Disabling crown gifting is a bad idea

boi_anachronism_

Trundik wrote: »

belial5221_ESO wrote: »

A COD system would have made it so fraud wouldn't happen.On a positive note, without crown items being giftable,the gold seller bots greatly reduced,since why would ppl buy gold from em,if noone can get crown items with the gold they were buying.

But seriously, hurting gameplay that much doesn't worth that kind of gain. Why the hell I should be responsible for someone else? Those gold sellers is offer for stupid people same as crown sellers in zone chat. All of that existed somwhere at another planet for me personally, so why and how that *** influences me? Seeing this in chat its not a problem at all and it doesn't sound as positive note now, when they gone. I ignore them anyway and any sane person will do the same.

Disease and "cure" are incomparable. It's like amputating your leg because you found a pimple on it.

Hard to know. We dont know what kind of fraudulent activities are in question. Everything here is just conjecture. Now i dont support this in choice buy zos in any capacity but every crown seller legitimately buying to sell for gold in game gave them money. One persons money is as good as the next so they are not doing this just to make people mad or some other nonsense. They know its wildly unpopular. There has to be a major reason for this because financially this was a terrible decision. Folks who cant afford crowns still wont buy and sellers wont buy anymore either.

Amottica

kah wrote: »

I know the response to this is always going to be, "But they can make more money this way!!", but considering a bunch of players pay for ESO+ on top of a new expansion each year, it would be better if they just made everything in the crown store achievable by playing the game.

That would be an incorrect response. Zenimax makes more money due to the ability to gift. People who are not willing or not really able to buy crowns could buy crown items from other players who in turn are buying more crowns to facilitate this trade and get more gold for themselves.

Granted, we are not likely talking about a large percentage of players. Unlike GW2 where the best gear costs a large sum of in-game gold or an extremely long wait to obtain the matts directly, ESO has nothing that drives the need for gold anywhere to the same degree.

SilverBride

Punitio wrote: »

Please let the already gifted crown items be accepted, i bought an arm pack from the crown store to a friend and he sent it but when i log in yesterday i wasn't able to accept, now it will be there in a limbo. Its very annoying.
The only reason i keept playing this game was to farm gold and buy crown store stuff, now i have no reason at all to play.

This thread may help.

https://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/642206/issue-where-some-players-cannot-claim-remaining-gifted-crown-store-items#latest

boi_anachronism_

Amottica wrote: »

kah wrote: »

I know the response to this is always going to be, "But they can make more money this way!!", but considering a bunch of players pay for ESO+ on top of a new expansion each year, it would be better if they just made everything in the crown store achievable by playing the game.

That would be an incorrect response. Zenimax makes more money due to the ability to gift. People who are not willing or not really able to buy crowns could buy crown items from other players who in turn are buying more crowns to facilitate this trade and get more gold for themselves.

Granted, we are not likely talking about a large percentage of players. Unlike GW2 where the best gear costs a large sum of in-game gold or an extremely long wait to obtain the matts directly, ESO has nothing that drives the need for gold anywhere to the same degree.

Mm dont know about that last part. Im in some of the largest trading guilds. Chat is swamped dawn to dusk with "wtb x crowns". Heck it pops in my trial guilds plenty frequently too. Guilds base raffles off them as do trial guilds. There is a lot more to this. When i got online yesterday and hopped into psn with my trial guild its all anyone was talking about.

Vulkunne

Amottica wrote: »

kah wrote: »

I know the response to this is always going to be, "But they can make more money this way!!", but considering a bunch of players pay for ESO+ on top of a new expansion each year, it would be better if they just made everything in the crown store achievable by playing the game.

That would be an incorrect response. Zenimax makes more money due to the ability to gift. People who are not willing or not really able to buy crowns could buy crown items from other players who in turn are buying more crowns to facilitate this trade and get more gold for themselves.

Granted, we are not likely talking about a large percentage of players. Unlike GW2 where the best gear costs a large sum of in-game gold or an extremely long wait to obtain the matts directly, ESO has nothing that drives the need for gold anywhere to the same degree.

The problem is inflation and the ability to sell Crowns helped us get around this so even if you didn't really 'need' large amounts of gold, if you have several characters that you want to do different things with, I'm not gonna lie, its expensive.

