An idea to perhaps deal with one of the worst affects of the crates

SantieClaws · December 2016

If someone were to ask a mod or admin privately - perhaps someone who knows they have an issue - would it be technically possible to put something on the account of an individual somewhere that prevents them purchasing the crates in game?

This one she knows of similar systems where it is possible to tick a box on a record or account and thus prevent certain actions.

Khajiit she knows there are some who have an issue - if they contacted you privately would you be able to do this or is it something you could consider setting up - as you have introduced gambling where before there was none you do also have a degree of social responsibility for the consequences yes.

This is not for khajiit yes - she is able to resist - but she sees others who cannot.

This would enable them to continue to travel in Tamriel without having the temptation of the crates in their way. You would keep travellers, and store users, who may otherwise leave.

This one she has many objections to the crates aside from this issue - you know this already - but this one issue this one she believes could be mitigated by a change like this.

Yours with concerned paws
Santie Claws

Riga_Mortis · December 2016

And the people that want their accounts crate blocked should cover the cost of this, yes?

idk · December 2016

I think it would be a good service eso could offer. However, would the ones who really need it actually ask for it.

It could not be a user selected setting as that would be to easy to switch back.

SantieClaws · December 2016

Giles.floydub17_ESO wrote: »

I think it would be a good service eso could offer. However, would the ones who really need it actually ask for it.

It could not be a user selected setting as that would be to easy to switch back.

Indeed not a user activated setting on the account page as that could be turned off. It would need to be something behind the scenes yes.

And in reference to @Dazza1968 if ZOS they make so very much money from these crates then the least they can do is to build into the system something that prevents their use if it is requested.

A little show of goodwill and decency from ZOS at this time towards their customers would not be a bad thing.

Yours with paws
Santie Claws

ItsGlaive · December 2016

Dazza1968 wrote: »

And the people that want their accounts crate blocked should cover the cost of this, yes?

Comments like this make me wonder if people think ZOS has been operating at a loss for the past two years? Do people seriously think that they're only becoming a money making business now they've introduced exploitation crates?

It's about time that players realised that ZOS are not doing us any favours. We've been purchasing services from them for the past two years. We are the customer in this exchange.

FoolishHuman · December 2016

Dazza1968 wrote: »

And the people that want their accounts crate blocked should cover the cost of this, yes?

Seriously, video games are the only business where every customer talks like a lawyer or stockholder for the company. No wonder they think they can just milk out our hobby like this, we gamers let them do it.

DPShiro · December 2016

Sure implement this feature for people who don't have any self control or are mentally unable.
But this would cost a lot of money, and I sure don't want money spent developing new content to pay for this, those people have to pay for it themselves, whatever he cost.

Or just you know, get some professional help, learn to take responsibility for your own actions, grow up and learn 2 adult.
This game has a 18 year rating anyway.

Mercutio · December 2016

I think you have good intentions, truly. My experience with junkies is that they will always find a way. I simply don't think the onus is on Zeni to prevent abuse. And honestly, were I running a company I would certainly not venture into that territory because it would be admitting, at least to some degree, of liability.

I'm not even sure how it could work. If we're talking about an adult here, then they could simply disable whatever they had enabled.

If it was a child - my children have Steam accounts but if they want a game I have to gift it to them. There is no way for them to purchase something short of going into my wallet or their mother's purse, and if they did that they know they'd get a hell of a lot more than a video game.

Sallington · December 2016

FoolishHuman wrote: »

Dazza1968 wrote: »

And the people that want their accounts crate blocked should cover the cost of this, yes?

Seriously, video games are the only business where every customer talks like a lawyer or stockholder for the company. No wonder they think they can just milk out our hobby like this, we gamers let them do it.

Right? How on earth would they be able to stay in business if they didn't monetize every single little thing. ESPECIALLY putting a flag on a record!

BlackSparrow · December 2016

A good idea, and if they could include a line about "Contact ZOS to turn Crates off" somewhere in the game, that would be even better. For every "I/my friend can't play anymore because of Crown Crates" post we see here, there are ten people quitting who never visit the forums, much less say anything about it.

Just a dev-side account toggle to disable the "Crown Crate" button on the UI. Well worth the programming time to generate a little good will and keep people who would have to quit for their own good, I think.

You are a wise kitty, Santie Claws.

spiffy_jim · December 2016

I'm not against having additional controls (like parental controls) for accounts for a variety of reasons, which includes the crates. But, I've never seen this done before in any of the MMOs I've played, and some of them have worse implementations of these RNG crates (to the point where the game feels less about the MMO and more about being in a casino).

It also opens the flood gates - where do you stop? Who do you stop protecting? I think the rational on the MMO's part is that they're intended for adult audiences and the comply with the those laws and regulations (i.e., restriction to minors and labeled as such). I don't think I've even seen a casino or a bar (for those with an addiction to alcohol) ever provide protection to their customers.

Again, I'm not against providing safety nets for people since the digital age has made some feel that there is no safe place. I just think it turns into a moral dilemma where once you introduce these controls for one group, another group will ask 'What about us?'.

