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considering buying C Points, but I feel like its stupid?.
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Member, NoReporting Posts: 178,019 Arc User
Maybe someone can help I was thinking about buying Cryptic Points to get stuff from the store, but I feel like its stupid too, so stupid that it discourages me from buying the points or stuff from the store, I figured a good salesman or woman out there would convince me otherwise.
My problems are:
*My entertainment budget is limited.
*I Already pay $20 for the game a month on top of the $60 I paid for the game, and have subbed for 6 months so I have already spent nearly $200 with cryptic, but they want more.
*I don't want to encourage other content to be charged for.
*The C-Store things don't even technically exist, I have trouble with the concept of paying for imaginary items.
*It seems like my sub money helped hire the staff and technology to develop the C Store items and there would be no need for a C Store if it weren't for subscribers like me in the first place.
*I am already extending a great deal of patients too the STO staff in dealing with bugs and content delays and I pay them for it, your telling me freebies can't go both ways?
*Bugs in the game myself and others consider urgent to address have been delayed at least 1 patch ( Torpedo Spread ) but I think it's been 2 patches so far with no correction (even temporary removal would have been prefferable, missing content is better than bugged content). I don't want to give more money for doing a bad job.
*I was never able to get a response from tech support about keyboard issues I used to have. Which is another situation where I do not want reward shoddy work with more money.
*The stuff in the store like ships I want aren't cheap, they are $20 each. Its been a few years since I have looked but aren't little plastic toys of ships only a couple dollars? And those are real world items? It goes back to my trouble with paying for imaginary items, except magnified for the amount of money involved.
*I feel unappreciated for the money I do pay monthly for the game, shouldn't it be like I hook you up with some cash you hook me up with some deals? I don't even get freebie cryptic points each month for the money I am spending.
*$20 dollars a month is a bit high for MMO subscriptions, I don't even normally subscribe to MMOs. I know this is supposed to change with F2P but I just want to know how you currently figure charging high subscription and then charging more at a store is smart for me to spend money on which was my whole point in the first place.
*Why is it "Points"? Why can't it just be money? Are you afraid the US is going to sue you for using the dollar symbol? It seems like a system thats set up to be deceptive so you don't quite realize how much you spend or how much something costs. Casinos do that because they are sleazy to trick you into spending more money. I am not on vacation in Vegas out of state, I am a returning customer, do you want to try and fool around with a repeat customer?
My problems are:
*My entertainment budget is limited.
*I Already pay $20 for the game a month on top of the $60 I paid for the game, and have subbed for 6 months so I have already spent nearly $200 with cryptic, but they want more.
*I don't want to encourage other content to be charged for.
*The C-Store things don't even technically exist, I have trouble with the concept of paying for imaginary items.
*It seems like my sub money helped hire the staff and technology to develop the C Store items and there would be no need for a C Store if it weren't for subscribers like me in the first place.
*I am already extending a great deal of patients too the STO staff in dealing with bugs and content delays and I pay them for it, your telling me freebies can't go both ways?
*Bugs in the game myself and others consider urgent to address have been delayed at least 1 patch ( Torpedo Spread ) but I think it's been 2 patches so far with no correction (even temporary removal would have been prefferable, missing content is better than bugged content). I don't want to give more money for doing a bad job.
*I was never able to get a response from tech support about keyboard issues I used to have. Which is another situation where I do not want reward shoddy work with more money.
*The stuff in the store like ships I want aren't cheap, they are $20 each. Its been a few years since I have looked but aren't little plastic toys of ships only a couple dollars? And those are real world items? It goes back to my trouble with paying for imaginary items, except magnified for the amount of money involved.
*I feel unappreciated for the money I do pay monthly for the game, shouldn't it be like I hook you up with some cash you hook me up with some deals? I don't even get freebie cryptic points each month for the money I am spending.
*$20 dollars a month is a bit high for MMO subscriptions, I don't even normally subscribe to MMOs. I know this is supposed to change with F2P but I just want to know how you currently figure charging high subscription and then charging more at a store is smart for me to spend money on which was my whole point in the first place.
*Why is it "Points"? Why can't it just be money? Are you afraid the US is going to sue you for using the dollar symbol? It seems like a system thats set up to be deceptive so you don't quite realize how much you spend or how much something costs. Casinos do that because they are sleazy to trick you into spending more money. I am not on vacation in Vegas out of state, I am a returning customer, do you want to try and fool around with a repeat customer?
Post edited by Unknown User on
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Comments
The fact that the C-Store items don't physically exist doesn't mean they don't exist at all, each item consists of binary code on cyptic's server, that code costs cryptic money to create and store, thus it has an actual value. while those "little plastic toys of ships" do physically exist, the reason they might only cost a couple of bucks is because they cost the manufacturer a lot less to make. (besides, last time I checked they were a lot more expensive than a couple of bucks).
The reason they have a C-Store is because the sub money alone isn't enough to sustain the company.
Most items on that C-Store aren't really that expensive, if you look at the prices, most of the items are only around $5. The ships are more expensive because they are meant to be special, and they are more than just costumes.