That's why I say to anyone who is like me and has something, but is not filthy rich, you need to hold on to your gold, hold on to your gold mats and such. Now is the time to sell. I also would not make large purchases because if you run out of money you can't sell Crowns now and break even.

The filthy rich are going to stay rich, the haters have finally got their way, and if some of you don't lock down the bank now you'll be broke and on your own with no way out of the ditch. I'm sure the trade Guilds will show us kindness and help those in need. Can't wait.

wrrn519_ESO

I am sorry they are chosing to go this route. I guess I will unsub until further notice, my wife said she will do the same as well. Seems odd they chose this but oh well, my dollars can go elsewhere. Have fun folks, hopefully they will rescind, and we can have fun again.

AmandaLubyk

ZOS_Kevin wrote: »

wilykcat wrote: »

Sometimes investigations and temporarily disabling stuff does take longer. Not everything in life happens quickly and instantly.

Just wanted to build on this point. We are working on building solutions that protect everyone when gifting crown store items. Investigating solutions and building those out does take time. We understand this is not deal. It isn't ideal for anyone not engaging in fraudulent behavior. It isn't ideal for us. However, we want to stress this is temporary as we are working out the best path forward. We don't know how long this will take, but we are working to resolve this as soon as we can.

@ZOS_Kevin

I call to your attention that corporations, including credit card companies and banks, deal with major fraud on a daily basis. Despite this, they do not disable nor limit functionality to their customers - it would be bad for business to do so.

Additionally, one thing that upsets people so greatly is the manner in which this is being communicated. For example, had you said something along the lines of: "Hey folks, we are temporarily blocking crown store gifting because some dishonest people have figured out how to thwart the safety nets of our system and are sending items without deducting the crowns from their account." then you would be giving context to the decision ZOS made, and the vast majority of people would be understanding. However, when you make a snap decision that negatively impacts your customers in such a large way, and do not give a detailed explanation, it is only logical that the domino effect will be snap decisions made by your customers in regards to whether or not they continue to support your business.

I am asking you to provide more details, as to why this level of a response is necessary, to quell the rising tide of dissatisfaction.

Most of us here enjoy ESO. If a wave of regular materials farmers stops farming or leaves the game, it will negatively affect the whole economy.

This game is where many folks come to relax after work, escape from harsh realities, and for some it is the only way they can engage in social activities due to disability. ESO is also the financial livelihood for every employee of ZOS; your continued success is important!

Please, consider expounding on your initial post so we all can try to understand.

Kind regards,
Amanda

myrdarkwood

ZOS IS losing money on this. Why and why be hush about it? Something bad enough that they'd risk being vague about it and losing even more money from people leaving? My guess is by NOT doing this, the potential to have even more revenue loss or even getting shut down (even temporarily) was too risky. FTC violations or some other fine-related activity? Epic is looking at having to pay out $500M+ due to a similar issue. Oh, and ZOS probably can't release details because that's prob a violation of the investigation.

Not saying that's the reason, but some folks have no idea how the real world works beyond how things affect them. Wanna take bets on how long before subscription prices go up?

Elsonso

AmandaLubyk wrote: »

I call to your attention that corporations, including credit card companies and banks, deal with major fraud on a daily basis. Despite this, they do not disable nor limit functionality to their customers - it would be bad for business to do so.

Actually, yes they do. On both sides... the merchant side and the card holder side.

TaSheen

Elsonso wrote: »

AmandaLubyk wrote: »

I call to your attention that corporations, including credit card companies and banks, deal with major fraud on a daily basis. Despite this, they do not disable nor limit functionality to their customers - it would be bad for business to do so.

Actually, yes they do. On both sides... the merchant side and the card holder side.

Yup. Been there done that. BOA shut me down years ago (for something a bad actor did) and eventually restored my access (a year later - by which time I'd gone to my credit union and got a better card - because they were happy to check that I was not the bad actor).... So BOA lost a very long time customer because of that.

Panchaea

myrdarkwood wrote: »

ZOS IS losing money on this. Why and why be hush about it? Something bad enough that they'd risk being vague about it and losing even more money from people leaving? My guess is by NOT doing this, the potential to have even more revenue loss or even getting shut down (even temporarily) was too risky. FTC violations or some other fine-related activity? Epic is looking at having to pay out $500M+ due to a similar issue. Oh, and ZOS probably can't release details because that's prob a violation of the investigation.

