Crafting Bag is the biggest turn off for a new player

Arunei · March 3

They could very easily replace the crafting bag with something else to keep people subbed. The simple fact that inventory management is such a pain that everyone speculates it's the main reason why most people sub at all makes it clear SOMETHING needs to be done that ISN'T selling the solution to a problem they created.

Make the Bag base game and add in four of the current Crown Crate every month, increase the amount of Crowns you get, add Crown Gems as something you get every month, increase the additional gold to like 30% or something, add more "free" things to Plus that people can claim every month, and that's just a few things they could do.

Or like I said before, add a more limited version of the Bag to base game. Make it hold sonewhere like 50-100 unique stacks. People who are crafters/hoarders like me will still need/want the "unlimited" version, and the people who don't hard-core craft or whatever can get by with the Lite version.

Also don't forget that just because all content going forward is free, which includes all DLC and Dungeons, all the DLC/Dungeons currently in the store require you either own them or continue to sub to access them.

ESO_player123 · March 3

Arunei wrote: »

They could very easily replace the crafting bag with something else to keep people subbed. The simple fact that inventory management is such a pain that everyone speculates it's the main reason why most people sub at all makes it clear SOMETHING needs to be done that ISN'T selling the solution to a problem they created.

Make the Bag base game and add in four of the current Crown Crate every month, increase the amount of Crowns you get, add Crown Gems as something you get every month, increase the additional gold to like 30% or something, add more "free" things to Plus that people can claim every month, and that's just a few things they could do.

Or like I said before, add a more limited version of the Bag to base game. Make it hold sonewhere like 50-100 unique stacks. People who are crafters/hoarders like me will still need/want the "unlimited" version, and the people who don't hard-core craft or whatever can get by with the Lite version.

Also don't forget that just because all content going forward is free, which includes all DLC and Dungeons, all the DLC/Dungeons currently in the store require you either own them or continue to sub to access them.

That is the thing: it's not that easy to come up with something that is equivalent in value to the craft bag. None of the things that you listed are even close considering how many people are subbing for the sole reason of the craft bag.

Solvar · March 3

I wonder if a limited (non ESO+) craft bag that holds 50 of each item would reduce inventory friction, especially for newer players, but for experienced players/serious crafters, would still be insufficient and thus keep them subscribing to ESO+.
50 isn't a lot, and those who do serious crafting will still have to deal with limited storage, but that would be enough to hold more of the obscure style stones and other rare ingredients.
For new players to sell off those uncommon/unused crafting materials is its own challenge - need to know value, need to be in a guild with a trader, and if you only have 1 of the given item (hence, why you don't want to store it to use up space), it might just not be worth the effort of trying to list it on a guild trader vs what you will get if it does sell.

AzuraFan · March 3

Arunei wrote: »

They could very easily replace the crafting bag with something else to keep people subbed. The simple fact that inventory management is such a pain that everyone speculates it's the main reason why most people sub at all makes it clear SOMETHING needs to be done that ISN'T selling the solution to a problem they created.

Make the Bag base game and add in four of the current Crown Crate every month, increase the amount of Crowns you get, add Crown Gems as something you get every month, increase the additional gold to like 30% or something, add more "free" things to Plus that people can claim every month, and that's just a few things they could do.

I wouldn't stay subscribed for four crown crates every month, or an increase in crowns, or additional gold, or more free stuff. I subscribe because the craft bag makes my life so much easier in ESO. If they gave it to me for free, I wouldn't need a subscription.

It's not as easy to replace the craft bag, given that according to polls and threads here, at least half of subscribers would cancel if the craft bag went free. Having said that, I agree inventory management is a pain without the bag and maybe they can do something. But if they do too much, people will drop ESO+.

barney2525 wrote: »

what's next? All Bank space should be maxed and free upon character creation. And all Mount speed, stamina, and carry space as well. And all inventory non-combat pets should be free at the start. And all costumes, hair styles, cosmetics etc etc etc All Free Free Free ! And all Mounts in the game as well. And all Motifs in the entire game should be in the outfitter from the start. And all dyes as well.

