Crown Store Pricing Discussion

Lazrael · January 2016

Today I logged in and thought, "Oh yeah the Nord Warrior costume that could be neat to run around in." Of course then I looked at the price (basically $20 US). Then I thought to myself, "Man I'd really like to spend my spare cash on that for the fun, but $20 seems way too steep."

Just got me to wondering about what the rest of the community thought.

Personally I'd be much more likely to spend a lot more money in the Crown Store if individual items weren't so expensive, and I would do so very happily, but this pricing just seems very steep for some fun cosmetics.

Anyway, thought it'd be a good chat.

ShadowDisciple · January 2016

quantity in this case nets more money imo..

Iove · January 2016

Exactly my thoughts. Looked at it on preview, went to buy it thinking it was 700 crowns or so, as all outfits are around that price. Saw that it was 2k crowns and was shocked. Is it 3 times as good as other outfits? Nope. Not buying. No regrets.

Korah_Eaglecry · January 2016

I got it myself because I already had the crowns to do so. But I can understand and even agree with the notion that it should of been cheaper. I dont think it should of been 700 Crowns but about 5 dollars cheaper would of been perfect in my opinion.

Gidorick · January 2016

I resent the Crown Store in general. I'm still one of those players that's always going to be peeved that we lost the sub model. I think the Crown Store is actually a detriment to the development of the game. There are so many awesome things ZOS that ZOS could do that probably wont ever be done because of Crown Store consideration.

As for the pricing. It's ridiculous, but people are obviously paying it. I'm sure ZOS has made tens of thousands of dollars on that one costume by now. As long as a good deal of people buy things for that price there is ZERO reason for ZOS to lower the price.

Iove · January 2016

Korah_Eaglecry wrote: »

I got it myself because I already had the crowns to do so. But I can understand and even agree with the notion that it should of been cheaper. I dont think it should of been 700 Crowns but about 5 dollars cheaper would of been perfect in my opinion.

Well it doesn't even look worth 700 on my female char. I just like collecting things. If you look, you can see the chest has more detail for males, and the shoulders aren't so tiny.

BabeestorGor · January 2016

I didn't get it because it doesn't appeal to me but I've no problem with the price.
A lot of people said things along the line as its as much as a dlc, outrageous, but if the price of costumes and other cosmetics helps keep the price of dlc reasonable I'm happy.
Then again I'm not a collector. I have 1 pet from the CS atm. I'll probably get some more stuff eventually but just a few items that suit my characters.

Lazrael · January 2016

Gidorick wrote: »

I resent the Crown Store in general. I'm still one of those players that's always going to be peeved that we lost the sub model. I think the Crown Store is actually a detriment to the development of the game. There are so many awesome things ZOS that ZOS could do that probably wont ever be done because of Crown Store consideration.

As for the pricing. It's ridiculous, but people are obviously paying it. I'm sure ZOS has made tens of thousands of dollars on that one costume by now. As long as a good deal of people buy things for that price there is ZERO reason for ZOS to lower the price.

Well see I actually feel the same, but that aside this is the game now. But I feel that not only would ZOS make more money pricing things more reasonably, but you would have less players like myself feeling disappointed that we can justify the steep cost of fun cosmetics in a video game.

On the whole just seems kinda crappy.

Lazrael · January 2016

I guess more me it just sad because I want to spend the money, but I just can't justify it.

RAGUNAnoOne · January 2016

This gets me worried about the cost for other future things 20 dollars for a friggin costume is unreasonable. I hope this massive price increase trend will not make it to DLC especially since exclusive gear will most likely be BOP locked behind them...

Gidorick · January 2016

I've Thought for a while that ZOS should offer a premium subscription... $20... $25 that is an "all in" sub. You get access to everything

All DLC
All Crown Store pets
All Crown Store Mounts
All Crown Store Costumes
2000 or 2500 crowns per month to spend on consumables
XP boost
etc.
etc.
etc.

They could call it ESO Plus Unlimited.

Solariken · January 2016

This game exists for the sole purpose of milking you for every possible dollar. Nothing to see here, move along.

