Spent $1900 on ESO so far, and why it's going to be way less going forward

Cavedog · September 2018

So, I made a mistake this morning during the down time and added up how much I've spent on ESO. It turned out to be considerably more than I thought it would be, to say the least. I've spent $1883 on ESO so far, and there is no way to continue playing without paying at least the $15/month for eso plus. So, that's all ZOS is going to get from me going forward.

The crown store is just too much of a scam now. The crown store is giving a great game a bad name, and justifiably so. Crowns cost at least double what they should, and items in crown store cost at least double what they should, making items worth at least four times less than the asking value. In addition, they just scammed us with a bogus cougar mount that is not a cougar, but a senche lioness with black paws.....but I digress.

I have the money. I can pay more. But I'm not going to going forward. It's simply not appropriate to support bad behavior financially.

Time to rework how you do the crown store ZOS.

Bevik · September 2018

Don't buy Crown Crates and the problem is solved. Stop complain about Crown Crates if that's your spending addiction that keeps going. They add mostly cosmetics things what you don't even need to play this game.

Anyway keep paying so we can enjoy quality updates.

About ESO+ I understand why you need it as I'm paying it myself even if I have like an hour a day to play.

Cavedog · September 2018

Bevik wrote: »

Don't buy Crown Crates and the problem is solved. Stop complain about Crown Crates if that's your spending addiction that keeps going. They add mostly cosmetics things what you don't even need to play this game.

Anyway keep paying so we can enjoy quality updates.

About ESO+ I understand why you need it as I'm paying it myself even if I have like an hour a day to play.

I've never bought a crown crate. This is what happens when you make [removed baiting comment].

Sotha_Sil · September 2018

Maybe if you had not spent all that money to encourage ZOS with greedy prices from the start, the crown store would be less aggressive. Anyway, thanks for your support I guess.

StamWhipCultist · September 2018

I can understand OP. More than once I was not satisfied by mere color changes to what they sell as new mounts. On the other hand, I buy only stuff I like. I hope crown store improves in the future, and I plan to invest more money in that aspect of ESO.

Finviuswe · September 2018

Best to not even conut. Game plays better that way

ScardyFox · September 2018

The Crown Store is incredibly destructive to the game - I can only hope more people wake up and stop feeding the disease.

WuffyCerulei · September 2018

Sotha_Sil wrote: »

Maybe if you had not spent all that money to encourage ZOS with greedy prices from the start, the crown store would be less aggressive. Anyway, thanks for your support I guess.

People like them just want to buy neat things in-game. I do the same, but I've been doing it less and less as there just aren't things that interest me as much anymore.

Finviuswe · September 2018

ScardyFox wrote: »

The Crown Store is incredibly destructive to the game - I can only hope more people wake up and stop feeding the disease.

well that can't happen. impossible

Qanubis · September 2018

Cavedog wrote: »

Bevik wrote: »

Don't buy Crown Crates and the problem is solved. Stop complain about Crown Crates if that's your spending addiction that keeps going. They add mostly cosmetics things what you don't even need to play this game.

Anyway keep paying so we can enjoy quality updates.

About ESO+ I understand why you need it as I'm paying it myself even if I have like an hour a day to play.

I've never bought a crown crate. This is what happens when you make ASSumptions.

Exactly, read a post before replying. OP was discussing the direct cost of the crowns themself and the worth of the items in the store that they're spent on. You might have blown your money on crates, but the rest of us just buy something we like when it's available.

I haven't spent that much money, but I definitely have spent more than just usually having ESO+ active.

I agree, the store needs to be reworked. This game has and can continue to find success if they concentrate on improving the already amazing game itself, rather than trying to rake in the money through the store when thats time better spent on actual development and game upkeep, which seems to be lacking rather often especially with certain things that continue to be complained about by literally everyone.

Plus all this regular maintenance, yet the bigger issues don't seem to get fixed.

Turelus · September 2018

The store or crates aren't going to go away or being altered because it's mostly accepted within the gaming community these days.

Unless ZOS steps over a line or tries something which ruffles too many feathers (Maomer motif) things will just keep going as normal.
The crazy prices for houses has been set, people paid for them at those prices so they're going to stay at those prices.

Everyone is in charge of their own spending habits, and with the exceptions of scummy marketing practices (crates, FOMO etc.) pushing peoples buttons to get more money its up to you to judge if you feel something is worth buying.
It's always worth calculating the cost of an item in real money before you but it.

TheCyberDruid · September 2018

ScardyFox wrote: »

The Crown Store is incredibly destructive to the game - I can only hope more people wake up and stop feeding the disease.

While I rarely buy anything from the crown store I think that the crown store is actually the main way for ZOS to make money. So it's actually not 'destructive' to the game at all. It might be not the best way to make money off the game, but I dread the day that they only rely on crown crate gambling to fund the game.

