I disagree that it's a "waste...of their time" if its something they want now.
I disagree with the idea of 'you wasted your time/effort since I got it for less cost/effort'
People make purchases based upon their personal definition of need and can make the contention that waiting does not satisfy their need and whatever the answer will be is not useful in their decision matrix.
There are a number of people who have the Galaxy-X now and are enjoying themselves.
I do hope you pause before you come near the idea of stating all you want to do is hear from Cryptic and that others should remain silent.
This has been a typical reply:
I suppose you are right in a sense too. The term "exclusivity" has different meanings for others. As a collector though, I just wish that some items remain "exclusive."
You are also correct that those who received the Galaxy-X are reaping great enjoyment from the ship already. I am also certain though, that a lot of those folks who worked hard for it, wouldn't have spent so much time or money (a foolish impulsive buyer like me), if Cryptic let us know that these items will be available through C-Store later on for the fraction of the "cost."
I just want an answer from Cryptic, like how Cryptic gave an answer regarding their stance on the Liberated Borg and how it will remain exclusive indefinitely. Something as an assurance from Cryptic so those skeptical about the offer, will actually start working hard to get their ship.
I believe a clear answer from Cryptic will net a positive cash flow as well. Then those naysayers who believe that Galaxy-X will be available through C-Store later on, will actually spend time recruiting five people.
It looks to me like the real question is if it will be cheaper to buy more copies of the game for yourself or too wait to see what the price will be in the store. Given the Connie was 800 points I would venture to say the G-X would be at least three times that amount with maybe a monthly sale at twice the value price.
It's easy to put a marketable value, but it would be doing an extreme injustice for those who actually spent weeks trying to recruit five peers to get this ship. I took an easy route by purchasing the games and having the accounts billed for a month, BUT for those who actually took the hard honest route to get the ship... oh man...
If I were them, I would be furious. Even if it costed $200 on C-Store, that won't make up for the time that these folks spent to recruit five people to acquire the ship.
It's easy to put a marketable value, but it would be doing an extreme injustice for those who actually spent weeks trying to recruit five peers to get this ship. I took an easy route by purchasing the games and having the accounts billed for a month, BUT for those who actually took the hard honest route to get the ship... oh man...
If I were them, I would be furious. Even if it costed $200 on C-Store, that won't make up for the time that these folks spent to recruit five people to acquire the ship.
No doubt. I feel you brother. Shoot I recruited a lot of people (over 20 in fact) for the game but sadly most have left the past couple months. Moreover I spent hundreds of dollars setting up a community for the game on top of that and countless hours doing related stuff to be sure. However in the end it all comes down to profit motive as Cryptic already clearly demonstrated.
I would make the effort to recruit five more people but now I have no motivation to do so as I make in real life a lot of money per hour so if I have the option of spending 10 hours recruiting people or outright buying the items for whatever I would earn for that time or less, I'm going the money route and in the end I think Cryptic will as well. Shoot I just spent about $70 buying everything that would have cost me a couple hundred dollars a few months ago getting all the extra stuff I did not have already.
For me and only for me, whichever way Cryptic goes is fine by me as I have the money to play the game that way and I can find the time to do it the other way as I have done for more than the past two year. With that said, ultimately, I think Cryptic will go the money route after some magic number is or is not achieve with regards to recruiting players. It is the nature of the beast after all.
Once again, I just wanted to specify that I initiated this thread to receive a response from Cryptic regarding the "exclusivity" of the Galaxy X Cruiser and whether it will remain exclusive indefinitely. I am so sick of arguing that at this rate, I might become bald in several months or so.
I understand that Cryptic has the right to change, but all we ask is a simple answer from Cryptic before hundreds of people waste possibly weeks of their time searching for five referrals to get this ship, only to realize that after few months later, they could've gotten the ship for the fraction of its original "cost."
I believe there was a similar thread regarding the Liberated Borg and Cryptic Dev actually gave an answer stating that the Liberated Borg will remain exclusive only to the Pre-Order Lifetimers.
I am just asking the same thing from Cryptic. Is AGT Galaxy going to stay as a referral only ship or is it going to be available via C-Store?
