Paul Sage confirms ESO ending Loyalty Program after 9-month reward

Valen_Byte · February 2015

ZO$

WraithAzraiel · February 2015

nerevarine1138 wrote: »

lordrichter wrote: »

MornaBaine wrote: »

Alphashado wrote: »

The rewards were underwhelming. I don't think many people are upset about the lack of future quality rewards.

Canceling the program sends a message though. And that message is what people are upset about.

And the message is loud and clear.

And just in case there's any doubt here, that message is:
You are no longer the demographic we are trying to impress.
You were not a strong enough demographic to induce us to keep the game sub-based as we stated was our original intention.
ANYTHING we make now must have a cash value.
We can no longer "afford" to give you freebies.
You were too ungrateful for the last things we gave you, so now you get nothing.
We have gotten what we can from you and we no longer need you.

You forgot:

Don't let the door hit you on the way out.

You forgot the bit where there's no longer a subscription fee and where this whole reward system was never needed in the first place.

The entitlement level of some of the people in this community is appalling. You guys are actually complaining about not receiving tribute for playing a game.

A game that has had a track record of underperforming and not fulfilling promises. Yet time and time again we've stayed the course instead of jumping ship.

Hence the term "Loyalty Rewards" as they are rewards for our continued loyalty.

Note how no one's freaking out. Throwing in the towel or hateposting things like "I quit" "This is the last straw" or anything of the like over this announcement.

For the most part it's just general disappointment, regardless of the fact that they were just a form of placation.

All that aside, I do agree with you on the entitlement, it is rampant in other areas throughout these forums and wholeheartedly unnecessary sign of the times.

But I vehemently disagree that those expressing displeasure to this announcement are an example of the entitlement to which you refer.

timidobserver · February 2015

I am glad I didn't destroy those pets now. In a year or two they are going to be really rare(assuming ZOS doesn't just put them up for sale.)

Rosveen · February 2015

nerevarine1138 wrote: »

lordrichter wrote: »

MornaBaine wrote: »

Alphashado wrote: »

The rewards were underwhelming. I don't think many people are upset about the lack of future quality rewards.

Canceling the program sends a message though. And that message is what people are upset about.

And the message is loud and clear.

And just in case there's any doubt here, that message is:
You are no longer the demographic we are trying to impress.
You were not a strong enough demographic to induce us to keep the game sub-based as we stated was our original intention.
ANYTHING we make now must have a cash value.
We can no longer "afford" to give you freebies.
You were too ungrateful for the last things we gave you, so now you get nothing.
We have gotten what we can from you and we no longer need you.

You forgot:

Don't let the door hit you on the way out.

You forgot the bit where there's no longer a subscription fee and where this whole reward system was never needed in the first place.

The entitlement level of some of the people in this community is appalling. You guys are actually complaining about not receiving tribute for playing a game.

ESO Plus rings a bell?

I don't feel entitled, I don't particularly care about the rewards. I instantly stuffed the wraith pet into my bank. But there are people who do care, and building a good rapport with the community is important for a company that rides on the community's continuous monetary contributions. Loyalty rewards are an easy way to make people feel appreciated and give them a reason to sub maybe a month longer, so they reach the next milestone, and maybe the milestone after that. They make you go "wow, it's been 5 years already? What a ride!" and then go to show off your unique pet/costume/whatever. On the most basic level, they say "thank you for sticking with us for all this time." It's nice, even if not everyone feels this way.

So as you see, I don't NEED rewards, but I think it's a nice gesture of good will from the company, and such small things add up and influence our overall opinion about the game. Everyone benefits from good atmosphere, don't you think?

jamesharv2005ub17_ESO · February 2015

I am so "entitled" I get free coffee from Speedway with every 7th one I buy. Also randomly they give me a coupon for a free drink of some other kind (like frozen ones). They also give me points everytime I fill up good for discounts off gas.

nerevarine1138 · February 2015

jamesharv2005ub17_ESO wrote: »

I am so "entitled" I get free coffee from Speedway with every 7th one I buy. Also randomly they give me a coupon for a free drink of some other kind (like frozen ones). They also give me points everytime I fill up good for discounts off gas.

