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Dear ZoS: People who sub should be able to direct buy Crown Crate items.

Violynne
Violynne
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I understand that, without everyone subscribing, revenue needs to be generated. I'm okay with this.

What I don't like is the idea my subscription and few purchases just aren't enough, and now Crown Crates are introduced to fill the gap of trying to generate more revenue. I don't see this is a greed issue, but one of necessity given the loss of every one being a subscriber.

But as a subscriber, I feel a balanced solution needs to be implemented. ZoS is getting my $14.99/mo. Why should I have to subsidize those who don't pay a thing and get punished in return? It doesn't feel right to me.

The solution is simple: create a sub only store front, where we can purchase Crown Crate items directly. I enjoy this game very much, and I know it's expensive to keep such a game in operation. I view my purchases as both a reward for my character and supporting a game I enjoy.

Subscriptions only offer 1500 Crowns per month, so clearly this won't impact the sales revenue as most top tier items generally run for more. Since Crown Crates are limited, I hope there's understanding why this won't limit revenue with a direct store option.

My position isn't going to change regarding supporting the game, but I had to voice an opinion. ZoS requests our feedback, so I felt this was a good time to propose an idea.

For those concerned this is going to be a "Pay-to-play" system, it's not. This mechanic already exists, so nothing will change. It just gives a preferential treatment to subscribers, who should receive it.

Thanks for reading and have a great day! :smile:
  • TeamGizzy
    TeamGizzy
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    I like this.
    Baskin Robins always finds out.....
  • Hanokihs
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    As a subscriber, I wish this were an option. However, your point of view seems overly optimistic. I don't think the revenue from the Crates is necessary at all; not that there's such a thing as making too much money, but they're probably making more than enough to get by.

    The only thing subscribers are ever likely to get is a few free Crates per month; 4 a month, the mid-tier pack, seems the most likely, and I base this on the fact that the Crowns offered to subscribers are also a mid-tier pack. Some have argued that we already get enough Crowns for 4 Crates, but this comes with with the drawback of being unable to buy anything else from the store if we spend them on potential prizes. As Crown Crates are a new feature that didn't exist when the subscription feature was launched, I agree with your notion that it's only fair to add in some sort of related bonus.

    Make no mistake though, they're never going to offer the Crate items for individual purchase of any kind; this is especially true of the Apex mounts appearing in each season. That undermines the whole mechanic, and the money generated from new subscribers pales in comparison to the money generated by people investing in blind luck.
    Edited by Hanokihs on March 5, 2017 11:22PM
    "I haven't really played much yet, but lemme tell you all about how the game should include X and be a lot more like Y!" - Half the posters on this forum.
    "I've been here for years, and lemme tell you all about how they should never change or evolve Z, because then the game would be ruined forever." - The other half of posters on this forum.
  • JWKe
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    Who wouldn't.
  • LordNilloc
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    Hanokihs wrote: »
    As a subscriber, I wish this were an option. However, your point of view seems overly optimistic. I don't think the revenue from the Crates is necessary at all; not that there's such a thing as making too much money, but they're probably making more than enough to get by.

    The only thing subscribers are ever likely to get is a few free Crates per month; 4 a month, the mid-tier pack, seems the most likely, and I base this on the fact that the Crowns offered to subscribers are also a mid-tier pack. Some have argued that we already get enough Crowns for 4 Crates, but this comes with with the drawback of being unable to buy anything else from the store if we spend them on potential prizes. As Crown Crates are a new feature that didn't exist when the subscription feature was launched, I agree with your notion that it's only fair to add in some sort of related bonus.

    Make no mistake though, they're never going to offer the Crate items for individual purchase of any kind; this is especially true of the Apex mounts appearing in each season. That undermines the whole mechanic, and the money generated from new subscribers pales in comparison to the money generated by people investing in blind luck.

    How about the option to directly purchase gems with crowns for subscribers?
  • SydneyGrey
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    LordNilloc wrote: »
    How about the option to directly purchase gems with crowns for subscribers?
    Great idea, but they'd have to limit it to a certain number of gems per month out of necessity. Otherwise people would just sub for one month, buy half a million gems, then unsub.

    Then again, ZOS would get the money for the half million gems, so maybe they wouldn't care. LOL! :p

  • LordNilloc
    LordNilloc
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    SydneyGrey wrote: »
    LordNilloc wrote: »
    How about the option to directly purchase gems with crowns for subscribers?
    Great idea, but they'd have to limit it to a certain number of gems per month out of necessity. Otherwise people would just sub for one month, buy half a million gems, then unsub.

