You couldn't be more wrong. We value you all immensely. Not only have you heavily invested in us early, but you also form a core group of players which we need to work just as hard to keep playing as people on recurring subscriptions. If you all leave, we've failed.
So.. you value us, but you basically give our exclusive away and don't give us so much as a title in return?
Yeah I feel valued.
Unfortunately, this comes at the cost of injured feelings of some other players. It is not our intent to injure the feelings of those of you who are upset. That makes no sense for us to do. It does make sense for us to try to please as much of our player base as we can however. Which is what we always strive to do.
Thanks,
Stormshade
Throw us a bone then!! How long would it take to make a unique title for the CO lifers? 30 seconds? The fact that you haven't done anything except damage control speak volumes.
Actions speak FAR louder than words, and the only action you've taken is removing the one thing that says "Hey I'm a CO Lifer! Cryptic all the way!."
Oddly enough, I was just talking to Rekhan, and he was just saying the same thing as you. This is an area where we can improve, and will.
Unfortunately, this comes at the cost of injured feelings of some other players. It is not our intent to injure the feelings of those of you who are upset. That makes no sense for us to do. It does make sense for us to try to please as much of our player base as we can however. Which is what we always strive to do.
Thanks,
Stormshade
It's pathetic that Cryptic has to basically put out a warning label that coffee is hot because some of its customers choose to be willfully ignorant.
I suggest putting a warning label on every official statement, even dev/gm posts in the forum.
Huge bold print disclaimers. Since it contains words, you'll want to reference which dictionary you are using and which definition as some people experience random acts of dictionary.
You may also want to create a pictogram disclaimers page and have the link, with instructions to click the link, in your signature.
You may also want to include a tutorial about disclaimers and how words have context and multiple meanings.
I feel bad for Cryptic Marketing, and I've had my disagreements, but you get my sympathy for what you will be dealing with over the next few days.
Just don't let emotional appeals overwhelm the sound business decision.
Say no to appeasement!
And, thank you for putting up these items.
It will help with subscriber retention, give an incentive for subscriber adoption and improve some of your subscriber's game experience.
You couldn't be more wrong. We value you all immensely. Not only have you heavily invested in us early, but you also form a core group of players which we need to work just as hard to keep playing as people on recurring subscriptions. If you all leave, we've failed.
Oddly enough, I was just talking to Rekhan, and he was just saying the same thing as you. This is an area where we can improve, and will.
As for Lifetime subscriptions being offered for $2.00... Don't worry, it'll never happen.
To answer questions about where we get our feedback from, there are certainly various different sources. We get feedback from the forums, in-game tickets, e-mails, snail mail (Weird huh?), surveys, other external sources, internal sources. We really like feedback.
In this case, we felt that the players who wanted us to move in this direction was much greater than the number of people who would be upset. So, we decided to go forward in that direction.
This is really similar in quite a few ways to when we implemented a death penalty.
A large number of players were very vocal about wanting a death penalty.
We release the death penalty, and another group is very against a death penalty.
We compromise, so that the death penalty is optional.
The group that wanted the death penalty is unhappy because it's optional.
It's a situation where we really can't make everyone happy. This time, without a doubt, many more players are happy with the decision we made to release these items on the C-store.
Unfortunately, this comes at the cost of injured feelings of some other players. It is not our intent to injure the feelings of those of you who are upset. That makes no sense for us to do. It does make sense for us to try to please as much of our player base as we can however. Which is what we always strive to do.
Thanks,
Stormshade
Tl;dr: You are important customers to us, but there are only a few of you so we really cant take you into consideration when making our business decisions.
Thanks for the kisses. I like getting kissed when I am being screwed.
Both my hubby and I have lifetime on CO and STO. We're both much less likely to buy Lifetime, preorder, or anything else again because the exclusives we paid for (at least as far as Lifetime goes, preorders aren't really paying extra) are now on the CStore.
This is not an "I quit" thread. It's not a rage thread. It's not a "I hate Cryptic" thread. It's a "just going subscription and not buying into exclusive item hype next time" thread.
Yes, I know the playable Borg isn't up, but the CO Lifetime -> STO mirror universe exclusive is up.
Ultimately, we're not upset. We're just going to ignore any offers of exclusive items when making purchasing decisions around Cryptic or not. This is a pretty big blow considering we essentially paid a total of about $1200 collectively between the two of us.
He cares less than I do, I only care enough to now read "Exclusive" as "Paying $300 for Early Access For Something That costs $3 Just a Few Months Later"
That is to say that at least my husband and I don't suffer from the hyperbolic discounting fallacy that Cryptic's marketing team seems to be relying on at this point.
Agree 100%, and I'm in the same situation with beign a so called "loyal supporter" of Cryptic games. This has been a betral of trust and straight forwards misleading advertising.
