Best way to increase sub incentive...

Phinix1

Many threads have been posted about people feeling the sub incentives still need a little love, and ZOS themselves have indicated they are looking for ways to improve the benefits of ESO+ a bit moving forward. So, I thought I would share my idea for what would make the sub feel more worthwhile to me, given the current system we have in place.

The problem is really pretty simple. Prices on lots of stuff have close to doubled (sometimes more) since launch, yet the monthly sub Crown allotment has never changed. They did add the craft bag, though while I do love it I have never been a fan of the "take something away to give you something" style of incentive.

Furthermore, the vast majority of new cool items like hats, pets, costumes, etc. you used to be able to get with ESO+ Crowns now most often go straight to the Crystal section with no chance to buy outright EVER, no matter how many sub crowns you get. I honestly think most people don't even realize there is a separate currency, and a section under Crown Crates in the Crown Store that sells these items for the Crystals you get exchanging bad RNG items you got but didn't want while gambling your Crowns away in the Crate Casino.

What I propose is that ZOS add a decent chunk of Crate Crystals to the current list of ESO+ incentives. People could save them for when something they wanted was in the Crate reward section of the Crown store, and never even have to touch a crate, and they could save them over multiple crate seasons of subbing. Eventually they could save enough for a current Apex mount just from saving like a year worth of sub Crystals.

Alternately, they could allow people to exchange Crowns for Crystals, though they would really need to bump up the monthly Crown allotment to 2k or even 2500 if they went that route, to be fair given the steady inflation of Crown Store pricing.

What are your thoughts/suggestions on the sub incentives?

idk

I'm thrilled with the added storage we are getting. Heck, that's enough added to the current perks to keep my attention. Don't really care about crates, until they add something to them worthy of my interest.

Edit: I think the crowns we get with our sub basically takes care of what OP is suggesting.

Gothlander

Best way is to introduce transmogrification and let only subs use it.

Betheny

Also add gear storage to housing, and make it larger or unlimited for subscribers.

AcadianPaladin

Restore the implied promise that ESO+ means access to all future added downloadable content packages, be they big or small.

Galwylin

Obviously, ZOS cannot support the game on this B2P model or they wouldn't keep trying to gouge money out of us. Apparently many took the idea to heart and said the heck with ESO+ benefits, I'm playing this for free. And so as the game stands currently, I have to ask why not.

The problem is they really undercut the subscription themselves. In my case, the crowns were the only thing worthwhile so when the store got too expensive, I don't need those so I'm out. I can't image what a non-crafter needs with a sub. 10% here and there is huge? So much of the game was free for everyone and they apparently thought they could get the subscriptions to keeps us in DLCs but we see that business model wasn't working.

So, assuming they don't take anything away from free players, there's not much incentive. I'd be happy if subscribers got to by pass the crates and purchase everything with crowns but I hate their current pricing. I don't need a faster way to level. Or traits learned faster. Or even faster horses. The game seems to just push you from supporting it unless you are just stubborn.

Maybe look at what the player base request most often and give that to subscribers. I don't see as many sprigging apex mounts this season as I did with storm ones so I would guess the crates aren't going to do it either way. So give the subscribers appearance tabs and alliance switching but they should have been exploring this a long time back. Instead of scrambling around offering up extra bank space as a solution. That seems so arbitrary like they did a quick vote around the office that morning.

Clansman2013

Allow us to transfer mount training to our alts. Mount training is a huge pain in the @$$ when creating a new character.

DMuehlhausen

Betheny wrote: »

Also add gear storage to housing, and make it larger or unlimited for subscribers.

I think that's a little far. That would be putting a full function in the game behind a P2P wall. If you want to do the same as bank and have a set amount and double it for subs then knock yourself.

Just completely cutting them out of it is no bueno.

Betheny

DMuehlhausen wrote: »

Betheny wrote: »

Also add gear storage to housing, and make it larger or unlimited for subscribers.

I think that's a little far. That would be putting a full function in the game behind a P2P wall. If you want to do the same as bank and have a set amount and double it for subs then knock yourself.

Just completely cutting them out of it is no bueno.

That's what I said, read again much slooooower this time: Add gear storage to housing and make it larger/unlimited for subscribers.

Betheny

Your school has failed you.

idk

Galwylin wrote: »

Obviously, ZOS cannot support the game on this B2P model or they wouldn't keep trying to gouge money out of us. Apparently many took the idea to heart and said the heck with ESO+ benefits, I'm playing this for free. And so as the game stands currently, I have to ask why not.