You're not going to get a post from Cryptic on this.
If they say that it won't be available, and they change their minds later, they'll have a repeat of the current mess. If they say it will be available, they'll sabotage their current promotion.
The FAQ essentially already says they reserve the right to make it available, so take a look at their past behavior on this sort of thing, and make your own judgment - but don't expect a definitive response to this question right now.
You're not going to get a post from Cryptic on this.
If they say that it won't be available, and they change their minds later, they'll have a repeat of the current mess. If they say it will be available, they'll sabotage their current promotion.
The FAQ essentially already says they reserve the right to make it available, so take a look at their past behavior on this sort of thing, and make your own judgment - but don't expect a definitive response to this question right now.
Well is it really a futile attempt to get an honest simple answer from Cryptic? After all, Cryptic did give a reply regarding the LIberated Borg. Cryptic did state that the Liberated Borg will not be available through other venues indefinitely. Why not an answer regarding AGT Galaxy Cruiser?
No wonder why the company named itself Cryptic. They are "cryptic" at best at providing "cryptic" answers!
Well is it really a futile attempt to get an honest simple answer from Cryptic? After all, Cryptic did give a reply regarding the LIberated Borg. Cryptic did state that the Liberated Borg will not be available through other venues indefinitely. Why not an answer regarding AGT Galaxy Cruiser?
No wonder why the company named itself Cryptic. They are "cryptic" at best at providing "cryptic" answers!
You've got the honest answer - they haven't announced that it'll be available in the C-Store, but they reserve the right to do so.
My opinion is that, if they could, they'd go back and not answer on the Liberated Borg - especially since I expect that it, too, will end up in the C-Store. People want it, and they'll get a buck or two (or 10,000) by doing so.
Given that I think they're doing this for the cash, rather than because they like the furor it has caused, I expect they'll do what they can to minimize the chances of a repeat - and that means not making a clear, definitive statement one way or the other.
You've got the honest answer - they haven't announced that it'll be available in the C-Store, but they reserve the right to do so.
My opinion is that, if they could, they'd go back and not answer on the Liberated Borg - especially since I expect that it, too, will end up in the C-Store. People want it, and they'll get a buck or two (or 10,000) by doing so.
Given that I think they're doing this for the cash, rather than because they like the furor it has caused, I expect they'll do what they can to minimize the chances of a repeat - and that means not making a clear, definitive statement one way or the other.
I guess your point is valid as well. Nevertheless, no response doesn't mean that's an answer. I am sure Cryptic has at least an ounce of humanity or humility (make your choice) to give us an answer regarding the AGT Galaxy Cruiser. I have faith.
Cryptic? Please stop being so cryptic and give us an answer so hundreds of us can focus on writing threads that addresses more important things in this game.
So what if the ship will be in C-Store? I still get 400 cpoints each recruit that subs...
Once again, I assure you that most of the players who participated in the referral promotion did not spend weeks of their time searching for five peers or a week's worth of meal to get the AGT Galaxy Cruiser. If it was as simple as receiving petty 2k points total, few people would've participated in the referral program.
Once again, I am just hoping that Cryptic will give us a clear answer, just like the response they gave to the indefinite exclusiveness of the Liberated Borg. Just a one single Cryptic's reply would cease all these unnecessary threads and folks like us who are "complaining" endlessly, can actually move on and focus on writing invaluable threads regarding more important topics including the current state of the games/viable suggestions and such.
So what if the ship will be in C-Store? I still get 400 cpoints each recruit that subs...
Truthfully, that'd be a much better way to incent people. If you got 600 per recruit instead of 400, and they put the Galaxy-X up for 1,000 points, then those who had a friend or two who weren't playing the game would have a reason to recruit them, and those who did five would get the same value they're getting now.
But then, nobody would buy five copies and subscribe for a month to get it. And fewer people would recruit five. So the promotion wouldn't work as well for Cryptic's bottom line.
This way, the fanatical will spend lots of money, the gullible will do lots of recruiting, and then the patient will cash in later in the C-Store.
Well is it really a futile attempt to get an honest simple answer from Cryptic? After all, Cryptic did give a reply regarding the LIberated Borg. Cryptic did state that the Liberated Borg will not be available through other venues indefinitely. Why not an answer regarding AGT Galaxy Cruiser?
