Official Discussion Thread for Crown Crates

Tyrion87

JimT722 wrote: »

Tyrion87 wrote: »

Circuitous wrote: »

These are still a thing, seriously? C'mon, ZOS.

Yes, and there are at least two proofs that crown crates are coming...
1. The recent crown store showcase for November includes no mounts, no pets, no costumes (like never before).
2. The recent introduction of new experience recipe to be in pair with crates crates exclusive experience scrolls.

Don't forget the inclusion of gems as a currency in the store ui.

I think the assumption that we won't see them on the PTS again will be accurate. With their reception on the pts, who will pay to test these. I can't seem to shake the feeling these are designed for people with far more money than sense.

Indeed, and I also noticed a new keybinding for crown crates within the game settings...

Elsonso

JimT722 wrote: »

Why can't they just set a price for the items like any decent product manufacturers would. I could never get away with this. The products I make are determined by bidding. I would lose the contract if the price or quality wasn't right. The MMO market is just off in my opinion.

They would totally do this if you would buy these things several times. Crown Crates are all about repeat sales. They are selling this because they will make less real revenue with a Crown Store that sells 5000 Crown mounts than a Crown Store that sells a sliver of a chance to get a 5000 Crown mount for 400 Crowns. A certain segment of customer, which are not well represented in discussions here on the forum, will gladly spend more than 5000 Crowns just to play at getting a chance to get a 5000 Crown mount. This will be fueled by the rare individual that gets one for less than 5000 Crowns.

People who have been farming the Mythic Aetheral Ambrosia components can easily imagine what they would be spending in Crowns if each node harvested, or each monster killed, cost them 40 (forty) Crowns for a chance at the prize. One TENTH of what a Crown Crate costs. I would have easily spent more than 5000 Crowns over the weekend fighting the same RNG that will be used by the Crown Crates. No, I did not get any prizes.

Disclaimer: I am certain that the Crown Crate version of the Mythic Aetheral Ambrosia will take a lot fewer Crown Crates than what we are seeing to get the in-game stuff. The insane grind for in-game components is designed to drive people to give up and buy Crown Crates. It allows them to say that they are offering it in game. This is a well known trick.

JimT722

Yes I understand it's a trick. If someone needs to result to trickery in order to sell their product, your essentially declaring a lack of pride in your product. As a craftsman, that is a tragedy.

I want to make products that sell because they are a quality product that people are happy to buy. Not only does it help generate profit, it builds a reputation with the consumer. With some product manufacturers, reputation is essential. It is required for retaining customers and recommendations for future endeavors. This is a healthy way of conducting business.

Cazzy

I'd like to make a prediction. Crowns are released around Black Friday and their sales. People go nuts and buy loads. ZOS say it was a success. Crate sales decline dramatically after Christmas.

Now, normally I'd be jumping over Crown sales because of all the neat things I could buy from the store. Because I don't recall ZOS even saying nothing will change in the Crown Store I can only assume everything that was going to be purchasable has now been put in the lucky dip. Therefore I'm keeping hold of my very real money despite any woop-de-doo sales.

Elsonso

Cazzy wrote: »

I'd like to make a prediction. Crowns are released around Black Friday and their sales. People go nuts and buy loads. ZOS say it was a success. Crate sales decline dramatically after Christmas.

I think they need to do a Console patch before they can release Crown Crates to the masses. They said November, and it would be terribly embarrassing if they can't even deploy, on time, a flagship feature that has been mostly finished for 2 months. Awards and bonuses may very well depend on it. This means they will probably do it after the Nov 22 console patch (which has not yet been announced).

In any case, I bet it is rolled out at the same time they roll out Update 13 information. What better way to distract from the bad taste than to slip us something sweet? Even if they don't care what we think, it should help ease the burden on the moderation staff.

Cazzy

lordrichter wrote: »

Cazzy wrote: »

I'd like to make a prediction. Crowns are released around Black Friday and their sales. People go nuts and buy loads. ZOS say it was a success. Crate sales decline dramatically after Christmas.

