*Subscription Price Hike, Why? (an open letter to the devs)

GrooverGabe

*(This May not be as originally interpreted. It may be based on exchange rate [CND/USD] but i feel my complaints remain quite valid nonetheless)

What is the Justification for the Price Hike on Loyal Players Subs?

The game is Buggy as ever. I crash, sometimes, multiple times an hour. If this were fixed I would be so happy, i wouldn't bother anyone lol.

There is no New Content. So why am i paying more?

The "Crown Store" Is underwhelming. I have found nothing in the Crown Store I am interested in. I am not being stingy and I like that you are committed to staying strictly aesthetic, but not getting there for me sorry, think the scamp is the first thing I have seriously considered. I guess you are getting around to it and developing it.

I am assuming that since the change to the pay structure, there has been a dip in funds/finances, or an unexpected surge in demand and less than expected, influx in funds.... or something the like. I don't think taxing you loyalest subbers is the way to remedy this problem and close the gap.
Firstly take care of the growing laundry list of bugs that are now making the game nearly unplayable.
Secondly Give us reasons to maintain our subs, new content, either DLC or not, not just another reason to grind our minds numb, farming CP.
Thirdly give people something worth spending real moneys on, or at least use the crowns we do have, making that a viable reason to sub.

I, as a matter of fact, barely "play" the game, I am online quite a bit but fringe benefits like more experience don't have as much weight as the may for another player. As a early access player who has maintained their sub all the way through, as well as maintain an alt account, (for additional toons,) As a GM and Marketeer I play the game differently than most and love that about the game/system, and is the main reason i support the development of the game w/ my hard earned dollars. I am also a contributing member of the community, I take time out of my gameplay and irl schedule as a member of a panel of like minded people who meet w/ you (devs.)
I am Befuddled and feel Betrayed and taken advantage of. I want to keep both my accounts active/subbed, but as i can barely play the game, even just walking around town, I am having a hard time justifying it.

Gabe

Elijah_Crow

Um, this may seem silly..but what Price Hike?

As far as I'm aware the price has remained the same. Is this some international thing with the EU?

Thymos

Yeah, it's people who live in countries where their currency has less value than the US dollar, so they raised the price to compensate, instead of just taking a loss. I think one is Canada, but as most of the Canadians in my guild have stated, it's nothing out of the ordinary, just about every other game does it too.

KoRRoDEAD

I live in Canada and have been subscribed since launch and each month for me and my wife to play its been $14.99 CAD each so practically $30 for us both each month.

I just noticed this month that it has changed to $17.99 CAD for each of us which brings that up to $36 per month. That extra $6 dollars might not be alot but that along with the realization that neither of us have had as much time to play recently has resulted in us cancelling our sub for the time being. Might resub when they bring out DLC but for now i'd rather save my money.

newtinmpls

Thymos wrote: »

Yeah, it's people who live in countries where their currency has less value than the US dollar, so they raised the price to compensate <snip>.

Actually raised the price or removed an artificial price lock? Or did it just go up as a change in currency exchange?

GrooverGabe

If this is due to Currency rates should it not just be a straight conversion from X to X+y% each month rather than a flat rate hike ... but my apologies if i have misread/misstated the scenario.
Although the reason i have wrote the letter may have changed the problems/complaints remain

jeevin

OP if you have a hard time justifying it, simply don't pay. I'm also at the point where I'm not feeling there's any value from paying to play so I won't pay. It's that simple. Just so you know the Australian currency conversion is about the same as the Canadian dollar at the moment and yet the cost to sub is $15 per month. Canada would have significantly more subscribers though so it does look like ZOS is penny pinching from you guys

olemanwinter

Every other product and industry does this. Products are priced in a single currency of choice and then the exchange rate takes care of the rest.

I find it hilarious that people don't instinctively realize this.

Imagine instead of a slight fluctuation the game was being sold in a country with extreme inflation? Should they just get it for free?

I guess a Chevy truck that costs 30,000 USD should also cost 30k Euros, 30k Pesos, 30k Yen, etc......forever?

