Crown Store - The Good, the Bad and the Very Wrong

Bad_Company · August 2016

Hello everyone.

I'll give you a little background to what brought me here and now, writing this post.
I am a subscriber and I have been kinda happy with this game for the past 6 months (been playing for 7, subscribed for almost 6). Sure, there are bugs and persisting problems that may hurt the overall experience with ESO, but I never felt like the issues were too game-breaking.

I'll start with "the good". I find it reassuring that none of the features included in the Crown Store is implemented according to the infamous Pay-To-Win model. Might be a small thing to some, but to me is something that should not be taken for granted. Another thing that I like about the store is the variety of things it offers. Items, mounts, pets, costumes, DLCs, cosmetics, and more. More or less these features are well-thought and well-implemented. But, above all, there are things for everyone and for every need. Even the casual or small buyers can get some good-value-for-money offers that improve their overall gameplay without being an advantage towards players that do not own them.

Now, to the matter. I've lately noticed a trend in the Crown Store. Such trend is to remove "old" cosmetics and stuff to create demand. Nothing new here, marketing 101. What bothers me is that this behavior is so very perpetrated over time that it almost makes me think ZOS needs money badly. I'm not going to further address their finances, as it's not my business nor the purpose of this topic. It was just a personal thought.

Anyway, said continuous trend is accompanied by (imho) lackluster additions to the store that really don't make it up in terms of quality nor quantity. Moreover, many items are added for very brief periods of time and are given very high price-tags (I'm looking at you, Dro-M'Athra Senche and Hero Costumes).

I was looking very forward to seeing this hype-generating Update 11 implemented. It was supposed to be a breath of fresh air in every possible way. It had new dungeons, new achievements, new rewards, new nice sets, old sets and content being updated, and the all-new Style Parlor. This latest addition gathered many hyped players into playing in the PTS, testing new cosmetics, dungeons and stuff.
With the Style Parlor were supposed to come also the long-overdue Race Change, Appearance Change and Name Change. They did, and it made many people happy.
Another promised feature, though, were the many new hairstyles, markings and adornments discussed in the recent ESO Live show.
These did not come.

To my and others' great dismay, this choice was bad enough to make everyone flood a discussion with their full-of-disappointment comments, mine included (discussion here: https://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/282143/update-11-missing-hairstyles-more-in-pts/p1 ).
Some of the comments also had a tag for Gina and Jessica from ZOS in order to have them give voice to the voiceless.
Maybe it was a desperate measure, but I thought it could work.

Today, I was proven wrong. This is why: http://www.elderscrollsonline.com/en-us/news/post/2016/08/02/crown-store-showcase-august-2nd-2016

Everyone's wish to have the long-hyped hairstyles in the live server died today. Those feature might as well be added by the end of September or even further in time.
This is what I call "the very wrong".
It's the damn The Walking Dead, Season 6 finale all over again. They introduced after a long time something everyone wanted, but gave just a glimpse of it and made everyone wait months before getting to the point of it all. I bet the show-runner and his crew were laughing at how genius of a thing they thought they did, but it backfired pretty quickly.

You can't and shouldn't generate hype for something only to give it months later. Why? Because all of the hype goes downhill faster than it went up. It might even turn into disappointment and frustration. Furthermore, this happens even more frequently and easily if the previously-hyped people express their concerns and are not listened to. Every company has to make plans, but should also have the wisdom and versatility to change those plans according to the tide.
And, in an online game, WE are the tide.

Yours sincerely,

A marketing-professional wannabe.

ADarklore · August 2016

I have to agree... as I've mentioned numerous times but to apparent no avail... the Sep Adder pet was shown on PTS MONTHS ago... and we've yet to see it appear in the Crown Store. However, we did manage a re-color of a Nixad... apparently re-colors take precedent over NEW and UNIQUE items that people actually want.

Bad_Company · August 2016

Exactly. That is another example, even though I think the hairstyles/markings/adornments one is much worse due to the amount of effort ZOS made to advertise it all.

Thevampirenight · August 2016

I do think they should have added most of them in, plus they should really add the redguard dress and Cyrod Gentry's Town Gown this august. I am kinda upset they are not releasing the Cyrod Gentry's Town Gown I really want it. I was expecting it to be this month but them holding out is really getting annoying. I was getting excited for the Cyrod Gentry's Town Gown, Its why I kept looking at the forums hopping they would show whats coming out and I was fully expecting it to come out.