Not saying that's the reason, but some folks have no idea how the real world works beyond how things affect them. Wanna take bets on how long before subscription prices go up?

Hope this is the case, because it means a desperately needed wake up call. Australia's competition regulator also looks at the same things the FTC did for the Epic Games fine and it should result in more penalties for corporations that engage in that kind of activity.

thehilanderb14a_ESO

Elsonso wrote: »

AmandaLubyk wrote: »

I call to your attention that corporations, including credit card companies and banks, deal with major fraud on a daily basis. Despite this, they do not disable nor limit functionality to their customers - it would be bad for business to do so.

Actually, yes they do. On both sides... the merchant side and the card holder side.

Not on a scale like this. When corporations “turn off functionality” for fraud issues it is highly individualized to specific customers or specific vendors. Walmart doesn’t stop taking all returns nationwide because there were some fraudulent returns in Alabama over the last few months. Or Visa doesn’t block all PS5 purchases for six months because of some fraud on Amazon.

SilverBride

We don't know exactly what the fraud is or how it's being investigated, so no one can say that ZoS isn't taking appropriate action.

Yes being able to sell crowns is a nice feature that helps both the buyer and the sellers, and yes it is unfortunate that it had to come to this, but hopefully they will remedy this situation quickly so gifting can once again resume.

But not being able to buy a new shiny for the moment does not stop anyone from being able to play. We can still quest and run dungeons and trials and do dailies and writs and hang out with our friends. Not having something new right now does not prevent any of these activities.

thehilanderb14a_ESO

SilverBride wrote: »

But not being able to buy a new shiny for the moment does not stop anyone from being able to play. We can still quest and run dungeons and trials and do dailies and writs and hang out with our friends. Not having something new right now does not prevent any of these activities.

If this “pause” does indeed turn out to be short-lived that is fine. But if it stretches out to weeks or months (like the crown crate gifting already has) it’s going to have a deleterious effect.

There’s little point to questing, running dungeons and trials, or doing dailies and writs if you have already filled your stickerbook, learned the motifs, and decked out all of your characters in top tier gear unless there is something to spend your gold on.

Nothing is “preventing” anyone from doing the activities you listed - but there’s also no incentive to do them when there’s nothing worthwhile left to earn.

TaSheen

There's a serious dichotomy here. Some of us are here to have fun, play the game. Others seem to have only the accumulation of gazoolas of gold (to do what with?) as an end result.

Incentive in the latter state is what? What do you want with the "activities listed" - why is there "no incentive to do them when there's nothing worthwhile left to earn"?

Really, there's not a lot of great and wonderful rewards in this game. I mean, it's not like SWTOR where you have to have billions just to get a ship. This game is mostly for fun. In game stuff isn't really very exciting (unless you're seriously into pvp and Emp is your target I guess - or like some of us, whose candy is housing.)

So.... what is it you're talking about here? Are you accumulating millions of in game gold by massaging the crown store? And if so, why? What (other than selling gold for RL money) could you possibly be obtaining?

SilverBride

thehilanderb14a_ESO wrote: »

If this “pause” does indeed turn out to be short-lived that is fine. But if it stretches out to weeks or months (like the crown crate gifting already has) it’s going to have a deleterious effect.

There’s little point to questing, running dungeons and trials, or doing dailies and writs if you have already filled your stickerbook, learned the motifs, and decked out all of your characters in top tier gear unless there is something to spend your gold on.

Nothing is “preventing” anyone from doing the activities you listed - but there’s also no incentive to do them when there’s nothing worthwhile left to earn.

Why do we have to spend all our gold? There is no reason we can't just hold on to some of it. But if a player really wants to spend they can donate to their guilds, or give gold to new players.

We don't know how long this will take but I'm not going to assume the worst.

thehilanderb14a_ESO

TaSheen wrote: »

So.... what is it you're talking about here? Are you accumulating millions of in game gold by massaging the crown store? And if so, why? What (other than selling gold for RL money) could you possibly be obtaining?

We’re looking for ways to SPEND the gold we accumulate - and for many of us that meant buying crowns to get things like new houses, style packs, outfits, and the like. If that avenue is blocked for an extended period, what incentive is there to run dungeons and trials we have already completed?