    Then again, ZOS would get the money for the half million gems, so maybe they wouldn't care. LOL! :p

    If they charged 2000 or even 3000 crowns for 100 gems. That's 8000/12000 crowns for an apex mount. It wouldn't even be worth subbing to do that. It'd just give those of us who do sub another option.
  • Glurin
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    ...............Seriously?

    You already get free crowns which you can spend on crates if you want.

    f01de80c55ef7b652c57f498c2599fa3.jpg
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster...when you gaze long into the abyss the abyss also gazes into you..."
  • mrfrontman
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    I want Crown Crates completely gone and all items to be purchasable through the Crown Store.

    The honest truth here is that ZOS does not need revenue, they can afford a superbowl commercial and are just straight forward money hungry wolves.

    Subscribers do need more than what we're getting now though, that's for sure.
  • JohnnyQuantum
    JohnnyQuantum
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    + 1

    I don't currently subscribe as I don't see it as valuable. I'm not into crafting, so don't need the crafting bag, and new content like Morrowind is not included. But something like this would make me consider subscribing.

    I don't have a problem with Crown crates as long as they can be ignored. Try playing Neverwinter - whenever someone gets a high level item, it is broadcast to everyone - I hate this screen spam. I don't want to gamble so won't buy any.

    But if subscribers had the opportunity to directly purchase items in the crates, it would greatly increase the value of ESO Plus.
  • ManwithBeard9
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    mrfrontman wrote: »
    I want Crown Crates completely gone and all items to be purchasable through the Crown Store.

    The honest truth here is that ZOS does not need revenue, they can afford a superbowl commercial and are just straight forward money hungry wolves.

    Subscribers do need more than what we're getting now though, that's for sure.

    The money for the Superbowl commercial was ponied up from the Bethesda side of marketing. That's why Pete Hines was a part of the Morrowind expansion announcement. More and more of the operations that aren't focused on the game itself are being shifted to the Bethesda name.
  • AlienatedGoat
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    Glurin wrote: »
    ...............Seriously?

    You already get free crowns which you can spend on crates if you want.

    It's not free if you pay for it.

    Economics 101.
    Edited by AlienatedGoat on March 7, 2017 2:21AM
    PC-NA Goat - Bleat Bleat Baaaa
  • FleetwoodSmack
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    Phage wrote: »
    Glurin wrote: »
    ...............Seriously?

    You already get free crowns which you can spend on crates if you want.

    It's not free if you pay for it.

    Economics 101.

    Pretty much this. Subbing doesn't equate to free things. You're paying for the bonuses you get. There's nothing wrong with the OP's idea at all. It'd probably generate more stable subscriptions as well.
    Tell me lies, tell me sweet little lies!
  • Rohamad_Ali
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    That would be the best perk for subscription . I would subscribe just for that .
  • StackonClown
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    ++1
  • Glurin
    Glurin
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    Phage wrote: »
    Glurin wrote: »
    ...............Seriously?

    You already get free crowns which you can spend on crates if you want.

    It's not free if you pay for it.

    Economics 101.

    Pretty much this. Subbing doesn't equate to free things. You're paying for the bonuses you get. There's nothing wrong with the OP's idea at all. It'd probably generate more stable subscriptions as well.

    Nothing wrong except that it dramatically reduces revenue from crown crates. Your $15 doesn't make up for the extra $70+ you'd spend on crates because you just have to have a specific apex mount. (And that's being conservative.) Not unless they cost $70 by themselves. Not to mention the "specialness" of said mounts vaporizes since EVERYONE buys one.

    No. This is an attempt to bypass the crown crate system entirely and as such I cannot give it my support. You want something specific out of them, suck it up and roll the dice just like everyone else.
    Edited by Glurin on March 7, 2017 5:22AM
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster...when you gaze long into the abyss the abyss also gazes into you..."
  • FleetwoodSmack
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    Glurin wrote: »
    Phage wrote: »
    Glurin wrote: »
    ...............Seriously?

    You already get free crowns which you can spend on crates if you want.

    It's not free if you pay for it.

    Economics 101.

    Pretty much this. Subbing doesn't equate to free things. You're paying for the bonuses you get. There's nothing wrong with the OP's idea at all. It'd probably generate more stable subscriptions as well.