Yeah, there seem to be players who don't want to pay for things they want. If only life were that simple. There are things I want that I don't want to pay for (or can't afford), so guess what? I don't get them. Suck it up, buttercup.

In terms of new players being turned away by inventory management, I was a new player once struggling with inventory. Guess what I did? I subscribed to ESO+. Problem solved. If the game grabs a player, they'll consider subscribing. If they checked out the game because it's free and they don't want to pay any money, then they won't stick around. That's normal. ZOS wants players who will spend money on the game.

scrappy1342 · March 3

AzuraFan wrote: »

I wouldn't stay subscribed for four crown crates every month, or an increase in crowns, or additional gold, or more free stuff. I subscribe because the craft bag makes my life so much easier in ESO. If they gave it to me for free, I wouldn't need a subscription.

It's not as easy to replace the craft bag, given that according to polls and threads here, at least half of subscribers would cancel if the craft bag went free. Having said that, I agree inventory management is a pain without the bag and maybe they can do something. But if they do too much, people will drop ESO+.

if i were still playing enough to be subscribed and they made the craft bag free, i'd drop it. quick. crown crates are great. i love crown crates... but i can buy those from players with gold. which i did hundreds of times because i didn't want to spend real money on them.

Orbital78 · March 3

It is kind of a zos mmo trademark at this point, I knew fallout 76 would be similar. I just didn't bother playing it. If I go without ESO+ I just sell more to the vendor. Though the amount of style mats they are adding to the game is kind of ridiculous.

Tandor · March 3

TheFibrewire wrote: »

This game is a paid premium experience, yet every single thing is monetized. [snip] The crafting bag should be a feature for every single player, yet it is imprisoned inside ESo plus. Everyone knows ESO plus is worthless without crafting bag. Just for inventory access you need to pay a sub fee is absurd.

These type of monetization is extremely predatory and a complete invasion of player freedom.

New players will immediately go away after getting to know this, stop this and provide Crafting Bag to all people who owns this game.

If you want your game to grow provide crafting bag to all, else stay with you ageing audience and stunt your growth.
[edited for bashing]

Totally false. Everyone does not know, or believe, that.

No argument ever succeeds on the basis of a false premise.

However, if you were actually right then making the crafting bag free for everyone would be financial suicide for ZOS because every subscriber would then drop their sub. Or do you have an alternative idea for something else that would keep the revenue stream from subs and which wouldn't immediately lead to criticism on the forum? I don't see anything in your opening post other than a clear implication that you want a crafting bag but don't want to pay for a subscription. Again, not a winning argument.

Deserrick · 1:12AM

The game is already highly monetized, so giving more value to the consumers would not be anything like giving away the only paid item for free.

Worrying about the company losing money by making the craft bag free is also short-sighted. The game competes with other games, and the amount of friction and frustration is a consideration when choosing which game wins the competition.

Radiate77 · 2:34AM

They should honestly just replace the sub with the Battle Pass. We have too many monetization options.

We have rotating Gamble Crates,
Gamble Crate bundles,
Imperial Race,
Arcanist,
Necromancer,
Collector Packs for each Zone,
Inventory Boosters,
Riding Lessons,
Alliance Tokens,
Appearance Tokens,
Name Tokens,
Race Tokens,
Skill Line Boosters,
Skyshards,
Player Homes,
Furnishing Bundles,
Individual Furnishings (like snow),
Mundus Stones,
Transmute Station,
Statues,
Outfit Slots,
Armor Loadouts,
Crafting Motifs,
Research Boosters,
Customized Actions,
Skill Styles,
Mounts,
Pets,
Companions,
Costumes,
Hats,
Adornments,
Emotes,
Hair Styles,
Markings,
Personalities,
Skins,
Dyes,
Merchant Assistant,
Banker Assistant,
Deconstruction Assistant,
Loadout Change Assistant…

Oh my wallet… 💸

SilverBride · 3:17AM

Radiate77 wrote: »

They should honestly just replace the sub with the Battle Pass.