SilverBride

thehilanderb14a_ESO wrote: »

TaSheen wrote: »

So.... what is it you're talking about here? Are you accumulating millions of in game gold by massaging the crown store? And if so, why? What (other than selling gold for RL money) could you possibly be obtaining?

We’re looking for ways to SPEND the gold we accumulate - and for many of us that meant buying crowns to get things like new houses, style packs, outfits, and the like. If that avenue is blocked for an extended period, what incentive is there to run dungeons and trials we have already completed?

For the fun of it.

Murderhound

SilverBride wrote: »

We don't know exactly what the fraud is or how it's being investigated, so no one can say that ZoS isn't taking appropriate action.

Yes being able to sell crowns is a nice feature that helps both the buyer and the sellers, and yes it is unfortunate that it had to come to this, but hopefully they will remedy this situation quickly so gifting can once again resume.

But not being able to buy a new shiny for the moment does not stop anyone from being able to play. We can still quest and run dungeons and trials and do dailies and writs and hang out with our friends. Not having something new right now does not prevent any of these activities.

You keep trying to defend them by saying well in my experience this isn't this way. Guess what PEOPLE PLAY DIFFERENT THAN YOU. Theirs goals, aspirations, place in the game isn't where you are. Your overly rosey look at what's "legal" or not. Or what makes sense to you, isn't how most of the other people who have valid points see it. People are voicing their concerns, venting frustrations, you're attempting to rebuttal how they feel with how you think the game should be played, for what?

hiyde

Let's try not to judge how people enjoy the game.

Whatever you like to do, whether it's PvP, Trials, farming containers, decorating houses or picking flowers, it's all valid.

The people who enjoy farming up gold to buy Crown Store items & services as their main game loop are rightfully upset with having that ripped away. ZOS isn't providing a lot of clarity on their decision. I'm sure that's frustrating.

I also believe that they wouldn't kill a solid revenue stream and disrupt people's enjoyment of the game unless they felt it necessary. Looking at the trajectory of this, I'm going to be very surprised if we see gifting restored any time soon, if ever.

I worry about how this will impact population & economy. We'll just have to see how it plays out. For those most impacted by this change, I hope a resolution comes soon and that you can find other ESO activities enjoyable enough to stick with it until (if) this is fixed.

SilverBride

hiyde wrote: »

Let's try not to judge how people enjoy the game.

Whatever you like to do, whether it's PvP, Trials, farming containers, decorating houses or picking flowers, it's all valid.

The people who enjoy farming up gold to buy Crown Store items & services as their main game loop are rightfully upset with having that ripped away. ZOS isn't providing a lot of clarity on their decision. I'm sure that's frustrating.

I'm not disputing any of your points. What I take issue with is players saying they can't play the game because of this. They may not be able to do everything they would like but they can still play.

And I also take issue with accusations and blame being put on ZoS and expecting detailed explanations when they may not be able to give them.

I was going to buy some items through our guild's crown exchange, so I'd like to see this running again too. But I understand that stuff happens, in real life and in game. Blaming and accusing isn't going to get this resolved any faster.

Amottica

boi_anachronism_ wrote: »

Amottica wrote: »

kah wrote: »

I know the response to this is always going to be, "But they can make more money this way!!", but considering a bunch of players pay for ESO+ on top of a new expansion each year, it would be better if they just made everything in the crown store achievable by playing the game.

That would be an incorrect response. Zenimax makes more money due to the ability to gift. People who are not willing or not really able to buy crowns could buy crown items from other players who in turn are buying more crowns to facilitate this trade and get more gold for themselves.

Granted, we are not likely talking about a large percentage of players. Unlike GW2 where the best gear costs a large sum of in-game gold or an extremely long wait to obtain the matts directly, ESO has nothing that drives the need for gold anywhere to the same degree.

Mm dont know about that last part. Im in some of the largest trading guilds. Chat is swamped dawn to dusk with "wtb x crowns". Heck it pops in my trial guilds plenty frequently too. Guilds base raffles off them as do trial guilds. There is a lot more to this. When i got online yesterday and hopped into psn with my trial guild its all anyone was talking about.