    Nothing wrong except that it dramatically reduces revenue from crown crates. Your $15 doesn't make up for the extra $70+ you'd spend on crates because you just have to have a specific apex mount. (And that's being conservative.) Not unless they cost $70 by themselves. Not to mention the "specialness" of said mounts vaporizes since EVERYONE buys one.

    No. This is an attempt to bypass the crown crate system entirely and as such I cannot give it my support. You want something specific out of them, suck it up and roll the dice just like everyone else.

    Woah there buddy. I think you're jumping the assumption gun. I didn't say jack about Apex or Legendary rewards. I don't expect 100 gems for 1000 crowns. Do you even KNOW what I use Crown Crates for? Of course you don't. Because you ASSUMED I use them for cosmetic use. That's a perk. What do I go after in the crates? Utility. Considering that subscribers pretty much get shamed for ASKING for their money's worth? What do we get?
    • Increased research timers, even if we're 9 trait already
    • Access to DLC we've already bought
    • Costume Dyeing
    • A bag that everyone claims as a necessity when it's not
    • Gold/Exp gains that are just adorable
    • The ability to stuff more items in a non-functional house aside from crafting and DPS parses.

    So nah. I disagree.
    Tell me lies, tell me sweet little lies!
  • riplar65
    riplar65
    Truthfully as a subscriber I am intrinsically not opposed to the revenue generating part of the crates...after all we have to pay the bills for the FTP losers. What is completely aggravating and will force both my husband and myself to NEVER again buy a crate is the dismal drop rates. Its one thing to generate income, its quite another to be stingy to the point of shooting off your foot.
  • Slurg
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    Why not allow everyone to purchase the crown gems, then? If everyone who doesn't want to gamble but would buy the items directly participated, it would result in more happy customers and more money for ZOS all around. I wouldn't expect such a thing to be inexpensive but it would give an option that currently does not exist for people who strongly prefer fixed prices.
    Happy All the Holidays To You and Yours!
    Remembering better days of less RNG in all the things.
  • Jim_Pipp
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    Huh? I am surprised this idea received such a positive reaction. DISCLAIMER: I am a non-subscriber for more than a year, but I genuinely feel grateful to subscribers who continue to support the development of a game I enjoy, I posted several suggestions in the recent developer thread about how to improve the subscription because you guys deserve more, but...

    I don't mind if crown crate rewards are offered for sale to subscribers, but.. you know the items wouldn't be cheap and the whole thing would be (what is the word?)... Zo$'d? You would be overcharged so Zos could treat subscribers as their personal piggy bank even more than they currently do. And just like crown sales devalue the subscription (it is so much better value to just buy cheap crowns to buy the dlc, rather than sub), anyone who wanted something from a crown crate would briefly sub to buy crate items, and the need to buy dozens and dozens of crown crates would be gone so poor Zos would make less of those dollar-pounds they like so much, so they would then do some other money grab.

    Finally, I have a theory (but absolutely no proof) that the vast majority of people who buy crown crates are also subscribers. Only Zos have the data to know if I am right, but if subscribers are significant patrons of Pacrooti then I think this suggestion is very unlikely to be implemented.

    TLDR: If subscribers want this then they can have it, but it would probably open a can of worms and ultimately cost you and everyone else more in the long run, so it may be better to demand a few free crates each month (and some more perks). Thank you for subscribing.
    #1 tip (Re)check your graphics settings periodically - especially resolution.
  • Sigtric
    Sigtric
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    If this were implemented I'd definitely be throwing even more money at the crown store. I buy a lot of things from it now, except crime crates. I want the things inside but the RNG plus the crap conversion ratio for gems keeps me out of it.

    Stormproof: Vibeke - 50 EP mDragonknight | Savi Dreloth - 50 EP Magsorc | Sadi Dreloth - 50 EP Magblade | Sigtric Stormaxe - 50 EP Stamsorc | Valora Dreloth - 50 EP Magplar | Sigtric the Unbearable 50 EP Stam Warden
    Scrub: Chews-on-Beavers - 50 EP DK Tank | Vera the Wild - 50 EP magicka Warden | Sigtric the Axe - 50 EP Dragonknight Crafter | Sigtric the Blade - 50 EP Lost Nightblade | Sigtric the Savage - 50 EP magicka Templar | Vibeka Shadowblade - 50 Ep Stealthy Ganky Nightblade |

    Show Me Your Dunmer
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  • Glurin
    Glurin
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    Glurin wrote: »
    Phage wrote: »
    Glurin wrote: »
    ...............Seriously?

