Crown Crates, Do You Boycott or Gamble?

KaGaOri

bridgetrose wrote: »

KaGaOri wrote: »

How I deal with crates:

1) Buy couple crown packs when on sale.
2) When create season arrives, pick stuff I wan't, count down how many gems / opened crates it will take (+ scratch out stuff if it's too many) aaand WAIT. Wait and wait and wait ... all the way to the last week that crown season is on and gets discounted. Then buy enough crates to get must-have items.
3) Profit.

How do you know how many gems you'll get out of a crate? Is it that predictable?

You can make rough estimate. Usually count about 5 gems per crate. After each batch of crates I exchange for gems anything not needed / wanted and recount. More crates from the particular season you buy, more gems per crate you're getting, since you start getting doubles for cosmetics items, which gives you gems instead.

To add - only will buy crates with contents I really like - bought decent number of Ayleid and Sovngarde crates, but not even one Nightfall or Akaviri Potentate crate. Likely won't buy much Iron atronach crates either, if any. There just isn't anything in them that I like enough to throw money at it and buying crates just for "the thrill of the game" has zero appeal to me.

bridgetrose

KaGaOri wrote: »

bridgetrose wrote: »

KaGaOri wrote: »

How I deal with crates:

1) Buy couple crown packs when on sale.
2) When create season arrives, pick stuff I wan't, count down how many gems / opened crates it will take (+ scratch out stuff if it's too many) aaand WAIT. Wait and wait and wait ... all the way to the last week that crown season is on and gets discounted. Then buy enough crates to get must-have items.
3) Profit.

How do you know how many gems you'll get out of a crate? Is it that predictable?

You can make rough estimate. Usually count about 5 gems per crate. After each batch of crates I exchange for gems anything not needed / wanted and recount. More crates from the particular season you buy, more gems per crate you're getting, since you start getting doubles for cosmetics items, which gives you gems instead.

To add - only will buy crates with contents I really like - bought decent number of Ayleid and Sovngarde crates, but not even one Nightfall or Akaviri Potentate crate. Likely won't buy much Iron atronach crates either, if any. There just isn't anything in them that I like enough to throw money at it and buying crates just for "the thrill of the game" has zero appeal to me.

That's interesting. I'm tracking what I get but I'm going to start tracking what I turn in and how much I get. I'm new enough at this that I don't come up with many doubles. I still think it's just fun opening crates.

Wildberryjack

Syrpynt wrote: »

... like some elitist "Whales only" club.

I'm so far from being wealthy that it isn't even funny but I set aside money to spend on crowns to get the crates when they have stuff I really want. It isn't just for whales. Though I do wish they'd lower the crown cost of many of their items.

Syrpynt

Wildberryjack wrote: »

I'm so far from being wealthy that it isn't even funny but I set aside money to spend on crowns to get the crates when they have stuff I really want. It isn't just for whales. Though I do wish they'd lower the crown cost of many of their items.

Paired with

KaGaOri wrote: »

You can make rough estimate. Usually count about 5 gems per crate. After each batch of crates I exchange for gems anything not needed / wanted and recount.

...Is terrifying to me.

Don't get me wrong, ESO is amazing. Yes it's a relatively cheap hobby... But Spending $45*** to get only 75 gems? Maybe? And a bunch of collection trash that you don't want? While the one or two things you wanted to get simply elude you because of RNG? No. That's too much.

I'll subscribe. Buy some crowns when a crown item is available for direct purchase. But I only get angry when things are hidden behind RNG and a gamble wall. The rest of the loot in game is RNG too, yeah. But at least you can trade with others or purchase them on guild stores. I refuse to partake in RNG that binds those items to our accounts after spending part of my earned paychecks.

Whatever, if people keep spending the money then Zenimax won't listen even half of us asking for better crown store service.

edit: Correct my math for 5,000 crowns (15 crates).

alberichtano

DarcyMardin wrote: »

My problem with gambling is that I think it’s stupid to expect luck to be on your side when everybody knows that the house always wins.