That does not indicate a majority or even a significantly large portion of the active end-game player base. idk, I do not sit there and watch guild chat and take count of how many times something is mentioned. Short of that it is nothing more than anecdotal.

Amottica

Vulkunne wrote: »

Amottica wrote: »

kah wrote: »

I know the response to this is always going to be, "But they can make more money this way!!", but considering a bunch of players pay for ESO+ on top of a new expansion each year, it would be better if they just made everything in the crown store achievable by playing the game.

That would be an incorrect response. Zenimax makes more money due to the ability to gift. People who are not willing or not really able to buy crowns could buy crown items from other players who in turn are buying more crowns to facilitate this trade and get more gold for themselves.

Granted, we are not likely talking about a large percentage of players. Unlike GW2 where the best gear costs a large sum of in-game gold or an extremely long wait to obtain the matts directly, ESO has nothing that drives the need for gold anywhere to the same degree.

The problem is inflation and the ability to sell Crowns helped us get around this so even if you didn't really 'need' large amounts of gold, if you have several characters that you want to do different things with, I'm not gonna lie, its expensive.

That's why I say to anyone who is like me and has something, but is not filthy rich, you need to hold on to your gold, hold on to your gold mats and such. Now is the time to sell. I also would not make large purchases because if you run out of money you can't sell Crowns now and break even.

The filthy rich are going to stay rich, the haters have finally got their way, and if some of you don't lock down the bank now you'll be broke and on your own with no way out of the ditch. I'm sure the trade Guilds will show us kindness and help those in need. Can't wait.

The filthy rich pretty much got their by being active in the game which includes selling stuff to increase revenue and not buying everything on impulse. They will remain filthy rich because they do not spend willie nillie. If people hate them for that, well, they can choose to keep their gold closer and watch limit what they spend. \

Case in point, I take no issue with the prices of matts, even gold jewelry upgrades, because I do the work to farm my own. It is a choice to spend tons on gold jewelry upgrades but that is not a reason to hate those that farmed it to make it available to sell.

It all comes down to a choice. Oh, and most of my gold came from just playing the game and watching what I spent. Wow, much like real life.

thehilanderb14a_ESO

SilverBride wrote: »

For the fun of it.

What fun do you refer to? The fun of running the same dungeon for literally the 1000th time? Or the fun of breaking down another piece of loot I don’t need to add to the tens of thousands of crafting materials in my crafting bag? Or maybe the fun of getting my 20th copy of a motif page to add to the pile in my bank?

The fun for many people comes in acquiring or unlocking new things. And when the only things left to unlock are in the Crown store, it’s problematic when the store effectively gets taken away - potentially for weeks or months. Grinding dailies and running dungeons is a means to an end for many players - that end being buying things from the Crown store that can’t be acquired any other way.

AmandaLubyk

Elsonso wrote: »

AmandaLubyk wrote: »

I call to your attention that corporations, including credit card companies and banks, deal with major fraud on a daily basis. Despite this, they do not disable nor limit functionality to their customers - it would be bad for business to do so.

Actually, yes they do. On both sides... the merchant side and the card holder side.

Elsonso wrote: »

AmandaLubyk wrote: »

I call to your attention that corporations, including credit card companies and banks, deal with major fraud on a daily basis. Despite this, they do not disable nor limit functionality to their customers - it would be bad for business to do so.

Actually, yes they do. On both sides... the merchant side and the card holder side.

They freeze individual accounts, not all accounts.

hiyde

SilverBride wrote: »

I'm not disputing any of your points. What I take issue with is players saying they can't play the game because of this. They may not be able to do everything they would like but they can still play.

They could literally remove everything from the game except Tales of Tribute and you could technically still "play" but would you want to? Those who's favorite thing was grinding gold to buy crown store shinies have every right to be disappointed it has been taken away. They don't need to be told "oh just find something else to do, why were you doing that anyway?"

SilverBride wrote: »

And I also take issue with accusations and blame being put on ZoS and expecting detailed explanations when they may not be able to give them.

That's a fair opinion to have. I also believe there are some very valid criticisms of how this has been handled/communicated.

Katheriah

SilverBride wrote: »

thehilanderb14a_ESO wrote: »

TaSheen wrote: »

So.... what is it you're talking about here? Are you accumulating millions of in game gold by massaging the crown store? And if so, why? What (other than selling gold for RL money) could you possibly be obtaining?