    You already get free crowns which you can spend on crates if you want.

    It's not free if you pay for it.

    Economics 101.

    Pretty much this. Subbing doesn't equate to free things. You're paying for the bonuses you get. There's nothing wrong with the OP's idea at all. It'd probably generate more stable subscriptions as well.

    Nothing wrong except that it dramatically reduces revenue from crown crates. Your $15 doesn't make up for the extra $70+ you'd spend on crates because you just have to have a specific apex mount. (And that's being conservative.) Not unless they cost $70 by themselves. Not to mention the "specialness" of said mounts vaporizes since EVERYONE buys one.

    No. This is an attempt to bypass the crown crate system entirely and as such I cannot give it my support. You want something specific out of them, suck it up and roll the dice just like everyone else.

    Woah there buddy. I think you're jumping the assumption gun. I didn't say jack about Apex or Legendary rewards. I don't expect 100 gems for 1000 crowns. Do you even KNOW what I use Crown Crates for? Of course you don't. Because you ASSUMED I use them for cosmetic use. That's a perk. What do I go after in the crates? Utility. Considering that subscribers pretty much get shamed for ASKING for their money's worth? What do we get?

    The OP is all but specifically asking for the ability to buy apex and legendary awards individually. I don't give a *** what you personally use crates for. The principle is the same. If you want something specific out of them, then you roll the dice until you have the gems to buy what you want if you didn't get it before. To give subs the ability to just buy whatever outright is asking WAY too much and is wildly unfair to those who don't have a sub for whatever reason.

    As for what subs get, you forgot to mention that you also get ~$15 worth of crowns. Considering the sub is $15, I'd say you're already getting your money's worth.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster...when you gaze long into the abyss the abyss also gazes into you..."
  • Starless06
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    Sounds like a good idea to me.
  • Danikat
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    I don't subscribe and I support this idea.

    If this option was added I'd buy a 30 day sub whenever new crates were released so I could buy the items I want from them and then cancel the sub again. (Yes I realise the 1,500 sub crowns probably wouldn't get much, but I'd buy extra crowns if necessary, the sub would just be to gain access to the system.)

    And that's why they almost certainly won't do it. If it was possible to buy crate items directly hardly anyone would buy the crates.
    PC EU player | She/her/hers | PAWS (Positively Against Wrip-off Stuff) - Say No to Crown Crates!

    "Remember in this game we call life that no one said it's fair"
  • Aelthwyn
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    Personally, I would buy quite a few of the crate items directly, even if over priced, but there's no way I'm throwing money at random crap I don't want that will forever clutter up my collections. I hate the crate system altogether, but I think this idea makes for a good compromise. They would definitely get more money from me if they did this, and it would certainly make a subscription feel more worthwhile.
    Edited by Aelthwyn on March 9, 2017 1:30AM
  • TheShadowScout
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    Violynne wrote: »
    The solution is simple: create a sub only store front, where we can purchase Crown Crate items directly.
    I'd spend my crowns there... so far, I only found a few small items in crown crates I really wanted, and usually bite the bullet, buy some crates and exchange crap for croen gems, then buy that one hat i wanted with those. I'd much rather buy it directly... or be able to buy a "crown gem crate" directly and then spend the gems.
  • Kidz_BeAstx
    Kidz_BeAstx
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    Just make sure the the Dro'Mathra mount, leopard senche, tiger senche that came out 3 years ago, and a few costumes that I didn't buy are for sale in crown crates. I'm so bummed out that I didn't buy that Dro'Mathra mount when it came out ;(
  • ManwithBeard9
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    Just make sure the the Dro'Mathra mount, leopard senche, tiger senche that came out 3 years ago, and a few costumes that I didn't buy are for sale in crown crates. I'm so bummed out that I didn't buy that Dro'Mathra mount when it came out ;(

    The tiger senche will never be available. It was a loyalty reward along with a few other things.
  • Kidz_BeAstx
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  • SupaSane
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    I like the system because it is purely based off RNG, meaning it is adding rarity to the apex mounts.
    Edited by SupaSane on March 15, 2017 1:46PM
    SupaSane - PC / NA
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    "So do all who live to see such times but that is not for them to decide, All you have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to you." -Gandalf
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