I think they need to do a Console patch before they can release Crown Crates to the masses. They said November, and it would be terribly embarrassing if they can't even deploy, on time, a flagship feature that has been mostly finished for 2 months. Awards and bonuses may very well depend on it. This means they will probably do it after the Nov 22 console patch (which has not yet been announced).

In any case, I bet it is rolled out at the same time they roll out Update 13 information. What better way to distract from the bad taste than to slip us something sweet? Even if they don't care what we think, it should help ease the burden on the moderation staff.

Sounds spot on. They could at least buy us dinner first!

Elsonso

Cazzy wrote: »

I'd like to make a prediction. Crowns are released around Black Friday and their sales. People go nuts and buy loads. ZOS say it was a success. Crate sales decline dramatically after Christmas.

I revise my statement. We get Crown Crates this week. That's what I think.

Abeille

lordrichter wrote: »

Cazzy wrote: »

I'd like to make a prediction. Crowns are released around Black Friday and their sales. People go nuts and buy loads. ZOS say it was a success. Crate sales decline dramatically after Christmas.

I revise my statement. We get Crown Crates this week. That's what I think.

I'm thinking next week. This week we have a personality, a motif and two hats scheduled to be released, but next week we only have three hair styles (one for khajiit, one for argonians and one for every other race) scheduled to be released.

Elsonso

Abeille wrote: »

lordrichter wrote: »

Cazzy wrote: »

I'd like to make a prediction. Crowns are released around Black Friday and their sales. People go nuts and buy loads. ZOS say it was a success. Crate sales decline dramatically after Christmas.

I revise my statement. We get Crown Crates this week. That's what I think.

I'm thinking next week. This week we have a personality, a motif and two hats scheduled to be released, but next week we only have three hair styles (one for khajiit, one for argonians and one for every other race) scheduled to be released.

I was thinking so, too. Then, it seems, they added a second store maintenance this week.

Lumenn

Aye, let's not forget Saturdays fiasco bringing the servers down for a 4 hr "hotfix" and couldn't bring them back for Xbox due to Xbox live purchasing being down. Combined with the new exp potionc crates this week or next week for sure.

MadLarkin

I still think its hysterical that in the face of this overwhelming negative feedback they haven't really communicated with us at all, except for those first batches of changes they promised. We have yet to see hard data on any of this, such as Apex drop chances. They're just going to stick their heads in the ground, waiting for the negative feedback to blow over and the whales to emerge. They're creating a business model that hurts their customers and are proud of it.

Elsonso

lordrichter wrote: »

Abeille wrote: »

lordrichter wrote: »

Cazzy wrote: »

I'd like to make a prediction. Crowns are released around Black Friday and their sales. People go nuts and buy loads. ZOS say it was a success. Crate sales decline dramatically after Christmas.

I revise my statement. We get Crown Crates this week. That's what I think.

I'm thinking next week. This week we have a personality, a motif and two hats scheduled to be released, but next week we only have three hair styles (one for khajiit, one for argonians and one for every other race) scheduled to be released.

I was thinking so, too. Then, it seems, they added a second store maintenance this week.

Although, now the second store maintenance appears to be for the Free Weekend.

MornaBaine

MadLarkin wrote: »

I still think its hysterical that in the face of this overwhelming negative feedback they haven't really communicated with us at all, except for those first batches of changes they promised. We have yet to see hard data on any of this, such as Apex drop chances. They're just going to stick their heads in the ground, waiting for the negative feedback to blow over and the whales to emerge. They're creating a business model that hurts their customers and are proud of it.

That seems to be the MO here. Address the first round of player screaming with some reassuring comments... then never say anything again and refuse to acknowledge that the issue is ongoing. Happened here: https://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/257543/important-update-zos-please-reconsider-your-decision-to-no-longer-make-female-light-armor#latest

Not seeing ANY of the many costumes we know they have finished this month makes me VERY concerned. More than ever I expect we'll be seeing the Dunmer, Breton male, Imperial male and Redguard male costumes, as well as the gorgeous Redguard robe that has been on PTS for ages, all hugely anticipated, being locked into gambling boxes exclusively. I am already looking for a new game.

Elsonso

MornaBaine wrote: »

That seems to be the MO here. Address the first round of player screaming with some reassuring comments... then never say anything again and refuse to acknowledge that the issue is ongoing.