I am fine with spending crowns directly on items that I want…I have spent quite a bit of real money in this game over the years to acquire houses, costumes, the occasional pet or hairstyle. But I won’t throw money away on loot boxes in this or any other game.

Same here. Only boxes I open are the ones that are free, and even then mostly just for the gems. I hate gambling, I want to know what I am paying for.

alberichtano

Syrpynt wrote: »

Hey everyone, I am appreciating both sides of responses. The poll so far is proving my point. Even if the crate users vs non-crate supporters is 50/50, or like this small polling population sample shows -- 60/40 (repsectively), They are LOSING money by not putting some items for direct purchase. Even if the real population research is 80/20, they are losing 20% of sales due to not making crate items up for direct purchase.

I suggest that the Marketing team review their formula for the crown store if they want additional purchases and customers.

To reinforce my statements: I'm not suggesting get rid of crates, but I am stating to make more direct purchase options again. Even 50/50 or use the subscriber discount method I described in my first post.

Thank you.

Well, I would argue that they are losing money by having some things sell very rarely, like som houses for example. But I am sure that they have som spinners (spin-doctors) and sales-experts who would argue otherwise.

Just as myself as an example - I would love to buy that Telvanni tower in Vvardenfell. But it is never on sale. So, yeah, their loss I guess.

alberichtano

Jaimeh wrote: »

Direct sale would be the golden solution, and to go one step further, direct sale without time exclusive restraints. Especially for houses, which are ridiculously expensive and only available for a few days. And from a design point of view, they are just reskins of existing assets in some cases, so there's no justification for the prices and time limits. As for the crates, if the legislation didn't force them, we weouldn't even have Seals of Endeavours. It's a convoluted system, which became increasingly aggressive over time with radiant apex, then gems, then gem exclusives, etc... At least we have crown gifting, so we can get crates this way. I personally buy them each season, with gold if I have it, because I like the items, but I never do it with the intent of getting a particular something, which I think is key. If you do it because of enjoying the opening process and be pleased with whatever happens, it's much better than doing it because you want to drop a given mount. The latter way is dangerous for people with gambling addiction, and the reason why crates are predatory to these players.

Much agreeings!

Syrpynt

alberichtano wrote: »

Well, I would argue that they are losing money by having some things sell very rarely, like som houses for example. But I am sure that they have som spinners (spin-doctors) and sales-experts who would argue otherwise.

Just as myself as an example - I would love to buy that Telvanni tower in Vvardenfell. But it is never on sale. So, yeah, their loss I guess.

Zenimax out here pricing their digital houses at the price of 1 to 5 video games in $, like Apple selling monitor stands. lol

It may sell less, but all it takes is a few desperados to make it worth it I guess...

KaGaOri

Syrpynt wrote: »

Wildberryjack wrote: »

I'm so far from being wealthy that it isn't even funny but I set aside money to spend on crowns to get the crates when they have stuff I really want. It isn't just for whales. Though I do wish they'd lower the crown cost of many of their items.

Paired with

KaGaOri wrote: »

You can make rough estimate. Usually count about 5 gems per crate. After each batch of crates I exchange for gems anything not needed / wanted and recount.

...Is terrifying to me.

Don't get me wrong, ESO is amazing. Yes it's a relatively cheap hobby... But Spending $45*** to get only 75 gems? Maybe? And a bunch of collection trash that you don't want? While the one or two things you wanted to get simply elude you because of RNG? No. That's too much.

I'll subscribe. Buy some crowns when a crown item is available for direct purchase. But I only get angry when things are hidden behind RNG and a gamble wall. The rest of the loot in game is RNG too, yeah. But at least you can trade with others or purchase them on guild stores. I refuse to partake in RNG that binds those items to our accounts after spending part of my earned paychecks.

