Do you think the Elder Scrolls Online DLC model is fair?

Insaniak

I purchased the game ESO:TU about a week ago for $30 after a week of thinking about it. I was considering the gold edition, but since last time I tried the game I was not impressed (beta), I was tentative to spend that extra money and potentially waste it. It turns out, the game is now fantastic in its gameplay… but the DLC model is atrocious and unacceptable.

If I would have waited another few days, the price for everything would have drastically been reduced.

Item | Current Cost | Previous Cost
ESO:TU | $ 18 | $ 30
ESO:Gold | $ 30 | $ 60
Difference | $ 12 | $ 30

As an uninformed player, attempting to do research but tentative to try the game in the beginning, I end up getting severely punished for either not waiting, or not purchasing the most expensive DLC Pack to begin with.

Without purchasing ESO+, here is what it would cost to purchase all the DLC packs.

DLC | USD Cost | Crowns Cost
Dark Brotherhood | $ 25 | 2000
Thieves Guild | $ 25 | 2000
Orsinium | $ 25 | 3000
Imperial City | $ 25 | 2500
Total (Separately) | $ 100 | 9500
Total (Bundled) | $ 80 | 9500

With purchasing ESO+, it would take 7 months of subscription to be able to purchase the DLC packs with the free Crowns. But then you lose 9500 crowns that you could have spent on other cosmetic/utility shortcuts.

But of course, you have full access to these DLC packs as long as you are subscribed to ESO+, which any remotely serious player is likely going to subscribe and stay subscribed as long as they actively play the game.

Not to mention all of the small Microtransactions currently available. Many of these microtransaction dlcs are purely cosmetic: Mounts and outfits. This type of DLC is perfectly fine. They don't give anybody an advantage, they allow players to support the game, and give the players something new in-game. Win-Win.

Many other microtransaction dlc packs are utility shortcuts, they provide a slight advantage to players that purchase them immediately, but do not make a difference in the end, and with time and patience you'll be able to acquire all of them in-game anyway without have to pay any extra real money:

• Riding Lessons (all three types)
• Inventory (bag+bank space)
• Assistance (mobile merchant+banker)
• Experience scrolls (Bonus experience)

I'm on the fence about these. I consider myself financially responsible, and I would NEVER purchase these types of DLC that can be acquired in game.

Another type of DLC: The "Massive waste of money" microtransaction DLC packs.

• Repair kits
• Soul Gems
• Restoration Potions
• Refreshing Drink
• Lethal Poison
• Fortifying Meal
• Supply Crates

The 2nd and 3rd types of DLC are geared towards the following types of people:

• People that have a decent chunk of extra disposable income (likely with more limited time)
• People that have few responsibilities or living expenses
• People with addictive purchasing habits

For the first type of person, their time is more valuable than their money. These are people that are busy, likely make a lot of money, and can afford to purchase these types of DLC.

The second type of people are people that technically have disposable income, but it is not a smart thing to do financially to purchase these DLC packs. These people can possibly have less time, but also do not make a lot of money.

The third type of person has an addictive purchasing habit. These might be people that have a lot of disposable income, or are in extreme debt. But because the item (DLC) exists, they WILL purchase the DLC, even if that means they have to skip a few meals throughout the week.

But I'm not here to expand upon what people do with their own money. It is, after all, their money. But the fact that many of these types of DLC exist in the first place is akin to the creators exploiting these types of people, or to make serious players feel more inclined or even obligated to spend real money on these borderline worthless DLC packs.

But of course, nobody needs to spend money on crowns to purchase this DLC, just play the game and enjoy it!

I like to squeeze as much time out of my games as possible. Now, when I purchase a game and it goes on sale later, then fine, that's business. But when there are multiple versions of the game and as a new player, I have no idea which to get, and I end up paying A LOT extra for it in the end, is when I get upset.

I feel kind of "ripped off" that I purchased the game, then a few days later the prices got reduced, so where I could have spent the same amount of money for the gold edition and permanently unlocked these four DLC packs, I would not have to purchase a subscription (not a huge fan) or spend another $80 outright to be able to enjoy those DLCs without a subscription. The whole business model of the game appears to be designed around purchasing so much DLC that it is unhealthy. The business model of Elder Scrolls Online is anti-consumer.

I understand that Zenimax Online needs to make money somehow, and I completely get that. Elder Scrolls Online DLC business model needs some drastic changes or a complete revision. Purchasing the base game is fine. Having a subscription model is fine. But when, as a subscriber, you do NOT get access to ALL of the DLC, that is where I personally draw the line on supporting the game. The microtransactions need to go, and the prices of the expansions (excuse me, DLCs) needs to be drastically reduced so you can essentially purchase the TU edition, and purchase the DLC to "upgrade" to the gold edition for the same price overall as purchasing the Gold edition from the beginning. I should not be punished by which edition I purchase because of a DLC business model.