The problem is they really undercut the subscription themselves. In my case, the crowns were the only thing worthwhile so when the store got too expensive, I don't need those so I'm out. I can't image what a non-crafter needs with a sub. 10% here and there is huge? So much of the game was free for everyone and they apparently thought they could get the subscriptions to keeps us in DLCs but we see that business model wasn't working.

So, assuming they don't take anything away from free players, there's not much incentive. I'd be happy if subscribers got to by pass the crates and purchase everything with crowns but I hate their current pricing. I don't need a faster way to level. Or traits learned faster. Or even faster horses. The game seems to just push you from supporting it unless you are just stubborn.

Maybe look at what the player base request most often and give that to subscribers. I don't see as many sprigging apex mounts this season as I did with storm ones so I would guess the crates aren't going to do it either way. So give the subscribers appearance tabs and alliance switching but they should have been exploring this a long time back. Instead of scrambling around offering up extra bank space as a solution. That seems so arbitrary like they did a quick vote around the office that morning.

Hummm. Seems a little short sighted. All the ESO perks with the mere cost of 1500 crowns and upset a months worth of crowns doesn't buy a bunch of stuff.

They still have items that cost less.

Tholian1

The crafting bag was enough for me.

Voxicity

They should give a free crown crate every month to subscribers. This would [snip] and also be a nice bonus for subbing

[Edit for baiting]

Betheny

KaiVox22 wrote: »

They should give a free crown crate every month to subscribers. This would [snip] and also be a nice bonus for subbing

Free crown crate is practically worthless. If it's not something that would encourage someone to start subscribing, then it's not worth adding as an Eso Plus benefit.

idk

KaiVox22 wrote: »

They should give a free crown crate every month to subscribers. This would [snip] and also be a nice bonus for subbing

@KaiVox22 Zos did one better. They give us enough crowns to buy that crate, a couple of them and leave it to us how we will spend those crowns.

That's a BIG WIN - WIN for us.

Voxicity

Betheny wrote: »

KaiVox22 wrote: »

They should give a free crown crate every month to subscribers. This would [snip] and also be a nice bonus for subbing

Free crown crate is practically worthless. If it's not something that would encourage someone to start subscribing, then it's not worth adding as an Eso Plus benefit.

It would definitely get me to start subscribing if I didn't already long live crown crates!

NewBlacksmurf

The best way is to remove it indefinitely as is and have a new program.
Why:
Because by definition, it's not a subscription, instead it's pay for benefits so I'd suggest that ZOS continue to allow players to buy crowns.

1. Buy crowns as a subscription to crowns (not promising dlc, etc) so this would provide more crowns than just buying them
2. Crowns as is

What you'd do in the scenario of a crown subscriber is present that offer as the currency program and continue to offer the benefits give or take under that model therefore changes to dlc or benefits wouldn't upset subscribers.

To better align this as a benefit to a subscriber, you would need to also sale the benefits but in a much more limited manner and in some cases, tiered for the crown store.


A subscriber should always be able to better quantify the value of their subscription in addition to knowing what they are paying for.
This means that if ZOS will continue to offer 30, 90 and 6 month plans....each renewal should lock in those benefits and if ZOS makes a change during, the subscriber wouldn't loose what they paid for.

Upon the next renewal they can better decide if they want to start a new subscription when terms change. This would suggest a certain nform to renew be required via email or what not so there's no confusion.


Just my perspective. It's not perfect but better cause as is....these model are causing backlash unnecessarily.

*Its not accurate to suggest ZOS can't support only a B2P model.
For consoles this suggestion should be a season pass and all dlc would be sold in the store

This makes the crown subscription logical especially with the incentive to spend crowns on benefits if not subbed.

psychotic13

Free gold for everyone

sekou_trayvond

On the survey I suggested exclusive dungeons with commensurate exclusive loot drops for ESO plus folks. Oh, and the horse training thing.

max_only

6 month sub reward pet/ mount.

Easy Peasy.

MasterSpatula

No. God no. It's bad enough that crate nonsense is in the game at all.

Galwylin

One thing that should have been in from the start is subscribers get a discount on crown spent. I don't believe this is in the game yet. If you want to offer 10% of something, that's one place to start. Another is horse training. Its time consuming for everyone so offer unlimited training times to subscribers instead of having to wait 20 hours. With housing, I think furnished houses can be bought with crowns for around 500-900 extra. Give that free to subscribers. Shorten lockout timers for subscribers. A discount on purchases like Morrowind.