You couldn't be more wrong. We value you all immensely. Not only have you heavily invested in us early, but you also form a core group of players which we need to work just as hard to keep playing as people on recurring subscriptions. If you all leave, we've failed.
Oddly enough, I was just talking to Rekhan, and he was just saying the same thing as you. This is an area where we can improve, and will.
As for Lifetime subscriptions being offered for $2.00... Don't worry, it'll never happen.
To answer questions about where we get our feedback from, there are certainly various different sources. We get feedback from the forums, in-game tickets, e-mails, snail mail (Weird huh?), surveys, other external sources, internal sources. We really like feedback.
In this case, we felt that the players who wanted us to move in this direction was much greater than the number of people who would be upset. So, we decided to go forward in that direction.
This is really similar in quite a few ways to when we implemented a death penalty.
A large number of players were very vocal about wanting a death penalty.
We release the death penalty, and another group is very against a death penalty.
We compromise, so that the death penalty is optional.
The group that wanted the death penalty is unhappy because it's optional.
It's a situation where we really can't make everyone happy. This time, without a doubt, many more players are happy with the decision we made to release these items on the C-store.
Unfortunately, this comes at the cost of injured feelings of some other players. It is not our intent to injure the feelings of those of you who are upset. That makes no sense for us to do. It does make sense for us to try to please as much of our player base as we can however. Which is what we always strive to do.
Thanks,
Stormshade
Sorry, its has nothing to do with more people wanting it or not. Its about honouring conditions of sales and how they were advertised. That is why we who are affected as mostly annoyed, and why Cryptic are completely missing the point.
We've had the female MU uniforms for little over a month, despite being promised them at launch. Now they are just up for sale. It also seems one rule for one group and not for another. Where's the Liberated Borg and other missing so called exclusives?
This whole situation just shows why buying a product FOR the exclusives rather than buying for the PRODUCT is never a good thing. I knew I was going to buy the game, so I just choose the package that came with the items I wanted. Now that they've released them, I havent lost anything because I was buying the game, not the items. I also bought a LT sub, and though they have not currently released the Borg character, even if they do I will not have lost anything because I will always have exactly what I paid for: the LT sub itself.
While that may be general wisdom Nagus, it doesn't excuse Cryptic from taking advantage of its paying member's. People asked them prior to the game's launch whether these items would be added in the C-store or not. Had we been informed, a good lot of people would have did exactly what you did, and waited for the other items they wanted to be released later.
As a person who works in marketing, have you also considered that the ONE thing that has been consistent with this community from the beginning, is that they will find almost ANYTHING to complain and create an uproar about?
Finally, I'm sure that someone such as yourself, would NEVER mistake an "Exclusive" piece of art by a dead artist as being comparable to a digital uniform that clearly can be reproduced endlessly. I'm sure you wouldn't suggest that, right?
Yes.. the community can and does complain about a lot. As you can see by my Junior officer title I rarely post comments on the forums unless I feel the topics/complaints are valid and this is one of those occasions.
And yes I was equating the similarity of art vs digital. The key factor was both are "exclusive". It was sold in that way. Limited edition prints sold by artists are exactly that... limited edition. The lifetime subs were offered as limited edition with "exclusive" MU uniforms. It was an incentive yes but it was also part of the exclusive package.
While that may be general wisdom Nagus, it doesn't excuse Cryptic from taking advantage of its paying member's. People asked them prior to the game's launch whether these items would be added in the C-store or not. Had we been informed, a good lot of people would have did exactly what you did, and waited for the other items they wanted to be released later.
When you say "informed", I assume you arent talking about the pre-order items, only the CO LT. Because Cryptic specifically told us that they may release the pre-order exclusives later.
You couldn't be more wrong. We value you all immensely. Not only have you heavily invested in us early, but you also form a core group of players which we need to work just as hard to keep playing as people on recurring subscriptions. If you all leave, we've failed.
Oddly enough, I was just talking to Rekhan, and he was just saying the same thing as you. This is an area where we can improve, and will.
As for Lifetime subscriptions being offered for $2.00... Don't worry, it'll never happen.
To answer questions about where we get our feedback from, there are certainly various different sources. We get feedback from the forums, in-game tickets, e-mails, snail mail (Weird huh?), surveys, other external sources, internal sources. We really like feedback.
In this case, we felt that the players who wanted us to move in this direction was much greater than the number of people who would be upset. So, we decided to go forward in that direction.
This is really similar in quite a few ways to when we implemented a death penalty.
A large number of players were very vocal about wanting a death penalty.
We release the death penalty, and another group is very against a death penalty.
We compromise, so that the death penalty is optional.
The group that wanted the death penalty is unhappy because it's optional.
It's a situation where we really can't make everyone happy. This time, without a doubt, many more players are happy with the decision we made to release these items on the C-store.