And yet most adults don't complain when a company doesn't offer them a special reward for liking the product they've paid for.

jamesharv2005ub17_ESO · February 2015

nerevarine1138 wrote: »

jamesharv2005ub17_ESO wrote: »

I am so "entitled" I get free coffee from Speedway with every 7th one I buy. Also randomly they give me a coupon for a free drink of some other kind (like frozen ones). They also give me points everytime I fill up good for discounts off gas.

And yet most adults don't complain when a company doesn't offer them a special reward for liking the product they've paid for.

I go out of my way to find a speedway because I like they appreciate me enough to throw me a bone every now and again. There are lots of mmos just like there are lots of places to get gas. Where you go depends on who treats you the best right?

nerevarine1138 · February 2015

jamesharv2005ub17_ESO wrote: »

nerevarine1138 wrote: »

jamesharv2005ub17_ESO wrote: »

I am so "entitled" I get free coffee from Speedway with every 7th one I buy. Also randomly they give me a coupon for a free drink of some other kind (like frozen ones). They also give me points everytime I fill up good for discounts off gas.

And yet most adults don't complain when a company doesn't offer them a special reward for liking the product they've paid for.

I go out of my way to find a speedway because I like they appreciate me enough to throw me a bone every now and again. There are lots of mmos just like there are lots of places to get gas. Where you go depends on who treats you the best right?

Not unless their business is selling me good treatment. I go where the best product is.

Favoring businesses that substitute pats on the head and mini-bribes for real customer service just doesn't make sense.

deepseamk20b14_ESO · February 2015

Many B2P and F2P games still have loyalty programs. It's just based upon when you registered your character. Therefore, I am somewhat disappointed by this. However, I never really cared to much about ESO loyalty awards anyways. Majority of the time I never had any of the pets out. Though seeing how popular it is with other people, I think they should keep it going.

jamesharv2005ub17_ESO · February 2015

nerevarine1138 wrote: »

jamesharv2005ub17_ESO wrote: »

nerevarine1138 wrote: »

jamesharv2005ub17_ESO wrote: »

I am so "entitled" I get free coffee from Speedway with every 7th one I buy. Also randomly they give me a coupon for a free drink of some other kind (like frozen ones). They also give me points everytime I fill up good for discounts off gas.

And yet most adults don't complain when a company doesn't offer them a special reward for liking the product they've paid for.

I go out of my way to find a speedway because I like they appreciate me enough to throw me a bone every now and again. There are lots of mmos just like there are lots of places to get gas. Where you go depends on who treats you the best right?

Not unless their business is selling me good treatment. I go where the best product is.

Favoring businesses that substitute pats on the head and mini-bribes for real customer service just doesn't make sense.

A MMO is a MMO. I wonder if it makes no sense why does every MMO since UO do it? Just curious your rationale as to why they do it when you say it "doesnt make sense".

Lynnessa · February 2015

Gidorick wrote: »

Lynnessa wrote: »

What has me worried is this suspicion I can't get rid of: that ESO isn't fully backed by Bethesda. That ESO will eventually be labelled a spin-off and not a bona fide ES title...

Damn. Looks like I'd better start crafting my tinfoil hat.

Expect the "game ending event" to be a DragonBreak. That will pretty much make everything in ESO part of an alternate time line.

Yeah.

I'm pretty sure I read somewhere that nothing in ESO will be canon. Looking at the forums, the critical reception of the game, etc.... I'm not sure that MMO players were the right consumers for an ES game.

But hey, I'm gonna keep playing till the day I don't enjoy it anymore.

Elsonso · February 2015

nerevarine1138 wrote: »

The entitlement level of some of the people in this community is appalling. You guys are actually complaining about not receiving tribute for playing a game.

