ZOS, please stop it with the limited time sales.

Marto · June 2017

Please, stop it.

I'm not a marketing expert, but does limiting your items to 3-7 days really bring more sales and money? Whatever the answer to that question might be, it's not a good practice for us, the consumers.

More than once I've missed items because I could only afford them a few days after the sale ended. The current system punishes anyone that doesn't have money at any point of the month.

And if you want to make the argument that it makes items "more exclusive", I seriously doubt that making sales 3 days is that much of a difference compared to making it a 14 day sale. I'm fine with rare items, what bothers me is the degree at which this is presented.

Please reconsider the current Crown Store practices.

Darlgon · June 2017

Yes please. Go back to sub based so there are no "limited time" sales or sales pressure of any kind.

MasturCheef · June 2017

It definitely makes items more exclusive when they offer it just for 3 to 5 days. I like it that way. A 14 days long offer makes no sense, they could offer it for a month or two then.

Baconlad · June 2017

There have been a few items i couldnt afford with my basic sub crown allotment...so i went to go buy crowns, and go figure...too broke. Gas is more important than a sabre mount. Funny thing with the sabre for example is that had they extended the sale by just one day? Id have bought the sabre mount...too bad ZoS apparently is doing SO well finacially that they can decline my EXTRA money on top of the sub i already pay for... horrible buisiness decision. They spend hundred of man ours developing these big beautiful homes, then they put them up for sale in the middle of the month? All limited time offers should be extebded from the 1st of one month to the first pf the next. To do otherwise is a smack in the face to us

ChuckyPayne · June 2017

How about just stop limited sales? Everything would be stay in the shop. Every month there are new items in the shop, don't neccessary limit sales. Always will be new items, players will buy new items.

The exlusive != rare. If some new item comes, players will buy it and don't care them the exclusivity, just like it or not.

4-5.5K crown mouns -> expensive = few players will buy it -> exlusive.
Exclusive? With tiger mount and monkey pet I don't feel any exclusivity. Tons of other mounts pets that are more attractive.

We start getting used to it already. Or maybe not? O.o We talk about it, over and over again?!

This is the same in other games. We pay for the nothings (Enforced comfort services, 0 hour development content items).

They earn much more money with store than with contents.
Then this is the question: Why should we develop good, rich content frequently? Awswer: We don't, there is the item shop. Only 1 more thing need advertising be enough players.

Players comes and players leave, but crown store is eternal.

Justiciar · June 2017

The collector in my agrees with your sentiments OP. But from an money standpoint the limited time sales do, unfortunately, help ZOS make more money. The point of the limited time offers is to get you to see something you really want and go buy more crowns so you can get it before the sales end. The longer duration offers, or ones that don't expire, don't have that pressing urge to get it before it's gone, so people will instead save up their monthly crowns for a while and then purchase it.

So the point is that it drives increased revenue for them by getting people to spend more money purchasing crowns than they would if the item was long in duration.

Avran_Sylt · June 2017

The crown store is gonna become a heavy feature. All aesthetic though. If anything the game WARFRAME is a prime example of a successful version of convenience + aesthetic based in-game purchases. Every game changing thing is achievable via grinding in game, while nearly all cosmetic effects are tied to a player bought currency that can actually be traded between players. So you can even achieve the payed currency by grinding in game and selling to other players.

Fallen_Ray · June 2017

Marto wrote: »

Please, stop it.

I'm not a marketing expert, but does limiting your items to 3-7 days really bring more sales and money? Whatever the answer to that question might be, it's not a good practice for us, the consumers.

More than once I've missed items because I could only afford them a few days after the sale ended. The current system punishes anyone that doesn't have money at any point of the month.

And if you want to make the argument that it makes items "more exclusive", I seriously doubt that making sales 3 days is that much of a difference compared to making it a 14 day sale. I'm fine with rare items, what bothers me is the degree at which this is presented.

Please reconsider the current Crown Store practices.

I agree. Most of us don't have money all the time. I don't think ZOS sees that we live from paycheck to paycheck. And spending savings on a game isn't a smart thing to do.

They must believe we will choose buying digital, non tangible crown store goods over real life priorities.

Fingolfinn01 · June 2017

I agree with the op. You can't save up for things. It could take a few weeks of savings to buy something like a mount you find kool looking only to find that its now only attainable behind a gambling create system.

shut down the casino store, and open up a department store.

NewBlacksmurf · June 2017

While I don't like these either.