As of right now, it would be cheaper to purchase the gold edition than all the 4 major DLC packs separately. But the problem is, you can't even use a gold edition key to activate if you already activated TU, so it would be cheaper to completely abandon my account, start a new one, purchase the Gold edition, and just play that one. I'm not saying that's what I'm going to do, I'm just pointing out the massive flaws the current DLC model has.

This is really upsetting to me and I hope I'm not going crazy because of the way I feel about this, but it is extremely discouraging, especially as a brand new player, that I already feel kind of ripped off over this.

Do you think this DLC model is "fair"?

LordGavus

Well there are a lot of points there, but I'll just comment on this.
Prices fluctuate, your timing was unlucky but that doesn't make it a rip off. I'm sure you've purchased items on sale or been on the good side of a price drop. It's just how it is.

In my opinion the ESO+ is worth it and I'm happy with the DLC model. I haven't bought any of the DLC packs as I just keep subbing. It works for me. Hell, I spend more on coffee a week than subbing for a month.

Anyway, I think you can purchase the DLC bundle in the crown store for something like 5500. I'm on my phone atm so can't check.
If this is the case, this option may be what you're after.

Surragard

There have been crown sales around Black Friday each year and there's a lot of content to work through in the main game without the dlc. I would play for a while and keep an eye out for sales on the dlc packs in may before morrowind comes out

AdamBourke

When the Gold Edition was announced, they also released a "Guilds and Glory" bundle containing the 4 DLC packs for 5500 crowns. It's still slightly more expensive than buying tamriel gold edition, but not as much as you thought.

Prices of games go down over time. It's what happens. People stop buying them at full price, and retailers put the price down. It's always cheaper if you wait. And it's always different from different retailers. And there are always "Definitive editions" which include previous DLCs, normally cheaper than buying the DLCs separately - it's because most of the people who are willing to buy at full price have already done so. The last of those DLCs came out about 7-8 months ago.

The pricing of DLC game packs is fair.

The upcoming Morrowind Expansion? Well... we'll wait and see about that before we judge too harshly.

Crown store prices for the non-content stuff? Well... those prices are a bit steep. Some of the older stuff is fine, but the newer stuff is very expensive. But its cosmetic/time-saving - not gameplay.

tl;dr:
I have issues with crown store pricing, but the pricing of gameplay DLC and game bundles is perfectly fine.

skiptomyluau

I just breezed your post (so many words!) but a few things. I got the game 19.99 USD. The 4-pack of DLC is 39.99. So $60 total which is fine. That's what games cost when they come out these days anyway. All the other crown store stuff is fluff. I don't sub, and don't plan to. I don't feel the value is there for me, since aesthetics aren't really my thing i.e. Costumes pets etc. i do all crafting on my main except alchemy and am making it work with inventory. I only carry tempers and top tier mats. Bank a few other mats. Have all the runestones on character and even without craft bag I get by. Yea it's a juggle but totally doable. I think they have a near perfect balance of free vs crown going on. That being said I will still post jabs mocking their $40 elks and whatnot cause that's just crazy talk. I think that fluff should be like 3-5 dollars and then maybe I'd buy a few crowns from time to time.

Insaniak

Everyone has made some good points. I wrote that a few days ago and just got my forum account sorted out to post it. In that time I've come to terms with it on the fact that there is plenty of content in this game for the price I got it for. I just shouldn't be such a cheap ***. I'll wait for a nice sale and get the DLC cheap, or when I simply run out of other content to go through. I'm looking forward to experiencing all this game has to offer. I do love the Elder Scrolls series and I'm glad this game made a turnaround from beta to become what it is today (for the most part).

idk

@Insaniak

Fair? You just proved purchasing the DLCs is cheaper than subbing. All the DLCs cost far less than a subscription during the same time. They came out over a years time. Even at 180 day subscription one would pay over $150.

As for the gold package vs ala cart, Gold was not available until 3 months after the last DLC you listed was available. If they wish to wait a year to get Gold , fine, but what you are talking about is something that is expected. DLC content is expected to get cheaper over time as newer content comes out.

As for your concern, it is the individuals responsibility to check on pricing, If buying for the first time they should be able to see different sets and compare. If they already own the game but do not have any DLCs they can see the package and individual sets in the crown store and make a choice. If they do not bother figuring it out it is their problem, not ours or Zos.

TicklesWithTalons

I think the pricing is pretty fair, cosmetics and etc. are very expensive, but these aren't pay 2 win things.

DLC is somewhat expensive, but you can just get ESO+, and the 1.5k crowns you get a month are worth exactly the $15 you pay.

