test content
What is the Arc Client?
Install Arc

Cryptic, Have your cake and eat it too

SystemSystem Member, NoReporting Posts: 178,019 Arc User
Cryptic,.

I just thought of a perfect solution to the hordes of players who want the Galaxy X but don't want to go through the trouble of inviting or making four friends.

Make it a C-Store item.

Price it higher than the skins. And then if someone invites four friends, give them a voucher for the purchase of the ship from the C-Store. Since C-Store items cost money, you get the financial benefit from those who have to have it and you get new subs from those who have four friends.

I'm sure some people will loathe the idea, but it's just a thought.
Post edited by Unknown User on
«13

Comments

  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited May 2010

    Make it a C-Store item.

    LOL c'mon ... the dozen other threads asking for the exact same thing were hard to find?
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited May 2010
    Cryptic,.

    I just thought of a perfect solution to the hordes of players who want the Galaxy X but don't want to go through the trouble of inviting or making four friends.

    Make it a C-Store item.

    They will most likely make it either a C-store item or a Veteran Reward, but it'll be at least a year, and it'll be after they make a different item as a referral reward. And, of course, have a different set of flame threads from the people who want everything, free, and right now.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited May 2010
    Five. Five friends, Bob, not four.

    And I don't remember anyone saying anything about wanting the Galaxy X free and right now.

    You have to admit that it is unfair to players that have already recruited all of their friends to ask them to recruit more people to get anything, especially when it's something that players have been clamoring for since before the game even launched.

    This is a big carrot on a very long stick and it's a BS way of doing business. This is something I would expect of DDO, not STO. Maybe that's a hint at who is really in charge of marketing now, eh?

    And remember, anyone you invite will have to play for at least two months for you to get any credit, since the first month is free no matter what reseller they buy the game from.


    :cool:
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited May 2010
    you think that cryptic want to get the revenue from 5 box sales and a minimum of 5 month's subs out of you for your toy or do they want to charge you 10 bucks?
    There is no incentive for anyone to con new friends into playing this if the same item is available for cash. And as we know Star Trek fans have plenty of cash not being the most socially active of groups ;)

    I'll leave that one with you
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited May 2010
    I've heard a rumor that the referral program was intended for players who love playing STO in the hopes that they would have a cool incentive to share their love of the game with their friends. The more subscriptions the game has - the more headcount we can support and the more headcount we can support the more content I can plan for in each update. So I personally, am all for the referral program.

    I don't think it was intended to be a "one time cash" bump. That really doesn't get us much. What helps is when more and more people play over time. If the Galaxy X gets more of that - then I'm personally all for it.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited May 2010
    dstahl wrote: »
    I've heard a rumor that the referral program was intended for players who love playing STO in the hopes that they would have a cool incentive to share their love of the game with their friends. The more subscriptions the game has - the more headcount we can support and the more headcount we can support the more content I can plan for in each update. So I personally, am all for the referral program.

    I don't think it was intended to be a "one time cash" bump. That really doesn't get us much. What helps is when more and more people play over time. If the Galaxy X gets more of that - then I'm personally all for it.

    Fah, rumors! QUELL THE RUMORS! Give us TRUUUUUUUTH!

    Sorry. Brain is melted from the khesterex going on in the forums today. I'm still cursing like a Klink. -_-

    ETA: For the humor impaired, this was me attempting to be funny. Thank you, thank you, I'll be here all week, try the veal.

    ...

    Imma going to lie down now.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited May 2010
    dstahl wrote: »
    I've heard a rumor that the referral program was intended for players who love playing STO in the hopes that they would have a cool incentive to share their love of the game with their friends. The more subscriptions the game has - the more headcount we can support and the more headcount we can support the more content I can plan for in each update. So I personally, am all for the referral program.

    I don't think it was intended to be a "one time cash" bump. That really doesn't get us much. What helps is when more and more people play over time. If the Galaxy X gets more of that - then I'm personally all for it.

    My friends are all ex soldiers or bikers. I'd get my TRIBBLE kicked to kingdom come if I were to try and sell them this. ;)
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited May 2010
    dstahl wrote: »
    I've heard a rumor that the referral program was intended for players who love playing STO in the hopes that they would have a cool incentive to share their love of the game with their friends. The more subscriptions the game has - the more headcount we can support and the more headcount we can support the more content I can plan for in each update. So I personally, am all for the referral program.