Absolutely not. I like the ESO+ perks and am not the least bit interested in the Battle Pass.

Radiate77 · 3:47AM

SilverBride wrote: »

Radiate77 wrote: »

They should honestly just replace the sub with the Battle Pass.

Absolutely not. I like the ESO+ perks and am not the least bit interested in the Battle Pass.

Did you willfully ignore the point of this thread? Or did it just kinda happen like that?

Absolutely yes.

The perks should be baked into the game, and the sub should disappear. Let those of us who have the means, fund the game for people who do not. There is more than enough stuff to buy.

SilverBride · 3:59AM

Radiate77 wrote: »

The perks should be baked into the game, and the sub should disappear. Let those of us who have the means, fund the game for people who do not. There is more than enough stuff to buy.

A lot of people have the means, but not the desire to spend their money on a lot of loud and flashy cartoony cosmetics. I much prefer to support the game by subbing, which provides a lot of perks I actually find useful.

AlterBlika · 7:40AM

I think you missed the point. Playing without craft bag is absolutely manageable. I don't think it's a concern at all for newer players, just a doompost they might find on the forums.

The biggest turn off is how much this game costs you eventually with all these dlcs or monthly subs just for access to the content. Good luck trying to get someone new into the old and dying game and then telling them they have to invest so much to play it. It's a much bigger problem than crafting bag imo.
At least they're making steps into the right direction now (giving away dlcs and ditching annual chapters).

Orbital78 · 1:36PM

if it were not for inventory auto sorting addons and loot filters to leave behind junk, I wouldn't be able to manage. Most new players won't figure that out for awhile. I also have had time to unlock all char slots, max alt inventory, and have a couple dedicated mules.

SgtSilock · 1:37PM

jirusan wrote: »

Bruh the game is almost completely free, there has to be something to make it profitable.

Selling convenience and cosmetic items is the most common way. Inventory tabs, or in this case the craft bag, is a classic.

I believe the OP’s point is that the developers created a problem in the game that the crafting bag is designed to solve.

AzuraFan · 2:57PM

SgtSilock wrote: »

I believe the OP’s point is that the developers created a problem in the game that the crafting bag is designed to solve.

Yep, we all know that. We've all always known that. It is what it is.

You have these choices: Leave the game, learn to play without the craft bag, or subscribe. There's a fourth choice: stick around and complain that the craft bag isn't free. But that's the least constructive choice and isn't going to get you anywhere. You'll be much better off going with one of the first three.

AScarlato · 3:07PM

I've also seen many a comment on reddit that it's also a turn-off for returning, not just new players.

Anyway this is how I felt returning to ESO after a break for Heart's Day, undecided how much I will play given the lack of new content I am interested in for some time, and trying to access my bank.

AScarlato · 3:12PM

jirusan wrote: »

Bruh the game is almost completely free, there has to be something to make it profitable.

Selling convenience and cosmetic items is the most common way. Inventory tabs, or in this case the craft bag, is a classic.

There is a reason this sometimes extremely predatory game that is "almost free" made $2B+ in revenue.

Surprised how many people agreed with this sentiment. We see them backtracking from some of this (removing bites from the crown store from new/gullible players among other practices), but really...

Deserrick · 3:49PM

AzuraFan wrote: »

SgtSilock wrote: »

I believe the OP’s point is that the developers created a problem in the game that the crafting bag is designed to solve.

There's a fourth choice: stick around and complain that the craft bag isn't free. But that's the least constructive choice and isn't going to get you anywhere.

Then again, look at what happened when people stuck around and complained that bringing endgame power into early-game content caused them to overpower the early-game content.

lolinternet · 4:12PM

TheFibrewire wrote: »

Everyone knows ESO plus is worthless without crafting bag.

I disagree. I only started ESO+ for the DLC dungeons and it has been fully worthwhile. I was doing fine without the crafting bag for a good while. Sure, it was convenient, but it did not become important to me until a good while later.