AzuraKin · December 2016

only games i know that allow account turn off of purchasing items from crown store, are kid games like wizard101 that have that feature so that parents can stop young children from purchasing items off crown store without thier knowledge.

Riga_Mortis · December 2016

ZOS is under no legal obligation or moral obligation to provide services like this, so never going to happen.

All the people that are soo unhappy with ZOS since crategate, need to start asking themselves some serious questions imo.

AnviOfVai · December 2016

If I saw someone with an exclusive mount running around... my buy instincts take over. I don't think this would stop people from getting the crates, its when you see them actually in game that your like "I need that and will spend anything to get it"
Its not actually seeing them in the crownstore

I would probably need it.. but would I use it? no because I would want access. Ugh its a tough life when you have money that you don't want to spend

FoolishHuman · December 2016

spiffy_jim wrote: »

I'm not against having additional controls (like parental controls) for accounts for a variety of reasons, which includes the crates. But, I've never seen this done before in any of the MMOs I've played, and some of them have worse implementations of these RNG crates (to the point where the game feels less about the MMO and more about being in a casino).

It also opens the flood gates - where do you stop? Who do you stop protecting? I think the rational on the MMO's part is that they're intended for adult audiences and the comply with the those laws and regulations (i.e., restriction to minors and labeled as such). I don't think I've even seen a casino or a bar (for those with an addiction to alcohol) ever provide protection to their customers.

Again, I'm not against providing safety nets for people since the digital age has made some feel that there is no safe place. I just think it turns into a moral dilemma where once you introduce these controls for one group, another group will ask 'What about us?'.

You can even turn off chat and forum access and restrict playing hours in all battle.net games. In addition to restricting real money purchases.

Woeler · December 2016

They will not prevent people from purchasing their products lol

Krileon · December 2016

Why is it ZOS responsibility to ensure you're a responsible adult? Don't buy them if you don't want to buy them. If you've a problem with financial responsibility then link your account to Steam then turn on parental controls. If that's not enough then you really should be seeking professional help.

SantieClaws · December 2016

This one she is not sure but she believes that taverns they are supposed to throw out those who are most unsafely drunk yes or refuse to admit those who they know have a problem.

Does not a similar responsibility lie here with the con crates?

We are all responsible for each other - and we should be too. Decency and respect for one another is no bad thing.

That applies also at the corporate level in regards to the customer.

Yours with paws
Santie Claws

czar · December 2016

Krileon wrote: »

If that's not enough then you really should be seeking professional help.

I really don't think people with addictive tendencies realize they have a problem. They'll say anything to rationalize what they do.

Sunburnt_Penguin · December 2016

They just don't give af

Krileon · December 2016

schip wrote: »

Krileon wrote: »

If that's not enough then you really should be seeking professional help.

I really don't think people with addictive tendencies realize they have a problem. They'll say anything to rationalize what they do.

I agree, but it's still not the responsibility of ZOS to ensure they get the help they need and putting a lock on things doesn't solve this either. All they have to do is turn said lock off and they absolutely will. For a lock like this to actually work it needs to be from a 3rd party (e.g. usually it's the parents password locking it). I suppose they could have a friend do it. Really a self-lock just prevents accidental purchase at best, but will do absolutely nothing for this with financial responsibility problems and there's already enough confirmation dialogs to ensure you're not making a mistake and give time to second think.

anitajoneb17_ESO · December 2016

SantieClaws wrote: »

This one she is not sure but she believes that taverns they are supposed to throw out those who are most unsafely drunk yes or refuse to admit those who they know have a problem.

Does not a similar responsibility lie here with the con crates?

We are all responsible for each other - and we should be too. Decency and respect for one another is no bad thing.

That applies also at the corporate level in regards to the customer.

Yours with paws
Santie Claws

I am not sure dear @SantieClaws would be very happy if someone else was to prevent her from visiting whatever pockets she wants because she's suffering from kleptomania.

Riga_Mortis · December 2016

SantieClaws wrote: »

This one she is not sure but she believes that taverns they are supposed to throw out those who are most unsafely drunk yes or refuse to admit those who they know have a problem.

Does not a similar responsibility lie here with the con crates?

We are all responsible for each other - and we should be too. Decency and respect for one another is no bad thing.

That applies also at the corporate level in regards to the customer.

Yours with paws
Santie Claws

Doesnt apply to the corporate level towards the customer at all concerning virtual purchases when no actual gambling is involved.

Junipus · December 2016

SantieClaws wrote: »

If someone were to ask a mod or admin privately - perhaps someone who knows they have an issue - would it be technically possible to put something on the account of an individual somewhere that prevents them purchasing the crates in game?

This one she knows of similar systems where it is possible to tick a box on a record or account and thus prevent certain actions.

Khajiit she knows there are some who have an issue - if they contacted you privately would you be able to do this or is it something you could consider setting up - as you have introduced gambling where before there was none you do also have a degree of social responsibility for the consequences yes.

This is not for khajiit yes - she is able to resist - but she sees others who cannot.

This would enable them to continue to travel in Tamriel without having the temptation of the crates in their way. You would keep travellers, and store users, who may otherwise leave.