    I don't think it was intended to be a "one time cash" bump. That really doesn't get us much. What helps is when more and more people play over time. If the Galaxy X gets more of that - then I'm personally all for it.

    Works for me.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited May 2010
    Blackavaar wrote: »
    Five. Five friends, Bob, not four.

    My bad.

    I'm all for the referral program, btw. I was just floating and idea....
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited May 2010
    dstahl wrote: »
    I've heard a rumor that the referral program was intended for players who love playing STO in the hopes that they would have a cool incentive to share their love of the game with their friends. The more subscriptions the game has - the more headcount we can support and the more headcount we can support the more content I can plan for in each update. So I personally, am all for the referral program.

    I don't think it was intended to be a "one time cash" bump. That really doesn't get us much. What helps is when more and more people play over time. If the Galaxy X gets more of that - then I'm personally all for it.

    I would love to get my friends to play but franky there not as nerdy as me. Is there any chance this will become a vet reward cos i WILL wait a year to get this ship :P
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited May 2010
    dstahl wrote: »
    I've heard a rumor that the referral program was intended for players who love playing STO in the hopes that they would have a cool incentive to share their love of the game with their friends. The more subscriptions the game has - the more headcount we can support and the more headcount we can support the more content I can plan for in each update. So I personally, am all for the referral program.

    I don't think it was intended to be a "one time cash" bump. That really doesn't get us much. What helps is when more and more people play over time. If the Galaxy X gets more of that - then I'm personally all for it.

    Yeah, too bad you didn't start it when the game was new before I had already invited all of my friends and relatives using my CE buddy cards and buddy codes which will not count toward any goodies like referrals will now.

    Oh, but who cares about the people who already invited every single person they know, right? They can go door to door like the girl scouts trying to sell this game to people who couldn't give half a **** about Star Trek or STO.

    This system hasn't made me excited. It's ticked me off because I know I will never ever be able to get any of those things unless I buy five additional accounts myself. So, what are you going to do about that?


    :(
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited May 2010
    dstahl wrote: »
    I've heard a rumor that the referral program was intended for players who love playing STO in the hopes that they would have a cool incentive to share their love of the game with their friends. The more subscriptions the game has - the more headcount we can support and the more headcount we can support the more content I can plan for in each update. So I personally, am all for the referral program.

    I don't think it was intended to be a "one time cash" bump. That really doesn't get us much. What helps is when more and more people play over time. If the Galaxy X gets more of that - then I'm personally all for it.

    i dont think anyone minds the referral program itself, just the ship at the end of the rainbow only being available through this one way.

    i think the problem is some people have either already referred everybody they know or dont know people that enjoy star trek or mmo's, so they literally have no way of getting it, save spending $200 themselves.

    some people just really want this ship and the knowledge that it will be available some where down the line would really appease them. that of course might hinder the referral program if you said that it would be

    just the knowledge that it can be earned somehow later would probably have saved us 17 threads :D
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited May 2010
    I would love to get my friends to play but franky there not as nerdy as me. Is there any chance this will become a vet reward cos i WILL wait a year to get this ship :P

    Do you currently fly lower tier ships? If not, then this might not be very useful, since a year from now you should hopefully be past T5.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited May 2010
    dstahl wrote: »
    I've heard a rumor that the referral program was intended for players who love playing STO in the hopes that they would have a cool incentive to share their love of the game with their friends. The more subscriptions the game has - the more headcount we can support and the more headcount we can support the more content I can plan for in each update. So I personally, am all for the referral program.

    I don't think it was intended to be a "one time cash" bump. That really doesn't get us much. What helps is when more and more people play over time. If the Galaxy X gets more of that - then I'm personally all for it.

    I don't know the success numbers, but does a referals program such as this really and truly work?

    I think one can get some bumps in subscriptions because of them, but I have to wonder. Warhammer 40k has a referral program; I only know scant about it because I still get newsletters, but the game seems "dead" so even with "loot rewards", does it really seem to work?