We’re looking for ways to SPEND the gold we accumulate - and for many of us that meant buying crowns to get things like new houses, style packs, outfits, and the like. If that avenue is blocked for an extended period, what incentive is there to run dungeons and trials we have already completed?

For the fun of it.

SilverBride wrote: »

hiyde wrote: »

Let's try not to judge how people enjoy the game.

Whatever you like to do, whether it's PvP, Trials, farming containers, decorating houses or picking flowers, it's all valid.

The people who enjoy farming up gold to buy Crown Store items & services as their main game loop are rightfully upset with having that ripped away. ZOS isn't providing a lot of clarity on their decision. I'm sure that's frustrating.

I'm not disputing any of your points. What I take issue with is players saying they can't play the game because of this. They may not be able to do everything they would like but they can still play.

And I also take issue with accusations and blame being put on ZoS and expecting detailed explanations when they may not be able to give them.

I was going to buy some items through our guild's crown exchange, so I'd like to see this running again too. But I understand that stuff happens, in real life and in game. Blaming and accusing isn't going to get this resolved any faster.

I legit find your responses to be a bit insulting, but I'll try to see the sunny side of things and assume you don't mean it in a bad way. I'll try to elaborate.

Everyone has different reasons to play the game, but in general a lot of people find the replayability of dungeons and trials to be not great on itself. The only reason I do dungeons and trials is:

1. Achievements
2. Stickerbook
3. Drops I can sell for money

80% of my gameplay (and many others from the traderguilds I'm in) is about making gold. There are no real good goldsinks in ESO, besides maybe currently the traderbids and that's for the minority of players. The only reason I want so much gold is for the Crown Store. I have limited free time, because I work fulltime, and like many others I have to really be picky about what I do with my free time. I am not doing a dungeon for the 100th time for fun, my fun is in being a completionist. And sure as hell I'm not sacrificing my free time to gather gold to donate. When a guildie asks for resources, I'll happily send them a stack. But I'm not spending my free time in a game just to be charitable.

Now it's really nice to be reasonable and not wanting to blame other ZOS, but there's a couple of people on this forum that show behaviour that I more and more start to see as toxic positivity. ZOS is not our neighbour that had to cancel the annual BBQ because of health reasons. ZOS is a company with customers. Just look at the temporary disabled crown crate gifting. The communication has been horrible. There's a moment it becomes unreasonable to just say 'things will be fine', and if you look at the chain of bad choices and communication I honestly thing we're way passed the point where we can trust ZOS to do the right thing. Even ZOS admits their communication is not good. I'm also convinced that's not the fault of Kevin, as he has to deal with what he's given, but he is our only way to openly (try to) communicate with ZOS.

Also... We are customers. I am a paying customer. I have multiple accounts and ESO+. I just refuse to spend €21 on new looks for my weapons and over €100 for a house. I would give this company so much money if things were reasonably priced. If I could get 4-5 arms pack for that €21 I would immediately get all of them. If a house was €8-10 I would also get all of them. If crown crates were reasonably priced, I would easily buy 60 or more every crate season. Since they are not even close to being reasonably priced, I have gotten all my stuff through gifting. Effectively they just took fun away from a player like me, with no clear explanation or timeline. The explanation they can do later for all I care, but I want to know if this is a 2 week long thing, or a 2 month long thing, or even a 2 year long thing.

It's frustrating when they don't see that. And at the end of the day, it's ZOS that pulled the trigger on disabling gifting. It has been their choice to deal with this issue in the way they have. We can have an opinion about it.

I'm just going to say it: it's IMHO toxic positivity to just say we have to trust and it's no big deal.

BahometZ

Katheriah wrote: »

SilverBride wrote: »

thehilanderb14a_ESO wrote: »

TaSheen wrote: »

So.... what is it you're talking about here? Are you accumulating millions of in game gold by massaging the crown store? And if so, why? What (other than selling gold for RL money) could you possibly be obtaining?

We’re looking for ways to SPEND the gold we accumulate - and for many of us that meant buying crowns to get things like new houses, style packs, outfits, and the like. If that avenue is blocked for an extended period, what incentive is there to run dungeons and trials we have already completed?

For the fun of it.