Unfortunately, this comes at the cost of injured feelings of some other players. It is not our intent to injure the feelings of those of you who are upset. That makes no sense for us to do. It does make sense for us to try to please as much of our player base as we can however. Which is what we always strive to do.
Thanks,
Stormshade
Its obvious your going to have more people wanting the exclusives items rather against. There less lifetimers then there are paying sub members...so yeah of course there is more......
Cryptic has injured more people than they have realised... after shinanigan after shinanigan...your slowly losing your player base....iam sure your aware of this...and sad to see so early in the games life... and ive said this before...but cryptic is heading down a path similar to SOE did with SWG...and thats not good..
I just hope your not intending to give out the Galaxy (AGT) model that was for the referal program to the CSTORE...because then you will have lost not just myself but iam sure others...
I don't recall the phrase Limited Edition being attached to the advertising. And it's been posted and re-posted a lot the past four days.
Did I miss something?
Ermm its becuase there were limited CO lifetime subscriptions with the exclusivity if I recall (was some months ago now and there was a whole "miscommunication" issue about the number available that went on with this anyway)
You couldn't be more wrong. We value you all immensely. Not only have you heavily invested in us early, but you also form a core group of players which we need to work just as hard to keep playing as people on recurring subscriptions. If you all leave, we've failed.
Oddly enough, I was just talking to Rekhan, and he was just saying the same thing as you. This is an area where we can improve, and will.
StormShade, it would be a very nice gesture if you could talk to Rekhan and ask marketing to give everyone who bought CO LTS and pre-ordered retail boxes some free Cryptic Points. That would make me feel somewhat better about having these exclusives devalued so early after launch.
StormShade, it would be a very nice gesture if you could talk to Rekhan and ask marketing to give everyone who bought CO LTS and pre-ordered retail boxes some free Cryptic Points. That would make me feel somewhat better about having these exclusives devalued so early after launch.
CO points.... bah
Lets have us something ingame wise. and item/ship something cool and kept totally EXCLUSIVE FOREVER!
Also is there any point in us bothering to refer friends to the game? After all, those currently exclusive bonuses (Photonic Officer, Holo Tribble and Ship) will be availble in the C-Store too soon right? Becuase if they arent I would want to know why the exclusives offered by those who funded your initial game design outlay (i.e. CO lifers who can no longer pay you money) were justified in being given away!
Lets have us something ingame wise. and item/ship something cool and kept totally EXCLUSIVE FOREVER!
Devs have basically admitted today that their exclusives are false. Nothing will remain exclusive if they see "a majority" of players asking for them.
I agree with you, though. I'd love an Exclusive Mirror Kirk uniform (the gold vest). But everyone else who doesn't have it will moan constantly for it and Cryptic will sell it for $3.50 after 1 month. This is now a fact.
Its obvious your going to have more people wanting the exclusives items rather against. There less lifetimers then there are paying sub members...so yeah of course there is more......
Cryptic has injured more people than they have realised... after shinanigan after shinanigan...your slowly losing your player base....iam sure your aware of this...and sad to see so early in the games life... and ive said this before...but cryptic is heading down a path similar to SOE did with SWG...and thats not good..
I just hope your not intending to give out the Galaxy (AGT) model that was for the referal program to the CSTORE...because then you will have lost not just myself but iam sure others...
I'm a lifer, and I'm not against these items being placed in the C-Store. I am also a Beta II player of SWG, and this is nothing like what SOE did. Don't try to stir up fear and loathing by invoking SWG and SOE. Cryptip did what they said in January that they would, which is make these items available in the C-Store. Just so you know, there is a good chance that the AGT Galaxy will eventually end up in the C-Store, as well. You got your stuff, what is wrong with letting others that could not get it at the time have a crack at it?
Comments
Yeah, because that's an important extinction.
Extinction? Distinction, perhaps?
So.. you value us, but you basically give our exclusive away and don't give us so much as a title in return?
Yeah I feel valued.
Throw us a bone then!! How long would it take to make a unique title for the CO lifers? 30 seconds? The fact that you haven't done anything except damage control speak volumes.
Actions speak FAR louder than words, and the only action you've taken is removing the one thing that says "Hey I'm a CO Lifer! Cryptic all the way!."
It's pathetic that Cryptic has to basically put out a warning label that coffee is hot because some of its customers choose to be willfully ignorant.
I suggest putting a warning label on every official statement, even dev/gm posts in the forum.
Huge bold print disclaimers. Since it contains words, you'll want to reference which dictionary you are using and which definition as some people experience random acts of dictionary.
You may also want to create a pictogram disclaimers page and have the link, with instructions to click the link, in your signature.
You may also want to include a tutorial about disclaimers and how words have context and multiple meanings.