The price of crown items and decisions on limited time items align with how many crowns are available overall.

So let's look at it like this
-June hits and they pull data on how many crowns each account has collectively not by platform.

They use that data and assign crown prices to each item based upon where they want the average to be. It's an economy concept to control inflation or what some refer to as an inflation guard.

If the average is 10k then maybe items will range from 500-1,000 (like the start of crown item sales)
Then you'll have more or less items available for months at one range and higher items using a limited availability.

Later the average could be 30k so now items range from 5k to 15k (like the last housing and May item sales or prior months)

Then get this, they insert a crown sale....end it and that next month do the same.

The crown sale and crown pricing and limited availability is what impacts people's decisions to pre-purchase crowns so they tend to delay the items so people loose reality of the actual money they spent on crowns as items typically hit after a full pay period for bi-weekly folks.

Just my observation

MNsnowtaTy · June 2017

I too enjoy the limited time sales as it prevents a ton of people running around on the same mounts or with the same pets.

Kylric · June 2017

I don't know why I am bothering to post, but I must just be in the mood.

Telling a company that they should not have a sale on special promo items because you don't have enough crowns to purchase, and then stating you feel like you're being punished because you can't have another mount or whatever is just, well... foolish.

I see so many threads in various threads for MMOs, not just ESO, making comments that basically state that it's not fair that the company who is making and maintaining the game should not be run like a business.

I purchase crowns when they are on sale and I don't feel like I need to collect 20 mounts or collect little cartoon animals to explore with me. I have a couple.

Two people going to a movie and buying just popcorn and drinks will cost you over $30. Playing ESO for hours a day is far less.

On a side note, I do think some of Zos' items are expensive. I choose not to buy them, but I don't feel they can't mark them at the price they feel is appropriate.

WalksonGraves · June 2017

Better hurry and pawn your silver or face a lifetime of regret.

AlienSlof · June 2017

WalksonGraves wrote: »

^^ And how many people throw their money into smoking? ^^

What a total waste, and you risk cancer on top of that. Way to go. At least ESO is healthier (especially for oldies like myself, it keeps my brain sharp).

Bouldercleave · June 2017

If you are broke to the point that you need to choose between a digital horse in a game and gas to get to work then the choice has already been made for you - life always wins.

It's not ZoS fault that you are broke, but it IS their fault that they charge so much for paltry junk. The REAL problem is that as long as they are getting solid ROI on what they do, they will keep doing it. I buy almost nothing past my ESO + crowns because I feel everything is overpriced by about double. Do I complain? No - I just don't buy. It's the same reason that I drive a Jeep Wrangler and not a Ferrari. The fact that I can afford a $2,500.00 car payment doesn't mean I'm going to. I could run around on a flaming green sabrecat, but not for $40.00. It's all personal choice.

Yes a 3-5 day exclusive sale IS VERY effective marketing and is proven to be wildly successful.

starkerealm · June 2017

Avran_Sylt wrote: »

The crown store is gonna become a heavy feature. All aesthetic though. If anything the game WARFRAME is a prime example of a successful version of convenience + aesthetic based in-game purchases. Every game changing thing is achievable via grinding in game, while nearly all cosmetic effects are tied to a player bought currency that can actually be traded between players. So you can even achieve the payed currency by grinding in game and selling to other players.

I can't speak to Warframe directly, but this one is a really fantastic slippery slope that I've seen developers abuse, and with the specific structure of ESO's, "convenience," focus it would be disastrous.

What Cryptic does is, straight up, sell power. Better ships (in STO), better skill options, better gear. It flat out gates more powerful options away from the player unless you cough up some cash... or can get someone else to cough up some cash for you.

Cryptic, and a lot of their fans, can gleefully say, "well, it's not pay to win, because you can 'earn' these things through in game activities." It's pay to win, but gated behind, "well you could have earned it, so it doesn't count."

The selling to other players part is the critical element in all of this. You need to either buy your way in, or get someone else to pay your fare. Either way, the company is getting cash, and can get away with a lot of stuff that you wouldn't believe, because, "well, you could just grind up the currency and sell it to someone."

Kode · June 2017

Personally I like the limited time sales. I think if anyone can buy any item at any time, it makes certain items overplayed... for example when everyone buys the same crown store mount. Thus that mount becomes less valuable. If it sees only a limited introduction, it still somewhat rare.

I would rather see rare mounts, skins and items locked behind content (which to some extent it is), but this isn't a bad direction.

