Mudd's market is suppose to be a weird and crude joke on the issue of charlatan or con artist - except it is a very very bad one on the part of Cryptic. The actual prices is the sale price at 80% - which basically answers the question; If an item is always on sale, is it really a sale? The simple answer is no.
Anyone who buys said item at the over inflated con artist price is foolish indeed. Basically stating a Buyers beware - as there truly is "NO" discount prices on the Mudd store, only rotating scam sale price percentage.
"It's just done to represent Harry Mudds notoriety as a conn artist".
From a thematic perspective, yeah... it would make sense. However, this isn't just a store where you're purchasing things with free in-game currency i.e. energy credits. You're paying with real money with Zen. If it were credits, it could be laughed at as a nice jab at a well known Trek character.
However, as others have stated. This potentially comes into conflict with laws surrounding sales in multiple territories and shoudln't be shrugged off as just an attempt by the developers as having a bit of a laugh and a joke. This is very much a real attempt to conn people out of large sums of money, in many instances for in-game items which were previously free.
I'm very disappointed with Crypyics attitude to this feature, I've just returned to the game after almost two years out of the loop playing other games. Seeing this new scam store, along with the frankly ludicrously priced 10 year anniversary bundles really puts me off supporting this game more than I already have up to this point. The most disappointing thing about this is that I came back to the game thinking "wow ten years, that's pretty crazy I wonder how they'll mark this occasion". Well now I know, outside of a FE (which was very good btw I'll give you that) the theme of it is front and centre, rip off your customers with hideously priced bundles and a new "market" which is dubious at best.
The next week or so will really make or break whether I stay and play or leave the game again, perhaps permenantly this time.
Cryptic, you can make money off the Star Trek IP, lots of it. However as I've seen in other games, even mobile games... if you price reasonably and make your customer feel valued they will spend more, without you needing to resort to ethically dubious practices.
Looking for a dedicated Star Trek community? Visit www.ufplanets.com for details.
The bundle is not overpriced if you factor in that T6 ships go for 3k each individually. Therefore, the bundle is the same price as buying the ships, plus it has other goodies in there with them.
As for Mudd's market, they aren't counting on people to pay the ludicrously expensive prices. They hold 80% off sales there regularly, where the prices are much more affordable. It's just an homage to Mudd, who would sell his annoying wife if he could get a good price for her.
Yes, the ships were previously 'free', if you did the event to get them. Once the event is over, if you want it, you have to buy it. In the Mudd store it's still an acct-unlock. In the Phoenix box it is character-locked still.
Now a LTS and loving it.
Just because you spend money on this game, it does not entitle you to be a jerk if things don't go your way.
I have come to the conclusion that I have a memory like Etch-A-Sketch. I shake my head and forget everything.
If I remember there was that Fek'iri S'torr Warship Cryptic most recently added & was on sale for 3400 zen at -80% or -85% off which I thought was VERY reasonable for an event ship if someone had missed. I'm hoping Cryptic would add event ships I had missed even if already in Phoenix. I had grinded for the S'torr during the event so I already had it, but just 400 zen more over a normal T6 ship cost when not available anymore I thought was reasonable. Then again, it is Cryptic that makes previous content non-available for new players usually but that's another topic.
Do items in Mudd's Market disappear or are they permanent? I purchased items for a cheap price on PS4 I was able to pick up items that were only obtainable through what is now Events. I was lucky to get some items (ie Holo Leta) for a nice price. I think I paid 500 for her. I will admit these Regular prices are insanely high. It is nice to be able to pick up some things that I have on PS4 but not on PC because I just started playing on PC.
They are permanent and other items will be added. The prices will vary on some or all items. There have been 80% and 85% sales. The 85% seems to be only on a couple or one item at a time. I'm not sure but I don't think there has been a store-wide sale since Mudd's Market first appeared. Even Cryptic doesn't encourage you to purchase at full price.