No wonder why the company named itself Cryptic. They are "cryptic" at best at providing "cryptic" answers!
Apparently it is cryptic doesnt want to be up front about anything that way they can switch the rules whenever they want to make even more money it isn't necessary to put it in the cstore it doesnt look like they're going to put an end date on it so peopel continously have a chance to get it
i agree it is not fair that those that recruited people early on don't get the ship they should.
Agree, Cryptic, please respond with a binding answer based upon the TOS, so the forum can focus upon ideas for enhancing the game experience.
Similar to governance and politics, it's critically important that you, Cryptic, realize that maintaining and reinforcing loyalty amongst the various special interest groups supercedes any decision that would enhance the game experience for the general subscriber base; increase the general subscriber base loyalty; and increase revenue that would help sustain game development and growth.
To quote the Mirror Universe Spock: That is wise. Were I to invoke logic, however, logic clearly dictates that the needs of the few outweigh the needs of the many.
This does concern alot of people in this game look how many threads there are asking for it to be made non exclusive whens it going to be in the cstore etc
I've been told repeatededly this last week or so that putting the items we worked so hard to get on the C-Store would be great for the game, and bring in new players. So adding in referral items as well can only improve on that idea, and we should all be happy for the opportunity!
So I'm all for it. Put everything in the C-Store. But in the spirit of fairness and equality, the referral players should get to enjoy the Galaxy for the same length of time I got to enjoy the Mirror Universe uniforms. That being a month. Fair is fair, after all.;)
Im gueesing we wont get an answer. I've been trying for 3 days to get an answer wether the galaxy-x is a you can only get it on one character answer and still no response submitted a ticket also still no answer my guess is they dont want to say because it will deter people from doing referals when they find out it's not like everything else in the game that you can get on all your characters
Truthfully, that'd be a much better way to incent people. If you got 600 per recruit instead of 400, and they put the Galaxy-X up for 1,000 points, then those who had a friend or two who weren't playing the game would have a reason to recruit them, and those who did five would get the same value they're getting now.
It is amazing that Cryptic did not apparently consider this most reasonable and dare I saw easy to conceive of idea. I also wondered the same.
But then, nobody would buy five copies and subscribe for a month to get it. And fewer people would recruit five. So the promotion wouldn't work as well for Cryptic's bottom line.
This way, the fanatical will spend lots of money, the gullible will do lots of recruiting, and then the patient will cash in later in the C-Store.
Dont be so quick to assume that position. Remember many people purchased six and seven copies of the game to get all the goodies. Shoot I would buy five copies if the G-X was worth it to me to be frank.
Dont be so quick to assume that position. Remember many people purchased six and seven copies of the game to get all the goodies. Shoot I would buy five copies if the G-X was worth it to me to be frank.
Assume which? My guess was that if they offered the Galaxy-X for 1,000 points, people who wanted to buy it would just buy 1,000 points, rather than buy five copies of the game and subscribe them each for a month - as it'd be way way cheaper.
Of course, that'd be way way less lucrative for Cryptic - so they'll keep it out of the store until they figure everyone who wanted it enough to pay that much has done so and everyone who'd go out and find five warm bodies has done that and then, once they've gotten everything they can via that route, they'll take the work they've already done and put it up for sale in the C-Store, and get some additional funds there.
If, however, they told everyone point-blank that's how it was going to work, then many of those people would just wait. Currently, they can tell themselves "but what if it doesn't go into the C-Store? I really want it, so I better do what I have to to get it." - and Cryptic's bottom line would suffer thereby.
If it was all about "making the majority of the players happy", the Galaxy-X would be in the C-Store now, along with all the other bonus items that aren't there. Clearly, it's about maximizing profit.
At this point I'm trying to guess when the first paid content shows up which my lifetime sub won't cover - from that point on, future updates will become more and more gated by paid content. Note that I'd expected that to happen, and was looking forward to supporting a game and a company who'd done right by me. As-is, however, they're not getting another dime.