Whatever, if people keep spending the money then Zenimax won't listen even half of us asking for better crown store service.

edit: Correct my math for 5,000 crowns (15 crates).

It's actually bit cheaper with good planning:
21,000 crowns (on sale) = 74.99 €
15 crates (on sale for ESO+) = 3,500 crowns
That's roughly 12,50 € for 15 crates and (if Google doesn't lie to me) 14.88 US dolars.

Also - won't buy any crates unless nearly every item in them makes me go "wow, that's amazing!" or "aww, so gorgeous!" That way I'm getting nice bonus stuff instead useless clutter. Oh, and once RNG grants me those couple items I really want (or there's enough gems to buy them) I'm done buying crates till next season.

We'll see how it goes with buying crate items for endevors. Still have 22 world bosses left to murder for weekly one .

Syrpynt

KaGaOri wrote: »

It's actually bit cheaper with good planning:
21,000 crowns (on sale) = 74.99 €
15 crates (on sale for ESO+) = 3,500 crowns
That's roughly 12,50 € for 15 crates and (if Google doesn't lie to me) 14.88 US dolars.

Also - won't buy any crates unless nearly every item in them makes me go "wow, that's amazing!" or "aww, so gorgeous!" That way I'm getting nice bonus stuff instead useless clutter. Oh, and once RNG grants me those couple items I really want (or there's enough gems to buy them) I'm done buying crates till next season.

We'll see how it goes with buying crate items for endevors. Still have 22 world bosses left to murder for weekly one .

The Endeavors is kinda funny to me, and at least I hope I'm part of the majority on this topic:

• I'll grind the RNG for gear, so those seals to get crates seems somewhat reasonable.
• But my money should be paying for exactly what I want.

But what I'm really hoping is that people grind more than pay directly for crates now, and that eventually crate items get put into store for direct purchase because crate sales decrease or something.

Sorry, not sorry. I've bit my tongue and was sad to miss out on some crate goodies, but also know that I NEVER would have got the items I wanted, maybe 1 of them for the 30 crates I'd spend the money on. And when I did buy them years ago, I acquired a bunch of clutter in my collections menus or got repeat collections that DEFINITELY don't give enough gems for their auto-refund for already having it.

Ken_Koerperich

No choice...

DRGAF & I won't Pay to Subscribe.

FYI, I only bought "content" I wanted, ie. Brotherhood, Theives.

Would like to own all, but daaaaammnnnn! That's like: over 200 bucks in Crowns.....

ZOS needs to bring the prices down if they want us NEW players to buy into the other content packages....

Way OP IMO!

Syrpynt

Ken_Koerperich wrote: »

No choice...

DRGAF & I won't Pay to Subscribe.

FYI, I only bought "content" I wanted, ie. Brotherhood, Theives.

Would like to own all, but daaaaammnnnn! That's like: over 200 bucks in Crowns.....

ZOS needs to bring the prices down if they want us NEW players to buy into the other content packages....

Way OP IMO!

Just so you know, your subscription gives you crowns so you can buy the content as well, and you get the added benefit of the craft bag...

But after you've been here long enough like myself and many others, you get more crowns than playable content... And your options after are Craft Crates or the same old cosmetics & mounts since the beginning of the game, some furnishings, houses, and craftable styles that each cost 1 to 2 video games worth... Yeah I agree about the cost. But crates are the worst. I'd buy all the homes before I spend more money on crates.

alberichtano

Syrpynt wrote: »

alberichtano wrote: »

Well, I would argue that they are losing money by having some things sell very rarely, like som houses for example. But I am sure that they have som spinners (spin-doctors) and sales-experts who would argue otherwise.

Just as myself as an example - I would love to buy that Telvanni tower in Vvardenfell. But it is never on sale. So, yeah, their loss I guess.

