Originally Posted by
Apollo:502274
Timeline regarding platinum since I began playing.
June 2010: No TapJoy, 10 platinum for campaigns. 2 platinum for FULL respecs.
July 2010: Same as June, everything is going along great. A02 is out, creativity was dulled since the old swamp ages/Ao1. Pinks became far less frequent than seen in both Swamps and Ao1.
August 2010: I took a few months break due to the same repetition, mynas generation, and other MMOs.
September 2010: Ao3 is released. Aside from the HUGE money drain that OL and the other bosses created, people LOVED the campaign. It brought back creativity that wasn't exhibited for a LONG time. Everybody, almost unanimously agreed that Ao3 was worth the long wait. Platinum costs increased by 10 platinum for the campaign. However, it was well worth it due to the innovation STS was showing they had.
October 2010: Halloween is out. It costs 5 platinum to play. More if you wanted exclusive items from packs. For the first time, people were irate due to the random packs and how much platinum was wasted on them. STS was decisive in that matter and recalled packs, reworked them to give better items and less costumes, gave a small refund. Everybody was happy, as the temporary content was innovative and people felt a part of Pocket Legends history.
November 2010: Nothing really happened, STS decided not to celebrate Turkey Day. Combat Rebalance occurred, which lead to temporary free respecs. People were angry, but the changes were needed, as L50's had nearly 90 dodge and 180+ armor.
December 2010: Holiday campaign is out. Platinum prices are again hiked for this campaign, but are similar to Halloween campaigns. STS begins to start to test just how much platinum their gamers are willing to purchase. On the vast majority, they were willing to purchase platinum because the content was once again, fun and innovative. STS starts to crack down on the TOS, leading to the mass ban event at Smaoe's party. People were shocked, but it was for the best.
January-February 2011: Balefort Sewers is released. It is once again, new. However, people did not like it as much as Ao3. However, gold elixirs still exist during this time period. Everything is allright. Valentine's Day occurs. People are shocked by the prices for the items WITHOUT an event. STS begins to favor platinum users. TapJoy is released.
March-April 2011: Gold Elixirs are removed. STS reworks their marketing strategy. One month goes by where people only have the option to purchase high overpriced elixirs. (3 platinum for 1 5 minute elixir that removes on death and counts down according to real world time). Platinum Elixirs are released, STS gives us back the elixirs we had previously, this time for the sale of platinum. People are OUTRAGED, as one elixir costs the amount a campaign used to cost. Eventually, the drama dies down and everything continues. STS claims since the main spine is free, they have taken away elixirs, replaced them with measly 1.5x gold elixirs and Platinum elixirs which were previously gold. People take it hard, but manage to swallow it. The 800-2000 platinum pack is more and more frequently bought. Average person would spend 2k platinum in 2-3 months now as opposed to spending a year it would take with the other marketing style.
May-June 2011: Platinum rates start to increase EVEN more. Shortly after June, the 500 platinum vanity is released. People are outraged. Platinum costs per month just seem to spiral upward.
August-November 2011:Halloween campaigns are repeated, when STS promised many new items with the return of some old items. People are outraged. Many collectors quit. What happens? STS releases new items many days after in an attempt to "fix it". One problem. Everything new and cool is platinum. Making money of their own mistake when we, the players, were told something else. Nuri's Hallow is barely out for 3 months before Mt. Fang is released. Campaign after Campaign seems to come in order to generate platinum sales. We plead STS not to make the same mistakes they did on Halloween, but have yet to see what their final decision will be.
Present: Now we are at the stage where the 2k platinum pack exists. It never existed previously and the highest amount you could purchase was 800. It is normal for a player to spend 100 dollars a month on platinum. The game now favors platinum users, leaving those who purchase very little platinum excluded of basically special holiday items and collectables. Creativity in campaigns are lost. STS is pumping out campaigns faster than a sweatshop produces products. Platinum is very high, campaigns are free but the innovation is lost. The marketing style has now become "Make as many campaigns as you can, release an elite item so people purchase elixirs/enhancers, and continue every 2-3 months so the money well never runs dry".
How much does this rake in? Let's see. STS makes about 100 dollars per player, perhaps a few 100. Yes, even the TapJoy users, because of advertising funds. Then there are those few outliers who have spent multiple thousands on platinum or those who did not spend any at all, but did use TapJoy. Cash is coming in through the wazoo.
^^^ Now, I am completely fine with this IF STS shows MORE CREATIVITY towards campaigns, because right now, they are half-buffed at best and I feel as we, the players, are dairy cows. STS is the dairy farm and is milking us for as long as they can until this marketing strategy does not work anymore.
I tried to make this as respectful as possible and show players who weren't here what has happened through the eyes of older players.
. Yeah sts doesn't make you pay for the game, but if you wanna be unique, you gotta pay.
Thread: Spacetime, we gotta talk
rhinomagic[/B]
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