Of course many people won't have the patience for that and will be tempted to spend the crowns on other things, but that's on them.

The waste of money transaction packs can easily be ignored, they are time savers for people willing to spend the money at the same time they aren't pay to win.

I like the model, and I hope they don't change it.

Blacksmoke

Nothing wrong with the pricing.

RaddlemanNumber7

Not just fair, I think it is extremely generous. I have ESO+. With all the other benefits that gives me it feels like I get the DLC's for nothing.

JasonSilverSpring

TicklesWithTalons wrote: »

I think the pricing is pretty fair, cosmetics and etc. are very expensive, but these aren't pay 2 win things.

DLC is somewhat expensive, but you can just get ESO+, and the 1.5k crowns you get a month are worth exactly the $15 you pay.

Of course many people won't have the patience for that and will be tempted to spend the crowns on other things, but that's on them.

The waste of money transaction packs can easily be ignored, they are time savers for people willing to spend the money at the same time they aren't pay to win.

I like the model, and I hope they don't change it.

@TicklesWithTalons, why did you necro this thread from a year ago?

Iccotak

If you pay subscription ESO operates like any other MMO.
Regular content updates along with Expansion packs

I_killed_Vivec

Fair? It is what it is and you either buy it or you don't.

I dunno, but if I'd decided to buy the game a week ago then I'd be too excited playing it to be on the forum complaining about the price... and I certainly wouldn't be thinking about the cost of horse riding lessons or soul gems and the like.

Don't people enjoy actually playing the games they buy anymore?

Illurian

I'm happy with the DLC model as it is. It makes ESO+ very much worth it.

LadyAstrum

I don't think there's much fairness involved in mmos. You buy something, it goes on sale a month later. You try to compete in pvp but can't because of latency, or PC power. You try to get that cool drop, but someone else gets it because of RNG. You wanted that limited-time house, but missed it because you started the game months later. Someone else beat you to a node even though you saw it first. I don't think many things are fair, but we just have to make the best of things.

Edit:

JasonSilverSpring wrote: »

TicklesWithTalons wrote: »

I think the pricing is pretty fair, cosmetics and etc. are very expensive, but these aren't pay 2 win things.

DLC is somewhat expensive, but you can just get ESO+, and the 1.5k crowns you get a month are worth exactly the $15 you pay.

Of course many people won't have the patience for that and will be tempted to spend the crowns on other things, but that's on them.

The waste of money transaction packs can easily be ignored, they are time savers for people willing to spend the money at the same time they aren't pay to win.

I like the model, and I hope they don't change it.

@TicklesWithTalons, why did you necro this thread from a year ago?

Gah, didn't realise this was a necro'd thread.

jedtb16_ESO

eso+ costs about 25p per day...

DoctorESO

.

AzraelKrieg

essi2

ESO+ is a good deal if you play the game regularly.

The DLC/Expansion pricing is on par with industry norms.

The Crown Store is overpriced, but all in-game stores are overpriced, they exist only to line the pockets of shareholders.

Fenbrae

ESO+ is probably the fairest subscriber system there is. You get access to everything for the price of a pizza and a drink, free crowns to spend on cosmetics you don't need and the bonuses aren't hugely overpowered like in some other games *cough* RIP Rift *cough*.

If you are a regular player, it's a must-have investment. 13 euro a month is nothing.

Tandor

This is a necro'd pre-Morrowind gripe based on pricing deals on offer a year ago. This is a dead thread, it is bereft of life and has ceased to be.

supaskrub

AzraelKrieg wrote: »

I normally hate meme's / gif's, this is the first one that I can honestly say I like... and it's oh so relevant too..

Bbsample197

is this a conspiracy?! right before a dlc comes out?!

holy ***!!! necromancers confirmed on the next chapters you guys!!!!

cbaudersub17_ESO

I thought you could only be dead for month before being brought back to life. Kinda wonder what was chosen...and the expression on their face that you needed to subscribe to ESO+ to get the crafting bag if they did buy the DLC.

Twenty0zTsunami

Insaniak wrote: »

Do you think this DLC model is "fair"?

Yes.

I come from an era where ALL mmo's and online-only games had subscription costs. And I believe ESO would be leagues better if it were mandatory once more. They could focus on actually improving the game in general, instead of focusing all their effort on ways to generate cash. How cool would it be if you could actually earn some of those cash shop/ gambling crate mounts without busting out your credit card, and from doing end game content/ deeply involved quests? I would love it.

Fact is people who think $15/month is unreasonable, aren't themselves being reasonable. What else can you do for a full month for $15? I can't think of a single activity. Something that I could involve myself in for 30 days after making a single payment of $15.