    And don't forget, there are many of us that are shut-ins or shy or some such. Back in the dim-dark past of the Nets, I considered 90% of the folks I met online as lonely/depressed to a greater or lesser degree. I know that know the nets have opened up to more people, but I have to wonder about that number. Still many people spending time in front of a computer and not so much with RL friends...or even online friends. In some cases, i can argue that the internet has made many of the newer generations more separated from their fellow man/woman. I don't know how big a number this is, but it is easy tto come home from work and sort of "veg-out" with something that is interactive, like a video game or Net surfing.

    I think you will see some increase in numbers, but I don't know if it will be high enough or substain itself after the extra month is out. I personally like this game, but many others say it still needs polish. I would have saved the "free weekend" and this referral program for later...even 6 months. An analogy : You can't paint a door that was previously unpainted and expect a big reaction. Now, if you did something surprisingly huge or unexpected, such as detailed the door with crown molding and perhaps put blinking lights on it THEN painted it...you might get more of an feeling of "awe", especially with those that previously saw the plain door. This applies to old players of STO and new ones that may've been put off by bad reviews. You need to "wow" your customer's expectations, and I am not talking about that Blizzard game; I am talking about the feeling! ;)
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited May 2010
    Gold-Rush wrote:
    ... but does a referals program such as this really and truly work?...

    Well ... Cryptic does have the benefit of being able to look at the numbers from Champ's referral program so someone somewhere did the math and feels it is a good thing for STO as well.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited May 2010
    Comment removed
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited May 2010
    dstahl wrote: »
    I've heard a rumor that the referral program was intended for players who love playing STO in the hopes that they would have a cool incentive to share their love of the game with their friends. The more subscriptions the game has - the more headcount we can support and the more headcount we can support the more content I can plan for in each update. So I personally, am all for the referral program.

    I don't think it was intended to be a "one time cash" bump. That really doesn't get us much. What helps is when more and more people play over time. If the Galaxy X gets more of that - then I'm personally all for it.

    I've heard a rumor that this move is only creating outrage among a great many players who have been playing this game since beta, have bought lifetime subscriptions, paid for C-store merchandise, and even had to pay for redundant copies of the game to get uniforms and other items they felt made the game experience a proper one. People who've already tried, (or even suceeded!) in recruiting friends and associates into the game without these incentives dangled in front of them, who now feel marginalized and insulted that the effort they've done without needing to be asked doesn't really matter to Cryptic. So they're SOL.

    Wait, that's not a rumor, it's a a couple of huge threads on the forum. :\

    I have to say, Mr. Stahl, I find it insulting how casually you're 'all for' continuing to withhold Canon Star Trek content from the community of Star Trek fans wanting to play a Star Trek game. I also found it insulting to find our concerns last night casually dismissed as 'yet another riot'. For shame, sir.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited May 2010
    dstahl wrote: »
    Well ... Cryptic does have the benefit of being able to look at the numbers from Champ's referral program so someone somewhere did the math and feels it is a good thing for STO as well.

    I know this might get me flamed, but...well, let's try to be fair here again.

    What about a better incentive, graphic-wise for those players who are referred to sign up?

    Not necessarily a ship, but maybe a costume part, race, or some-such?

    Of course, let it be obtainable in-game, but let the new referrals get it easier and quicker than the rest of us? It should be something graphically unique, not just the increased XP. A title is nice, but well...people want to *see* something.

    Even a hat!
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited May 2010
    I've heard a rumor that this move is only creating outrage among a great many players who have been playing this game since beta, have bought lifetime subscriptions, paid for C-store merchandise, and even had to pay for redundant copies of the game to get uniforms and other items they felt made the game experience a proper one. People who've already tried, (or even suceeded!) in recruiting friends and associates into the game without these incentives dangled in front of them, who now feel marginalized and insulted that the effort they've done without needing to be asked doesn't really matter to Cryptic. So they're SOL.

    Wait, that's not a rumor, it's a a couple of huge threads on the forum. :\

    I believe that only a minority of subs actually visit the website, much less the forum. I think the average user would see it for what it is, a bonus.