People need to play this game less and educate themselves more.

olemanwinter

KoRRoDEAD wrote: »

I live in Canada and have been subscribed since launch and each month for me and my wife to play its been $14.99 CAD each so practically $30 for us both each month.

I just noticed this month that it has changed to $17.99 CAD for each of us which brings that up to $36 per month. That extra $6 dollars might not be alot but that along with the realization that neither of us have had as much time to play recently has resulted in us cancelling our sub for the time being. Might resub when they bring out DLC but for now i'd rather save my money.

I don't think you understand. Your currency must be transferred back into USD. If the exchange rate has changed, then not raising your prices would effectively be giving you a discount!

Grapdjan

I played EQ2 for years through many currency fluctuations and they never pulled this crap. Sub was what the sub was. Yet another example for of not having understanding how mmos work.

Genomic

Grapdjan wrote: »

I played EQ2 for years through many currency fluctuations and they never pulled this crap. Sub was what the sub was. Yet another example for of not having understanding how mmos work.

I'm from Australia and our currency fluctuates considerably compared to the $US, yet I've not played a single MMO that jumps around their sub price because of it.

firstdecan

1 - Why don't they just keep the Canadian and European prices the same and give us a discount in the US? (Will never happen, most of their supply chain is probably contracted out in USD).

2 - Who's still paying a sub? There is absolutely zero incentive to pay for a sub anymore. The 10% bonuses are trivial, and there's nothing in the crown store worth buying.

Brasseurfb16_ESO

firstdecan wrote: »

1 - Why don't they just keep the Canadian and European prices the same and give us a discount in the US? (Will never happen, most of their supply chain is probably contracted out in USD).

2 - Who's still paying a sub? There is absolutely zero incentive to pay for a sub anymore. The 10% bonuses are trivial, and there's nothing in the crown store worth buying.

Maybe some people pay the sub, I don't know... to actually support the game?

Egonieser

Currency exchange rates fluctutate constantly. Blame it not on the ZoS but the financial market. The price has changed on behalf of your country, not in the country it's coming from (USA), due to the fact your currency has been devalued - again, not a problem or fault of ZoS.

If you want to blame someone - find your country's big dogs - major bank directors, financial managers or however it works over there and ask them - Why has your currency exchange rate gone up? (Speaking metaphorically, obviously) ZoS have nothing to do with it, they don't have to suffer losses because the currency value of your country has gone down the drain.

Valymer

Rune_Relic wrote: »

I'll give my £20 to the guy/girl on the street and tell him/her to get some dinner.

I used to do that but then I realized that they just go buy heroin with it. Better to go actually buy them the dinner

NewBlacksmurf

1. Prices haven't changed
2. ESO plus is not required
3. The crown store isn't even 30 days old

RazzPitazz

I thought the sub price changed on the individual month. I think it went up to $18/ month. If you buy a 90 day sub it goes back down to $15/month?

Varicite

Canada needs to step up their economy.

jpatek0501ub17_ESO

I predict a sad death just like Warhammer online. Shut down.

NewBlacksmurf

rajaniemiorama_ESO wrote: »

I thought the sub price changed on the individual month. I think it went up to $18/ month. If you buy a 90 day sub it goes back down to $15/month?

I just paid $14.99 no price change unless it's something in your region/country that differs

wrlifeboil

It's probably due to VAT taxes and other tariffs.

U.S. retailers always list prices excluding taxes. It gives American consumers (and foreigners it would seem) the impression that the prices are cheaper in the U.S. even though Americans have to pay sales taxes when they buy the item. Unless you live in a no sales tax state.

For example, the sales tax is 8.875% in New York City. So a $60 title would actually cost $65.33 at the store. But if you live in New Hampshire, the sales tax is 0%.

MorHawk

For the record regarding Canada, the rate they're currently using is from January. If they updated it, the price would have to jump by another dollar. I really don't think it's particularly fair to expect a discount just because our economy's tanking.

Blockz888

GrooverGabe wrote: »

*(This May not be as originally interpreted. It may be based on exchange rate [CND/USD] but i feel my complaints remain quite valid nonetheless)

What is the Justification for the Price Hike on Loyal Players Subs?