The one player demographic that I feel needs to be nurtured right now is the demographic that is willing to pay for monthly subscriptions going forward. Not just the ones that have paid up until now. The ones who will pay for additional time in February and early March. The ones that will be paying through the spring and into the summer, even though the game is free to play. This is the fan base that I see being casually treated by ZOS when they should be supported and encouraged.

These are the people who form the core non-transient player base. These are the people who bring their friends into the game, who run streams, who create and post builds, and who do all the promotional things that BethSoft does not do.

If a tribute can help support and encourage these people, then, to me, this is a small price to pay for the chance that they will continue to fork over a monthly subscription, when they don't have to.

Dave2836 · February 2015

Loyalty rewards, I feel, should be utilitarian in nature. Nothing mind blowing or granting any real advantage over anyone else. A cloak or cape costume would have been cool.

Soulshine · February 2015

lordrichter wrote: »

nerevarine1138 wrote: »

The entitlement level of some of the people in this community is appalling. You guys are actually complaining about not receiving tribute for playing a game.

The one player demographic that I feel needs to be nurtured right now is the demographic that is willing to pay for monthly subscriptions going forward. Not just the ones that have paid up until now. The ones who will pay for additional time in February and early March. The ones that will be paying through the spring and into the summer, even though the game is free to play. This is the fan base that I see being casually treated by ZOS when they should be supported and encouraged.

These are the people who form the core non-transient player base. These are the people who bring their friends into the game, who run streams, who create and post builds, and who do all the promotional things that BethSoft does not do.

If a tribute can help support and encourage these people, then, to me, this is a small price to pay for the chance that they will continue to fork over a monthly subscription, when they don't have to.

I don't feel any more concerned about getting a "loyalty reward" for my sub continuing into summer than I do for all the time I have subbed since launch. As is, and as no doubt ZoS would say, the reward is going to be the xp bonus and the crown allotment I will get. Considering the current rate at which earning CPs is set (unless they change it) I need all the xp boosts I can get for the conversion. And as you stated, I don't have to sub. It is a choice. I don't require a pat on the back for making a decision about how I spend ( or in this case waste most likely...) my money.

Elsonso · February 2015

Soulshine wrote: »

lordrichter wrote: »

nerevarine1138 wrote: »

The entitlement level of some of the people in this community is appalling. You guys are actually complaining about not receiving tribute for playing a game.

The one player demographic that I feel needs to be nurtured right now is the demographic that is willing to pay for monthly subscriptions going forward. Not just the ones that have paid up until now. The ones who will pay for additional time in February and early March. The ones that will be paying through the spring and into the summer, even though the game is free to play. This is the fan base that I see being casually treated by ZOS when they should be supported and encouraged.

These are the people who form the core non-transient player base. These are the people who bring their friends into the game, who run streams, who create and post builds, and who do all the promotional things that BethSoft does not do.

If a tribute can help support and encourage these people, then, to me, this is a small price to pay for the chance that they will continue to fork over a monthly subscription, when they don't have to.

I don't feel any more concerned about getting a "loyalty reward" for my sub continuing into summer than I do for all the time I have subbed since launch. As is, and as no doubt ZoS would say, the reward is going to be the xp bonus and the crown allotment I will get. Considering the current rate at which earning CPs is set (unless they change it) I need all the xp boosts I can get for the conversion. And as you stated, I don't have to sub. It is a choice. I don't require a pat on the back for making a decision about how I spend ( or in this case waste most likely...) my money.

People who think that way are not the subject of my comment, to be honest with you. There are a number of people who probably feel that way and by no means do I wish to say that they want to get a tribute. I am among this group, myself.

However, it is not you or me that has me worried. If I invest myself in a game by holding a subscription, even when I don't have to, there are some things I would like to see happen.

1. I would like to retain as many people who currently pay a subscription as possible. These are the people in my guild. They are the experienced players that will help to continue to build the game. I don't want to see them turned away due to a perception that they are not important. Justified or not, the nature of perceptions like these are that they are always true.