Waffennacht · September 2018

I only purchase things that are utility based

I.e. when I subbed used crowns to buy dlc to unsubscribe.

Used characters, bank, guild bank, coffers and chests to replace craft bag

After some investment I really can have an enjoyable experience with no more payments

drkfrontiers · September 2018

In my opinion a perfect recipe for the Crown Store should be this.

The Crown Store SHOULD NEVER (crates included) offer something that is acquired in-game. In-game items should be unique to playing the game.

The Crown Store SHOULD ONLY offer items that cannot be found in-game. Crown items should be unique to the Crown Store.

= Crown Store profits + player economy profits.

Beardimus · September 2018

No $$ from me till they fix HDR.

Why would i spend money for cosmetic things that are no longer nice to look at.

Gnozo · September 2018

You know What? Sadly zenimax doesnt care at all.

I also spent nearly the same amount of money on the game but its current state with the lag in pvp is so frustrating it really kills the fun.

But after my last request to the support i cancled my sub and wont spend any more money. It was so disappointing to me and felt like a punch in the face to a customer who spends this amount of money on the game. Customer Service = Zero.

But Hey, they lost a good paying costumers. GG

Cavedog · September 2018

TheCyberDruid wrote: »

ScardyFox wrote: »

The Crown Store is incredibly destructive to the game - I can only hope more people wake up and stop feeding the disease.

While I rarely buy anything from the crown store I think that the crown store is actually the main way for ZOS to make money. So it's actually not 'destructive' to the game at all. It might be not the best way to make money off the game, but I dread the day that they only rely on crown crate gambling to fund the game.

You don't think that creating decent content to sell, and selling it for less would result in more sales? You make money by making sales. More sales means more money. ...basic marketing. Generally, you make more money when you lower your price and get more sales.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Moh7DXMk8g

Finviuswe · September 2018

Beardimus wrote: »

No $$ from me till they fix HDR.

Why would i spend money for cosmetic things that are no longer nice to look at.

I would usually say to if you really want it, just to get it. I've seen most things hidden in those crates so sometimes that is the way u could get to all of the good stuff

ScardyFox · September 2018

TheCyberDruid wrote: »

ScardyFox wrote: »

The Crown Store is incredibly destructive to the game - I can only hope more people wake up and stop feeding the disease.

While I rarely buy anything from the crown store I think that the crown store is actually the main way for ZOS to make money. So it's actually not 'destructive' to the game at all. It might be not the best way to make money off the game, but I dread the day that they only rely on crown crate gambling to fund the game.

Sorry, I don't agree with pretty much anything you say. Its destructive because it takes money and resources from making the game better. There are a myriad of problems with the game that are still lingering from beta (when I started) that deserve far more attention with their money and meeting/planning times then what pennies they can rip from the gullible.

That said, the biggest thing I disagree with you on is how they make the majority of their money. If you want to make money, you make a quality game - not grotesque cash grabs that plug financial holes.

OrphanHelgen · September 2018

I think you should add up all other *** you are spending money on as well. I rather want to buy some crates than a pack of sigarettes for example.
If eso is someones main hobby and they enjoy it, I don't see a problem to spend money on it if it makes them happy.
How expensive is your car btw?

immozz01 · September 2018

"and there is no way to continue playing without paying at least the $15/month for eso plus"

many, many people do that, so why can't you? because you make that choice. did anyone force you to pay $1900? you did, if you can and enjoyed that, good for you, if you don't want to, good for you.

Grimm13 · September 2018

Turelus wrote: »

The crazy prices for houses has been set, people paid for them at those prices so they're going to stay at those prices

I disagree. If people stop buying these then there is someone in ZOS that has to answer why are they spending so much developing products that are not selling. It does not take a research genius to see the forums and the backlash from players about the crown store. It will take some courage for ZOS to admit they over estimated acceptance of their pricing.

Huyen · September 2018

Just decided to quit ESO and go back to Skyrim. Why you ask? Because a greedy company, leaning more and more to p2w to keep the game afloat with all the bugs, and a rotten community in the lfg and guilds. Not to mention an increased rate of grinding...

Bevik · September 2018

Cavedog wrote: »

Bevik wrote: »

Don't buy Crown Crates and the problem is solved. Stop complain about Crown Crates if that's your spending addiction that keeps going. They add mostly cosmetics things what you don't even need to play this game.

Anyway keep paying so we can enjoy quality updates.

About ESO+ I understand why you need it as I'm paying it myself even if I have like an hour a day to play.

I've never bought a crown crate. This is what happens when you make ASSumptions.

Ah yeah sorry my bad, I misread.

