0.10.0 patch notes, balance explanations and how microtransactions work

"

Jezabel wrote:

"

solistus wrote:

5. Nobody is going to *like* buying and consuming this 'item'. Nobody is going to be excited to have them. Even if people don't actively mind it, and don't stop buying cosmetics because of it, they will still have a negative experience every time they have to hop over to the Shop and buy more of them just to keep their current cosmetics on a new item or character. You want people to enjoy spending money on the game, for it to be an impulse buy that satisfies an immediate want. That's a much better psychological relationship to cultivate with your players than the sort of nagware model where the game makes you feel like you have to pay to remove some artificial barrier to your continued enjoyment.

Everything else about the patch sounds awesome, and I'm psyched to try it out tomorrow! Just wanted to share my thoughts and let you know that I will definitely spend more money on the game if this particular microtransaction fee is abolished, and I believe other players likely would as well.

Ok... on this I would just like to point out an observation.

Their company obviously needs a more constant stream on income. The only other option they could make would be for cosmetic items to last for a set amount time. Trust me, the way they currently have it is much better than changing it to that dreaded system.

Frankly, I love how they're conceptualizing cosmetic items. If you want to switch things up to a new item you found, you can do so for a fee or just use the new item without the effect. There's no "dislike" of having to use a new more powerful item without the cosmetic effect. You can still use the damn thing. Killing monsters faster or surviving more will always be preferable to something just looking cooler.

I agree that they need constant revenue - I even stated as much. My point is that this is a poor way of going about it.

I disagree that it would not feel like losing something if you voluntarily swapped out your cosmetic-enhanced item for one with no enhancements. You paid for a cosmetic upgrade, and now you have to choose between losing it, paying money, or compromising gameplay by skipping gear upgrades. For me, and I imagine many other players, that is going to detract from enjoyment of the game and make the whole cosmetic microtransaction process seem a lot less player-friendly. If you don't care about things "just looking cooler", you're not gonna buy cosmetic upgrades in the first place :P At any rate, it may not bother you, but it will definitely bother me, to the point where I will probably just skip the cosmetic microtransactions entirely if they keep with this system.

"

Chris wrote:

UPDATE: Due to extensive feedback in this thread, we have changed the implementation so that effects can be reclaimed at no cost. Microtransaction effects can be freely moved between items. This will affect their initial pricing somewhat, but we'll investigate adding cheaper one-use "demo" versions of them in the near future.

Thanks for listening Chris.

"

Chris wrote:

UPDATE: Due to extensive feedback in this thread, we have changed the implementation so that effects can be reclaimed at no cost. Microtransaction effects can be freely moved between items. This will affect their initial pricing somewhat, but we'll investigate adding cheaper one-use "demo" versions of them in the near future.

I am proud to be a supporter of this game.

It feels like there wasn't really much time/thought put into the microtransaction component of the game. Paying consumable per item, this could have been vastly upgraded even by limiting it to a purchase per character and denying stash sharing. Flat out item changing just seems like a idiotic waste of money. I can't see many of the incoming newbie free players being attracted to such a option. Only those of us who are hardcore to the game will bother and even then it will encourage us to wait till endgame.

I feel like armor skins should have been on launch. To be honest, I'm completely bored of seeing the same gear over and over just re-leveled. Its really just been my only big complaint about the game. I thought act 3 would bring in a flux of armor designs but from what I've seen this hardly seems the case. League of legends makes bank selling simple character skins. Players love to customize the champs they play and it makes them feel unique. I don't see why a concept wasn't a priority on release.

From what I've seen, its all been down to pets...and maybe that makes some people happy. However, I couldn't care less about the small critter that will provide nothing but "cutesy" value. Honestly, I'm surprised pets don't function as extra stashes like in Torchlight 2. Such a concept would have easily increased their value. However, as of now it seems PoE is path of ethology. I can't fathom why so much detail is being given to them. I can't see them holding the micro shop up and I'm 100% positive character customization would have made more money and impressions.

These are my thoughts. I'm sure plenty of people disagree. Don't flame me bro, just my thoughts. I just think the pet spot light is a bit lackluster and I hope the shop eventually waters my mouth with more appealing options. Right now, dance moves, lifeless pets, and vending machine weapon skins doesn't have me wanting to throw my wallet at the screen.

*Disclaimer. Chris posted the weapon skin update which does effect this post. So ignore that component. However, I do stand by my other thoughts*

"

Chris wrote:

UPDATE: Due to extensive feedback in this thread, we have changed the implementation so that effects can be reclaimed at no cost. Microtransaction effects can be freely moved between items. This will affect their initial pricing somewhat, but we'll investigate adding cheaper one-use "demo" versions of them in the near future.

This is why small companies like GGG are awesome. A decision like would have taken months to be cleared management and accountants at larger companies. GGG took the player feedback and made the appropriate changes within a few hours. That's just amazing.

"

Chris wrote:

UPDATE: Due to extensive feedback in this thread, we have changed the implementation so that effects can be reclaimed at no cost. Microtransaction effects can be freely moved between items. This will affect their initial pricing somewhat, but we'll investigate adding cheaper one-use "demo" versions of them in the near future.

<3<3<3 love you guys.

"

Chris wrote:

UPDATE: Due to extensive feedback in this thread, we have changed the implementation so that effects can be reclaimed at no cost. Microtransaction effects can be freely moved between items. This will affect their initial pricing somewhat, but we'll investigate adding cheaper one-use "demo" versions of them in the near future.

Now you need to make pets loot currency items. :-)

http://www.pathofexile.com/forum/view-thread/68182/page/1

And this is why we love you GGG. Finally I can sleep easy :P