SilverBride wrote: »

hiyde wrote: »

Let's try not to judge how people enjoy the game.

Whatever you like to do, whether it's PvP, Trials, farming containers, decorating houses or picking flowers, it's all valid.

The people who enjoy farming up gold to buy Crown Store items & services as their main game loop are rightfully upset with having that ripped away. ZOS isn't providing a lot of clarity on their decision. I'm sure that's frustrating.

I'm not disputing any of your points. What I take issue with is players saying they can't play the game because of this. They may not be able to do everything they would like but they can still play.

And I also take issue with accusations and blame being put on ZoS and expecting detailed explanations when they may not be able to give them.

I was going to buy some items through our guild's crown exchange, so I'd like to see this running again too. But I understand that stuff happens, in real life and in game. Blaming and accusing isn't going to get this resolved any faster.

I legit find your responses to be a bit insulting, but I'll try to see the sunny side of things and assume you don't mean it in a bad way. I'll try to elaborate.

Everyone has different reasons to play the game, but in general a lot of people find the replayability of dungeons and trials to be not great on itself. The only reason I do dungeons and trials is:

1. Achievements
2. Stickerbook
3. Drops I can sell for money

80% of my gameplay (and many others from the traderguilds I'm in) is about making gold. There are no real good goldsinks in ESO, besides maybe currently the traderbids and that's for the minority of players. The only reason I want so much gold is for the Crown Store. I have limited free time, because I work fulltime, and like many others I have to really be picky about what I do with my free time. I am not doing a dungeon for the 100th time for fun, my fun is in being a completionist. And sure as hell I'm not sacrificing my free time to gather gold to donate. When a guildie asks for resources, I'll happily send them a stack. But I'm not spending my free time in a game just to be charitable.

Now it's really nice to be reasonable and not wanting to blame other ZOS, but there's a couple of people on this forum that show behaviour that I more and more start to see as toxic positivity. ZOS is not our neighbour that had to cancel the annual BBQ because of health reasons. ZOS is a company with customers. Just look at the temporary disabled crown crate gifting. The communication has been horrible. There's a moment it becomes unreasonable to just say 'things will be fine', and if you look at the chain of bad choices and communication I honestly thing we're way passed the point where we can trust ZOS to do the right thing. Even ZOS admits their communication is not good. I'm also convinced that's not the fault of Kevin, as he has to deal with what he's given, but he is our only way to openly (try to) communicate with ZOS.

Also... We are customers. I am a paying customer. I have multiple accounts and ESO+. I just refuse to spend €21 on new looks for my weapons and over €100 for a house. I would give this company so much money if things were reasonably priced. If I could get 4-5 arms pack for that €21 I would immediately get all of them. If a house was €8-10 I would also get all of them. If crown crates were reasonably priced, I would easily buy 60 or more every crate season. Since they are not even close to being reasonably priced, I have gotten all my stuff through gifting. Effectively they just took fun away from a player like me, with no clear explanation or timeline. The explanation they can do later for all I care, but I want to know if this is a 2 week long thing, or a 2 month long thing, or even a 2 year long thing.

It's frustrating when they don't see that. And at the end of the day, it's ZOS that pulled the trigger on disabling gifting. It has been their choice to deal with this issue in the way they have. We can have an opinion about it.

I'm just going to say it: it's IMHO toxic positivity to just say we have to trust and it's no big deal.

Couldn't agree more with every aspect of this. It's like, eff me for having expectations right?

LukosCreyden

Oh damn, and there I was running low on gold and thinking on stocking up on crowns to do some trading! Welp, I hope this sledgehammer of a 'temporary measure' doesn't last too long, or my money (and the money of many others) will be staying firmly within the bank.

A shame this was not predicted in advance; could've used the time spent on U39 to fix it. Not as if U39 had aught else to show for itself.

Panchaea

"it's temporary and they will fix it"

"this is something ZOS should've done"

"it doesn't bother me so it's fine"

Enjoying the game is one thing, but being blind to myriad problems with the game that hold it back from being something you, as a customer, deserve to receive in exchange for money, is another thing entirely. [snip]

Treating the issue as minor doesn't work when ZOS has failed to earn our trust and continues to do the wrong thing. [snip]

[edited for bashing/goodbye post]