The Cost of Crafting

Daraugh · May 2016

I can't wait for the crafting bags! It's been a huge debate since they were first announced as a subscriber perk. But what is the actual cost? The most common arguments are "if you want it, sub" and " just let me buy it for crowns." Now, we know it isn't actually infinite, there is an upper limit but it's huge. I've heard everything from 4 million to 4.8 billion. The very first number I heard, right after ESO Live, was 42 million. Since that was the number I heard first, I decided to go with that one to find this "true cost."

Now, I'm going to make a few assumptions here just to make things easier. First, that the crafting bag is in the shop with infinite (42 million) slots and the player wants to buy it for crowns. They have no crowns, never subbed and bought their crowns at full price. If they buy this bag at the same price as other bag or bank space, it costs 1000 crowns for 10 slots. Infinite, or in reality 42 million slots, will cost the player $29,400,000.00 if they buy crowns in the 5500 for $39.99 packs.

Of course, they may get sticker shock and decide to sub and just save up their crowns and use the crafting bag in the meantime. They would only have to sub for 2,333.3 years to get enough crowns to buy the bag after spending only $34,995.00 over that time.

I think it's fair to say that putting the unlimited crafting bag in the store will never happen because it can't happen. It isn't feasible and it isn't fair to us sub scrubs who can't come up with $29,400,000.00 to cover the cost. I'm thrilled that Zos will be adding this as an extremely low cost perk that eases the inventory hassle. I've subbed *almost* continuously since launch and I'm happy to see this implemented. I know I can play without it, but I'm looking forward to having it.

C0wrex · May 2016

Interesting read!

I too am happy with the addition of a low-cost quality of life perk that makes crafting easier in the sense that we get more space to put our materials in - no longer having to worry about having a few slots left in the bank or bag.

And regarding the "true cost" of the bags as you assumed and calculated, I'll also assume the same and just add that if we were to go with the idea of buying 10 (or 100) slots for the crafting bag, it would cost them a leg (Or even more).

That being said, it would be nice if ZOS can provide an option on which non-ESO+ members can buy crafting bags from the store

clayandaudrey_ESO · May 2016

Daraugh wrote: »

I can't wait for the crafting bags! It's been a huge debate since they were first announced as a subscriber perk. But what is the actual cost? The most common arguments are "if you want it, sub" and " just let me buy it for crowns." Now, we know it isn't actually infinite, there is an upper limit but it's huge. I've heard everything from 4 million to 4.8 billion. The very first number I heard, right after ESO Live, was 42 million. Since that was the number I heard first, I decided to go with that one to find this "true cost."

Now, I'm going to make a few assumptions here just to make things easier. First, that the crafting bag is in the shop with infinite (42 million) slots and the player wants to buy it for crowns. They have no crowns, never subbed and bought their crowns at full price. If they buy this bag at the same price as other bag or bank space, it costs 1000 crowns for 10 slots. Infinite, or in reality 42 million slots, will cost the player $29,400,000.00 if they buy crowns in the 5500 for $39.99 packs.

Of course, they may get sticker shock and decide to sub and just save up their crowns and use the crafting bag in the meantime. They would only have to sub for 2,333.3 years to get enough crowns to buy the bag after spending only $34,995.00 over that time.

I think it's fair to say that putting the unlimited crafting bag in the store will never happen because it can't happen. It isn't feasible and it isn't fair to us sub scrubs who can't come up with $29,400,000.00 to cover the cost. I'm thrilled that Zos will be adding this as an extremely low cost perk that eases the inventory hassle. I've subbed *almost* continuously since launch and I'm happy to see this implemented. I know I can play without it, but I'm looking forward to having it.

Wow! To think you could have been doing anything else but typing that. But entertainment comes to different people differently.

C0wrex wrote: »

Interesting read!

I too am happy with the addition of a low-cost quality of life perk that makes crafting easier in the sense that we get more space to put our materials in - no longer having to worry about having a few slots left in the bank or bag.

And regarding the "true cost" of the bags as you assumed and calculated, I'll also assume the same and just add that if we were to go with the idea of buying 10 (or 100) slots for the crafting bag, it would cost them a leg (Or even more).

That being said, it would be nice if ZOS can provide an option on which non-ESO+ members can buy crafting bags from the store

Don't worry. The cash cow that is the crafting bag I am sure will find find its way to the crown store in some forms or fashion one day.

C0wrex · May 2016

clayandaudrey_ESO wrote: »

C0wrex wrote: »

Interesting read!

I too am happy with the addition of a low-cost quality of life perk that makes crafting easier in the sense that we get more space to put our materials in - no longer having to worry about having a few slots left in the bank or bag.

And regarding the "true cost" of the bags as you assumed and calculated, I'll also assume the same and just add that if we were to go with the idea of buying 10 (or 100) slots for the crafting bag, it would cost them a leg (Or even more).

That being said, it would be nice if ZOS can provide an option on which non-ESO+ members can buy crafting bags from the store

Don't worry. The cash cow that is the crafting bag I am sure will find find its way to the crown store in some forms or fashion one day.

I'll be counting on it!

CherryCake · May 2016

SirAndy · May 2016

I have 4 storage mule characters, plenty of inventory slots to store mats, no need to fork out real money.

Daraugh · May 2016

clayandaudrey_ESO wrote: »

Wow! To think you could have been doing anything else but typing that. But entertainment comes to different people differently.