Now if they would lock more items behind achievements and some behind total achievement points (along with making achievements account-wide)... that would be nice.

Queo · June 2017

To the OP, Here is a simple budgeting tip you can actually use this tip to help create a budget for everything in life. Highly recommend it. Much like birthdays and Christmas you can be assured there will always be a video game or item that you want. So every month you set aside a % of what you make for that game/item you want. EVEN if NOTHING is on the horizon, just keep building up that little account. That way you will have money when an unexpected item that you really want, comes up.

Of course if your always buying new exclusive items, and you are always broke, you need to step back.

I also highly recommend, Dave Ramsey's Total Money Make Over, Its surprisingly not a dry read. Also the audio books is fantastic as it is read by Dave himself, and his inflections make it more enjoyable.

Feanor · June 2017

I've been finding out more and more that the crown store isn't appealing to me any longer. It has a lot to do with the same stuff over and over, but re-skinned, so that I hold off if I don't really like it because the re-skin might be better. Happened with the Sabre Cat. Wish I could return it.

It also has to do with crown crates and the abysmal "luck" involved. So no more crowns for mounts or other stuff for the time being from me.

Merlin13KAGL · June 2017

So you're wanting ZoS to limit their use of limits?

I suspect it's half marketing, and half preventative to actually keep people (who might not be able to afford it, but also have difficulty saying 'no,') from overspending.

Can't purchase what isn't there.

NyassaV · June 2017

It is literally worse for everyone involved, if they left it out for everyone they'd make more money in the long run

BuddyAces · June 2017

MasturCheef wrote: »

It definitely makes items more exclusive when they offer it just for 3 to 5 days. I like it that way. A 14 days long offer makes no sense, they could offer it for a month or two then.

Seriously? Exclusive?? It's a god forsaken video game for crying out loud. Owning one does not make you exclusive nor does it put stars in the eyes of other players. It's one thing to have something special because you completed a hard achievement or got a lucky rare item but buying one outright??? Give me a freaking break and blow that nonsense out somewhere else. I'll say it again, it's a video game and you're not "exclusive" because you bought a mount.

And before anyone says it, I'm the kind of player who buys this crap because I like it and do not care what other people think of me owning something but I don't feel exclusive with it. Limited time is horse *** in my opinion.

BlackSparrow · June 2017

Justiciar wrote: »

The collector in my agrees with your sentiments OP. But from an money standpoint the limited time sales do, unfortunately, help ZOS make more money. The point of the limited time offers is to get you to see something you really want and go buy more crowns so you can get it before the sales end. The longer duration offers, or ones that don't expire, don't have that pressing urge to get it before it's gone, so people will instead save up their monthly crowns for a while and then purchase it.

So the point is that it drives increased revenue for them by getting people to spend more money purchasing crowns than they would if the item was long in duration.

To add to this: as a roleplayer, a lot of my cosmetic items (houses, costumes, etc) are driven by my character concept. I buy a lot of cosmetics, usually because they're the perfect fit for one of my characters. If there's a neat item in the Crown Store that doesn't fit one of my characters, I usually leave it... unless it's limited time. After all, what if I later make a character who it would have been perfect for? I don't want to miss out!

It's insidiously effective for targeting cosmetics junkies like me. Because here's the thing: I hate that Tel Galen will be limited time. I think it's a step too far. But I'm still going to buy it during that limited-time weekend, because this is a house I have envisioned for my main character since launch, and that's what drives my ESO purchases.

There's a term marketing likes to use: "Fear of Missing Out," or FoMO. It's where someone feels anxious when they're disconnected from their social groups, like when they lose their phone or internet, or miss a social engagement. This is like that, where the fear of missing out on a nice cosmetic piece drives consumers to buy the piece, even if they don't really want it at that moment.

It's insidious, and highly effective.

quadraxis666 · June 2017

Baconlad wrote: »

There have been a few items i couldnt afford with my basic sub crown allotment...so i went to go buy crowns, and go figure...too broke. Gas is more important than a sabre mount. Funny thing with the sabre for example is that had they extended the sale by just one day? Id have bought the sabre mount...too bad ZoS apparently is doing SO well finacially that they can decline my EXTRA money on top of the sub i already pay for... horrible buisiness decision. They spend hundred of man ours developing these big beautiful homes, then they put them up for sale in the middle of the month? All limited time offers should be extebded from the 1st of one month to the first pf the next. To do otherwise is a smack in the face to us

I actually want to try to make you feel better, I have the Sabrecat mount and trust me if you own any senche mount you arent missing anything, It's the exact same mount, it has the same underlying "skeleton" and animations. The Black senche lion came out a little bit afterward and I bought that one because it's genuinely badass looking. Sabre cat gave me nothing but buyer's remorse.