I'm also wondering when they decided to put the Mirror Universe costumes, etc. in the C-Store. If they really had multiple meetings about it, it was probably under discussion before they'd actually finished them. In fact, it may well be that the only reason they did finish them (and the TOS uniforms for that matter) is that they'd decided to put them in the C-Store.
Previously, I'd been rather appreciative that they'd gone the extra mile to fulfill the expectations of the customers (suckers) who bought those packages. Now, I suspect they only did so to get the cash from C-Store. I can guarantee you that they wouldn't have sold as many MU uniforms without the female version, which wasn't in the original (and late) set given us.
@Synchrotron - The position that people would not pony up the cash if they knew for sure the G-X would not ever be in the store. Anyway, as far as the rest of your position goes, your preaching to the choir my friend.
OP, while you are at it could you get some pigs to fly for me?
Oh, I know! Let's rally together to get the moon to turn blue! Or we could all hang out for some snow angels in Hell...
Great sentiment, really. But look who you are typing to. My confidence in this company has risen considerably over the last few weeks, but that doesn't mean they aren't Cryptic anymore.
A better question to ask is:
Are the Mods/Devs ALLOWED to discuss this topic?
I would have to say, no. Considering the noticed lack of responses...
If, however, they told everyone point-blank that's how it was going to work, then many of those people would just wait. Currently, they can tell themselves "but what if it doesn't go into the C-Store? I really want it, so I better do what I have to to get it." - and Cryptic's bottom line would suffer thereby.
But they have to realize that this is hurting them almost as much, if not more. At this point, people are reasonably sure, or at least in enough doubt, about the Galaxy-X eventually finding its way onto the C-Store, that they aren't bothering to make the effort to recruit. The Galaxy-X has ceased to be a prime motivating goal for recruiting; anyone recruiting now is not doing it for the Galaxy-X, instead they must be very big advocate of the game, since they're essentially doing the recruiting solely for the love of the game. But such people have for the most part already done their major recruiting pushes, both before and after the R5F program was announced. It doesn't help that Cryptic has annoyed between one quarter and one half of their playerbase to the point where they almost certainly not advocate and recruit for the game. The R5F program and 'Bonusgate' intersected at an inopportune time.
In short, if Cryptic intends the R5F program to actually bring in recruits, and to use the Galaxy-X as the reward for that program, they need to announce that the Galaxy-X will not ever be available any other way.
But... how many people would believe them?
ETA: Actually, I guess I answered the question as to why they don't make such an announcement. By keeping it unanswered, there's the doubt that it might never be available any other way, and a few more people might make the effort to get 5 recruits. If they answer definitively, well, aside from a definitive answer, they've locked themselves into that answer, and it MUST go that way.*
Hell... what do I know, though? This is all speculation.
* - Prior announcements that the MU unis would be available only to COLTS notwithstanding.
Oh god another thread is needed ? if Cryptic didnt say in the 100's of other threads, you thought starting another would help ?
Get over it guys, for now at least its not in the C Store so go earn like we did, I hope it never goes in the C Store as that would be Cryptic taking those that did the work or paid the money and bending us over big time.
So dont do it Crypic, you had the chance to make this more fair by releasing two ships at the same time, one for the reward, one for the C Store, dont go making the cry babies happy by adding the Galaxy X to the C Store, they will just moan about something else
Or do what you should have done and make another T5 ship for the C Store, but then if you make a new T5 cruiser you will get moaners saying that want an escort, or a sci ship etc..
If you actually want to keep any subs you earned from the referal reward you wont add the Galaxy X to the C Store.. talk about slapping the biggest fans in the face.
You already slapped me in face once Cryptic with putting my so called "excusives" from the lifetime sub and pre order etc on the C Store.. dont do it again and show what you really think of your player base.
Oh god another thread is needed ? if Cryptic didnt say in the 100's of other threads, you thought starting another would help ?
Get over it guys, for now at least its not in the C Store so go earn like we did, I hope it never goes in the C Store as that would be Cryptic taking those that did the work or paid the money and bending us over big time.