I feel bad for Cryptic Marketing, and I've had my disagreements, but you get my sympathy for what you will be dealing with over the next few days.
Just don't let emotional appeals overwhelm the sound business decision.
Say no to appeasement!
And, thank you for putting up these items.
It will help with subscriber retention, give an incentive for subscriber adoption and improve some of your subscriber's game experience.
Tl;dr: You are important customers to us, but there are only a few of you so we really cant take you into consideration when making our business decisions.
Thanks for the kisses. I like getting kissed when I am being screwed.
Nah, just trying to make this even more surreal.
Besides, if people can arbitrarily redefine "exclusive" and "unique," I think I can redefine dis/extinction.
Very raisin, don't you think/feel?
Agree 100%, and I'm in the same situation with beign a so called "loyal supporter" of Cryptic games. This has been a betral of trust and straight forwards misleading advertising.
Sorry, its has nothing to do with more people wanting it or not. Its about honouring conditions of sales and how they were advertised. That is why we who are affected as mostly annoyed, and why Cryptic are completely missing the point.
We've had the female MU uniforms for little over a month, despite being promised them at launch. Now they are just up for sale. It also seems one rule for one group and not for another. Where's the Liberated Borg and other missing so called exclusives?
Too true. Why don't you have an exclusive Threadnought donut yet?
While that may be general wisdom Nagus, it doesn't excuse Cryptic from taking advantage of its paying member's. People asked them prior to the game's launch whether these items would be added in the C-store or not. Had we been informed, a good lot of people would have did exactly what you did, and waited for the other items they wanted to be released later.
Yes.. the community can and does complain about a lot. As you can see by my Junior officer title I rarely post comments on the forums unless I feel the topics/complaints are valid and this is one of those occasions.
And yes I was equating the similarity of art vs digital. The key factor was both are "exclusive". It was sold in that way. Limited edition prints sold by artists are exactly that... limited edition. The lifetime subs were offered as limited edition with "exclusive" MU uniforms. It was an incentive yes but it was also part of the exclusive package.
Didn't they give Lifetimers a badge? A special badge that only they can equip?
When you say "informed", I assume you arent talking about the pre-order items, only the CO LT. Because Cryptic specifically told us that they may release the pre-order exclusives later.
Yeah? That for the CO lifers?
I don't recall the phrase Limited Edition being attached to the advertising. And it's been posted and re-posted a lot the past four days.
Did I miss something?
CO Lifers ... don't they have a super duper exclusive just for them Foxbat action figure?
Its obvious your going to have more people wanting the exclusives items rather against. There less lifetimers then there are paying sub members...so yeah of course there is more......
Cryptic has injured more people than they have realised... after shinanigan after shinanigan...your slowly losing your player base....iam sure your aware of this...and sad to see so early in the games life... and ive said this before...but cryptic is heading down a path similar to SOE did with SWG...and thats not good..
I just hope your not intending to give out the Galaxy (AGT) model that was for the referal program to the CSTORE...because then you will have lost not just myself but iam sure others...
No, we had the super duper just for us mirror unis. Now we have jack squat.
Well, if you look carefully, I was the guy in the boiler room, shoveling all those exclusive donuts.
I saw that. Why didn't you swipe one?
Eh, I got hungry.
I'm pretty sure you have a foxbat action figure.
Ermm its becuase there were limited CO lifetime subscriptions with the exclusivity if I recall (was some months ago now and there was a whole "miscommunication" issue about the number available that went on with this anyway)
StormShade, it would be a very nice gesture if you could talk to Rekhan and ask marketing to give everyone who bought CO LTS and pre-ordered retail boxes some free Cryptic Points. That would make me feel somewhat better about having these exclusives devalued so early after launch.
Foxbat can kiss my... blah never mind
CO points.... bah
Lets have us something ingame wise. and item/ship something cool and kept totally EXCLUSIVE FOREVER!
I don't see it in the c-store! Is that like the shuttle and follows us around on away missions?
If he gets something, then I should get it, too.
Devs have basically admitted today that their exclusives are false. Nothing will remain exclusive if they see "a majority" of players asking for them.
I agree with you, though. I'd love an Exclusive Mirror Kirk uniform (the gold vest). But everyone else who doesn't have it will moan constantly for it and Cryptic will sell it for $3.50 after 1 month. This is now a fact.
I'm a lifer, and I'm not against these items being placed in the C-Store. I am also a Beta II player of SWG, and this is nothing like what SOE did. Don't try to stir up fear and loathing by invoking SWG and SOE. Cryptip did what they said in January that they would, which is make these items available in the C-Store. Just so you know, there is a good chance that the AGT Galaxy will eventually end up in the C-Store, as well. You got your stuff, what is wrong with letting others that could not get it at the time have a crack at it?