Bad_Company · August 2016

They should have added most of them and they added none. Also, yes. There are things to be added that are becoming really long-overdue. It's not even more a matter of "testing" them, 'cause they're ready and done.

ADarklore · August 2016

I just don't get it... what is the purpose, other than frustrating players, of showcasing items MONTHS in advance?!? I mean, it isn't like they have a moratorium on new items, so what is the problem with adding more items faster?!? As it is now, with their current speed on releasing showcased items, we have a full year of items already showcased... which means anything new will now not be seen until when, 2018?!?

MornaBaine · August 2016

I am personally flabbergasted that they held back the hairstyles and the Redguard gown and the rest of the Imperial inspired costumes. Oh and no eyelashes either. I was urging them to debut new makeup and adornments AS WELL AS the new hairstyles because it just seemed to me that debuting a new feature like the Style Parlor would be way too lacklustre without those things. And then they didn't even bother to include the new hairstyles. Astonishing.

Thevampirenight · August 2016

MornaBaine wrote: »

I am personally flabbergasted that they held back the hairstyles and the Redguard gown and the rest of the Imperial inspired costumes. Oh and no eyelashes either. I was urging them to debut new makeup and adornments AS WELL AS the new hairstyles because it just seemed to me that debuting a new feature like the Style Parlor would be way too lacklustre without those things. And then they didn't even bother to include the new hairstyles. Astonishing.

100% agree with you, and yes they do need to add those this month.
*Begs wanting Cyrod Gentry's Town Gown*
My personal opionion they kinda are making a mistake, for one they would make lots and lots of money of the Cyrod Gentry's Town Gown. they make that like 750 crowns, a lot of folks will get it.
The Redguard dress that should have been added months ago.
the hair styles, they should have released them.
The one cool nirn tattoo that went nice with the dark shaman outfit should have been released as well this month

ADarklore · August 2016

Thevampirenight wrote: »

MornaBaine wrote: »

I am personally flabbergasted that they held back the hairstyles and the Redguard gown and the rest of the Imperial inspired costumes. Oh and no eyelashes either. I was urging them to debut new makeup and adornments AS WELL AS the new hairstyles because it just seemed to me that debuting a new feature like the Style Parlor would be way too lacklustre without those things. And then they didn't even bother to include the new hairstyles. Astonishing.

100% agree with you, and yes they do need to add those this month. My personal opinion.
*Begs wanting Cyrod Gentry's Town Gown*

I've been begging for the Sep Adder ever since I saw it on PTS MONTHS ago, but to no avail.

Bad_Company · August 2016

@ADarklore My thoughts exactly. I think this is one of the reasons why the Hero Costumes and some other things looked not much well-designed in comparison to "older" stuff. When I say "older", I mean things that were implemented in the Crown Store earlier, but were probably made after the first ones.

For example, the Breton Hero Costume had much worse textures and details than some costumes implemented before it. Why? Because probably it was made quite some time ago, but only implemented months and months later than when it was finished.
This led to many people hating on the costume as it had a very high price-tag and ended up being not worth it for most of those who bought it. (discussion here: https://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/280267/yes-i-am-going-to-keep-hurling-abuse-at-the-breton-costume/p1 )

Yet again, consumers were not listened to.

Thevampirenight · August 2016

Bad_Company wrote: »

@ADarklore My thoughts exactly. I think this is one of the reasons why the Hero Costumes and some other things looked not much well-designed in comparison to "older" stuff. When I say "older", I mean things that were implemented in the Crown Store earlier, but were probably made after the first ones.

For example, the Breton Hero Costume had much worse textures and details than some costumes implemented before it. Why? Because probably it was made quite some time ago, but only implemented months and months later than when it was finished.
This led to many people hating on the costume as it had a very high price-tag and ended up being not worth it for most of those who bought it. (discussion here: https://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/280267/yes-i-am-going-to-keep-hurling-abuse-at-the-breton-costume/p1 )

Yet again, consumers were not listened to.

The thing that is annoying is they are not releasing the costumes people want. This is whats starting to get to people, the hero costumes look fine but would have looked so much better with their capes. The costumes folks are wanting and they know are going to be very popular they are just holding back.
I was looking forward to buy the Cyrod Gentry's Town Gown costume. I would buy the sep adder if they would release it. I will buy the shaman costume.

