Is this a joke, Popcap?
This month’s prizemap is 202 prize bulbs, only 2 less than the last one, but get this, the minimum bulbs needed to get the final prize is now 139 bulbs, 19 more than last months which was 120 for sho...
Forum Discussion
@shurikeninjaI hate that it has come to this. Defending predatory practices saying this one is worse than this one, when in reality they are both pretty terrible. We shouldn't have to argue about predatory practices in a game made for children. Games should just be fun. Its such a shame that has changed for a lot of big developers. Might be worth it to consider why exactly EA has such a bad rep.
I don't think GW 2 is a perfect child or anything, and completely agree with a lot of your criticisms, its just that BFN clearly targets people susceptible to the FOMO more so than GW 2 by entirely relying on limited time events that purposely slow you down, and by pay walling content "collectors" are clearly going to want. Of course, the FOMO affects people differently... and it depends on your "perspective" and how you feel about cosmetics. Its just that.... Why should any predatory practices be acceptable? You paid for the game already. That should be it. Why is that not enough? Why do we have to go down these dangerous routes of taking advantage of players, when they could very well just sell DLC PVE regions or something. When we are here, trying to rationalize mechanics specifically made to be unfun and take advantage of the player, something has gone terribly wrong.
These phycological traps work on a lot of people, as they did in GW 2, though I'd argue there was a lot less pressure there. Someone out there probably has bought their way through the entire prizemap. I know some like to make fun of people who fall for stuff like this, "I mean, what a rich loser... stupid whale!" But.............. maybe they aren't just "whales" and truly couldn't wait to get their hands on the wizard. Traps.. and immense pressure like this have no place in full priced games... especially when they are made for children. The game industry... and, well... lets just say a lot of other industries are just despicable right now.
@brady3176 Very true. I'm just saying, it's not my fault that this is successful. I'm one of the players who would play BFN everyday even if there was no prize-map. Which subsequently means not complaining about having obtained everything or lack of new monthly cosmetics. Because if we look at it plainly, you're right it's better to have no prizemaps (although they're easy to complete) and just have all the content as direct purchase unlockables. Popcap are worried that players won't bother purchasing the Gestures that their team put hard work and effort into creating? Then lock costumes behind collection systems, i.e. obtain all items in the collection first before getting a costume as a reward. That's what I would have done (if it weren't for how players unfortunately are).
Because sadly, if they did remove prizemaps and stop drip-feeding us content, there would be some players who strive for completion (perfectly fine) but then proceed to complain about lack of content. Notice prizemaps are monthly. That's a player retention tactic.
At the end of the day, I've got to agree with you though. Although personally, I don't see it as bad as you do. My son wanted to spend stars to get the wizard early as he has homework and school so he can't play much. But it's not like I took a moment to face-palm before sighing and mumbling something along the lines of "we live in a society". I just had to teach him, just like how I did with those toys that he's obsessed with.
You could argue you're actually getting "content" with the toys but it's still the same thing. Same response from the parent. Same reaction from the child. We shouldn't even be forced to look at advertising for buying prize-bulbs, sure, but it's made considerable amounts of money by smart adults who made their own choice. Although you could say that FOMO has varying levels of effectiveness with different adults. It is an uncomfortable topic calling out those who have done the deed an interesting topic at that. What was the stronger culpirt: FOMO or the person's choice? In conclusion, you're right. Good day.
Because sadly, if they did remove prizemaps and stop drip-feeding us content, there would be some players who strive for completion (perfectly fine) but then proceed to complain about lack of content. Notice prizemaps are monthly. That's a player retention tactic.
At the end of the day, I've got to agree with you though. Although personally, I don't see it as bad as you do. My son wanted to spend stars to get the wizard early as he has homework and school so he can't play much. But it's not like I took a moment to face-palm before sighing and mumbling something along the lines of "we live in a society". I just had to teach him, just like how I did with those toys that he's obsessed with.
You could argue you're actually getting "content" with the toys but it's still the same thing. Same response from the parent. Same reaction from the child. We shouldn't even be forced to look at advertising for buying prize-bulbs, sure, but it's made considerable amounts of money by smart adults who made their own choice. Although you could say that FOMO has varying levels of effectiveness with different adults. It is an uncomfortable topic calling out those who have done the deed an interesting topic at that. What was the stronger culpirt: FOMO or the person's choice? In conclusion, you're right. Good day.
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