This is entirely because they have nothing else to say. They have not changed plans. Things will happen exactly as they have said most recently. If that changes, they will let us know. Until that time, everything is as has been stated. They rarely repeat themselves. They know that if they do repeat themselves on this, or any number of subjects, they will just be fanning the flames. The hate over Crown Crates, and Female Light Costumes, has died down, but it is still there. We can only talk about it with the "choir" for so long before we get tired of repeating ourselves.

Crown Crates are coming, and that will re-ignite the fires. They know this.

JimT722

lordrichter wrote: »

MornaBaine wrote: »

That seems to be the MO here. Address the first round of player screaming with some reassuring comments... then never say anything again and refuse to acknowledge that the issue is ongoing.

Crown Crates are coming, and that will re-ignite the fires. They know this.

It's amazing that a company would do this when such a large and passionate portion of their customers despise them so much. Says a lot about their priorities, when they willingly damage their companies image so severely with so many people. All so they can swindle money out of people lacking in control or sense.

Elsonso

JimT722 wrote: »

lordrichter wrote: »

MornaBaine wrote: »

That seems to be the MO here. Address the first round of player screaming with some reassuring comments... then never say anything again and refuse to acknowledge that the issue is ongoing.

Crown Crates are coming, and that will re-ignite the fires. They know this.

It's amazing that a company would do this when such a large and passionate portion of their customers despise them so much. Says a lot about their priorities, when they willingly damage their companies image so severely with so many people. All so they can swindle money out of people lacking in control or sense.

Revenue > Game > Customer

MadLarkin

lordrichter wrote: »

MornaBaine wrote: »

That seems to be the MO here. Address the first round of player screaming with some reassuring comments... then never say anything again and refuse to acknowledge that the issue is ongoing.

Crown Crates are coming, and that will re-ignite the fires. They know this.

The fire rises.

Loralai_907

Like I have said before, their lack of interaction is all the answer you need. On any topic. If they shut down and stop communicating, you know exactly what is happening. Look at all the promises made early on during the cheating fiasco. Then look at how quiet they got. And lets not forget how the cheating fiasco was actually handled in comparison to what they said before they stopped talking. It was around that time that I had my aha moment. And they have yet to prove me wrong. So I enjoy playing the game, but I have to separate that from the companies policies. I think they are total crap. But, its their business and they can run it the way they want. I just choose to not be part of it. I will not get on board with their nonsense.

SwansEye

If the crates must come, it'd be nice to see an ESO Plus perk where subscribers can buy the items in crates outright at a fair price, but still have the option to buy crates if that's their preference. (Sorry if that's a repeat of someone else's idea but I've been reading the Crown Crate threads and haven't seen it yet.)

I enjoy buying all the collectibles in the Crown Store. I do think some are a tad overpriced, but I like supporting this great game and I like having lots of choices in mounts, pets and costumes to fit my characters or the land they're currently in.

I did try the crates on the PTS and I get where the pro-crate folks are coming from; it was a lot of fun to open each box and see what I got. What a thrill when a card turned up the adorable chub loon pet! I was genuinely bummed when my daily PTS crown allotment ran out and I could get no more crates until the next day.

I was also initially delighted to realize Pacrooti was back! That is, until I heard the slimy, carnie midway game type things coming out of his mouth that made me feel dirty for spending "real" money on this. Yes, this was a Khajiit named Pacrooti, but it was not my beloved hireling. Too out of character.

ZOS_GinaBruno wrote: »

This is the official feedback thread for Crown Crates. Specific feedback that the team is looking for includes the following:

• Did you like/use the consumables you received from the Crown Crates?
• Do you have any general feedback?

To answer Gina's questions, a few of the consumables would be useful to me personally, but most would not. I craft, so mimic stones are always nice, and I'm still leveling alts and have a little way to go on CP yet, so exp scrolls are still useful for now, but all of the potions and food I would not use, no matter how powerful. I just have more fun using the ones I make myself. So that part was mostly disappointing and after a few crates I didn't even look closely at those cards anymore.