If there are other items in there you are interested in, it pays to check daily to see what is on sale, if anything. Best time would be after 10 AM PST or after a Maintenance.
'But to be logical is not to be right', and 'nothing' on God's earth could ever 'make it' right!'
Judge Dan Haywood
'As l speak now, the words are forming in my head.
l don't know.
l really don't know what l'm about to say, except l have a feeling about it.
That l must repeat the words that come without my knowledge.'
they're permanent (as far as anyone knows) but they aren't constant; the store will only ever have a few items at any one time, and the inventory is constantly being cycled in and out
A normie goes "Oh, what's this?"
An otaku goes "UwU, what's this?"
A furry goes "OwO, what's this?"
A werewolf goes "Awoo, what's this?"
"It's nothing personal, I just don't feel like I've gotten to know a person until I've sniffed their crotch." "We said 'no' to Mr. Curiosity. We're not home. Curiosity is not welcome, it is not to be invited in. Curiosity...is bad. It gets you in trouble, it gets you killed, and more importantly...it makes you poor!"
Passion and Serenity are one.
I gain power by understanding both.
In the chaos of their battle, I bring order.
I am a shadow, darkness born from light.
The Force is united within me.
Do items in Mudd's Market disappear or are they permanent? I purchased items for a cheap price on PS4 I was able to pick up items that were only obtainable through what is now Events. I was lucky to get some items (ie Holo Leta) for a nice price. I think I paid 500 for her. I will admit these Regular prices are insanely high. It is nice to be able to pick up some things that I have on PS4 but not on PC because I just started playing on PC.
I wouldn't take any of the details for granted with this system, Cryptic appears to be in a state of transition regarding monetization and they may play around with a few strategies before settling on a routine.
Right now Cryptic's emulating rotating marketplaces found in the likes Destiny or Anthem with high prices being functionally equivalent to timed availability (just with a very expensive buyout if an item's not active in the rotation.) Once they get enough content though, Cryptic could try to manage volume (for easy browsing, rotating stores tend to have a small number of items at any one time) by pulling items out of rotation (adding just that bit more to FOMO.) It depends on how they want to manage the c-store and what they're data is telling them, such that even if they have plans in place they could very well change based on performance. There isn't a whole lot of precedent to go on (see. the 2020 anniversary bundle versus 2019), so there's not a whole lot to make a reasonable projection with.
Maybe it'll be there when you can afford it on PC, but then again it might not depending on timing and circumstances (the further out you go though, the more likely significant change could take place.)
Bipedal mammal and senior Foundry author.
Notable missions: Apex [AEI], Gemini [SSF], Trident [AEI], Evolution's Smile [SSF], Transcendence
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Same concept as the chuckleheads that post hypos on the Exchange for 1 Million EC, or that lousy Trait for 100 Million EC, or a Lobi Ship for 1 Billion EC. They're not expecting anyone to buy it at those prices so additional storage it is. However, if someone does something foolish and does purchase them, then what the heck, a sucker is born every minute.
'But to be logical is not to be right', and 'nothing' on God's earth could ever 'make it' right!'
Judge Dan Haywood
'As l speak now, the words are forming in my head.
l don't know.
l really don't know what l'm about to say, except l have a feeling about it.
That l must repeat the words that come without my knowledge.'
People who want to argue, will argue over anything.
Adm. Necheyev didn't own ANY Starfleet ships. Starfleet did. Also she didn't make one bolt, connect a single wire, gelpack or device, or otherwise helped on making them. I find it presumptuous she claimed it was HER ships. In fact saying as much would probably warranty a reprimand from any of her superiors in Federation and possibly not participating in said actions as other superior personnel do, would in our days(2409 onwards) result in herself facing the same fate as what she has threatened, in that same penal colony.
Event Ships have gone to the Phoenix Store. The ship (Vizier) available in Mudd's Market was a special, extra-Crpytic release. You will probably find the Mirror Guardian and Mirror Danube eventually make their way to this Market as they were also special extra-Cryptic promotions as well.
