Curse

Count to Potato · Apr 21, 2006, 04:27 PM // 16:27

Much more economical

Guild Wars account 49.99 + Tax

4 Slots per account

Guild Wars Slots 9.99 + Tax

4 Slots for 40$ rather than 50$

MelechRic · Apr 21, 2006, 04:57 PM // 16:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by kryshnysh

How much does ANet get off of each copy of Guild Wars? Best Buy might sell it for $20 to pull you in; they'll bite the bullet in the hopes you buy more stuff from them. Of that, does ANet only get $20? Or does Best Buy still pay ANet the $35-40? My guess is closer to the latter, its more typical of such economics. You're getting that $20 discount from Best Buy more than ANet, to clear shelves, to pull you in and hope you buy more, etc. <snip>

My guess is that ANet gets a cut of NCSoft's wholesale price for Guild Wars. I don't know what the markup is on games, but if it's like other retail it's probably 100-200%. ANet/NCSoft sells the game for a flat amount (probably close to $10-15) to BestBuy and other retailers. I don't think BestBuy is selling the game at a loss when it sells it at $20. BestBuy's margins may not be 200% on a $20 Guild Wars, but they are not losing money either. If they were, then they wouldn't have the game on their shelves since it could be replaced with something that DID guarantee a %200 markup.

Looking at the the $10/slot promotion we can see that it's margins are much higher for ANet/NCSoft. The only middle men putting their hands out for a cut are the credit card companies. There is a small overhead for the website as well. There's nothing to ship since it's a virtual product (key for a slot unlock). Very very savvy marketing.

Now they just need to take the next logical step:

$30 for content (chapters) w/o any slots.
$10 for a slot that has full access to the content bought AND 5 extra storage slots.

If ANet does this then it effectively cuts off the whining about slots/chapter. They can even do some bonus stuff like 2 free slots when you purchase your first content.

Seems like a rock solid marketing plan.

Beat_Go_Stick · Apr 21, 2006, 05:00 PM // 17:00

Solution for people with 2 accounts:

STEP 1 - Sell one account on ebay to someone interested in checking the game out.

STEP 2 - Use a portion of the money you make to pay back what you spent on GW:Prophecies.

STEP 3 - Use another portion of the money you make to buy an extra 3 character slots on your other account.

STEP 4 - Use the rest of the money you make to buy your girl (or boy) dinner and a night on the town.

I know this doesn't handle the fact that you have unlocks on both accounts but, yaknow, there are worse things in life. Doing it this way allows you to have a primary of each class, a slot open for PvP, and a night out dancing it up

Actually sounds pretty good to me....too bad I only have my one account.

Xaniera · Apr 21, 2006, 05:28 PM // 17:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by WetWookie

Ya, it is an opinion. But I believe your opinion was manipulated by Anet's marketing tactics. They have a habit of promising a product that is far below the requirements to fully enjoy the game. Then when they meet you half way you're so relieved you fail to notice that you still are getting jipped. Some examples.

What a reasonable person would expect to get: 7 slots (1 for each primary character + 1 so you can take part in PvP)
What you're promised: 4 slots
What you get: 4 slots plus the option to buy more
Reaction: Oh joy, we're not stuck with 4 slots
Oversight: We have to pay double to get what we should reasonably expect to have to fully appreciate the game

What a reasonable person would expect to get: Prophesy owners to get the same number of slots as new purchasers of Factions (4 more slots)
What you're promised: 1 slot
What you get: 2 slots
Reaction: Oh joy, we're not stuck with 1 slot
Oversight: We still get less for the same amount of money.

Okay, but what I think people still don't get is that an expansion means more content not more characters. ANet then says, "well, since you want more character slots, we'll throw in a bonus 2 if you buy the factions expansion to prophecies, or buy prophecies as an expansion to factions. In fact, examine that there: what if you buy factions first? You do not get 6 slots, you get the same as everyone else: 4. Then you buy an expansion of content and get a bonus with it. After that, ANet sees that people want more character slots so they can do all this stuff, so they sit down, discuss it, and say "we'll need more money for more storage space." Nothing is free in life or games, it has to be paid for at some point along its path to you. It doesn't matter whether the payment is time or money.

Jedediah Strong · Apr 21, 2006, 05:38 PM // 17:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by crimsonfilms

If you try to compare GW to MMORPG , please don't exlcude the bigger size of the game and the free content update they get.
Sorrows Furnace is the only compareable free update GW ever added. The rest are minor when compared to other MMORPG.

Call it what you will. I have played my share of these types of games and this is still the most gaming value that can be had at this price.

I played Earth and Beyond for the entire time it was available....one, count 'em...one actual game update in two years. Yeah, we got the monthly content patch that fixed bugs and made tweaks/nerfs, but no updates or expansions.