Lazrael · January 2016

Solariken wrote: »

This game exists for the sole purpose of milking you for every possible dollar. Nothing to see here, move along.

yeah and that's a good internal attitude...

anyway... Idk , its just a major let down. I have payed and contributed to this game since beta and this has just made me feel like this game just isn't for me.

Didgerion · January 2016

It is just an expensive outfit.

If you cannot afford it then there are cheaper outfits out there. There are free outfits as well in the game.

Making it expensive just targets a category of customers that wants it because:
1. It looks good.
2. Money is not a problem for them.
3. It is expensive meaning it will be more rare.

Just get over it either by buying it or by not buying it.

Didgerion · January 2016

Lazrael wrote: »

Solariken wrote: »

This game exists for the sole purpose of milking you for every possible dollar. Nothing to see here, move along.

yeah and that's a good internal attitude...

anyway... Idk , its just a major let down. I have payed and contributed to this game since beta and this has just made me feel like this game just isn't for me.

Really a cosmetic item's price is your major let down?

It is this easy: if you cannot justify the price then don't buy it.

Lazrael · February 2016

Didgerion wrote: »

Lazrael wrote: »

Solariken wrote: »

This game exists for the sole purpose of milking you for every possible dollar. Nothing to see here, move along.

yeah and that's a good internal attitude...

anyway... Idk , its just a major let down. I have payed and contributed to this game since beta and this has just made me feel like this game just isn't for me.

Really a cosmetic item's price is your major let down?

It is this easy: if you cannot justify the price then don't buy it.

Yeah it actually kinda is. Feel a bit exclusionary when I have to pay the same amount for a cosmetic in a video game as I would for an article of real world clothing, given that video games are a form of escapism.

Yeah at the end of the day there's nothing for it, just gotta buy or not buy. But I do think its a matter that is at least worth some thoughtful discussion.

Diab3ticBatman · February 2016

So I was a bit overdramatic in my first post and for those who saw that...sorry. Anyway, while I do agree that the price is steep, I think it is only an issue for those who won't pay it. ZOS knows this, and will continue to release items at that price. To me it's all about if I like it or not. If I really want it, price is a non issue. If I don't, I could care less if it's 100 crowns or 5000 crowns. As long as the game remains B2P I will never complain about pricing for the crown store. If it wasn't for that we would still be forced to sub every month without it.

tengri · February 2016

You are looking at this the wrong way.
Here is my working theory: The price is actually not 2000... it is 500 - as in 5$.
This because Z considers the "free" 1500 per month one gets for a subscription as a baseline for all their pricing.

The whole transition from a mandatory monthly fee system to what we have now was a marketing ruse, nothing more, nothing less. In reality we are still on the same old monthly sub system today; it is only more (or less) hidden... with that in mind the hero costume is "only" an extra 5 bucks.
Which is actually still acceptable for a micro-transaction store.

On the other hand... if one dares to refuse to take part in this "new" subscription model, they make sure you get the message when you actually want something from the Clown store at full price. Loud and clear and painful.
Well... that's only my theory. Just a theory. Ofc.

Diab3ticBatman · February 2016

tengri wrote: »

You are looking at this the wrong way.
Here is my working theory: The price is actually not 2000... it is 500 - as in 5$.
This because Z considers the "free" 1500 per month one gets for a subscription as a baseline for all their pricing.

The whole transition from a mandatory monthly fee system to what we have now was a marketing ruse, nothing more, nothing less. In reality we are still on the same old monthly sub system today; it is only more (or less) hidden... with that in mind the hero costume is "only" an extra 5 bucks.
Which is actually still acceptable for a micro-transaction store.

On the other hand... if one dares to refuse to take part in this "new" subscription model, they make sure you get the message when you actually want something from the Clown store at full price. Loud and clear and painful.
Well... that's only my theory. Just a theory. Ofc.

This actually makes a lot of sense and is something I had yet to think about. Your theory could very well ring true, and if so, it would explain why mounts go up to 3000. $30 for a horse, or actually, only $15 if you are a subscriber.

