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dtOddity92's avatar
dtOddity92
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
Cleanstream's avatar
Cleanstream
6 years ago

*EA slaps roof of Apex Legends*

"This bad boy can fit so many manipulative monetization strategies in it!"

Seriously, I know EA wrote the book on this stuff but:

  • Invoking gratitude by giving out something small for free
  • Ridiculously high prices on legendary items in store to anchor the prices subconsciously and inflate perceived value of boxes
  • Normalize spending money on the game by offering a really good deal (battle pass)
  • No way to buy the exact thing you want directly; forced to gamble
  • Increasing odds of getting the thing you want each time so you don't feel despaired
  • Fear of missing out due to limited time availability
  • Sunken cost fallacy: your investment will have been wasted if you don't buy the rest of the items now that it's mostly legendaries left
  • False sense of progression and accomplishment by displaying a progression bar to the heirloom

It's more profitable to cater to that one in a thousand whale that will drop infinite money on the game than the majority of players who will only drop a little each time.

  • dtOddity92's avatar
    dtOddity92
    6 years ago
    @Cleanstream It's a sad fact that everything you said in your list of bullet points is all true. *sighs*

    Granted it is easy for the many to complain about the pandering to the few, but all anybody really wants out of this controversy is to see this monetisation strategy become more refined and respectable.
    People aren't asking for every court value to be dropped dramatically. They just don't want to be coerced into spending more.
    • Mylliah's avatar
      Mylliah
      6 years ago

      It would be nice to at least still be able to salvage items we don't want for crafting materials.

      I just bought a few packs because I really loved all the games Respawn has made until now (140 hours on TF1, 107 hours on TF2, 200 hours on Apex) & I wanted a few skins but I got NONE of those I wanted...

      And for the price they ask, it's kinda of a bummer to not at least have some legitimate counterweight, because having more chance to loot your skins if you buy more pack is not legitimate counterweight in my opinion, because the skins I want might be the last one I loot, and no way I'm spending 200€ for one skin.

      People should still be able to craft at least one of the skin they want in the event by salvaging everything they looted in 5-6 event packs.

      I'm not a commie so it doesn't bother me that they try to make money, but make the monetisation at least fair!

      • dtOddity92's avatar
        dtOddity92
        6 years ago
        @Mylliah Your words resonate with me and I wholeheartedly sympathise with you.
        When I first put money into this game the only legendary items I received were a Mozambique skin, the Pathfinder frame with the trash tin cans and legendary crafting materials (which only amount to half the cost of a legendary cosmetic build requirement.)

        I hear what you say regarding how players should have greater choice surrounding the rewards they can earn. Although I doubt having a system in place where players can deconstruct their cosmetics would be a good thing.

        Given the sheer quantity of common and rare drops in apex packs, it wouldn't be difficult for every single player to take everything they get and instantly try to convert it into legendary skins.
        It would go against the whole point of why EA and Spawn use the loot box... sorry, I mean surprise mechanics.

        I think they'd sooner introduce a cosmetic trading system where players could exchange legendary skins between characters before they let players actually decide what content they receive from packs.

        But overall? Yes, it would be very nice if the developers would give us more choice in how we use our rewards

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