Forum Discussion

6 years ago

The Iron Crown Event: Just a predatory monetisation tactic?

Please note: This post isn't meant to dissuade players from making their own choices. I am merely providing my opinion through criticising the developers' use of shady business tactics to swindle pla...

gameplay discussion

dtOddity92

6 years ago

@Anlbrd I refer to predatory in the sense that the way this additional content is marketed and is specifically designed to take advantage of people who either value the cosmetic items who then use them to enhance their own sense of identity. Or those who are easily manipulated into thinking these items are necessary to feel like you’re winning in the game.

EA uses a “It’s here now, but it will be gone later” tactic. So when players who are easily susceptible to being coerced into purchasing this dlc are presented with a time limited offer, their sense of need for these things is increased.

So you could question, if this is a free to play game and the purchasable items have no real effect on gameplay like you say... Why charge so much if they don’t matter?
And why do you stop earning Apex coins after reaching level 100?

The answer isn’t “well the game studio needs additional revenue”...
The answer is EA have become a multi billion dollar industry machine through unsustainable business strategies, so now they’re doing everything they can to convince their consumers they “need” to spend more money on more content as that’s the only way to enjoy said content.

Anlbrd

6 years ago

@dtOddity92 You're right.

The answer isn’t “well the game studio needs additional revenue”...

Indeed - the answer is "well the game studio needs revenue"

Avenger0314
6 years ago
What is even worse is that almost everyone is upset about it and coming after EA for it and they still didn't bother making a statement to calm people down and try to fix this ... they just don't care anymore
- BovinePiracy
  6 years ago
  I am an older gamer and I usually will put a price tag on what I am willing to spend on a game. $60 for a good game is not out of the question so I was willing to drop $60. So far I have purchased the first two battle passes ($20) and if each battle pass afterwards is also $10 each I will buy those. But $18 for a legendary skin and this BS with this new event is ridiculous. Keep pushing and I won't spend another dime. I will play for free with what I got until I get bored or until this game goes belly up.
  - wheel_dragon_lk
    6 years ago
    $7 per pack, $70 per 10 packs
    Additional $35 for the heirloom
    ~$200 for the whole collection
    Can't use Apex Coins or even crafting metal
    "Just a predatory monetisation tactic?" Yes. Yes it definitely is. This is definitive proof that until the U.S. government steps in and stops this, EA will continue to exploit us consumers, regardless if we're aware of them doing it or not.
- dtOddity92
  6 years ago
  @Avenger0314
  I think the problem with this is a lot of those who are upset are conveying their message poorly.
  You only have to scroll through the Apex Legends subreddit to see hundreds of folks screaming obscenities at the developers.
  
  Companies like EA simply won't bother responding to such blatant rudeness, either from legal standpoint or from not wanting to encourage greater negative reactions by telling those who are upset, that they are wrong.
  
  Players who aggressively demand answers won't be respected whatsoever by the companies they slander.
  But here, like with my original post in this thread, things are clearly being communicated better through calmer and more respectful discussion.
  Sure our words in this forum won't likely touch the hearts and minds of multi millionaire shareholders that own the publisher, but hopefully it will support our voice as consumers when requesting future changes to the content we see get released.