The game is Buggy as ever. I crash, sometimes, multiple times an hour. If this were fixed I would be so happy, i wouldn't bother anyone lol.

There is no New Content. So why am i paying more?

The "Crown Store" Is underwhelming. I have found nothing in the Crown Store I am interested in. I am not being stingy and I like that you are committed to staying strictly aesthetic, but not getting there for me sorry, think the scamp is the first thing I have seriously considered. I guess you are getting around to it and developing it.

I am assuming that since the change to the pay structure, there has been a dip in funds/finances, or an unexpected surge in demand and less than expected, influx in funds.... or something the like. I don't think taxing you loyalest subbers is the way to remedy this problem and close the gap.
Firstly take care of the growing laundry list of bugs that are now making the game nearly unplayable.
Secondly Give us reasons to maintain our subs, new content, either DLC or not, not just another reason to grind our minds numb, farming CP.
Thirdly give people something worth spending real moneys on, or at least use the crowns we do have, making that a viable reason to sub.

I, as a matter of fact, barely "play" the game, I am online quite a bit but fringe benefits like more experience don't have as much weight as the may for another player. As a early access player who has maintained their sub all the way through, as well as maintain an alt account, (for additional toons,) As a GM and Marketeer I play the game differently than most and love that about the game/system, and is the main reason i support the development of the game w/ my hard earned dollars. I am also a contributing member of the community, I take time out of my gameplay and irl schedule as a member of a panel of like minded people who meet w/ you (devs.)
I am Befuddled and feel Betrayed and taken advantage of. I want to keep both my accounts active/subbed, but as i can barely play the game, even just walking around town, I am having a hard time justifying it.

Gabe

No offence but I think this is stupid. If you really want it you will pay for it. They raise the cost because they need it not because you need it. Its like every business out there. Your complaint is im poor poor poor. If you were richer would u complain? ;-) You wouldn't give a *** and you would have fun playing still.

Varicite

Blockz888 wrote: »

GrooverGabe wrote: »

*(This May not be as originally interpreted. It may be based on exchange rate [CND/USD] but i feel my complaints remain quite valid nonetheless)

What is the Justification for the Price Hike on Loyal Players Subs?

The game is Buggy as ever. I crash, sometimes, multiple times an hour. If this were fixed I would be so happy, i wouldn't bother anyone lol.

There is no New Content. So why am i paying more?

The "Crown Store" Is underwhelming. I have found nothing in the Crown Store I am interested in. I am not being stingy and I like that you are committed to staying strictly aesthetic, but not getting there for me sorry, think the scamp is the first thing I have seriously considered. I guess you are getting around to it and developing it.

I am assuming that since the change to the pay structure, there has been a dip in funds/finances, or an unexpected surge in demand and less than expected, influx in funds.... or something the like. I don't think taxing you loyalest subbers is the way to remedy this problem and close the gap.
Firstly take care of the growing laundry list of bugs that are now making the game nearly unplayable.
Secondly Give us reasons to maintain our subs, new content, either DLC or not, not just another reason to grind our minds numb, farming CP.
Thirdly give people something worth spending real moneys on, or at least use the crowns we do have, making that a viable reason to sub.

I, as a matter of fact, barely "play" the game, I am online quite a bit but fringe benefits like more experience don't have as much weight as the may for another player. As a early access player who has maintained their sub all the way through, as well as maintain an alt account, (for additional toons,) As a GM and Marketeer I play the game differently than most and love that about the game/system, and is the main reason i support the development of the game w/ my hard earned dollars. I am also a contributing member of the community, I take time out of my gameplay and irl schedule as a member of a panel of like minded people who meet w/ you (devs.)
I am Befuddled and feel Betrayed and taken advantage of. I want to keep both my accounts active/subbed, but as i can barely play the game, even just walking around town, I am having a hard time justifying it.

Gabe

No offence but I think this is stupid. If you really want it you will pay for it. They raise the cost because they need it not because you need it. Its like every business out there. Your complaint is im poor poor poor. If you were richer would u complain? ;-) You wouldn't give a *** and you would have fun playing still.

