Alfiq Banker and Merchant

LordLomax

Svenja wrote: »

As already reported here, there won't be an upgrade function. This is from the AUA with ZOS Devs on reddi

Demion

Im not suprised and those that want them will pay for them

sevomd69

bluebird wrote: »

Marginis wrote: »

While I kind of agree and would like to see a discount for players who already bought the original assistants, I can easily see why ZOS is doing it the way they are. I mean, they don't give a discount on mounts to someone who has already bought another mount. Plus, this way one can put multiple bankers in their player owned homes so that players don't have to run all the way to the other side of the house just to use a banker. Stuff like this is just the nature of the game as far as I can see, as much as I can sympathize.

The difference is that mounts are a separate cosmetic category and everybody was aware from the start that there would be different versions of mounts in the game, with newer ones added over time. But Assistants are account upgrades.

That's like selling a Character Slot and then years later adding better looking character slots (stupid example I know but just go with it - a character slot with a special cosmetic border around it or whatever ). Or selling storage chests which people buy for their account because of functionality and ZOS later adding different reskins that are more cosmetically appealing.

Price concerns are the main issue here I think - the suggestion people mentioned above that ZOS could sell the banker and merchant at the usual high price for their functionality and then sell skins for them at a lower price would be a better solution imo, and they could continue making money that way with future reskins.

So what you're saying is if ZOS had initially indicated that in the next 5 years or so...we would be getting a new banker and merchant...you would have held off buying the old banker and merchant and gone without it for 5 years...uhhh no...I don't think so...

Radiance

I never bought the original assistants. These ones are much cuter but I'm still not gonna buy them for that price... Nothing should cost that much, it's outrageous.

bluebird

Acrolas wrote: »

Nemesis7884 wrote: »

However, ZOS does seem to be a company that would often rather sell to a few whales than sell to many proles.

I mean, if that's the binary choice you're giving us, make me a *** whale. Proles is NOT a compliment.

The Banker & Merchant cost around 60$ which is already bordering on whale territory. Many people indicated they would be willing to pay extra crowns even, if they could purchase the cat skins for their assistants. But ZOS is in trouble when even the whales are saying no I could be considered a whale tbf, but I won't be buying another banker and merchant for full price, and I see a lot of people have been turned off of it for the same reason.

I don't see why they wouldn't go with the base + skin approach: If people already have Tythis&Nuzimeh but they like the cats also, many would be willing to pay a fee to unlock the cats skins. If people don't have T&N but like the cats, they'd buy the banker and they could get the cat skins for it. It would also pave the way for future skins added to the options.

But now instead: If people don't have T&N and want the cats, they'll just buy the cats and T&N become obsolete, and many people will straightout pass on the cats because they won't spend the same money twice even though they would've paid a skin fee for them. It's also bound to aggravate a lot of players, and I don't even see that business choice making sense in the long run so... really confused.

Facefister

ESO is on milking mode.
They don't care about the performance nor they don't intend to even band-aid it. They lie about "server upgrades". The watered and trimmed down content in Elsweyr. But they weekly release non-cosmetic, overpriced stuff for the crownstore.

bluebird

sevomd69 wrote: »

bluebird wrote: »

Marginis wrote: »

While I kind of agree and would like to see a discount for players who already bought the original assistants, I can easily see why ZOS is doing it the way they are. I mean, they don't give a discount on mounts to someone who has already bought another mount. Plus, this way one can put multiple bankers in their player owned homes so that players don't have to run all the way to the other side of the house just to use a banker. Stuff like this is just the nature of the game as far as I can see, as much as I can sympathize.

The difference is that mounts are a separate cosmetic category and everybody was aware from the start that there would be different versions of mounts in the game, with newer ones added over time. But Assistants are account upgrades.

That's like selling a Character Slot and then years later adding better looking character slots (stupid example I know but just go with it - a character slot with a special cosmetic border around it or whatever ). Or selling storage chests which people buy for their account because of functionality and ZOS later adding different reskins that are more cosmetically appealing.

Price concerns are the main issue here I think - the suggestion people mentioned above that ZOS could sell the banker and merchant at the usual high price for their functionality and then sell skins for them at a lower price would be a better solution imo, and they could continue making money that way with future reskins.

So what you're saying is if ZOS had initially indicated that in the next 5 years or so...we would be getting a new banker and merchant...you would have held off buying the old banker and merchant and gone without it for 5 years...uhhh no...I don't think so...

No that's not what I'm saying at all. I was saying that ZOS introduced the banker and merchant in 2016 as a unique crown-exclusive account upgrade. And later in 2016 they were trying to introduce a reskinned banker and merchant that resulted in such player backlash due to their lack of transparency and their attempts at double-dipping that they gave up on their plans, and the new banker and merchant skins disappeared for three years. And yet now they're back and doing literally the same thing, but with cats - so they clearly don't care anymore, even though players are once again frustrated. With good reason.