When I finally got my first duplicate, I was surprised to see how few gems I got. It really took away the joy of having "won" something good. It really needs to be at least half the purchase value of that tier, and ideally more, or it just leaves a bad taste.

I believe I gave the crates a fair, open-minded shot, but after the second day of testing I knew I'd feel silly riding around on a crate-exclusive mount everyone (including myself) knew I'd blown far too many crowns on. But if there were an option for subscribers to simply buy these items, then no one would know whether I bought or "won" my goodies, and I could continue happily supporting the game without that icky guilty feeling I got from buying crates (and that was just on the PTS with "fake" money!) Oh, and most importantly, please use that money to make the game even greater. I think that's something we all want.

Cipe

I am actually looking forward to these crates unlike most people. I got back into ESO a couple of months back and had not played since launch. I want to be able to get the exclusive Crown Store items I have missed out on.

Zurixadai

I hopped on the forum, found my old password, and logged in just to say this:

If that white wolf mount is locked exclusively behind the RNG wall of Crown Crates, I might in all honesty just stop playing the game. I have a luck stat of zero, so my history with loot is abysmal; Tall Papa and I both know I will simply never get anything I want from here.

That sounds over-the-top, I know, but between monster helm/shoulder RNG, five-piece set RNG, and now this... Well, at some point, it's simply too much time and money that I don't have to try and get things that I won't get. That's the nail in the coffin, for me.

I've not tested these on PTS, but I've seen the videos, thanks to Deltia and others: it's a no, from me. It's not irredeemable, but it's certainly bad.

Saoirse_Siobhan

Cipe wrote: »

I am actually looking forward to these crates unlike most people. I got back into ESO a couple of months back and had not played since launch. I want to be able to get the exclusive Crown Store items I have missed out on.

I too want to be able to get the exclusive Crown Store items I have missed out on. Whether it was items that were removed before I joined or exclusives I missed out on. But there are better ways of doing that without putting them in gambling crates.

Vrienda

I'm okay with it so long as there's nothing that couldn't be at one point gotten on the crown store.

I'll shell out a few crowns to try and get the frost horse I neglected buying the first time around, but if there's anything that could never be gotten in the crown store I'll be boycotting these crates for sure.

From what I've seen on the PTR the crystals you get from obtaining a duplicate item are pretty low, I think those need to be buffed.
Also subscribers should get a few chests free every month.

Elsonso

Cipe wrote: »

I am actually looking forward to these crates unlike most people. I got back into ESO a couple of months back and had not played since launch. I want to be able to get the exclusive Crown Store items I have missed out on.

I bet you would probably prefer to get the stuff you missed out on directly, instead of pitting yourself against the ZOS random number generator at about $2-4 per pop. Right?

The absolute best way for the customer to get items that have been previously in the store is for them to be put in the store for direct purchase.

The gambling boxes are like tying a fish to a string and watching the Khajiit chase after it. Always the promise of fish, but rarely the fish itself.

Edit: ... and, sometimes, the Khajiit bites.

Abeille

Aeula wrote: »

I'm okay with it so long as there's nothing that couldn't be at one point gotten on the crown store.

Most of the things in the crates on the PTS were exclusively available through crates. And I don't mean "available at that time". They had a tooltip that Gina said indicated they were crate exclusive.

MadLarkin

Cipe wrote: »

I am actually looking forward to these crates unlike most people. I got back into ESO a couple of months back and had not played since launch. I want to be able to get the exclusive Crown Store items I have missed out on.

Sure, you'll be able to get those items...

After you spend exponentially more on the crates than you would have spent buying the items outright, since the drop rates are so abysmal.

nickszalinskieb17_ESO

Are they gone? Can't see them in the PTS crown store.

Elsonso

nickszalinskieb17_ESO wrote: »

Are they gone? Can't see them in the PTS crown store.

They removed them from the Crown Store on PTS with the last patch before they released Update 12.

silvereyes

So, only 5 days left in November, and still no crates. Fingers crossed that this is either due to a major rework, or they have been completely scrapped.

Elsonso

silvereyes wrote: »

So, only 5 days left in November, and still no crates. Fingers crossed that this is either due to a major rework, or they have been completely scrapped.

I have faith in ZOS and Bethesda to do the wrong thing.