It still costs the same, the value of his country's currency has just fallen.

Rust_in_Peace

olemanwinter wrote: »

KoRRoDEAD wrote: »

I live in Canada and have been subscribed since launch and each month for me and my wife to play its been $14.99 CAD each so practically $30 for us both each month.

I just noticed this month that it has changed to $17.99 CAD for each of us which brings that up to $36 per month. That extra $6 dollars might not be alot but that along with the realization that neither of us have had as much time to play recently has resulted in us cancelling our sub for the time being. Might resub when they bring out DLC but for now i'd rather save my money.

I don't think you understand. Your currency must be transferred back into USD. If the exchange rate has changed, then not raising your prices would effectively be giving you a discount!

Exchange rates change all the time. There was a period of a couple years where the CND was higher than the US. Did prices get cheaper for us? Of course not. This is actually a case that is unique to electronics and games because it's only been recently, it started in 2014 I think, that major retailers decided they would raise the price on all products by roughly 10-15% under the guise of "currency exchange" when it's actually just an extra tax to compensate for any possible currency fluctuation. What you need to realize is that Canadians, and I'm sure Aus and possibly EU as well are actually paying MORE on a flat dollar for dollar conversion if you calculate the variations in currency value. The prices are intentionally set higher than the mean rate of exchange; so not only do the companies not lose money but they profit by charging international buyers more.

I will say this though; at least ESO was upfront about the price adjustment. I remember when I played WoW and they went from $14.99 CND to enforcing currency exchange and the additional $3 was calculated after I already made my purchase.

wrlifeboil

FYI Canadians, the GST is a VAT tax like what the Europeans have. The U.S. doesn't have a VAT tax. Same states in the U.S. do have VAT-like taxes though.

The U.S. system is complicated. Gives all the accountants jobs for life.

Dagoth_Rac

You have to remember that $14.99 CAD or $17.99 CAD or anything in CAD is worthless to ZOS. They can't pay their employees in CAD or run marketing campaigns in CAD or buy soft drinks to stock the company refrigerator using CAD. They have to convert those CAD subscription payments to USD before they can use that revenue to actually run their business. And between game launch and today, $14.99 CAD has gone from about $13.64 USD to about $11.84 CAD.

They had just been eating the FX losses between game launch and March 17th, 2015. But they likely took the switch to Tamriel Unlimited/ESO Plus as an opportunity to reset the subscription price in other offered currencies.

Does it stink that you have to pay more due to FX rates that you have no control over? Of course. But it is ZOS' attempt to stop losing money on foreign subscriptions, not a greedy move to gouge Canadians.

cyqa

I noticed this too when I switched my sub from a 90 day to 180 day (I'm happy they reinstated this option). Oh well, I guess it just means a couple less Tim Hortons double doubles for me each month.

Morana

While the increase is minimal, it's another drop in the cumulative hit with the dollar exchange. When the dollar was at/close to par, I did a lot of US spending (I can drive down to WA state in half an hour). Now I'm clawing it back rapidly. More hikes to the sub rates, and I'm going to have to seriously consider cancelling. The dollar is going down, all of my bills are going up (screw you BC Hydro) and my paycheque isn't changing. Something has to give eventually.

I'm not blaming ZOS, I work in purchasing and see the pain of the dollar fluctuation every day on the vendor side and watching my margins tank. But as a consumer all of these little increases really start to hurt.

GrooverGabe

olemanwinter wrote: »

Every other product and industry does this. Products are priced in a single currency of choice and then the exchange rate takes care of the rest.

I find it hilarious that people don't instinctively realize this.

Imagine instead of a slight fluctuation the game was being sold in a country with extreme inflation? Should they just get it for free?

I guess a Chevy truck that costs 30,000 USD should also cost 30k Euros, 30k Pesos, 30k Yen, etc......forever?

People need to play this game less and educate themselves more.

i don't mind the exchange rate ... but why not just bill in USD and then let the exchange rate speak for itself.

OrdainedFaun

I don't remember seeing an official announcement that they were adjusting Canada sub prices again based on the exchange rate. Or did I miss that?