ZonasArch

Tommy_The_Gun wrote: »

- Khajiit pet sorc.
- Cat mount
- Cat non-combat pet
- Cat Assistant

Multiply by X amount of people using it in a crowded area...

GG

Assistant replaces the pet, btw.... Just saying.

Dragonnord

And who said that these two kittens look better than Tythis y Nuzhimeh? Why in my sane mind would I want small cats as my banker and merchant?
 

sevomd69

bluebird wrote: »

sevomd69 wrote: »

bluebird wrote: »

Marginis wrote: »

While I kind of agree and would like to see a discount for players who already bought the original assistants, I can easily see why ZOS is doing it the way they are. I mean, they don't give a discount on mounts to someone who has already bought another mount. Plus, this way one can put multiple bankers in their player owned homes so that players don't have to run all the way to the other side of the house just to use a banker. Stuff like this is just the nature of the game as far as I can see, as much as I can sympathize.

The difference is that mounts are a separate cosmetic category and everybody was aware from the start that there would be different versions of mounts in the game, with newer ones added over time. But Assistants are account upgrades.

That's like selling a Character Slot and then years later adding better looking character slots (stupid example I know but just go with it - a character slot with a special cosmetic border around it or whatever ). Or selling storage chests which people buy for their account because of functionality and ZOS later adding different reskins that are more cosmetically appealing.

Price concerns are the main issue here I think - the suggestion people mentioned above that ZOS could sell the banker and merchant at the usual high price for their functionality and then sell skins for them at a lower price would be a better solution imo, and they could continue making money that way with future reskins.

So what you're saying is if ZOS had initially indicated that in the next 5 years or so...we would be getting a new banker and merchant...you would have held off buying the old banker and merchant and gone without it for 5 years...uhhh no...I don't think so...

No that's not what I'm saying at all. I was saying that ZOS introduced the banker and merchant in 2016 as a unique crown-exclusive account upgrade. And later in 2016 they were trying to introduce a reskinned banker and merchant that resulted in such player backlash due to their lack of transparency and their attempts at double-dipping that they gave up on their plans, and the new banker and merchant skins disappeared for three years. And yet now they're back and doing literally the same thing, but with cats - so they clearly don't care anymore, even though players are once again frustrated. With good reason.

Still don't understand why it would be frustrating? If you want the new bankers and even if you already have another version but want the cat version...then you will pony up the cash...if you don't think its worth it...you will just keep using your old banker...Its a choice...I don't see why having more choices would be frustrating...

Devanear

bluebird wrote: »

I don't see why they wouldn't go with the base + skin approach: If people already have Tythis&Nuzimeh but they like the cats also, many would be willing to pay a fee to unlock the cats skins. If people don't have T&N but like the cats, they'd buy the banker and they could get the cat skins for it. It would also pave the way for future skins added to the options.

But now instead: If people don't have T&N and want the cats, they'll just buy the cats and T&N become obsolete, and many people will straightout pass on the cats because they won't spend the same money twice even though they would've paid a skin fee for them. It's also bound to aggravate a lot of players, and I don't even see that business choice making sense in the long run so... really confused.

I'm on the territory of "don't have the original ones so I'll probably buy the cats". But I agree with you that this business model is a bit short sighted. I like having unique pets and mounts for all my characters, if possible and I think it would be fun to have a different merchant and banker for each one as well. If they used a skin approach I might be tempted to buy different skins. As it is, I'll just buy them once. No way I'm paying full price for the same functionality twice.

Facefister

Because ZoS released more CS stuff than actual content the past 6 months. While other MMOs release the quadruple amount of actual content at the same time. But its all good, I have my dragons and my kitties and voiced quests.

bluebird

sevomd69 wrote: »

bluebird wrote: »

sevomd69 wrote: »

bluebird wrote: »

Marginis wrote: »

While I kind of agree and would like to see a discount for players who already bought the original assistants, I can easily see why ZOS is doing it the way they are. I mean, they don't give a discount on mounts to someone who has already bought another mount. Plus, this way one can put multiple bankers in their player owned homes so that players don't have to run all the way to the other side of the house just to use a banker. Stuff like this is just the nature of the game as far as I can see, as much as I can sympathize.

The difference is that mounts are a separate cosmetic category and everybody was aware from the start that there would be different versions of mounts in the game, with newer ones added over time. But Assistants are account upgrades.

That's like selling a Character Slot and then years later adding better looking character slots (stupid example I know but just go with it - a character slot with a special cosmetic border around it or whatever ). Or selling storage chests which people buy for their account because of functionality and ZOS later adding different reskins that are more cosmetically appealing.