Eve Online....hey....there is a fun game. That is if you have 9 months or so to spend grinding away in order to get to a level that is even competitive. Not to mention the "screen stare" for minutes while waiting to zone or dock. Wow. Excitement. At $15 bucks a month. I will admit, the graphics rocked.

Shadowbane. Yawn.

On and on it goes.

Jedediah Strong · Apr 21, 2006, 05:48 PM // 17:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by WetWookie

Except that GW is not a MMORPG. You might as well argue that I should be happy paying $30 more because a car costs $200 a month and GW is cheaper.

Wow. Now that made lots of sense. Not.

Call it what you will. I still say the difference is negligible.

MM = Massively Multi-player. I would say 1,000,000+ subscribers is MM

O = Online. Yup. We play it online.

RP = Role Playing. Hmm. Give or take this one. I do lot's of role playing. When the game went live (and during beta) there was allot more role playing. Now we have many many more adolescent kids just being their same old real life immature selves.

G = Game. Indeed. Last time I checked it was still a game.

I never really bought into the MMOG bit. Like I said, I think the genre is sort of relative.

For me, the only real downside to the CHEAP cost of playing this game is that it opens it up to a realm of immaturity that could not afford to play if it cost a monthly fee.

So, regardless of what you call it, the game DOES compare to the "standard" MMORPG (and that is what I have always considered it for my purposes) and that said, it is pretty damn affordable.

Just my opinion of course. But I am ok with that.

JaktUp · Apr 21, 2006, 05:48 PM // 17:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by TalonTheCat

Yipee! I wish I could merge my two accounts too, but can't have everything.

That is exactly what I was thinking!!. They could make the same amount of money by allowing people to simply merge accounts give or take a slot. I'll buy new slots, but this now makes my 2 other accounts (only one of which I really needed) useless as I would like to have all skills available for PvP on one account.

I predict alot of secondary accounts being sold on eBay...

Really though, I see no reason why merging accounts couldn't be done just as easy. Shoot, I'd pay to be able to do that. It would save me all that work all over again.

WetWookie · Apr 21, 2006, 06:11 PM // 18:11

The root of the problem is that in order to fully enjoy the game we all love we are forced to pay an additional $30 in order to be able to play a character of each class and to have a slot for PvP.

If I sold you a book and told you you had to skip 1 out of every 3 chapters unless you pay double you would not be happy.

Loviatar · Apr 21, 2006, 06:20 PM // 18:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by WetWookie

Ya, it is an opinion. But I believe your opinion was manipulated by Anet's marketing tactics. They have a habit of promising a product that is far below the requirements to fully enjoy the game. .

since this is Anets first game how do they have a history?
and if you knew this why did you buy it?

also why are so many people enjoying an unenjoyable game?

Quote:

What a reasonable person would expect to get: 7 slots (1 for each primary character + 1 so you can take part in PvP)

gee whiz more than a million unreasonable people bought it in the first few months and sales are still very good

Quote:

What you're promised: 4 slots

and you got them

Quote:

What a reasonable person would expect to get: Prophesy owners to get the same number of slots as new purchasers of Factions (4 more slots)

they do if they dont decide to merge

lyra_song · Apr 21, 2006, 06:23 PM // 18:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by WetWookie

The root of the problem is that in order to fully enjoy the game we all love we are forced to pay an additional $30 in order to be able to play a character of each class and to have a slot for PvP.

If I sold you a book and told you you had to skip 1 out of every 3 chapters unless you pay double you would not be happy.

Dont forget the mule slot

Your book analogy would mean that the book would be readable, but youd have to lock up chapter 1 in order to read chapter 2. You can go back and re-read chapter 1 but that means you have to lock up chapter 2.

Complete access, but not all at once. Very inconvenient and annoying.

Darkgift Risen · Apr 21, 2006, 06:24 PM // 18:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soul Torn

Why yes, yes I can.

Oh, and BTW for anyone complaining about this, this is exactly what you were complaining about before, NOT ENOUGH SLOTS WAAAAA

then YOU CAN HAVE AS MANY AS YOU WANT!! NOT FAIR WAAAAAAAAAAAA

just leave it alone! and if you cant be satisfied by what they have done go away and play something else! I cant stand all the whining threads I see on here. They are all the same, and have NO point except to complain about a game that has given most of us over 1000 hours of playing time!!! I personally have NEVER had a game that I stayed interested in for that long.

To end my rant, I think we need a "whining forum" where ppl can go and complain, just sweep it clean every week.

That would be great if it had any chance of working!