This one she has many objections to the crates aside from this issue - you know this already - but this one issue this one she believes could be mitigated by a change like this.

Yours with concerned paws
Santie Claws

This one thinks even phrasing it in Khajiiti from one so famous won't stop it suffering the same fate as other threads once it becomes a refuge for those closed thread posters.

*Edit: It seems too late already*

The Lords of Tamriel hold no concern for the needs of its denizens, instead seeking adulation and many shiny offerings that not even the most vigilant of Stendarr could resist for long. Blasphemy from controlling the flow of donations will likely fall upon deaf ears, especially as there would be no such statute from the other lands of Mundus on the will of the Lords.

ThePaleItalian · December 2016

Are there bans on bars for drunks?

Bans on fast food places and forks for overweight people?

I am not saying that there are general issues with those and even people with addictions should be offered help. But you can't save everyone.

People need to learn to take responsibility for their actions. Not having a video game company enforcing someone who cant control an urge so they blame the means to fuel that urge instead of putting the fault and blame on themselves.

If they log in and can't hit crown crates and they are blocked, they still want that rush?? They go to the casino. Or why not Black Ops and other games that offer this.

I actually understand where you are coming from OP, and I respect that, but I think now its just becoming more about trying to find everything that people hate about the crates and now we are just grasping at straws...

Nestor · December 2016

Here is why ZOS might never offer a toggle on the Crown Crate button on the UI*, they are afraid it would become too popular.

*(as that is all it would really take, a toggle to remove the button that accesses the system, and they are done. $5 worth of programming. Heck, an addon author might be able to whip something like this up, depends on the API though)

Krileon · December 2016

SantieClaws wrote: »

This one she is not sure but she believes that taverns they are supposed to throw out those who are most unsafely drunk yes or refuse to admit those who they know have a problem.

Does not a similar responsibility lie here with the con crates?

We are all responsible for each other - and we should be too. Decency and respect for one another is no bad thing.

That applies also at the corporate level in regards to the customer.

Yours with paws
Santie Claws

What? No it doesn't. You realize bars cut people off for the safety of the bar and OTHER patrons. They're not doing it out of the kindness of their heart for that person. This is a business and a business designed for profits. It's not here to be your makeshift therapist or force impulse control on you. Should every store have a lock on the door and only those with the code can get in to stop financially irresponsible individuals like your self? This is bonkers.

SantieClaws · December 2016

It is to the longer term benefit of ZOS to retain customers. Those who feel they must leave because of the crates were still spending in the store yes and some were ESO Plus subscribers. They were happy to be in Tamriel before the cratemeld.

A small programming change for a greater benefit this one she thinks.

Good business sense actually. A customer kept is one more coin in the pocket.

Yours with paws
Santie Claws

Rosveen · December 2016

ThePaleItalian wrote: »

Are there bans on bars for drunks?

Yes, sort of. In most places it is illegal to serve alcohol to visibly intoxicated people - which isn't exactly a ban on drunks, but it still results in them being cut off eventually. Translating it to ESO, it wouldn't be a toggle on all purchases, but rather a spending cap during some arbitrary period. There are mobile apps with such caps, preventing you from blowing thousands of dollars in a day. You can still do it over time... But hopefully you'll have a clearer head next time you play.

I'm not advocating for the inclusion of such a cap or a toggle, I'm leaning towards the opinion that people should be responsible for their own actions, but there is a case to be made for some sort of protection and I don't think it's our job to shoot it down. It can't hurt to ask ZOS, can it? Santie's suggestion is a good one, it allows people who realize they have a problem to still play the game and participate in the community. Without it some of them will have to quit, which speaks well for their self-control, but is clearly an unfortunate result of the crown crates.

Krileon · December 2016

SantieClaws wrote: »

It is to the longer term benefit of ZOS to retain customers. Those who feel they must leave because of the crates were still spending in the store yes and some were ESO Plus subscribers. They were happy to be in Tamriel before the cratemeld.

A small programming change for a greater benefit this one she thinks.

Good business sense actually. A customer kept is one more coin in the pocket.

Yours with paws
Santie Claws

I wager the amount of money leaving is but a minor fraction of the money now coming in. I'm sure ZOS has researched this in GREAT detail as any business would. The UI can be modified through addons so maybe that'll be where you'll find a solution that doesn't directly involve ZOS.

anitajoneb17_ESO · December 2016

Krileon wrote: »

SantieClaws wrote: »

It is to the longer term benefit of ZOS to retain customers. Those who feel they must leave because of the crates were still spending in the store yes and some were ESO Plus subscribers. They were happy to be in Tamriel before the cratemeld.

A small programming change for a greater benefit this one she thinks.

Good business sense actually. A customer kept is one more coin in the pocket.

Yours with paws
Santie Claws

I wager the amount of money leaving is but a minor fraction of the money now coming in. I'm sure ZOS has researched this in GREAT detail as any business would. The UI can be modified through addons so maybe that'll be where you'll find a solution that doesn't directly involve ZOS.

An add-on that would allow one user account to have a feature locked by SOMEONE ELSE'S user account ????
I very, very highly doubt that.
I even doubt that this is doable by ZOS without risking many, many abuses.