MasturCheef · June 2017

BuddyAces wrote: »

MasturCheef wrote: »

It definitely makes items more exclusive when they offer it just for 3 to 5 days. I like it that way. A 14 days long offer makes no sense, they could offer it for a month or two then.

Seriously? Exclusive?? It's a god forsaken video game for crying out loud. Owning one does not make you exclusive nor does it put stars in the eyes of other players. It's one thing to have something special because you completed a hard achievement or got a lucky rare item but buying one outright??? Give me a freaking break and blow that nonsense out somewhere else. I'll say it again, it's a video game and you're not "exclusive" because you bought a mount.

And before anyone says it, I'm the kind of player who buys this crap because I like it and do not care what other people think of me owning something but I don't feel exclusive with it. Limited time is horse *** in my opinion.

the-big-lebowski-yeah-well-thats-just-like-your-opinion-man.jpg

The item - in fact - gets more exclusive the shorter the timespan of it's availability is. Doesn't matter which kind of item. Your argument is invalid, Brochacho.

BuddyAces · June 2017

MasturCheef wrote: »

BuddyAces wrote: »

MasturCheef wrote: »

It definitely makes items more exclusive when they offer it just for 3 to 5 days. I like it that way. A 14 days long offer makes no sense, they could offer it for a month or two then.

Seriously? Exclusive?? It's a god forsaken video game for crying out loud. Owning one does not make you exclusive nor does it put stars in the eyes of other players. It's one thing to have something special because you completed a hard achievement or got a lucky rare item but buying one outright??? Give me a freaking break and blow that nonsense out somewhere else. I'll say it again, it's a video game and you're not "exclusive" because you bought a mount.

And before anyone says it, I'm the kind of player who buys this crap because I like it and do not care what other people think of me owning something but I don't feel exclusive with it. Limited time is horse *** in my opinion.

The item - in fact - gets more exclusive the shorter the timespan of it's availability is. Doesn't matter which kind of item. Your argument is invalid, Brochacho.

I guarantee you that that last exclusive item that both my wife and I bought doesn't make it anymore exclusive than if it was on the store for a month. I'm sorry that you view things this way. Kinda feel bad for ya.

MasturCheef · June 2017

BuddyAces wrote: »

MasturCheef wrote: »

BuddyAces wrote: »

MasturCheef wrote: »

It definitely makes items more exclusive when they offer it just for 3 to 5 days. I like it that way. A 14 days long offer makes no sense, they could offer it for a month or two then.

Seriously? Exclusive?? It's a god forsaken video game for crying out loud. Owning one does not make you exclusive nor does it put stars in the eyes of other players. It's one thing to have something special because you completed a hard achievement or got a lucky rare item but buying one outright??? Give me a freaking break and blow that nonsense out somewhere else. I'll say it again, it's a video game and you're not "exclusive" because you bought a mount.

And before anyone says it, I'm the kind of player who buys this crap because I like it and do not care what other people think of me owning something but I don't feel exclusive with it. Limited time is horse *** in my opinion.

The item - in fact - gets more exclusive the shorter the timespan of it's availability is. Doesn't matter which kind of item. Your argument is invalid, Brochacho.

I guarantee you that that last exclusive item that both my wife and I bought doesn't make it anymore exclusive than if it was on the store for a month. I'm sorry that you view things this way. Kinda feel bad for ya.

Just one last try to explain the issue to you, as you weren't able to get it yet: Get rid of your selfish thinking. The item doesn't get more exclusive to YOURSELF, fine bruh

but it gets more exclusive to the overall playerbase. You obviously don't understand economics. This is the reason for ZOS to decresse tel galens availability span to just 4 days in the first place.

BuddyAces · June 2017

Yet I've seen an extreme amount of people with every exclusive item that they have come out with. Exclusive means small. Nothing about what they have released is exclusive due to how many you see around.

uzbachchi · June 2017

Gonna go pawn my kidney to buy the dwarven spider mount. brb

Dracofyre · June 2017

nitche targeted market, the Whales, aka Wallet Warriors who are rich and spoiled.
many can resist and some are too broke.

nine9six · June 2017

Limited Time sales are horrible.