Meh, it took all of ten minutes to figure out and post. With all of the discussions about it, I actually did find it very interesting to see if it was feasible and if not, why.

Tommy1979AtWar · May 2016

Daraugh · May 2016

I know, logic and reason have no place here. Facts are boring, numbers are boring. Asking for the crafting bag to be put in the crown store for purchase is the same as asking Zos to give you money. A lot of money. Hey look, facts and numbers, logic and reason! Shall I put it into meme form to make it more easily digestible?

Aisle9 · May 2016

magnusthorek · May 2016

I'm in favor to everyone get such a major feature, but not in the exact same way of subscribers.

Subscribers are paying for it, so they have it all. Those who don't want to sub but want the feature buy THE Crafting Bag itsef, the feature concept, not the feature true potential (if we can it that).

A moderate crafter or even a regular hoarder have A LOT of materials in bank, inventory and mules. Give them the chance to have the Crafting Bag, but to hold like... 2000 items (which is nothing compared to the variety of items available).

Problem solved, everyone is happy, nobody is damaged. Move on!

OrphanHelgen · May 2016

In a typical gaming day, I can spend up to 10 hours a day in ESO.

I bought witcher 3 on steam for 40 euro ish if I remember correctly.
I played that game for 50 mins.

I dont have to explain my point further I hope.

Lysette · May 2016

The limit is most likely 2^32 - and that is 4,294,967,296 - so the 4 2 what they had in mind, when they said 42 billion was somewhat correct, just that it was a magnitude of order too high - it is just 4.2 billion - and that is not the number of slots, but how large a stack can get afaik.

Tommy1979AtWar · May 2016

Daraugh wrote: »

I know, logic and reason have no place here. Facts are boring, numbers are boring. Asking for the crafting bag to be put in the crown store for purchase is the same as asking Zos to give you money. A lot of money. Hey look, facts and numbers, logic and reason! Shall I put it into meme form to make it more easily digestible?

Huh?? I dunno which stores you shop at but it must be awesome if they give you free money with every purchase

Daraugh · May 2016

magnusthorek wrote: »

I'm in favor to everyone get such a major feature, but not in the exact same way of subscribers.

Subscribers are paying for it, so they have it all. Those who don't want to sub but want the feature buy THE Crafting Bag itsef, the feature concept, not the feature true potential (if we can it that).

A moderate crafter or even a regular hoarder have A LOT of materials in bank, inventory and mules. Give them the chance to have the Crafting Bag, but to hold like... 2000 items (which is nothing compared to the variety of items available).

Problem solved, everyone is happy, nobody is damaged. Move on!

The problem isn't solved. People bought bank and bag space with crowns, 10 slots for 1000 crowns. If you introduce a 2000 slot Crafting Bag it has to cost the same amount as previous space or suddenly inventory becomes worth much less in the crown store for Zos to sell. It those 2000 slots don't cost about $560.00 in crown packs, then Zos is undercutting themselves and devaluing their own product.

Giraffon · May 2016

This actually leads into something I've been complaining about Why is there a cap on bank space? They are selling 10 slots for 1000 crowns. Why does there have to be a cap?

With crafting bags to subscribers, what does it hurt if you allow non subscribers to buy as much bank space from the crown store as they can afford?

Tommy1979AtWar · May 2016

OrphanHelgen wrote: »

In a typical gaming day, I can spend up to 10 hours a day in ESO.

I bought witcher 3 on steam for 40 euro ish if I remember correctly.
I played that game for 50 mins.

I dont have to explain my point further I hope.

I enjoy witcher 3, the blood and wine expansion is out on the 31st so I'll be playing that rather than wait for DB, the witcher side quests and main story are entertaining, more competently written and acted than in many instances of eso, graphics are superior obviously, monsters are more interesting and challenging, the previous dlc was awesome, the physics engine is better, animations are better, it's single player but ESO on console is pretty much single player for most people anyway... I'm looking forward to seeing what cd project red bring to the table next tbh because they did an awesome job for having such a small team.

Elsonso · May 2016

Daraugh wrote: »

I can't wait for the crafting bags! It's been a huge debate since they were first announced as a subscriber perk. But what is the actual cost? The most common arguments are "if you want it, sub" and " just let me buy it for crowns." Now, we know it isn't actually infinite, there is an upper limit but it's huge. I've heard everything from 4 million to 4.8 billion. The very first number I heard, right after ESO Live, was 42 million. Since that was the number I heard first, I decided to go with that one to find this "true cost."

Billions. Not millions. It is likely a 32 bit unsigned integer. Either way, "big enough" for our purposes.

Daraugh wrote: »

They would only have to sub for 2,333.3 years to get enough crowns to buy the bag after spending only $34,995.00 over that time.

ZOS is going to have to relax the rule on accounts changing hands or my decedents are gonna get banned.

Daraugh wrote: »

I think it's fair to say that putting the unlimited crafting bag in the store will never happen because it can't happen. It isn't feasible and it isn't fair to us sub scrubs who can't come up with $29,400,000.00 to cover the cost. I'm thrilled that Zos will be adding this as an extremely low cost perk that eases the inventory hassle. I've subbed *almost* continuously since launch and I'm happy to see this implemented. I know I can play without it, but I'm looking forward to having it.

When we look at the Crafting Bag of Holding, we see limitless storage space. When the developers look at it, they see a ton of item data stored on the server. When marketing looks at it, they see $$$. Anyone standing between Marketing and the Crown Store is gonna get mowed down.