So dont do it Crypic, you had the chance to make this more fair by releasing two ships at the same time, one for the reward, one for the C Store, dont go making the cry babies happy by adding the Galaxy X to the C Store, they will just moan about something else
Or do what you should have done and make another T5 ship for the C Store, but then if you make a new T5 cruiser you will get moaners saying that want an escort, or a sci ship etc..
If you actually want to keep any subs you earned from the referal reward you wont add the Galaxy X to the C Store.. talk about slapping the biggest fans in the face.
You already slapped me in face once Cryptic with putting my so called "excusives" from the lifetime sub and pre order etc on the C Store.. dont do it again and show what you really think of your player base.
But Darkness, you haven't known? Everyday is Christmas in Star Trek Online. You beg hard enough, and Cryptic (Santa Claus) will come down and grant every one's wish!
But Darkness, you haven't known? Everyday is Christmas in Star Trek Online. You beg hard enough, and Cryptic (Santa Claus) will come down and grant every one's wish!
Burn in hell Cryptic.. burn slow...... Last time I let myself get bent over by you guys !
Hey where did you get that quote? Do you have the link by any chance?
If that's true, then I don't know why I even bothered wasting so much money for nothing. I will make sure that I will never participate in any promotions that Cryptic holds. Also, I will make sure to let everyone know not to participate in any promotions where Cryptic offers "exclusive items" because they will be available for the fractions of the original "costs."
Hey where did you get that quote? Do you have the link by any chance?
If that's true, then I don't know why I even bothered wasting so much money for nothing. I will make sure that I will never participate in any promotions that Cryptic holds. Also, I will make sure to let everyone know not to participate in any promotions where Cryptic offers "exclusive items" because they will be available for the fractions of the original "costs."
Not entirely certain where the quote was. Someone posted that image earlier in this thread or one of the other two threads regarding this topic, noting that the thread they had found it has apparently gone missing. However, this may be incorrect on my part, since I did not actually find the quote, so take with an isograin of salt, your mileage may vary, objects in rearview mirror may appear closer than they are, void where prohibited, use only as directed, may cause indigestion, psoriasis, coughing, nausea, vomiting, death, and shingles. You get the idea.
ETA: Here is the original image. Honestly, though, I'm wary, since there is no additional data regarding this post, no date, no post number, no anything. It seems quite neatly cropped. If it existed, it has apparently disappeared form the forums.
First off, we're not gonna get any response from a yellow name for the following reasons:
1) Nobody monitors this subforum except to close threads, edit posts, and hit people with the banhammer & infractions.
2) The "transparent" communication has gotten so opaque nobody can see inside. When was the last time you heard a dev say ANYTHING clearly, if at all?
Now, on to the meat of this post. Frankly, after seeing what rapage marketing has done to us in the past couple weeks, I don't doubt that the Galaxy-X will be put up in the C-Store in a month's time for 1000CP just in time for the expanded "content" update known as Season Two. And I look forward to it. For those people who participated in the "Con-A-Friend" program purely for the ship, then I say suck it up and don't complain when it does inevitably happen.
I, like so many others, have gotten almost all the people that I would have AT LAUNCH. And we all regret signing up for multitudes of reasons...and most of us got an LTS before the game went live. If the game was in better shape than it is then I might have been willing to get a couple people to sign up...and not just for the ship. I would've done it without an incentive like that because at one point I was optimistic about the future of the game and saw potential.
As it stands, I will take any further marketing decisions with a grain of salt. I will be more than willing to wait when an "exclusive" offer is made to make money...especially when I know that I can get it for a pittance of what it originally costs. Frankly, this money grubbing is making me sick and I will no longer support Cryptic financially until they get their act together and realize that there's more to an MMO than just slapping some fluff together, selling it for money, and then letting the core gameplay and content rot while they rake in the dough.
Comments
I suppose you are right in a sense too. The term "exclusivity" has different meanings for others. As a collector though, I just wish that some items remain "exclusive."
You are also correct that those who received the Galaxy-X are reaping great enjoyment from the ship already. I am also certain though, that a lot of those folks who worked hard for it, wouldn't have spent so much time or money (a foolish impulsive buyer like me), if Cryptic let us know that these items will be available through C-Store later on for the fraction of the "cost."