    The minority that are ticked will always be more vocal than the content majority.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited May 2010
    Gold-Rush wrote: »
    I know this might get me flamed, but...well, let's try to be fair here again.

    What about a better incentive, graphic-wise for those players who are referred to sign up?

    Not necessarily a ship, but maybe a costume part, race, or some-such?

    Of course, let it be obtainable in-game, but let the new referrals get it easier and quicker than the rest of us? It should be something graphically unique, not just the increased XP. A title is nice, but well...people want to *see* something.

    The two-weekers may earn it quicker playing the game. But us weekenders, would get it easier referring people.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited May 2010
    I believe that only a minority of subs actually visit the website, much less the forum. I think the average user would see it for what it is, a bonus.

    The minority that are ticked will always be more vocal than the content majority.

    Frankly, this argument gets a bit tiring. No one knows what that 'silent majority' truly thinks unless they stop being silent. Frankly, I'm one of the people who does not frequent the forums that often, because it so rarely has any constructive conversation going on, and major issues seem to inevitably devolve into sniping, flaming and harassment; activites I have no time for. I'd highly suspect that's more the mindset of the 'silent majority' than blissful "this game is awesome and has absolutely no problems".

    That majority could support having the ship availible, for free, ingame. They could support having every single item in the game as some manner of exclusive. They could also believe the entire game is an actual holodeck, powered by Barak Obama on a bicycle.

    All we do know, is what the people who are giving feedback think. And that feedback would seem to be passionate disapproval, sprinkled with a few "This is how MMOs work, how dare you protest a business decision!" from knee-jerk defenders of whatever Cryptic is up to this week.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited May 2010
    The two-weekers may earn it quicker playing the game. But us weekenders, would get it easier referring people.

    Got to clean up my sentence structure, I think.

    People who refer players get "an item" (Galaxy X in this case).

    The new players who were referred with this program, should also get an item/incentive to subscribe. it doesn't have to be the ship, but something else (that is also obtainable in-game) that subscribers get instantly.

    I mentioned a hat but...maybe a hat with a different emblem or color, for example (or any other item/thing). Something to make them stand out a bit (like certain badges/insignia on shirts).
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited May 2010
    Frankly, this argument gets a bit tiring. No one knows what that 'silent majority' truly thinks unless they stop being silent. Frankly, I'm one of the people who does not frequent the forums that often, because it so rarely has any constructive conversation going on, and major issues seem to inevitably devolve into sniping, flaming and harassment; activites I have no time for. I'd highly suspect that's more the mindset of the 'silent majority' than blissful "this game is awesome and has absolutely no problems".

    That majority could support having the ship availible, for free, ingame. They could support having every single item in the game as some manner of exclusive. They could also believe the entire game is an actual holodeck, powered by Barak Obama on a bicycle.

    All we do know, is what the people who are giving feedback think. And that feedback would seem to be passionate disapproval, sprinkled with a few "This is how MMOs work, how dare you protest a business decision!" from knee-jerk defenders of whatever Cryptic is up to this week.

    Let's just say I recognize names here in the forums but never when I play. So obviously, there are a lot more people playing the game and NOT complaining than those who are.

    But you are correct. As long as the majority doesn't give a flying hoot what Cryptic does, the minority is just talking to itself.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited May 2010
    I believe that only a minority of subs actually visit the website, much less the forum. I think the average user would see it for what it is, a bonus.

    The minority that are ticked will always be more vocal than the content majority.

    Ding ding, give that man a prize.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited May 2010
    I would think putting the Galaxy X at the 400 or even a 500 Day Vet reward would work better.

    Then the people who really want it will stay subbed, giving more money to Cryptic for STO.

    Sure with the RAF you might see a bump in subs, but what's to keep those new people here? Who is to say they don't cancel after a month or two or even sub at all after their free 30 days?, then you back to where you started.

    Having something as cool as the Galaxy X with its new game mechanics would keep a lot people that might quit around so that they can get it. Including people who get into the game through referrals.

    I doesn't take a referral system to get people to bring more customers to a game, it takes a game that people rave about. Heck, I've gotten half a dozen people in the last two weeks and probably a couple more this weekend to go back and play Pirates of the Burning sea because of my enthusiasm for where the game is right now.