Price concerns are the main issue here I think - the suggestion people mentioned above that ZOS could sell the banker and merchant at the usual high price for their functionality and then sell skins for them at a lower price would be a better solution imo, and they could continue making money that way with future reskins.

So what you're saying is if ZOS had initially indicated that in the next 5 years or so...we would be getting a new banker and merchant...you would have held off buying the old banker and merchant and gone without it for 5 years...uhhh no...I don't think so...

No that's not what I'm saying at all. I was saying that ZOS introduced the banker and merchant in 2016 as a unique crown-exclusive account upgrade. And later in 2016 they were trying to introduce a reskinned banker and merchant that resulted in such player backlash due to their lack of transparency and their attempts at double-dipping that they gave up on their plans, and the new banker and merchant skins disappeared for three years. And yet now they're back and doing literally the same thing, but with cats - so they clearly don't care anymore, even though players are once again frustrated. With good reason.

Still don't understand why it would be frustrating? If you want the new bankers and even if you already have another version but want the cat version...then you will pony up the cash...if you don't think its worth it...you will just keep using your old banker...Its a choice...I don't see why having more choices would be frustrating...

Taken from a reddit comment afer Rich confirmed there that banker&merchant owners are expected to pay full price again:
'This is disappointing. ESO's own explanation for the 5k price when the assistants were first announced was that the price would "reflect their unique convenience, group-wide utility, and practical service." The players who already have the banker/merchant have that convenience already, so the alfiq assistants are no longer a "unique convenience". I am fine with paying for the assistants, if they were priced similarly to mounts. However, I can't justify paying what is essentially a convenience fee when I already have that convenience'

Czeri

I honestly don't see any reason why someone who already has the old assistants would want to buy the new ones for the full price. It's not like you have the assistants up at all times. There are far too many cute pets that people would rather have slotted, and which can match your character better.

A re-skin of the assistants, though? Yes, I would consider that, if it wasn't too expensive.

So yeah, I think ZoS are shooting themselves in the foot here.

TheImperfect

I like the new merchants and would get those if getting merchants but I don't currently have them as I'm saving my crowns for other things.
Is it possible to get the crafting writ boards that give you the daily crafting writs as a furniture item like the crafting stations so you can do your writs and not leave the house? If it's not I think that could be a cool idea for some people although you'd probably have to go to town to turn them in.

AlienSlof

Had these been 'skins' at a lower price, I'd have bought both. I really wanted these. But another 5k each for the same functionality - nope. Lost a sale there, well done, you greedy marketing peeps.

I bet I'm not the only one thinking this, either.

I'd have loved to turn my existing ones into cats. I am a crazy cat lady. But I am not a crazy cat lady with bottomless funds to throw at you.

Aimora

AlienSlof wrote: »

Had these been 'skins' at a lower price, I'd have bought both. I really wanted these. But another 5k each for the same functionality - nope. Lost a sale there, well done, you greedy marketing peeps.

I bet I'm not the only one thinking this, either.

I'd have loved to turn my existing ones into cats. I am a crazy cat lady. But I am not a crazy cat lady with bottomless funds to throw at you.

Totally agree I probably would have paid 2000 crowns for a skin but not rebuying the assistant again 5000 crowns for reskin is nuts!

sevomd69

bluebird wrote: »

sevomd69 wrote: »

bluebird wrote: »

sevomd69 wrote: »

bluebird wrote: »

Marginis wrote: »

While I kind of agree and would like to see a discount for players who already bought the original assistants, I can easily see why ZOS is doing it the way they are. I mean, they don't give a discount on mounts to someone who has already bought another mount. Plus, this way one can put multiple bankers in their player owned homes so that players don't have to run all the way to the other side of the house just to use a banker. Stuff like this is just the nature of the game as far as I can see, as much as I can sympathize.

The difference is that mounts are a separate cosmetic category and everybody was aware from the start that there would be different versions of mounts in the game, with newer ones added over time. But Assistants are account upgrades.

That's like selling a Character Slot and then years later adding better looking character slots (stupid example I know but just go with it - a character slot with a special cosmetic border around it or whatever ). Or selling storage chests which people buy for their account because of functionality and ZOS later adding different reskins that are more cosmetically appealing.

Price concerns are the main issue here I think - the suggestion people mentioned above that ZOS could sell the banker and merchant at the usual high price for their functionality and then sell skins for them at a lower price would be a better solution imo, and they could continue making money that way with future reskins.

So what you're saying is if ZOS had initially indicated that in the next 5 years or so...we would be getting a new banker and merchant...you would have held off buying the old banker and merchant and gone without it for 5 years...uhhh no...I don't think so...