WarLord2905 · February 2016

IMO the hero costume didnt look that great and definatley not worth 2k crowns (unsure if any cosmetic would be) and there are definatley better outfits availble, especially the free ones like dark seducer & mannimarco but i do play a sorc and nightblade so if they were to bring out the nightblade and the sorceror outfits from the cinematic trailer I might have a different view. I am guessing the price is also why I have hardly seen any other players running around in the costume, unlike when others have come out.

Lazrael · February 2016

tengri wrote: »

You are looking at this the wrong way.
Here is my working theory: The price is actually not 2000... it is 500 - as in 5$.
This because Z considers the "free" 1500 per month one gets for a subscription as a baseline for all their pricing.

The whole transition from a mandatory monthly fee system to what we have now was a marketing ruse, nothing more, nothing less. In reality we are still on the same old monthly sub system today; it is only more (or less) hidden... with that in mind the hero costume is "only" an extra 5 bucks.
Which is actually still acceptable for a micro-transaction store.

On the other hand... if one dares to refuse to take part in this "new" subscription model, they make sure you get the message when you actually want something from the Clown store at full price. Loud and clear and painful.
Well... that's only my theory. Just a theory. Ofc.

Sure but that seems pretty crass too. That leaves players who may be unable to pay the subscription model further unable to support ZOS and acquire a fun cosmetic at the same time.

Sure, I suppose it could be a potentially profitable psychology, but I'm not sure I agree with it.

Tyrion87 · February 2016

Korah_Eaglecry wrote: »

I got it myself because I already had the crowns to do so. But I can understand and even agree with the notion that it should of been cheaper. I dont think it should of been 700 Crowns but about 5 dollars cheaper would of been perfect in my opinion.

And that's why ZOS constantly increases prices in the crown store. People say: 'yeah, it's expensive' / 'it should be cheaper', but despite this they still buy it cause they always 'have some spare crowns to spend'. Except for our dissatisfaction expressed on the forum (which ZOS doesn't care about btw), there is no clear signal for ZOS that the prices are too damn high. They still get a lot of money from it. If people stop buying it, the prices will surely drop.

JamilaRaj · February 2016

Gidorick wrote: »

I've Thought for a while that ZOS should offer a premium subscription... $20... $25 that is an "all in" sub. You get access to everything

All DLC
All Crown Store pets
All Crown Store Mounts
All Crown Store Costumes
2000 or 2500 crowns per month to spend on consumables
XP boost
etc.
etc.
etc.

They could call it ESO Plus Unlimited.

Why would they do that? Some players can be milked for well over $25, but only as long as they can not have everything for just $25.

Idielots · February 2016

Sure there is some psychology in all this to encourage you to buy more. It's how they eat.

That aside, I think ESO is about as square a deal as you can get. Especially on a game of this scale and quality. With ESO Plus you get access to all content and all your money back as crowns to spend or save. I say that because ESOPlus is $15 and it's $15 for 1500 Crowns. If you stop ESO Plus you lose nothing other than XPAC access. Which you could buy with your monthly crowns if you save them. It's almost a no brainer to subscribe if you plan on buy stuff from the store.

So yeah, if you are not a plus member store items feel really steep. I also agree the $20 for the single outfit is a little over the top, but no one is making me buy it...

If you think I am being a bit of a sympathizer with "the man" or a "fan boy" consider the following before unleashing on me.

LOTRO offers included currency for "subscribers." But it's wasn't enough to buy anything useful last time I played. They also charge for expansions unless you sub. Even if you an Xpac and don't sub, you get hit with money caps, chat limitations etc.

WoW charges $10-$30 for mounts, pets and head pieces. You pay $15 for a sub and get nothing extra. You have to buy Xpacs for $40 a shot. Cancel your sub and you are locked out of the game. (edit: I forgot about the free to play to 20 characters)

I've run across other freemium and F2P games with truly crazy shop prices. What's worse, some games are angled against you so the average player almost has to buy things to progress. Mobile games are the worst offender in this area! Some can charge more than $100 for "consumable" spins or turns -- it's nuts.

And doesn't D&D charge something like .75 or a $1.00 for a key to open a loot box? That's serious greed!

(edit: also cleaned up some typos)