I just want an answer from Cryptic, like how Cryptic gave an answer regarding their stance on the Liberated Borg and how it will remain exclusive indefinitely. Something as an assurance from Cryptic so those skeptical about the offer, will actually start working hard to get their ship.
I believe a clear answer from Cryptic will net a positive cash flow as well. Then those naysayers who believe that Galaxy-X will be available through C-Store later on, will actually spend time recruiting five people.
It's easy to put a marketable value, but it would be doing an extreme injustice for those who actually spent weeks trying to recruit five peers to get this ship. I took an easy route by purchasing the games and having the accounts billed for a month, BUT for those who actually took the hard honest route to get the ship... oh man...
If I were them, I would be furious. Even if it costed $200 on C-Store, that won't make up for the time that these folks spent to recruit five people to acquire the ship.
No doubt. I feel you brother. Shoot I recruited a lot of people (over 20 in fact) for the game but sadly most have left the past couple months. Moreover I spent hundreds of dollars setting up a community for the game on top of that and countless hours doing related stuff to be sure. However in the end it all comes down to profit motive as Cryptic already clearly demonstrated.
I would make the effort to recruit five more people but now I have no motivation to do so as I make in real life a lot of money per hour so if I have the option of spending 10 hours recruiting people or outright buying the items for whatever I would earn for that time or less, I'm going the money route and in the end I think Cryptic will as well. Shoot I just spent about $70 buying everything that would have cost me a couple hundred dollars a few months ago getting all the extra stuff I did not have already.
For me and only for me, whichever way Cryptic goes is fine by me as I have the money to play the game that way and I can find the time to do it the other way as I have done for more than the past two year. With that said, ultimately, I think Cryptic will go the money route after some magic number is or is not achieve with regards to recruiting players. It is the nature of the beast after all.
If they say that it won't be available, and they change their minds later, they'll have a repeat of the current mess. If they say it will be available, they'll sabotage their current promotion.
The FAQ essentially already says they reserve the right to make it available, so take a look at their past behavior on this sort of thing, and make your own judgment - but don't expect a definitive response to this question right now.
Well is it really a futile attempt to get an honest simple answer from Cryptic? After all, Cryptic did give a reply regarding the LIberated Borg. Cryptic did state that the Liberated Borg will not be available through other venues indefinitely. Why not an answer regarding AGT Galaxy Cruiser?
No wonder why the company named itself Cryptic. They are "cryptic" at best at providing "cryptic" answers!
You've got the honest answer - they haven't announced that it'll be available in the C-Store, but they reserve the right to do so.
My opinion is that, if they could, they'd go back and not answer on the Liberated Borg - especially since I expect that it, too, will end up in the C-Store. People want it, and they'll get a buck or two (or 10,000) by doing so.
Given that I think they're doing this for the cash, rather than because they like the furor it has caused, I expect they'll do what they can to minimize the chances of a repeat - and that means not making a clear, definitive statement one way or the other.
I guess your point is valid as well. Nevertheless, no response doesn't mean that's an answer. I am sure Cryptic has at least an ounce of humanity or humility (make your choice) to give us an answer regarding the AGT Galaxy Cruiser. I have faith.
Cryptic? Please stop being so cryptic and give us an answer so hundreds of us can focus on writing threads that addresses more important things in this game.
Once again, I assure you that most of the players who participated in the referral promotion did not spend weeks of their time searching for five peers or a week's worth of meal to get the AGT Galaxy Cruiser. If it was as simple as receiving petty 2k points total, few people would've participated in the referral program.
Once again, I am just hoping that Cryptic will give us a clear answer, just like the response they gave to the indefinite exclusiveness of the Liberated Borg. Just a one single Cryptic's reply would cease all these unnecessary threads and folks like us who are "complaining" endlessly, can actually move on and focus on writing invaluable threads regarding more important topics including the current state of the games/viable suggestions and such.
Truthfully, that'd be a much better way to incent people. If you got 600 per recruit instead of 400, and they put the Galaxy-X up for 1,000 points, then those who had a friend or two who weren't playing the game would have a reason to recruit them, and those who did five would get the same value they're getting now.