    I just can't do that with STO and not feel the need for a long shower.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited May 2010
    Gold-Rush wrote: »
    Got to clean up my sentence structure, I think.

    People who refer players get "an item" (Galaxy X in this case).

    The new players who were referred with this program, should also get an item/incentive to subscribe. it doesn't have to be the ship, but something else (that is also obtainable in-game) that subscribers get instantly.

    I mentioned a hat but...maybe a hat with a different emblem or color, for example (or any other item/thing). Something to make them stand out a bit (like certain badges/insignia on shirts).

    I have no problem with making it a joint award. My employer last year (pre-recession) was offering $2,000 to anyone who referred and engineer to the company and was also giving the $2,000 to the engineer as well.

    They could give both the referrer and referree both an award. (A hat, a weapon, a different color carpet for their bridge, etc...)
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited May 2010
    I believe that only a minority of subs actually visit the website, much less the forum. I think the average user would see it for what it is, a bonus.

    The minority that are ticked will always be more vocal than the content majority.

    I'm tired of the "vocal minority" argument. If the forums are only a vocal minority, then why did the Dev's cave so quickly on putting the death penalty in all mission difficulties like they originally planned before the crying? If it's just a vocal minority, then why did they revamp the female TOS uniform if it was just a handful of vocal angry people who didn't like them? If the forums are just a vocal minority, then why are furries getting added as a nickel & dime species before the Klingon faction even gets a 2nd pair of measly boots? For such a tiny minority, these forums have made the Dev's back pedal and second guess on all their decisions instead of staying firm and confident with all their plans.

    Bottom line is there is more activity on these forums then there is on the ghost town of a empty universal server we play on. The true minority is us few remaining players still playing the game, the majority has stopped playing and moved elsewhere.
    :(
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited May 2010
    Ripcurl wrote:
    I'm tired of the "vocal minority" argument. If the forums are only a vocal minority, then why did the Dev's cave so quickly on putting the death penalty in all mission difficulties like they originally planned before the crying? If it's just a vocal minority, then why did they revamp the female TOS uniform if it was just a handful of vocal angry people who didn't like them? If the forums are just a vocal minority, then why are furries getting added as a nickel & dime species before the Klingon faction even gets a 2nd pair of measly boots? For such a tiny minority, these forums have made the Dev's back pedal and second guess on all their decisions instead of staying firm and confident with all their plans.

    Bottom line is there is more activity on these forums then there is on the ghost town of a empty universal server we play on. The true minority is us few remaining players still playing the game, the majority has stopped playing and moved elsewhere.
    :(

    Don't forget the Champions Online expansion that was made free after the uproar on the forums over there.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited May 2010
    Ripcurl wrote:
    I'm tired of the "vocal minority" argument. If the forums are only a vocal minority, then why did the Dev's cave so quickly on putting the death penalty in all mission difficulties like they originally planned before the crying? If it's just a vocal minority, then why did they revamp the female TOS uniform if it was just a handful of vocal angry people who didn't like them? If the forums are just a vocal minority, then why are furries getting added as a nickel & dime species before the Klingon faction even gets a 2nd pair of measly boots? For such a tiny minority, these forums have made the Dev's back pedal and second guess on all their decisions instead of staying firm and confident with all their plans.

    Bottom line is there is more activity on these forums then there is on the ghost town of a empty universal server we play on. The true minority is us few remaining players still playing the game, the majority has stopped playing and moved elsewhere.
    :(

    I disagree with this. There are many players that I have run into, even recently who refuse to go to the forums or didn't know about them.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited May 2010
    AtomicFB wrote:
    I disagree with this. There are many players that I have run into, even recently who refuse to go to the forums or didn't know about them.

    That still doesn't make us the vocal minority.

    Like I said before, since players not on the forums cannot be counted in either the yes or no category, the numbers on the forum must represent them in the same way that one hand written letter sent to a government official counts as 10,000 citizens of that country.

    Most governments use that rule of thumb and so should cryptic when it comes to their community and the forums.

    If you want to claim that we are the vocal minority then there has to a vocal majority. Oh, wait there is. It's us!


    :cool:
Sign In or Register to comment.