Who knows if the Nagus will make its way here.
Do you expect the Ferengi T6 Gold D'Kora marauder to appear in there? - That
is the ship I am hoping for, especially if it comes with an extra console slot.
Oh, that would be interesting. I was not whalish enough to qualify (or RNG was not in my favour, whatever), and I wouldn't mind having a Tier 6 D'Kora. I can evne do without the gold, I think.
Star Trek Online Advancement: You start with lowbie gear, you end with Lobi gear.
I'd like a vanity shield tab added for old lockbox and seasonal event vanity shields. For those people who might have missed out due to work or life circumstances.
As a console player a few things that I would like to see come to Mudd's Market are the Starfleet Photonic Science Officer Candidate and most of the Bridge options that have not appeared like the Miranda or Destiny or Prometheus options.
I wanted to start this new thread on Mudd's Market for discussion and feedback, so that it starts off with Ambassador's Kael's tweet regarding the new section of the C-Store. That way, folks who may be coming late to the discussion and do not want to read through the entire thread can easily find it and get caught up on what's going on. So , without further ado, here's Kael's tweet:
Essentially, the regular prices ARE the real prices. Yes, I know. They're ridiculously overpriced, and if you want to spend your Zen on the full price when sales are off, that is up to you. But sales will come regularly and percentages off may vary, so the idea is to keep checking the store for the sale that best suits you.
I know that some players have a certain feeling about how this has been handled/presented, but let's please keep the discussion civil and refrain from any wild speculation, slanderous remarks, and accusations of wrong-doing. This is something new that the devs are experimenting with and they are watching and listening to constructive feedback, so let's give it some time.
Once again, thank you all for being members of the Star Trek Online Forum Community.
- BaddMoonRizin
Yeah Mudd's is a serious rip-off. It's just a money grab. If it's products were maybe 1/2 the price they currently are, I may consider some items. As it stands now, I would never buy anything there, period.
I still like the novelty of it, & like Cryptic spit-balling different ideas for items/services of STO which means sometimes the ideas & methods to apply them will stick, be good, & some won't stick, be bad, but I totally agree don't buy anything in Mudd's unless it is on sale!
I would feel ashamed as a seller to sell something for a crazy price and put it in sale the next day for 90% less, you knew it would go on sale the next day as a seller so its just a rip-off, and the the line only a sucker would buy this at the full price....
There should be laws against this!
Things like integrity & having ethics can only get in the way of capitalism.
Because socialism is full of ethics and integrity, right?
Really, though, you ignore capitalism has an integrated ethics system. If people don't like what you're doing, they can vote with their wallets and NOT BUY.
buyer beware "normal" prices in mudds market are way over priced just wait for the many sales that goes on in mudds market to buy anything because the actual "normal" prices of some of the items listed you could buy a fleet of ships or a ton of keys for those prices .
Maybe I am being a total Trek geek, but I would rather see players randomly cross paths with (Harry) Harcourt Fenton Mudd (on planets and in his J Class Starship), and be offered a few choices at reduced prices - rather than an overpriced "Shopfront".
Comments
Anyone who buys said item at the over inflated con artist price is foolish indeed. Basically stating a Buyers beware - as there truly is "NO" discount prices on the Mudd store, only rotating scam sale price percentage.
From a thematic perspective, yeah... it would make sense. However, this isn't just a store where you're purchasing things with free in-game currency i.e. energy credits. You're paying with real money with Zen. If it were credits, it could be laughed at as a nice jab at a well known Trek character.
However, as others have stated. This potentially comes into conflict with laws surrounding sales in multiple territories and shoudln't be shrugged off as just an attempt by the developers as having a bit of a laugh and a joke. This is very much a real attempt to conn people out of large sums of money, in many instances for in-game items which were previously free.