But then, nobody would buy five copies and subscribe for a month to get it. And fewer people would recruit five. So the promotion wouldn't work as well for Cryptic's bottom line.
This way, the fanatical will spend lots of money, the gullible will do lots of recruiting, and then the patient will cash in later in the C-Store.
Apparently it is cryptic doesnt want to be up front about anything that way they can switch the rules whenever they want to make even more money it isn't necessary to put it in the cstore it doesnt look like they're going to put an end date on it so peopel continously have a chance to get it
i agree it is not fair that those that recruited people early on don't get the ship they should.
This does concern alot of people in this game look how many threads there are asking for it to be made non exclusive whens it going to be in the cstore etc
So I'm all for it. Put everything in the C-Store. But in the spirit of fairness and equality, the referral players should get to enjoy the Galaxy for the same length of time I got to enjoy the Mirror Universe uniforms. That being a month. Fair is fair, after all.;)
It is amazing that Cryptic did not apparently consider this most reasonable and dare I saw easy to conceive of idea. I also wondered the same.
Dont be so quick to assume that position. Remember many people purchased six and seven copies of the game to get all the goodies. Shoot I would buy five copies if the G-X was worth it to me to be frank.
Assume which? My guess was that if they offered the Galaxy-X for 1,000 points, people who wanted to buy it would just buy 1,000 points, rather than buy five copies of the game and subscribe them each for a month - as it'd be way way cheaper.
Of course, that'd be way way less lucrative for Cryptic - so they'll keep it out of the store until they figure everyone who wanted it enough to pay that much has done so and everyone who'd go out and find five warm bodies has done that and then, once they've gotten everything they can via that route, they'll take the work they've already done and put it up for sale in the C-Store, and get some additional funds there.
If, however, they told everyone point-blank that's how it was going to work, then many of those people would just wait. Currently, they can tell themselves "but what if it doesn't go into the C-Store? I really want it, so I better do what I have to to get it." - and Cryptic's bottom line would suffer thereby.
If it was all about "making the majority of the players happy", the Galaxy-X would be in the C-Store now, along with all the other bonus items that aren't there. Clearly, it's about maximizing profit.
At this point I'm trying to guess when the first paid content shows up which my lifetime sub won't cover - from that point on, future updates will become more and more gated by paid content. Note that I'd expected that to happen, and was looking forward to supporting a game and a company who'd done right by me. As-is, however, they're not getting another dime.
I'm also wondering when they decided to put the Mirror Universe costumes, etc. in the C-Store. If they really had multiple meetings about it, it was probably under discussion before they'd actually finished them. In fact, it may well be that the only reason they did finish them (and the TOS uniforms for that matter) is that they'd decided to put them in the C-Store.
Previously, I'd been rather appreciative that they'd gone the extra mile to fulfill the expectations of the customers (suckers) who bought those packages. Now, I suspect they only did so to get the cash from C-Store. I can guarantee you that they wouldn't have sold as many MU uniforms without the female version, which wasn't in the original (and late) set given us.
Oh, I know! Let's rally together to get the moon to turn blue! Or we could all hang out for some snow angels in Hell...
Great sentiment, really. But look who you are typing to. My confidence in this company has risen considerably over the last few weeks, but that doesn't mean they aren't Cryptic anymore.
A better question to ask is:
Are the Mods/Devs ALLOWED to discuss this topic?
I would have to say, no. Considering the noticed lack of responses...
But they have to realize that this is hurting them almost as much, if not more. At this point, people are reasonably sure, or at least in enough doubt, about the Galaxy-X eventually finding its way onto the C-Store, that they aren't bothering to make the effort to recruit. The Galaxy-X has ceased to be a prime motivating goal for recruiting; anyone recruiting now is not doing it for the Galaxy-X, instead they must be very big advocate of the game, since they're essentially doing the recruiting solely for the love of the game. But such people have for the most part already done their major recruiting pushes, both before and after the R5F program was announced. It doesn't help that Cryptic has annoyed between one quarter and one half of their playerbase to the point where they almost certainly not advocate and recruit for the game. The R5F program and 'Bonusgate' intersected at an inopportune time.