2. I would like there to be something about paying a subscription that is visible in the game, even if optional, so that others can see that people are paying a subscription. This will raise awareness in the game that subscriptions are actually used, which I think they will be, even if to a limited extent. This is not an ego thing, but just that I don't like to be alone. As a subscriber, it is my best interest to build the subscriber base.

Asgari · February 2015

timidobserver wrote: »

I am glad I didn't destroy those pets now. In a year or two they are going to be really rare(assuming ZOS doesn't just put them up for sale.)

Anything up until release of b2p will be available. Even the coveted and never to be sold again imperial edition pre order.

nerevarine1138 · February 2015

Princess_Asgari wrote: »

timidobserver wrote: »

I am glad I didn't destroy those pets now. In a year or two they are going to be really rare(assuming ZOS doesn't just put them up for sale.)

Anything up until release of b2p will be available. Even the coveted and never to be sold again imperial edition pre order.

You mean the IE that was always offered as being (and always has been) available for purchase as a separate upgrade?

Ysne58 · February 2015

You are talking about the explorer pack, which supposedly won't be offered again.

Soulshine · February 2015

lordrichter wrote: »

Soulshine wrote: »

lordrichter wrote: »

nerevarine1138 wrote: »

The entitlement level of some of the people in this community is appalling. You guys are actually complaining about not receiving tribute for playing a game.

The one player demographic that I feel needs to be nurtured right now is the demographic that is willing to pay for monthly subscriptions going forward. Not just the ones that have paid up until now. The ones who will pay for additional time in February and early March. The ones that will be paying through the spring and into the summer, even though the game is free to play. This is the fan base that I see being casually treated by ZOS when they should be supported and encouraged.

These are the people who form the core non-transient player base. These are the people who bring their friends into the game, who run streams, who create and post builds, and who do all the promotional things that BethSoft does not do.

If a tribute can help support and encourage these people, then, to me, this is a small price to pay for the chance that they will continue to fork over a monthly subscription, when they don't have to.

I don't feel any more concerned about getting a "loyalty reward" for my sub continuing into summer than I do for all the time I have subbed since launch. As is, and as no doubt ZoS would say, the reward is going to be the xp bonus and the crown allotment I will get. Considering the current rate at which earning CPs is set (unless they change it) I need all the xp boosts I can get for the conversion. And as you stated, I don't have to sub. It is a choice. I don't require a pat on the back for making a decision about how I spend ( or in this case waste most likely...) my money.

People who think that way are not the subject of my comment, to be honest with you. There are a number of people who probably feel that way and by no means do I wish to say that they want to get a tribute. I am among this group, myself.

However, it is not you or me that has me worried. If I invest myself in a game by holding a subscription, even when I don't have to, there are some things I would like to see happen.

1. I would like to retain as many people who currently pay a subscription as possible. These are the people in my guild. They are the experienced players that will help to continue to build the game. I don't want to see them turned away due to a perception that they are not important. Justified or not, the nature of perceptions like these are that they are always true.

2. I would like there to be something about paying a subscription that is visible in the game, even if optional, so that others can see that people are paying a subscription. This will raise awareness in the game that subscriptions are actually used, which I think they will be, even if to a limited extent. This is not an ego thing, but just that I don't like to be alone. As a subscriber, it is my best interest to build the subscriber base.

Well, people could ask (as have many already) for a specifc type of crest to be added to heraldry for guild tabbards to refect this maybe? Or a specific type of crown store item that only subbed players can buy with their crowns? Donno, really...

Not sure what else people could ask for that would not cost dev time and resources, which clearly they indicating by this move is something they are just not interested in dedicating to this kind of thing...

I think there are better things to do with guilds than promote sub awareness, and mainly that would be to promote an overall sense of community in the game so as to actually diminish this "us" vs. "them" kind of attitude constanly being perpetrated.

When I was new to MMOs I used to think guilds were these things that would lead the community, help new people, and create most of the "glue" in the game. Some do. But mostly, they have become these things that just seem to me now as self serving and promoting, and tend to care very little in reality about the rest of the community in their game of choice. But I am derailing here so I will leave all that for another thread...

firstdecan · February 2015

Ysne58 wrote: »

You are talking about the explorer pack, which supposedly won't be offered again.