With the game going F2P, you may have to get used to the idea of spending real money on virtual goods if you plan on continuing with the game. I'm sure Cryptic will find a way to get you to give in sooner or later, be it on a respec token or a ship that is clearly superior to the one you currently use.
For now, what is it specifically that you are interested in? You said it was ships that are about $20 each, right. Which ones are we talking about?
If its the Venture (under $20) or Venture-X (over $20), I'd say wait and see if Cryptic addresses the graphical issues with these ships before funding them. I've a got a post about this a little ways down on the boards.
If its the Excelsior (about $15 U.S.), I'd say that ship is worth the money, from a visual and gameplay point of view.
I can't really answer whether it is ethical under the current model, that's up to you. The better question I could answer, is such-and-such virtual good a good buy?
Not sure if this helps, but I hope it does.
I can't help you with this one. I'm pretty much in the same boat, lol.
Why is your sub $20? I thought the monthly sub for STO was $15. Then again... I'm a lifer so I don't pay monthly so I could be wrong on that. Anyway... as far as them wanting more they are a business, and any business wants more money. Most MMOs in the world are all doing some sort of real-money store. Even wow, which has 11 million subs, still has a real-money store for players to buy vanity items.
Here we have too issues... first... you not buying from the store isn't going to stop them from adding items to it. That's the entire point of their F2P model. They are banking on the idea that players that aren't paying to play the game will pay for items from the C-store, so you're just out of luck. Second, when you go to a movie you are paying to watch an imaginary thing. When you buy a fiction book you are buying a story that someone imagined. When you buy a game, any game, you are paying for something imagined. So, in essence, you are already paying for an imaginary item, STO itself, why does it matter if you buy more imaginary stuff?
Most of this is related and some I've addressed above. On the new stuff though I agree with you. Cryptic hasn't been doing the greatest job lately of bringing new content to the game or caring for their player base. I will say they've had it rough in-house lately too. Change in leadership, changing the way the game functions (F2P), along with D.Stahl leaving can't be easy for the crew in studio. I recommend patience, at least for now.
Most of this one I addressed above, but I wanted to add in most "toys" in the stores these days coast between $20 and $40. Depending on what "bells and whistles" they have and what size they have. Suffice to say, however, toys aren't cheap. As far as your "free" cryptic points goes... if you continue to sub after F2P launch you will get some "free" points.
On the last two paragraphs of your post I really don't have much to say. What they name the currency is up to them, and having someone buy a series of points then use the points to buy items is probably easier to keep track of then hundreds of 5 dollar purchases. Just a guess though.
* I, too, hate the idea of "rewarding bad behavior" (bugs, content drought, Pay-to-Win, etc.).
* I enjoy playing STO. It's kind of an addiction for me and I don't have much of a life :rolleyes: so it's "easy" for me to excuse Cryptic of "wrong-doing."
* The pretty c-store things are oh-so-shiney and pretty. I wants it.
* Did I mention I was addicted and have no life?
* I'd be really angry over the Content Drought if I was a month-to-month subscriber. Considering Cryptic took their monthly subscriptions all the while leading the players on with promises of "soon" and release dates that even now keep getting pushed further back. However, I'm a Lifer, and in about a week, I pass my "break-even point" (600-Day Vet) and start playing for Free. So I am less angry and more peeved. I'm bored and disappointed more than anything. And frankly it means I won't bother paying for any other Cryptic games and get addicted to those too (they've already got me on STO and CO).
* All that said, I have purchased from the C-Store in the past and will likely do so again in the future.
* I wait for items to go on sale. I won't be buying full price again.
* There are some items (like Pay-to-Win Ships or Per Character Bank/BO slots) that I'm boycotting.
* I agree they are "points" instead of dollars (and don't have an easy 1:1 ratio) to fool you like dirty casinos.
* When I make a "virtual" purchase, I consider the "entertainment value" of the item and weigh it against going to a movie. When I see a picture in a theater I pay about $12, and good or bad, that provides me with about 2hrs of "entertainment" - Will the C-Store costume, ship, or other shiney provide me with X amount of fun time? And if so then it's got "value" to me even if I don't have a physical item to "own" in my hands (nor do I after leaving a theater, well execept the used ticket stub).
That about sums it up for me. Take from it what you will. Thanks for listening.
F2P = P2W
C-Store... just do it.
That is all.
If you plan to 'go Silver' (free) - it really doesn't matter when you buy the C-Points, so it's up to you as, once F2P hits, they'll start being A LOT more to buy in the C-Store than there is now. With F2P, the game will make most of it's money for Crypic from the C-Store - so they'll add a lot to it to entice you as a Silver (or Free player) to make a purchase for your character.
In the end, it's your call as to whether you really see something that you like in the C-Store that you feel will enhance or increase your STO game[lay enjoyment; but you hav to weigh that with what your personal budget situation is. But if you want something; it makes the game more enjoyable for you, and you can afford it without harming your RL situation; it's okay for you to make a purchase (IMO).