Mostly though they need to offer subscribers added benefit to subscribing that you cannot get as a free player. And so far the best I think they've managed to get is the craft bag, a 10% shorter time spent on a few random things and this extra bank space. That is like the very least I've seen any game offer its subscribers. Do they think no more of them than that? Why don't they compete for those subscriptions in real meaningful ways? As is, there's no reason why you shouldn't just go about your gameplay without a subscription. It might require inventory management and 10% longer to learn a trait but its perfectly playable as is. That's what bums me out about the current model.

My pet peeve is store pricing. Unless I am getting the amount of crowns in a subscription to counter the inflation of the crown store, I don't need to buy anything from it. Yes I realize there are a few reasonably priced Items in the store and I can buy them with crowns left over each month but overall its too pricey. My personal solution is I don't need or want anything at those prices thus I don't need those "free" crowns. And so no subscription from me. Give me a reason to subscribe not some half ass attempt at one.

And sure, I realize people might think I feel entitled. To them I say, hell yes I am. Its my money. Stop asking for it if you think I may feel entitled about giving it.

FlyLionel

[snip]. Now you want crate crystals so you can save them up to get a certain item (mount)? Alright. If you really want that apex mount without spending a large/small sum of money for it, all while adding value to the subs go right ahead. I am lovin' it.

[Edit for baiting]

idk

@Galwylin

ESO+ does get major perks non subs cannot get by any means. The crafting hag and we will get more bank storage just for being subbed. I think it was confirmed double bank space.

Both of those are pretty huge.

As for the crown store inflation, it clearly was never intended the monthly allowance would permit a player to buy anything they wanted in the store. Being we get the same ammoujt of crowns for the cost of our sub makes all the ESO perks basically free additions.

The crown store still has costume bellow 1k. Mounts below 2k and personalities below 1k.

So in reality there's plenty of things players can buy with their crowns they get for merely being a sub. Want a me if the fancier things or the island then hope you saved crowns or cough until for more.

NewBlacksmurf

Galwylin wrote: »

One thing that should have been in from the start is subscribers get a discount on crown spent. I don't believe this is in the game yet. If you want to offer 10% of something, that's one place to start. Another is horse training. Its time consuming for everyone so offer unlimited training times to subscribers instead of having to wait 20 hours. With housing, I think furnished houses can be bought with crowns for around 500-900 extra. Give that free to subscribers. Shorten lockout timers for subscribers. A discount on purchases like Morrowind.

Mostly though they need to offer subscribers added benefit to subscribing that you cannot get as a free player. And so far the best I think they've managed to get is the craft bag, a 10% shorter time spent on a few random things and this extra bank space. That is like the very least I've seen any game offer its subscribers. Do they think no more of them than that? Why don't they compete for those subscriptions in real meaningful ways? As is, there's no reason why you shouldn't just go about your gameplay without a subscription. It might require inventory management and 10% longer to learn a trait but its perfectly playable as is. That's what bums me out about the current model.

My pet peeve is store pricing. Unless I am getting the amount of crowns in a subscription to counter the inflation of the crown store, I don't need to buy anything from it. Yes I realize there are a few reasonably priced Items in the store and I can buy them with crowns left over each month but overall its too pricey. My personal solution is I don't need or want anything at those prices thus I don't need those "free" crowns. And so no subscription from me. Give me a reason to subscribe not some half ass attempt at one.

And sure, I realize people might think I feel entitled. To them I say, hell yes I am. Its my money. Stop asking for it if you think I may feel entitled about giving it.

@Galwylin

No one is a "free player" everyone is paying in most cases. So while consoles may allow a extent of game sharing the dlc and stuff still is paid for by each individual in most all scenarios.

Also those crowns aren't free. You're cost for a subscription is based on the crowns and the benefits are how ZOS has decided to seperate what buying crowns means.

So while I'd agree that a subscriber may benefit from a crown store adjustment or what I'd argue is better would be to offer a slight amount more in crowns.....everyone who plays either purchased the game, chapter, dlc and or crowns in one way or another.

The base game customers shouldn't be considered as they aren't buying DLC, Crowns or subscribing so they wouldn't be considered in any incentive for buyers vs a buying subscriber

Alchemical

I wouldn't want the 'free crates' idea either, because then Zeni goes from being a technically legitimate casino, to a dealer giving kids 'free candy' so they get hooked on a destructive drug.