I Totally agree..can't stand all the complaining about a game that 1. you don't have to pay to play 2.constantly changes and has cool special events 3.that i have waaay more than a 1000 hrs on..(1725 to be exact) and keeps getting better every hr i play..if u wanna complain just keep this in mind......STFU!!!!!!!!!!!! and go back to playing diablo2 or wow or baulders gate..jump on those forums and bitch all u want...but plz for the love of Grenth STFU....sorry..wooo..i feel better now....and and STFU complainers lol

Omnidragon42 · Apr 21, 2006, 06:38 PM // 18:38

TL;DR

for all the storage complaints: each character can hold an extra 45 slots and 100k

I love this idea and sooooooooooo excited.

Batius · Apr 21, 2006, 06:45 PM // 18:45

So its 4.99 per slot? They should just bunch an extra 4 slots together for like £15-20. Seeing as you've already purchased the game you should get hefty discounts.
Ah well, I'll pay anyway, I want characters with each profession as primary, its killin me not havin an ele and mes while I have everythin else at 20.
Hope its early not late summer

Loviatar · Apr 21, 2006, 06:54 PM // 18:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Batius

Hope its early not late summer

evil snicker

think of the summer release of Sorrows Furnace
snicker...............

Mordakai · Apr 21, 2006, 06:56 PM // 18:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by crimsonfilms

The problem is trying to sell the math logic that Gaile and company (yes Gaile I am calling you out on this) try to sell as if the community is some kind of idiots.

They where try to pitch it as if it was some kind of benefit when in fact it was just a backdoor scheme to eek out more money.
ANet scams the whole we don't have a monthly BS. We are not even in chapter 2 and that argument has already become weak. Instead of being honest like other companies about their marketing model - ANet decided to BS the community. Hood winking. Yea no monthly - but they will get you later.

Sigh. Again, you are not being forced to buy anything. I don't know how to say this any plainer than no extra expenses required. No monthly fees, no requirement to buy expansions, no requirement to buy extra slots. You paid $50 for GW and can continue to play it as long as you want without spending another dime (other than internet access, but I'm sure you'll find a way to blame Anet for that as well...)

Quote:

Originally Posted by crimsonfilms

ANet keeps treating the community like this then it is hard not to be anti ANet. The PvP community has slowly been disillusioned with ANet. And like many things in the gaming industry - the PvP community leads the way.

ANet you have been warned.

Bwa- ha- ha! You're funny. You really are. But I don't think Anet or anybody else feels threatened.

I'll tell everyone right now who is morally outraged that a company has the gall to sell a service people want, they SHOULD leave Guild Wars. And go live in a commune somewhere, so you can get everything you want for free.

Gli · Apr 21, 2006, 07:01 PM // 19:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darkgift Risen

what the hell are u talking about??

Ok, if sarcasm doesn't get the message across, I'll bite and elaborate.

What I was really trying to say is, if you can't stand 'whining' don't read the 'whiny' threads. I find it absolutely perplexing that people would voluntarily expose themselves to something they can't stand and then complain about how they can't stand it. It makes me think you just like to complain, or dogpile people who don't share your sentiments. Conversations can do without either.

Darkgift Risen · Apr 21, 2006, 07:04 PM // 19:04

Right on brutha..its amazing that people always find something to complain about..why are u guys still playing GW then? I don't friggin understand it..and if 9.99 is alot to ask for a character slot..then sell ur pc and buy a nintendo 64 i think those games are cheap enough for you...the fact is, GW is a quality game...quality costs money some time or another...but the QUALITY and GAMEPLAY is there...Dark

Loviatar · Apr 21, 2006, 07:07 PM // 19:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by crimsonfilms

And like many things in the gaming industry - the PvP community leads the way.

ANet you have been warned.

you threaten them

MYST
DID MORE FOR GAMING TO GET US WHERE WE ARE NOW THAN ANY OTHER GAME TECH WISE.

NOT PVP

frickett · Apr 21, 2006, 07:09 PM // 19:09

I love guild wars, It rocks. I have a lvl 20 ranger/monk, warrior/necro and mesmer, ele. As well as my pvp slot. woot woot. Im gonna make a monk, and a necro when i get my bonus slots. Not sure that i will need a primary ele, asn, or rit yet, but if I decide that i do, then the opportunity is there for me. A-net rocks.

DoctorEvil · Apr 21, 2006, 07:09 PM // 19:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by WetWookie

The root of the problem is that in order to fully enjoy the game we all love we are forced to pay an additional $30 in order to be able to play a character of each class and to have a slot for PvP.

If I sold you a book and told you you had to skip 1 out of every 3 chapters unless you pay double you would not be happy.

I disagree. Personally, I can "fully" enjoy the game with only 1 of my 4 character slots, I certainly don't need to buy 3 more slots! Not everyone feels the need to play every character available and PvP. I guess it comes down to how you define your full enjoyment of the game.

And the book analogy is a little off....once I've gone through PvE once, I've read the whole book. When I went through PvE with my second character, I re-read the book from a different characters point of view. When I did it the 3rd & 4th times, I was bored and skipped a few chapters so I could get to the end.