Reykice wrote: »

The Grim Harlequin motif is now only found in the Crown Store. I thought motifs were supposed to also be in the Crown Store but not exclusive to it.

ZOS, will you stop here or will we see other surprises added? Why are you even doing this, is the game in financial trouble?

Let's say new players are limited, so their depending on current players under the eso subscription for a regular income on a game that is constantly tweaked and added to (thus requiring payroll for employees and that money has to come from somewhere). Now, no one is forcing the purchase on you, and it gives no competitive edge at all, so if you don't want to spend the money, simply don't. I know the vast majority that do complain seem to be "completionists" or "achievement hunters", and while I too love popping new achievements, at the end of the day in real life none of my friends or bosses or my landlord will care that I jumped off the rock into the water in Wrothgar or earned all the pieces of the Hollowjack motif. Do I want to get as much as possible? Yes. Do I expect it to all be available in game? Nope. Because it's still a business, they still need avenues to make sustainable extra income, and people will buy. Now, there's still fine lines as to where it should stop. I saw things about the orange in a dye stamp exclusive. Dyes should be achievement based and accessible to all without pay, in my opinion. But a special event motif? There's so many anyway, what's the harm. It's not much different from special limited mounts, unless you're a dedicated guild crafter. In which case, take up a PayPal collection to split the bill.

Robbmrp wrote: »

I'm a crafter. I don't buy costumes or mounts or trinkets. I used to spend my crowns on DLC's when I didn't have the sub. Now that I have re-subbed for the crafting bag, this gives me something to spend my crowns on.

I buy mainly costumes and pets. Occasionally a mount, if it is lore friendly, well textured and animated, and reasonably priced. Accessories and personalities if I can use them, they are in packs, and priced reasonably. I shy away from buying a single eyelash, or a single tattoo, or a single personality, or any of that little stuff individually.

In all of this, it has to look well made in texture, animation, and audio, and meet my lore criteria. Four legs of my stool. Any one of them comes up short, the whole thing falls over. I would rather pass on something that is garbage than get it and wish I had not. If it does pass, then I will spend the Crowns to get it.

I have tens of thousands of Crowns available, and am in no hurry to spend them. When the right deal comes along, I will spend them, but I actually prefer to work for what I have, not just buy it in the Store. It is more rewarding and makes the game interesting.

Thankfully, an emphasis on Crown Crates, and Crate and Motif exclusives, will make it easier to hold onto my Crowns!

I know someone who bought this motif specifically to make and decon pieces so that he could sell the grinstones to make gold.

Just throwing that out there.

Snit wrote: »

It's a purely cosmetic item. It has no implications on game balance. In a game without a subscription fee, that is exactly the sort of item most appropriate for the cash shop.

In fact, let's hope that ZOS is successful with this, that they make plenty of money on awesome-looking cosmetics. We want them to make money. We don't want them to turn into another Archeage/ Neverwinter pay-to-win game, where the cash shop is the clear path to making your character powerful.

ZOS has a very reasonable B2P model. Even as a subscriber, I am happy about that, as it preserves the integrity of the gameplay.

Well said!

If it's cosmetic, I have no issues with it being crown store exclusive. With 1T, all the good sets are dropped anyways.

Cazzy wrote: »

Ilsabet wrote: »

I know someone who bought this motif specifically to make and decon pieces so that he could sell the grinstones to make gold.

Just throwing that out there.

Surely he'd make more by selling the armour?

That's what I said, but I guess he was looking for quicker gold and didn't want to have to fuss with crafting for people.

Snit wrote: »

It's a purely cosmetic item. It has no implications on game balance. In a game without a subscription fee, that is exactly the sort of item most appropriate for the cash shop.

Not exactly, I have ESO + so I have a subscription. Now I'm not saying that the motif should be free for plus subs. Costumes and mounts I'm fine with. But motifs should not be put behind a paywall. Like it or not, believe it or not this translates into gold for real money. However small the amount may be. Starts with one the before you know it's all motifs. Not good for me or any other crafter. I feel like all motifs should be obtainable in game. Part of the grind I enjoy is gathering all the motifs and this was taken away from my experience.

It takes the fun out of crafting. Also, it's an expense that keeps on spending, because you're going to need more mimic stones.