In short, if Cryptic intends the R5F program to actually bring in recruits, and to use the Galaxy-X as the reward for that program, they need to announce that the Galaxy-X will not ever be available any other way.
But... how many people would believe them?
ETA: Actually, I guess I answered the question as to why they don't make such an announcement. By keeping it unanswered, there's the doubt that it might never be available any other way, and a few more people might make the effort to get 5 recruits. If they answer definitively, well, aside from a definitive answer, they've locked themselves into that answer, and it MUST go that way.*
Hell... what do I know, though? This is all speculation.
* - Prior announcements that the MU unis would be available only to COLTS notwithstanding.
Get over it guys, for now at least its not in the C Store so go earn like we did, I hope it never goes in the C Store as that would be Cryptic taking those that did the work or paid the money and bending us over big time.
So dont do it Crypic, you had the chance to make this more fair by releasing two ships at the same time, one for the reward, one for the C Store, dont go making the cry babies happy by adding the Galaxy X to the C Store, they will just moan about something else
Or do what you should have done and make another T5 ship for the C Store, but then if you make a new T5 cruiser you will get moaners saying that want an escort, or a sci ship etc..
If you actually want to keep any subs you earned from the referal reward you wont add the Galaxy X to the C Store.. talk about slapping the biggest fans in the face.
You already slapped me in face once Cryptic with putting my so called "excusives" from the lifetime sub and pre order etc on the C Store.. dont do it again and show what you really think of your player base.
But Darkness, you haven't known? Everyday is Christmas in Star Trek Online. You beg hard enough, and Cryptic (Santa Claus) will come down and grant every one's wish!
haha good point.. and Cryptic already have !
http://img31.imageshack.us/img31/8977/rekhnaquote.jpg
Burn in hell Cryptic.. burn slow...... Last time I let myself get bent over by you guys !
To Rekhan: I could not have put it in a better way myself.
Hey where did you get that quote? Do you have the link by any chance?
If that's true, then I don't know why I even bothered wasting so much money for nothing. I will make sure that I will never participate in any promotions that Cryptic holds. Also, I will make sure to let everyone know not to participate in any promotions where Cryptic offers "exclusive items" because they will be available for the fractions of the original "costs."
Not entirely certain where the quote was. Someone posted that image earlier in this thread or one of the other two threads regarding this topic, noting that the thread they had found it has apparently gone missing. However, this may be incorrect on my part, since I did not actually find the quote, so take with an isograin of salt, your mileage may vary, objects in rearview mirror may appear closer than they are, void where prohibited, use only as directed, may cause indigestion, psoriasis, coughing, nausea, vomiting, death, and shingles. You get the idea.
ETA: Here is the original image. Honestly, though, I'm wary, since there is no additional data regarding this post, no date, no post number, no anything. It seems quite neatly cropped. If it existed, it has apparently disappeared form the forums.
1) Nobody monitors this subforum except to close threads, edit posts, and hit people with the banhammer & infractions.
2) The "transparent" communication has gotten so opaque nobody can see inside. When was the last time you heard a dev say ANYTHING clearly, if at all?
Now, on to the meat of this post. Frankly, after seeing what rapage marketing has done to us in the past couple weeks, I don't doubt that the Galaxy-X will be put up in the C-Store in a month's time for 1000CP just in time for the expanded "content" update known as Season Two. And I look forward to it. For those people who participated in the "Con-A-Friend" program purely for the ship, then I say suck it up and don't complain when it does inevitably happen.
I, like so many others, have gotten almost all the people that I would have AT LAUNCH. And we all regret signing up for multitudes of reasons...and most of us got an LTS before the game went live. If the game was in better shape than it is then I might have been willing to get a couple people to sign up...and not just for the ship. I would've done it without an incentive like that because at one point I was optimistic about the future of the game and saw potential.
As it stands, I will take any further marketing decisions with a grain of salt. I will be more than willing to wait when an "exclusive" offer is made to make money...especially when I know that I can get it for a pittance of what it originally costs. Frankly, this money grubbing is making me sick and I will no longer support Cryptic financially until they get their act together and realize that there's more to an MMO than just slapping some fluff together, selling it for money, and then letting the core gameplay and content rot while they rake in the dough.