That issue is has been present since release of game.

I say we do it. There is already more storage by buying another account. Unlocking all the skills again is so much grind. You can't stop people from buying accounts for storage. Hell you got to get paid. I don't see a problem with this at all and with the figures he posted I would go for. That's the same amount for each slot and storage I paid for when I purchased the game.

Just because you have 2 accounts doesn't mean the majority are going to have 2 accounts for storage. Just because you play a certain way doesn't mean everyone wants to. This because I pay I deserve is just a waste of time. Anet must figure what the "majority" want and will do and will buy, not a handful of I want this I want that I want I want I want. They will maintain a balance to the economy as much as possible. Keeping hording down is one way. Keeping character slots minimum is another. Saves them date base money as so many keep bypassing or forgetting. Everything costs MONEY and a handful of people won't pay the bills.

Kaguya · Jan 17, 2006, 10:21 AM // 10:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deathqueen

Anet must figure what the "majority" want and will do and will buy, not a handful of I want this I want that I want I want I want. They will maintain a balance to the economy as much as possible. Keeping hording down is one way. Keeping character slots minimum is another. Saves them date base money as so many keep bypassing or forgetting. Everything costs MONEY and a handful of people won't pay the bills.

If people are annoyed by having low storage, they'll just buy another account. They can hoard now. They can get multiple char slots now. It doesn't save Anet any database space now. I haven't seen a single valid argument why people shouldn't be allowed to buy additional char slots to their existing accounts. They are giving money to Anet for the char slot, which Anet can use to upkeep the database & the corporation.

After enabling buying the slots, most things won't change. Only thing that changes is that people who would like to make PvE/PvP chars without having to repeatedly unlocking skills/items can do so. eBay-hoarders would still buy extra accounts, or slots now that it's possible, but they would still consume the database as they are doing now, none the less they are paying for the DB they use, and keeping ANet running (No, I don't support eBay farmers. They suck. But seeing that they aren't going anywhere..). Casual/common/normal players would now prefer to buy additional slot instead of account thanks to not bothering themselves with unlocking annoyances. If they just bought a char slot, they would miss out on the xunlai storage space, reducing the DB usage from that if they had bought a 2nd account.