MornaBaine · August 2016

Thevampirenight wrote: »

Bad_Company wrote: »

@ADarklore My thoughts exactly. I think this is one of the reasons why the Hero Costumes and some other things looked not much well-designed in comparison to "older" stuff. When I say "older", I mean things that were implemented in the Crown Store earlier, but were probably made after the first ones.

For example, the Breton Hero Costume had much worse textures and details than some costumes implemented before it. Why? Because probably it was made quite some time ago, but only implemented months and months later than when it was finished.
This led to many people hating on the costume as it had a very high price-tag and ended up being not worth it for most of those who bought it. (discussion here: https://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/280267/yes-i-am-going-to-keep-hurling-abuse-at-the-breton-costume/p1 )

Yet again, consumers were not listened to.

The thing that is annoying is they are not releasing the costumes people want. This is whats starting to get to people, the hero costumes look fine but would have looked so much better with their capes. The costumes folks are wanting and they know are going to be very popular they are just holding back.
I was looking forward to buy the Cyrod Gentry's Town Gown costume. I would buy the sep adder if they would release it. I will buy the shaman costume.

It makes absolutely no sense to me that they keep holding all these costumes back. Why? It makes me fear that they just have a stockpile of stuff they made months or years ago when they were fully staffed and are just planning to dribble them out slowly because they have no intention of making anything else. I have asked that they explain this bizarre release schedule to us in my own thread so it'll be interesting to see if they will respond.

Bad_Company · August 2016

@MornaBaine I strongly doubt they will ever think to have to explain anything like this to us, even though we are their source of income. Of this, I am sad.

starkerealm · August 2016

I strongly suspect the reason they keep pulling stuff is to moderate the total amount of items in the store to avoid overwhelming newbies, and to keep it user friendly on the consoles.

starkerealm · August 2016

MornaBaine wrote: »

I am personally flabbergasted that they held back the hairstyles and the Redguard gown and the rest of the Imperial inspired costumes. Oh and no eyelashes either. I was urging them to debut new makeup and adornments AS WELL AS the new hairstyles because it just seemed to me that debuting a new feature like the Style Parlor would be way too lacklustre without those things. And then they didn't even bother to include the new hairstyles. Astonishing.

It would be really nice if we could get the default adornments and marking items in a bundle like the hairstyles were. I passed on giving my bosmer horns at launch, because I didn't want to be stuck with them.

Also, yeah, the lashes and some of the hairstyles were great on PTS.

Personofsecrets · August 2016

>infinite mat inventory space
> not p2w

me_ming · August 2016

Remember that white robe from DB PTS? I really liked that. And was expecting that to come. But right now, I doubt it. And even if they do, I probably won't purchase it.

Personally, I do think that ZoS have hyped too many things already, and failed to deliver. I don't have problems with them hyping stuff, I think that's a valid marketing strategy, I, however, don't like how most of the time I feel frustrated at items on the crown store. And what annoys me is that ZoS treats us as fools, and thinking we (or at least in my case) will still buy from the over-hyped/priced from the crown stores. But I am going to be smart with my purchase, and hopefully others are too, that way ZoS knows they have a player base that thinks before purchasing.

starkerealm · August 2016

me_ming wrote: »

Remember that white robe from DB PTS?

No, actually. Did you grab some screenshots?

Bad_Company · August 2016

Personofsecrets wrote: »

>infinite mat inventory space
> not p2w

>Infinite mat inventory space doesn't make you "win", it saves time. Time is money, so if I spend money on something to save time it's money well spent.
>Craft Bag is not sold in the crown store. Argument not relevant.

Lysette · August 2016

Yes, in a way I wanted to buy crowns for 200€ today - I started with the first 100€ - fine, 25,000 crowns available - then I thought, what will I buy with it - and because I have so much already, there is not really something to buy nor will there be something in the near future - so, my second 100€ went into games which I am now downloading from stream - loss for ZOS.

Pandorii · August 2016

I'm with you OP. Rising prices was understandable. Hyping us up for something and never intervening to clarify their true intention to not release the new hairstyles with the dlc, that was cruel.

Bad_Company · August 2016

Lysette wrote: »

Yes, in a way I wanted to buy crowns for 200€ today - I started with the first 100€ - fine, 25,000 crowns available - then I thought, what will I buy with it - and because I have so much already, there is not really something to buy nor will there be something in the near future - so, my second 100€ went into games which I am now downloading from stream - loss for ZOS.