As far a what benefit you get between now and then, you get the ability to play Star Trek for another 2-3 months while you wait: as well as the ability to play all the new stuff on Tribble if you want. So you can play the new Borg Ground zone, you can play the new FE, you can play the new Weekly Missions, you can play the new DOff system, the new Tutorial, etc. All of that will be available to play.
If it only matters to you that you play the new Content on Holodeck, and/or you are not getting any enjoyment out of playing STO at this time due to lack of Mission Content on Holodeck, then I would unsubscribe and come back in a couple of months.
As for the C-Store my Purchases total up to 8,610 C-Point Value. That's with out discounts that I doubtlessly used on some of the purchases.
Mostly Character Slots 12 Purchased - 2850 (Four 2 Slots 500 + One 4 Slot for 850)
Worst purchase I've made was the B'Rel Refit, thing has never panned out to the 1200 points it cost.
It's all about if You feel your Money is spent well on what you Buy.
I am also not used to MMO monthly fees, I totally understand, employees and that server stuff costs money, but when I buy most games that aren't MMO its like $60 new and then I can play it forever without any additional fees. Now don't get me wrong I am happy to pay that. I enjoy the game, I like seeing people employed, able to feed and take care of their families, its just unusual for me is all.
Now I just can't get behind this "We want more money" attitude out of STO. Seems an awful lot like you took my subscription money went off into your own little world and came back, then were like "NEW SHIP!" and of coarse I am like "Wow awesome, how do I get that?" Then I get kicked downstairs when I hear back "TWENTY DOLLARS!" . And you know what I think there going to do with the money I spent at the C Store? WELL MAKE MORE SHIPS THAT COST MONEY! Of coarse! It worked before, why not again?
You know I wouldn't even be questioning it if things at the store weren't so freaken expensive? I probably just would have bought the ships I wanted and moved on, it would have still been weird but at least it wouldn't be such a big dent in my wallet.
In the UK for example we pay a license to be able to have a TV. We then have the option of either having a free package (freeview) or we can pay about 15-20pound extra a month for a few extra channels from virgin or sky. In addition to those subscriptions we can make a one off purchase to sky/virgin to watch an on-demand film.
Another example here in the UK is our beloved motor car. We buy our car and then subscribe to being able to drive it on the road by paying annual road tax. We can then buy extras for our motor cars such as fluffy dice or a nice radio.
Telephones are also subscribe plus extra as you pay line rental to have a phone which allows people to phone you but if you wish to use it to phone anybody else you have to pay more.
Seriously the subscribe plus pay for extras model is nothing new.
The two ships that you're thinking of are definitely in the "fun extra" category. If you're hoping that you'll have some kind of gameplay advantage with either of them (Galaxy X or Garaumba), you will be disappointed. Both of them are arguably inferior to other ships at their level: their gameplay bonuses are interesting but compromised, and for the cost, you'd be surprised at the graphical customization options on them (none, unless you pay an additional cost for the Venture X skin). So if you drop money on either of them, make sure that you want them BADLY before you invest.
Even then, I would wait for the next sale. They'll probably get marked down 20% or whatever, when the "Halloween sale" or "F2P Beta Weekend" sale hits.
But really, it sounds like you're feeling pretty negative about the C-Store in general, and although I've failed to take a principled stand on it (I've bought both of these ships), I completely sympathize and agree with you. You've got a bitter feeling about it, and I'm willing to bet that you would just end up resenting your purchases and Cryptic afterwards.
In my experience, you'll buy it, enjoy it far less than its value and have it go on a crazy new sale for cheap very soon after.
Then you'll be upset at yourself for encouraging them to make less sub content and more C-Store content.
In the long run, you'll probably be disappointed.
The exception is if this is your favorite game ever and you love everything about it. (I don't know how people do but to each their own )
Lastly, I'm assuming u pay $20 because of some tax garbage or something?
As far as benefits you get if you keep subscribing till then well you get to keep playing till then. After that you get a monthly stipend of 400 points and no limits on what you can do in game. If you play free once F2P launches then you will have some limits on your character and what you can do to play but you can take your 15 or 20 a months your used to subbing with and just buy points..
I didn't know the Seige Destroyer costs money too? What do they give at the final tier for raptor pilots then?
Once you start, you cannot stop. Cryptic forces you to in some way buy C-store points no matter what reason, they will eventually get you over the line. Especially now when stuff becomes free to play.
Its like an addiction, you have been warned.
I completely agree with this statement; once you start, it is very hard to stop. Before you know it, you've plunked down $50 or more just on ships, and most of them just sit around gathering virtual dust.
Fortunately, I've just recently kicked the habit. The Venture bugs really ended up annoying me, especially since I picked up the Venture in part to not have to use all the other buggy cruisers in the game! So I'm off the wagon until these issues get addressed.
Back to the point: Maybe unsubscribe till F2P launches...which will probably be in Nov and Dec. There won't be any new content until then. Then take the money you saved on not subscribing for two months and treat yourself to those ships on your free account. And just view these virtual purchases as your subscriber "fee".
it never ends.