What the new update has brought forth...
I didn't know where to post this, but I figured that you couldn't go wrong with Pocket Legends General Discussion.
It's December 16th! Update day! Everybody is in high spirits for the campaigns! Then, the dreaded news is announced: Platinum per instance, when regarding the holiday campaigns for both SL and PL.
Star Legends/Pocket Legends:
Important Details:
• Star Legends receives a new campaign pack: Planet Voleria.
• Star Legends receives the update for their holiday campaign.
• Holiday campaign is announced to be paid per instance.
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Pros [For STS]:
• New campaign is announced, thus lightening the complaints from SL players regarding the platinum per instance.
• Money is rolling in.
• People are amazed by the creativity of Voleria.
Cons [For STS]:
• Due to the platinum per instance, players have lost their trust in STS as a company.
• People at Pocket Legends are insulted because all of the creativity seems to be heading to the SL department.
• People begin to boycott platinum purchases
• Much drama on the forums. Rants are not handled very well.
• Many veterans/contributors to the game are quitting.
• The platinum per instance was likely detrimental, as people would have likely spent more if they didn't feel like they were forced to.
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Pros [For Players]:
• For Pocket Legends, people are ecstatic about the new items for Christmas, even if the stats remained the same.
• For Star Legends, players are ecstatic about Planet Voleria.
Cons [For Players]:
• Regarding both games, players are beginning to take notice to the rise in platinum prices. For one reason only: Platinum per Instance.
• Players are getting banned/getting infractions for voicing their opinions.
• Posts are stifled, even if they may contain rage but have LOTS of constructive criticism.
• Players feel as if they need to be forced to pay platinum.
• Players feel more like they are a statistic rather than an actual customer.
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Aftermath:
• Spacetime Studios developers are not taking the proper approach to appease the masses. Telling your LOYAL customers to leave the game or that you as a company need money to fund the game is NOT an valid excuse. Why? If the campaigns had INNOVATION like VOLERIA possesses, many people would be fine paying platinum prices.
• Nickel and Dime-ing Players is NOT the way to go. "Packs" would be appreciated. The "Carnival" ride/ticket system is NOT the approach to make. IMO, it's one of the most outrageous marketing decisions a business can make, especially in a game such as an MMO.
• Players are enraged that their posts are being stifled. STS, this is NOT the time to make them even more angry. Yes, the feedback hurts or creates a lot of drama, but people need to vent. Let them, as long as they are respectful in their ranting. If you delete their post, all their hard-work and passion into that post is gone. To what ends? To save you a little face? It's detrimental: Players as a community would view it as a sign of weakness for not being able to face the music.
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What We Did Wrong:
What We Did Wrong [Players]:
• This game is their property. In the TOS, it specifically states that you are LICENSING a piece of software that they, the developers, can make changes to for whichever reason they so desire. Thus, riots are not right. That's like going onto somebody's private property or house and graffitting their house. It's disrespectful. THIS IS THEIR PRIVATE PROPERTY.
• If we didn't like the changes they went with, we shouldn't have bought platinum. In this day and age, money speaks A LOT louder than words. How do we know this? Take a look at AT&T. When they had exclusivity on the iPhone and people were moaning about the horrible coverages, what did AT&T do? NOTHING. When the iPhone's exclusivity contract ended, what did AT&T do? They released a new and improved network. Their LTE 4G network which promised better coverage and data speeds.
• Analyzing their posts to the extreme. It's the holidays, even the developers are people. Thus, they feel the heat too. I sure would not like to be the person wanting to deal with tons of angry people. Thus, take it a bit easy and don't over dramatize things. STS has fixed things for us in the past, they will now as well.
What They Did Wrong [SpaceTime Studios]:
• STS, we are your customers, thus we deserve a little respect, that is if you want us to buy platinum. Deleting our posts/locking threads/making COLD PR statements is not the way to go. It's like getting slapped in the face. With all due respect, we deserve better than that. We, the loyal players, stick with you through the rough and harsh times along with the good times. Why? We care about the game. Deleting our VALID thoughts and opinions is not the way to go, even if you do not agree with the player. A prime example of this is Pharycde. Many of his posts were deleted, even some that were completely constructive. What's the deal with that? WhoisThis is yet another example. One of the MOST respectful and passionate players I have seen in the game, yet he receives an infraction/black mark for in the developers view, twisting the statements of the developers.
• Charging us for HOLIDAY content. STS, in just about any MMO, holidays are for getting together and giving. Even Macy's or big organizations give HUGE SALES on their items. It's about the community spirit. Have you guys lost sight about that?
• Cold PR Statements. I'm sorry, but if you noticed in politics, when you are a public figure, you need to watch your wording. What does this mean? Learn to deliver statements that appease the masses but still benefit you. It's called compromise. This IS NOT a place where you bring your emotions and biased approach into it.
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How To Fix It [My Biased Opinion]:
• In order to show that you guys are still in the holiday spirit, give Christmas Eve and Christmas as freebie days for the campaigns. Charging platinum per instance was actually detrimental, because players did not spend platinum on elixirs then. Maybe doing this would actually BOOST elixir sales.
• Making a SINCERE public statement. An apology can go a long way. It shows that even as a business, you can still admit immoral and ethically questionable actions.
• Bring back the INNOVATION. SL has been getting the innovation, yet more players play PL. Thus, isn't PL the cash cow? Why is SL getting the creative campaigns then? Show both customers that you care. Don't make the PL side feel like they are funding SL.
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That's all my thoughts for now. I may add to this post should I feel need be.
Please, developers, it's a plea from me. Do not lock this thread. Just try to read it and understand what we're getting at.
Disclaimer: I know that I have done many of the things I have stated, but after calming down and reflecting, this is what I think and how I think we can solve this dilemma.
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