Besides, ESO+ is more of a 'pay to go faster' than 'pay to pay' service, adding MORE 'free currency' that is not enough to actually buy anything doesn't actually make a sub more immediately valuable, only over a long period of time of saving and being frustrated at not being able to afford anything, which most people probably don't want to commit to right out of the gate, nor would it entice back people who felt like it wasn't very valuable to keep around when they can simply buy crowns/crates on sale with money... I suppose you could always do 'subscriber only crown sales' more frequently than the normal ones, so subscribers could feel like their sub is getting them a little more mileage without giving them more crowns for completely free. But it's still not apparent, immediate value, it's the occasional opportunity to spend less money on the game... Nice if you already spend a lot of money, but that's not the majority of people you want to convince to sub.

In terms of good ideas, double mount speed training would be a huge one, imo. I abhor how slow my alts are, but I can't always remember to log in every 20 hours on all of them. Or how about reduced Wayshrine costs, or some free teleport coupons each month? Worth the sub just to be able to port out of some of the more annoying zones where the shrines are a million miles apart. You could give the ability to buy a small 'safe deposit box' you can store items into that auto locks them and prevents them from being vendored or deconed until you withdraw them, letting you safely swap items between alts or giving you a place to stash motifs till you can use them. There's lots of ways you can augment a subscription to make it more worthwhile without completely taking something away from free players (like the sub only xmog system suggestion) or make it too overpowered so they complain. Small conveniences add up to a lot more than people realize, a lot more than 10 gems a month would.

parkham

Giles.floydub17_ESO wrote: »

@Galwylin

ESO+ does get major perks non subs cannot get by any means. The crafting hag and we will get more bank storage just for being subbed. I think it was confirmed double bank space.

Both of those are pretty huge.

As for the crown store inflation, it clearly was never intended the monthly allowance would permit a player to buy anything they wanted in the store. Being we get the same ammoujt of crowns for the cost of our sub makes all the ESO perks basically free additions.

The crown store still has costume bellow 1k. Mounts below 2k and personalities below 1k.

So in reality there's plenty of things players can buy with their crowns they get for merely being a sub. Want a me if the fancier things or the island then hope you saved crowns or cough until for more.

I didn't get a crafting hag - I want one! :-)

Just kidding.

Really, the crafting bag was good enough for me. If they're going to seriously double my storage space to boot, that's just awesome.

RE: crowns for crates - I personally won't spend a single crown on crates. A horse, two slave assistants and a few costumes is good enough (for me).

The assistants have an added bonus: Bring them all out for duels. Turn them on when get the sad misfortune of running with a bunch of turds in a dungeon for some added "fun".

Phinix1

MasterSpatula wrote: »

No. God no. It's bad enough that crate nonsense is in the game at all.

I agree, but they aren't going anywhere and if you read my suggestion, it is more of a way to bypass crates over time.

If you go to the normal crown store, under the crate section are different categories that have items (most of the best new items ZOS adds go straight here now) that you buy with "crystals" which are the currency you get for exchanging items you don't want that you get from crates.

The biggest problem with crates is you are forced to gamble to get any of the new cool items like hats, pets, costumes, etc. you used to be able to get with sub crowns but which now most often go straight to the crystal section with no chance to buy outright EVER, no matter how many sub crowns you get.

This makes sub crowns very close to WORTHLESS.

So, not only have items you actually can still get with crowns multiplied in cost since launch, but the vast majority of items can no longer even be purchased with crowns. What I was proposing was a way for ESO+ supporters to get some of this actually useful currency a month as well, since that is the currency you need to get the vast majority of the new items.

They basically took something away from subscribers while giving nothing back. They kept giving us crowns, then said "but if you actually want anything cool you need CRYSTALS so have fun staring at those crowns which buy NOTHING" which HUGELY de-valued the subscription, which is only hurting their business since most people do not like being forced to GAMBLE on moral and ethical grounds.

If they say they are looking for a way to add value back to the subscription, maybe they should start with the value THEY OUTRIGHT TOOK AWAY.

@ZOS_GinaBruno I really think you guys need to look into the fact that you have totally de-valued the sub crowns with the new "straight to crate" system and add a certain amount of the actual meaningful currency (crystals) a month for subscribers that support the game, so they can save for the new hats, pets, costumes, etc. they USED to buy with crowns and now can't without being forced to GAMBLE.

parkham

Do these "crystals" already exist?

Phinix1

Edit for self-answered question.

Phinix1

@ZOS_GinaBruno

If they balk at this suggestion, then maybe they should give us the CHOICE to either get a chunk of Crowns OR a chunk of Crystals each month.