Zenimax out here pricing their digital houses at the price of 1 to 5 video games in $, like Apple selling monitor stands. lol

It may sell less, but all it takes is a few desperados to make it worth it I guess...

I am not exactly thrilled at the prices for houses, they are to say the least excessive considering the cost of making them, but at least I know what I get for my money. With boxes, I am 99% guaranteed to get useless stuff that won't even amount to any number of crown gems of worth.

tsaescishoeshiner

I purchase Crates with gold (gifted from another player) in order to get gems and only to get gems.

Buying crates hoping to get good drops is unrealistic and a terrible deal. Always check out crowncrates.com to see the drop rates—it's less than a 2% chance to get a random apex mount (maybe not even the one you want!)

Krym

Syrpynt wrote: »

The Endeavors is kinda funny to me, and at least I hope I'm part of the majority on this topic:

• I'll grind the RNG for gear, so those seals to get crates seems somewhat reasonable.
• But my money should be paying for exactly what I want.

But what I'm really hoping is that people grind more than pay directly for crates now, and that eventually crate items get put into store for direct purchase because crate sales decrease or something.

given their price in seals for some items I highly doubt most will get what they want before the crate season is over and it disappears from the store. which means they'll be more likely to open their wallet now that they got a taste (or at least a look at it)

the other thing about endeavors is that they can now put more gameplay-related stuff in the store, since it's not behind a paywall anymore and can theoretically be grinded for ingame, which avoids troublesome "pay2win" discussions.

everybody knows how they run their store. why would they suddenly give away stuff for free? because microsoft?

Ken_Koerperich

Syrpynt wrote: »

Ken_Koerperich wrote: »

No choice...

DRGAF & I won't Pay to Subscribe.

FYI, I only bought "content" I wanted, ie. Brotherhood, Theives.

Would like to own all, but daaaaammnnnn! That's like: over 200 bucks in Crowns.....

ZOS needs to bring the prices down if they want us NEW players to buy into the other content packages....

Way OP IMO!

Just so you know, your subscription gives you crowns so you can buy the content as well, and you get the added benefit of the craft bag...

But after you've been here long enough like myself and many others, you get more crowns than playable content... And your options after are Craft Crates or the same old cosmetics & mounts since the beginning of the game, some furnishings, houses, and craftable styles that each cost 1 to 2 video games worth... Yeah I agree about the cost. But crates are the worst. I'd buy all the homes before I spend more money on crates.

Not a "crafter" so, again, that's a waste of $$...

Maybe I'm frugal in my old age..

I'm never swayed by shiny/flashy/dumdumbauble dangled in front of me like a carrot on a stick...

So, Crown Store is OP, and unless a miracle happens and they drop some of the "story/dungeons/DLC prices down, it's a NO from me....

Crates same deal....

Probably have better luck getting struck by lightning...

Syrpynt

Ken_Koerperich wrote: »

Not a "crafter" so, again, that's a waste of $$...

Maybe I'm frugal in my old age..

I'm never swayed by shiny/flashy/dumdumbauble dangled in front of me like a carrot on a stick...

So, Crown Store is OP, and unless a miracle happens and they drop some of the "story/dungeons/DLC prices down, it's a NO from me....

Crates same deal....

Probably have better luck getting struck by lightning...

The DLC's and stuff do go on sale. But alright, I can see purchasing the crowns during a crown sale may make more sense for you, Just trying to help.

Amottica

I do not boycott crates. I just choose not to outright buy them. There is a difference as I have received and opened crown crates Zenimax provided through other means.

Ken_Koerperich

Amottica wrote: »

I do not boycott crates. I just choose not to outright buy them. There is a difference as I have received and opened crown crates Zenimax provided through other means.

Twitch Streams, and they yiedl 99% of the time....

Heal pots....I've gotten 100+ pots so far...

1 Exp Scroll

Ton's of "POISON" pots.....

Never anything of value....