I'm very disappointed with Crypyics attitude to this feature, I've just returned to the game after almost two years out of the loop playing other games. Seeing this new scam store, along with the frankly ludicrously priced 10 year anniversary bundles really puts me off supporting this game more than I already have up to this point. The most disappointing thing about this is that I came back to the game thinking "wow ten years, that's pretty crazy I wonder how they'll mark this occasion". Well now I know, outside of a FE (which was very good btw I'll give you that) the theme of it is front and centre, rip off your customers with hideously priced bundles and a new "market" which is dubious at best.
The next week or so will really make or break whether I stay and play or leave the game again, perhaps permenantly this time.
Cryptic, you can make money off the Star Trek IP, lots of it. However as I've seen in other games, even mobile games... if you price reasonably and make your customer feel valued they will spend more, without you needing to resort to ethically dubious practices.
Looking for a dedicated Star Trek community? Visit www.ufplanets.com for details.
As for Mudd's market, they aren't counting on people to pay the ludicrously expensive prices. They hold 80% off sales there regularly, where the prices are much more affordable. It's just an homage to Mudd, who would sell his annoying wife if he could get a good price for her.
Yes, the ships were previously 'free', if you did the event to get them. Once the event is over, if you want it, you have to buy it. In the Mudd store it's still an acct-unlock. In the Phoenix box it is character-locked still.
*Looks at ships bundle*
-Looks at Real Life-
*Pays real life bills*
Smart decision imo.
And yet here I am.
12th Century Swedish knight turned Star Trek Captain
If there are other items in there you are interested in, it pays to check daily to see what is on sale, if anything. Best time would be after 10 AM PST or after a Maintenance.
l don't know.
l really don't know what l'm about to say, except l have a feeling about it.
That l must repeat the words that come without my knowledge.'
#LegalizeAwoo
A normie goes "Oh, what's this?"
An otaku goes "UwU, what's this?"
A furry goes "OwO, what's this?"
A werewolf goes "Awoo, what's this?"
"It's nothing personal, I just don't feel like I've gotten to know a person until I've sniffed their crotch."
"We said 'no' to Mr. Curiosity. We're not home. Curiosity is not welcome, it is not to be invited in. Curiosity...is bad. It gets you in trouble, it gets you killed, and more importantly...it makes you poor!"
I wouldn't take any of the details for granted with this system, Cryptic appears to be in a state of transition regarding monetization and they may play around with a few strategies before settling on a routine.
Right now Cryptic's emulating rotating marketplaces found in the likes Destiny or Anthem with high prices being functionally equivalent to timed availability (just with a very expensive buyout if an item's not active in the rotation.) Once they get enough content though, Cryptic could try to manage volume (for easy browsing, rotating stores tend to have a small number of items at any one time) by pulling items out of rotation (adding just that bit more to FOMO.) It depends on how they want to manage the c-store and what they're data is telling them, such that even if they have plans in place they could very well change based on performance. There isn't a whole lot of precedent to go on (see. the 2020 anniversary bundle versus 2019), so there's not a whole lot to make a reasonable projection with.
Maybe it'll be there when you can afford it on PC, but then again it might not depending on timing and circumstances (the further out you go though, the more likely significant change could take place.)
Notable missions: Apex [AEI], Gemini [SSF], Trident [AEI], Evolution's Smile [SSF], Transcendence
Looking for something new to play? I've started building Foundry missions again in visual novel form!
l don't know.
l really don't know what l'm about to say, except l have a feeling about it.
That l must repeat the words that come without my knowledge.'
Oh, that would be interesting. I was not whalish enough to qualify (or RNG was not in my favour, whatever), and I wouldn't mind having a Tier 6 D'Kora. I can evne do without the gold, I think.
Yeah Mudd's is a serious rip-off. It's just a money grab. If it's products were maybe 1/2 the price they currently are, I may consider some items. As it stands now, I would never buy anything there, period.
Because socialism is full of ethics and integrity, right?
Really, though, you ignore capitalism has an integrated ethics system. If people don't like what you're doing, they can vote with their wallets and NOT BUY.