No that's not what I'm saying at all. I was saying that ZOS introduced the banker and merchant in 2016 as a unique crown-exclusive account upgrade. And later in 2016 they were trying to introduce a reskinned banker and merchant that resulted in such player backlash due to their lack of transparency and their attempts at double-dipping that they gave up on their plans, and the new banker and merchant skins disappeared for three years. And yet now they're back and doing literally the same thing, but with cats - so they clearly don't care anymore, even though players are once again frustrated. With good reason.

Still don't understand why it would be frustrating? If you want the new bankers and even if you already have another version but want the cat version...then you will pony up the cash...if you don't think its worth it...you will just keep using your old banker...Its a choice...I don't see why having more choices would be frustrating...

Taken from a reddit comment afer Rich confirmed there that banker&merchant owners are expected to pay full price again:
'This is disappointing. ESO's own explanation for the 5k price when the assistants were first announced was that the price would "reflect their unique convenience, group-wide utility, and practical service." The players who already have the banker/merchant have that convenience already, so the alfiq assistants are no longer a "unique convenience". I am fine with paying for the assistants, if they were priced similarly to mounts. However, I can't justify paying what is essentially a convenience fee when I already have that convenience'

So you quoting one opinion from a random poster on Reddit doesn't it make it so...I for one have no problem with their pricing point...I would have more issue if they were to price it for less...which would screw all the people who bought the banker before...since it does exactly the same thing...

Devanear

sevomd69 wrote: »

So you quoting one opinion from a random poster on Reddit doesn't it make it so...I for one have no problem with their pricing point...I would have more issue if they were to price it for less...which would screw all the people who bought the banker before...since it does exactly the same thing...

No one would be the loser, everyone would have to get a base banker for 5k crowns, but then the extra skins would be cheaper. If it was me, the banker functionality, for instance, would be 3k to 4k crowns, and the extra 2k to 1k would count as the price for the "original skin" and others skins they would introduce.

So new skins, like the kittens, would cost something like 2k for people that already have the banking feature, but the full 5k for someone unlocking the skin and the feature that comes with it.

SydneyGrey

I want these kitty assistants badly, which is funny because I'm not crazy about cats in real life.
I never liked the current merchant. That weird smile she has when she's just standing around drives me nuts. I must be the only person who likes Tythis the Dark Elf banker, though. Of course, in my head I sort of imagine that he's the banker father of one of my characters, though. LOL.

JumpmanLane

I don’t want pet banker and merchant; so don’t feel bad that o got the old ones. I wish they’d reskin the old ones. Not even change them per se just upgrade the models.

MLGProPlayer

It's $49.99 for the 5500 crown pack here in Canada.

So you're effectively paying $200 for the new assistants if you bought the old ones. That's a great customer loyalty program ZOS has there.

Fortunately, we can buy crown store items with gold now. They'll cost about 2.2 million on PC/NA which is manageable.

Sylvermynx

I don't have either assistant - never saw much use for them, I spend a lot of time in cities anyway. I want the cat banker - but this is not the month to buy that many crowns. So unless they stick around for a while, I won't be getting kitty banking. I don't care about the merchant....

Jaimeh

I wouldn't trade my Nuzhie and Tythis because they are part of the family now, and I'd only consider getting the Alfiq versions if there was a considerable discount--otherwise it's just a huge middle finger from ZOS to those who already have assistants.

twev

Ecstatica wrote: »

I would trade my existing banker and merchant in for a 50% discount on the kitties!

No reason that current owners couldn't get a swap or discount for a trade or reskin of the two assistants as kitties.

Wildberryjack

Svenja wrote: »

As already reported here, there won't be an upgrade function. This is from the AUA with ZOS Devs on reddit.

That's unfortunate. Hard pass then.

Bealeb319

People are so worried about the price. But crowns when they are on sale and hold them or save up your eso plus membership crowns for it. For those who don't pay to play buy some crowns with your gold. If 5k crowns is still too much then wait till the things go on sale which they eventually will.

Dashmatt

I would have upgraded both of mine at a discounted price, but 5k crowns for no new functionality? No thanks.

Assistants are sort of like non-combat pets and I’d totally buy different skins for a similar cost. However full price is more than the most expensive MOUNT ever.

Nope.

MLGProPlayer

Bealeb319 wrote: »

People are so worried about the price. But crowns when they are on sale and hold them or save up your eso plus membership crowns for it. For those who don't pay to play buy some crowns with your gold. If 5k crowns is still too much then wait till the things go on sale which they eventually will.

Even on sale, we're still talking like $70-80.

abigfishy

xaraan wrote: »

I wish they'd sell them as skins. And offer more variety - I'd love to have argonian versions of merchant and banker.

That is the gold standard idea! Even if they still cost a lot being able to customise your banker for each character jast as you do with your mount and pets would be awesome!