ThorianB

***"You" is general use in this post and directed at no one.

I buy crown crates and love loot boxes! I have plenty of self control and i don't feel like i "need" anything in any loot box in any game. I just open them for fun. I also loot often in the game because i enjoy opening things and finding treasures. Personally i have a lot of self control. I can( and have) walked in casinos with hundreds of dollars in cash and tens of thousands available in credit/debit and i will spend a predetermined amount ( usually a hundred or two) OR get tired of being there, and leave. I am never tempted to spend more than i decided when i walked in the door. Why? because the house always wins. So if you play to win *Cough* radiant apex *Cough* you are always going to leave completely broke. If you play to have fun, sometimes you win and its a nice surprise.

People who don't agree with gambling or loot crates or have a hard time controlling themselves should stay away from temptation. You don't knock down a liquor store because a recovering alcoholic moved in two blocks from it. Imagine the outrage? Nope that (recovering) alcoholic is told they have to deal and cope. But when it comes to loot crates we have to destroy it for everyone , if we don't approve of it(but still want whats in them). That's really selfish if you ask me( and you kind of did with this thread)

* If you don't like loot crates fine.
* If loot crates tempt you fine.
* If you don't like not having a predetermined price for everything that's fine.
* If you want what is in them but don't want to play the RNG game, fine.

BUT....
* Deal with your personal business, personally and...
* Stop making a war on loot crates and ruining it for EVERYONE ELSE because YOU have a problem with them. That is REALLY selfish.

Syrpynt

ThorianB wrote: »

***"You" is general use in this post and directed at no one....
... But when it comes to loot crates we have to destroy it for everyone , if we don't approve of it (but still want whats in them). That's really selfish if you ask me( and you kind of did with this thread)

* If you don't like loot crates fine.
* If loot crates tempt you fine.
* If you don't like not having a predetermined price for everything that's fine.
* If you want what is in them but don't want to play the RNG game, fine.

...
* Stop making a war on loot crates and ruining it for EVERYONE ELSE because YOU have a problem with them. That is REALLY selfish.

I know you are saying "you" isn't directed at anyone, but I want to clarify again:

Nowhere am I saying "Zenimax must get rid of crates!" I may want that, but the reality is that people enjoy them for the "mini-game" like you and others have mentions.

In fact I am saying to make it an option to purchase "non-apex" items directly, and for all the others that want apex, can still use gamble crates to try for apex, and possibly get some of the same items for direct sale. This is a win-win-win.

Syrpynt wrote: »

...
* Keep your radiant mounts hidden behind crates, fine.
* But maybe allow for 100 gem and lower items to be purchased both/either directly from crowns or found in crates. How? Sell those items for "original prices" if they're subscribers, and 50% more crowns cost for non-subscribers so you make more money?

• Crate-Supporters win: If you want to play the gamble crates for apex items: You may get some of the direct purchase items for less cost, and as a "byproduct" of your gambling.
• Non-Crate supporters win: More PURCHASABLE content that doesn't involve RNG with our money.
• Zenimax wins: The +35% of players who don't touch gamble crates will spent more crowns and money on the content in the store!

HuskyRook941840

don't often buy crates, largely because IDGAF about mounts 98% of the time, and most of the stuff that you can buy with crowns (beyond the banker & merchant) I equally DGAF about.

There have been things I bought with crowns; some body tattoos, banker & merchant (obviously), the storage coffers, some furnishings, at least one house, and maybe a couple of furnishings (like, 100 crowns worth, maybe). I have, rarely, bought crates, but not often. (I bought some Ayelid ones because I liked a bunch of stuff that was in them).

I also don't buy the furnishing packs (like the Alinor Noble bathing pack) because I generally like one or maybe two things in them, and often a similar item can be crated, and I think the packs are expensive.

I'm not going to drop my ESO+ subscription; for one thing, I believe in paying for a service, and servers & internet access costs ZOS money to be able for me to use it. Also: I cannot possibly live without the craft bag. I genuinely have no idea how people play without one, unless they are like my two besties, who just send me all their crafting mats to store for them.