But anyway we all know they are damn overpriced and it's getting worse but as long as they are cosmetics and expensive let people who can afford them or not right minded to buy them. I do spend my Crowns from ESO+ or buy Crowns only when they are really really cheap not with a ridiculous sale. And also agree with that they are just badly reskinned pieces which make me really sad.

Tannus15 · September 2018

Don't buy houses. That's my rule for the crown store. No matter how cool they are, in game gold or not at all.

The houses cost more $100. That is insane. you can buy multiple games for that. Sooooo no.

cheops · September 2018

There is nothing ‘wrong’ with the crown store - if you don’t want the stuff it offers just don’t buy it and be happy that others are providing the revenue stream that is required to keep the game going.

The question is - how is the money taken in spent?

How much is taken in ‘profit’ / spent on customer service / reinvested in infrastructure / spent on development?

The game is being operated according to a business model which needs to succeed one way or another.

Elsonso · September 2018

immozz01 wrote: »

"and there is no way to continue playing without paying at least the $15/month for eso plus"

many, many people do that, so why can't you? because you make that choice. did anyone force you to pay $1900? you did, if you can and enjoyed that, good for you, if you don't want to, good for you.

ESO Plus is definitely not required. It was possible to happily play the game before ESO Plus, the crafting bag, and extra bank space, and it still is. The same principles apply. Don't do more than you can store, and you will be just fine. The fly in that ointment is when the player is coming from ESO Plus and has to adjust.

That said, I am fairly confident that the market penetration for ESO Plus on the PC platform is well above half. Like, in the 2/3rds or 3/4ths range, particularly among people here in the forum. From what I see, not many people are choosing to go without it. I don't see ESO Plus getting smaller without a similar decline in game population.

As for spending $1900 on this game. Wow. Note to self... do not look at how much I have paid for this game.

Merlin13KAGL · September 2018

Cavedog wrote: »

So, I made a mistake this morning during the down time and added up how much I've spent on ESO. It turned out to be considerably more than I thought it would be, to say the least. I've spent $1883 on ESO so far, and there is no way to continue playing without paying at least the $15/month for eso plus. So, that's all ZOS is going to get from me going forward.

The crown store is just too much of a scam now. The crown store is giving a great game a bad name, and justifiably so. Crowns cost at least double what they should, and items in crown store cost at least double what they should, making items worth at least four times less than the asking value. In addition, they just scammed us with a bogus cougar mount that is not a cougar, but a senche lioness with black paws.....but I digress.

I have the money. I can pay more. But I'm not going to going forward. It's simply not appropriate to support bad behavior financially.

Time to rework how you do the crown store ZOS.

On, what, out of curiosity?

4 years' sub + Morrowind + Summerset works out to about $880. What did you spend an extra $1000 on?

happyhughes2001 · September 2018

Crown crates is a gambling mechanic which shouldn’t be allowed.

They should just list all items with the price and let people buy if they want.

Not entice people to gamble to get the item they want.

Cavedog · September 2018

Ah yeah sorry my bad, I misread.

But anyway we all know they are damn overpriced and it's getting worse but as long as they are cosmetics and expensive let people who can afford them or not right minded to buy them. I do spend my Crowns from ESO+ or buy Crowns only when they are really really cheap not with a ridiculous sale. And also agree with that they are just badly reskinned pieces which make me really sad.[/quote]

Exactly. That's how I've spent my crowns in the past too....and on an embarrassing number of race and name change tokens. I have to admit too, it was the last mount that I was so looking forward to being so lame that, at least in part, let to my complaint.

If a person has had eso plus since it's inception, that person has spent roughly $650 on this game for eso plus alone....just for those who haven't added it up yet.

The point of my original post is that I can spend more, and have, but why would anyone spend much of anything in the crown store with the way they are running it now? They need to reevaluate some of the core issues with the crown store if they want to keep making money off it like they have in the past. It's hard to imaging others who have spent so much feeling any differently than I do.

TheCyberDruid · September 2018

ScardyFox wrote: »

Sorry, I don't agree with pretty much anything you say. Its destructive because it takes money and resources from making the game better. There are a myriad of problems with the game that are still lingering from beta (when I started) that deserve far more attention with their money and meeting/planning times then what pennies they can rip from the gullible.

That said, the biggest thing I disagree with you on is how they make the majority of their money. If you want to make money, you make a quality game - not grotesque cash grabs that plug financial holes.

See that's the problem: you read what I wrote and think that I'm happy with a game that is merely there to support the crown store and crates rather than being a good game that is stable. I am not, but at the same time I'm realistic enough to know that once the game doesn't rake in any cash at all it's bye-bye ESO. The real issue is indeed that the money made by the crown store isn't (partially) used by ZOS to properly fix the game, but that's more of a management issue and not really the fault of the crown store itself.