When I logged into the PTS on my migrated toon, both the Explorer Pack and the Imperial Edition were listed as crown store "purchases." They will probably be available (which is a good thing IMO).

nerevarine1138 · February 2015

firstdecan wrote: »

Ysne58 wrote: »

You are talking about the explorer pack, which supposedly won't be offered again.

When I logged into the PTS on my migrated toon, both the Explorer Pack and the Imperial Edition were listed as crown store "purchases." They will probably be available (which is a good thing IMO).

Have they changed the store? Last I checked, only the IE was available for purchase.

Spiritreaver_ESO · February 2015

firstdecan wrote: »

Ysne58 wrote: »

You are talking about the explorer pack, which supposedly won't be offered again.

When I logged into the PTS on my migrated toon, both the Explorer Pack and the Imperial Edition were listed as crown store "purchases." They will probably be available (which is a good thing IMO).

nerevarine1138 wrote: »

firstdecan wrote: »

Ysne58 wrote: »

You are talking about the explorer pack, which supposedly won't be offered again.

When I logged into the PTS on my migrated toon, both the Explorer Pack and the Imperial Edition were listed as crown store "purchases." They will probably be available (which is a good thing IMO).

Have they changed the store? Last I checked, only the IE was available for purchase.

If it hasn't been changed, it will be before a version of 1.6x makes it to live. One of the community reps said that the explorer pack being there on the pts was a mistake.

Camelonn · February 2015

This is ridiculous. I would bet that the subscriptions will only stole your money. I bet that buy the DLCs + Crowns when you want to will be cheapest than a subscription! You will win a full time DLC and the only thing you will lose is the 10%...

Seriously ZOS, it's a other bad move right here. Your reputation is going down.

Holycannoli · February 2015

Do we even know what the 9 and 12 month rewards are or would have been? I have a useless wraith and dwemer pet so what's one or two more? I'm not concerned about not being given something when I don't even know what it is. All signs point to it being a vanity pet anyway so who cares.

Lazrael · February 2015

I'm not outraged, but yet again, I'm disappointed.

It just comes across as kinda classless. Much like the transition to B2P overall was handled.

Which again makes me feel like all ZOS/Bethesda cares about, at this point, is how much they can make off of this endeavor. Not a good feeling.

Iago · February 2015

Lazrael wrote: »

I'm not outraged, but yet again, I'm disappointed.

It just kinda come across as kinda classless. Much like the transition to B2P overall was handled.

Which again makes me feel like all ZOS/Bethesda cares about, at this point, is how much they can make off of this endeavor. Not a good feeling.

They just keep making it feel less and less like an Elder Scrolls game for me. I said I'd give this new system till June to see how it works But honestly I'm not sure if I'll make it that long.

Aimora · February 2015

Seem to me they are not really bothered whether people subscribe or not!

Razzak · February 2015

Aimora wrote: »

Seem to me they are not really bothered whether people subscribe or not!

I agree and I don't think subscribers will be their main focus in the future. A sub option might be just another option to get players into the game, while their primary attention is on cash shop for longer term (dare I say years) and box sales for short to medium term.

Aerius_Sygale · February 2015

MornaBaine wrote: »

Alphashado wrote: »

The rewards were underwhelming. I don't think many people are upset about the lack of future quality rewards.

Canceling the program sends a message though. And that message is what people are upset about.

And the message is loud and clear.

And just in case there's any doubt here, that message is:
You are no longer the demographic we are trying to impress.
You were not a strong enough demographic to induce us to keep the game sub-based as we stated was our original intention.
ANYTHING we make now must have a cash value.
We can no longer "afford" to give you freebies.
You were too ungrateful for the last things we gave you, so now you get nothing.
We have gotten what we can from you and we no longer need you.

The cold, harsh truth. Damn, game companies can get so downright ugly some times, kind of depressing really...

HeX7 · February 2015

ZoS = Poop bag