Now, I have some guild mates who love them some crown crates; to each their own. Ain't my money, I've no right to tell them how to spend theirs!

Syrpynt

HuskyRook941840 wrote: »

...I have some guild mates who love them some crown crates; to each their own. Ain't my money, I've no right to tell them how to spend theirs!

Yup, and I'm not telling anyone how to spend their money. But some of us want to spend it, but not with the way/process the store+crowns are set up currently:

These is the poll results after a couple of weeks.

Those who don't buy crates, total: 34.
Those who buy crates, total: 47.

You would think that 42% of lost sales would make the Crownstore marketing team place some of the < 100 crown gem items in the store for direct purchase.

Even more so after people being able to just buy them with Endeavor seals. It'll be one purchase here and there, every couple of months, but for some that is enough. Why gamble when you can grind for it?

But Zenimax usually makes the smart choice to put a payable option when there's a grindwall between players an rewards.

I'm really hoping that these endeavors make cosmetics, pets, and armor styles for direct purchase when they see a drop in gamblecrate sales.

Kendaric

I still subscribe from time to time since I still want crowns for housing and furniture, though I boycott the crates.

UrbanMonk

Can't remember when i bought a Crown crate. I still subscribe because i like this game and play a lot but crown crates...Just NO

coop500

Poll options are biased.

I still sub and I do occasionally buy crown crates, but only when I like almost EVERYTHING in them so it's not gambling to me, cause I am almost always getting something I wanted/liked.

If I only like a few things, I may buy just enough crates with gold to my trusted crown traders to get the gems to buy what I wanted, or just go without.

Syrpynt

coop500 wrote: »

Poll options are biased.

I still sub and I do occasionally buy crown crates, but only when I like almost EVERYTHING in them so it's not gambling to me, cause I am almost always getting something I wanted/liked.

If I only like a few things, I may buy just enough crates with gold to my trusted crown traders to get the gems to buy what I wanted, or just go without.

How are they biased? Please explain.

If you like everything in them, that's YOU. But it doesn't change the fact that it's gambling.

Call_of_Red_Mountain

Crown exchange. If it's ok for ZoS and ESO players... it's ok for me. Personally... i'll never buy crowns for real $.

coop500

Syrpynt wrote: »

coop500 wrote: »

Poll options are biased.

I still sub and I do occasionally buy crown crates, but only when I like almost EVERYTHING in them so it's not gambling to me, cause I am almost always getting something I wanted/liked.

If I only like a few things, I may buy just enough crates with gold to my trusted crown traders to get the gems to buy what I wanted, or just go without.

How are they biased? Please explain.

If you like everything in them, that's YOU. But it doesn't change the fact that it's gambling.

You missed the last part of my post.

And they're biased because you're forcing people who buy crown crates to approve of gambling (or they have no self control) when that's not always the case.

Syrpynt

coop500 wrote: »

You missed the last part of my post.

And they're biased because you're forcing people who buy crown crates to approve of gambling (or they have no self control) when that's not always the case.

1.) You said you consumed the crates, whether by $, €, or in-game gold for gifted crates--you got some --> You opened them --> You supported them by getting some, with someone's money. Zenimax still got paid.

2.) The crates are gambling by nature. You are NOT gauranteed the item you seek. It is chance. It is a gamble. You are one person who likes many items in the crates and may not view this as a gamble, but your experience doesn't make it the universal experience. No one's individual experience takes away the fact that it is gambling.

So yes, I did read your entire post, but you didn't understand mine.

You either actively/passively paid Zenimax for crates, or you don't (boycotting). It's that simple. You're on the 58% side. There's nothing wrong with that. I'm just stating that crates shouldn't be the only option, and grinding via Endeavor seals doesn't make Zenimax extra money--so add the option for direct purchase.