Yeah, this is what bugs me so much. It's like they are not able to realize how much of a loss for their finances this wrong marketing move is. Sure, people will buy crowns on sale anyway, but there could be more buyers and more crowns bought if only they released what's done already.

Bad_Company · August 2016

Pandorii wrote: »

I'm with you OP. Rising prices was understandable. Hyping us up for something and never intervening to clarify their true intention to not release the new hairstyles with the dlc, that was cruel.

Sadly, it was not only cruel. It was simply very badly thought-out on their part. I would have released them altogether, exception made for the items that truly were not ready yet. I don't think they were all not ready, do you?

khele23eb17_ESO · August 2016

starkerealm wrote: »

I strongly suspect the reason they keep pulling stuff is to moderate the total amount of items in the store to avoid overwhelming newbies, and to keep it user friendly on the consoles.

It has nothing to do with overwhelming newbies and everything to do with maximising income and getting things sold that would otherwise not sell.

Lets say you have a choice of 60 cosmetic items in the shop with new ones coming out often and old ones not getting removed. You think 5 of the items are awesome, 6 are pretty cool, 19 are so-so and 30 are meh. If you decide on the 11 you really like and buy them youll have a fairly varied set of customization options... enough not to even think about the other 39. You know theyll always be there if you change your mind and there are new ones coming out soon so something exciting is bound to pop up to spice up your 'wardrobe' if you get bored with what you already have.

Now... you have shop with a choice of 20 items. 4 you really like the others youre kind of on the fence about. The publisher doesnt add new ones to the shop as often and when he does, he removes old items to 'make room' for new merchandise. 4 items are not really enough to keep things interesting so after a while you start looking at the others thinking 'well theyre not so bad'... especially since they might be getting removed from the shop altogether.

Which shop do you think will sell more of the 'so-so' and 'meh' items? Which publisher will waste more money creating digital merchandise only to have a large part of it ignored by the customers?

Pandorii · August 2016

Saving the new hairstyles for next month might get people to buy the old hairstyle bundle. Why would people pay 1000 crowns for the old styles when they could get 5 new ones for that price (estimated 200 each)? I hate to think that they're really making decisions like this.

Ourorboros · August 2016

Yep, crown store is badly mismanaged. I've been waiting for the Ice and Red Wolf mounts. We're into new content now, and those mounts still aren't offered. Obviously, the work on them is already done, since both of those wolf mounts appear at the Kvatch stables. What is the point of delaying their release? zos doesn't get my crowns until I can use them on something I want.

khele23eb17_ESO · August 2016

Pandorii wrote: »

Saving the new hairstyles for next month might get people to buy the old hairstyle bundle. Why would people pay 1000 crowns for the old styles when they could get 5 new ones for that price (estimated 200 each)? I hate to think that they're really making decisions like this.

Im fairly sure that is exactly how things work.

Brittany_Joy · August 2016

ADarklore wrote: »

I have to agree... as I've mentioned numerous times but to apparent no avail... the Sep Adder pet was shown on PTS MONTHS ago... and we've yet to see it appear in the Crown Store. However, we did manage a re-color of a Nixad... apparently re-colors take precedent over NEW and UNIQUE items that people actually want.

My guess is a lot of their crown store items were built long ago and they only release a few each month to give the illusion of new content in the crown store as they focus development else where.The Breton hero costume was datamined in early 2015. The bad part is none of the items are polished within that wait period, they just build with minimal effort and move on.

JamilaRaj · August 2016

ADarklore wrote: »

I just don't get it... what is the purpose, other than frustrating players, of showcasing items MONTHS in advance?!?

To make them hang around. Suppose the game has value of X to a player. If they announce intriguing Y to be released "soon", they immediately increase that value to X+Y and may push the game above his, say, ragequit point. Now a rational player (and probably a bit familiar with the ZOS way), seeing three months later (or after any arbitrary deadline) that Y is still not here, would conclude at this rate his losses would escalate and quit. Remaining 99% of players would conclude Y is just behind the corner and stick around. Six months after the announcement, they would again conclude, because it took so much time, release of Y is, this time, obviously imminent, and again stick around, and so on.
So, I think ZOS is doing great job. Especially considering Y is not even some playable feature, but cash shop fluff. Frankly, I am surprised why they bother with throwing you bones from time to time. Pros like them could totally go with teasing alone. At least they do not give away bones cheaply.