Prize Bulbs On Sale For Rainbow Stars

Dear Popcap/EA:

Once upon a time (this isn’t a fiction novel; bare with me)... once upon a time in this very same land, there was a game that had BATS HANGING FROM TREES to GIVE us free seasonal gifts.

Sure there was a hiccup here or there but we weren’t being milked for money like Little Timmy by the elementary bully.

Please stop with the micro transactions you lied about not having in this game (or eluded to the fact) and fix the issues.

After that, we’re happy to spend a little money.

At first I thought: 'Oh we can spend bulbs on rainbow stars. That's a good idea as I max out bulbs about halfway through the month and it gives me a place to spend them before building up 50 for next month'. 

Then I saw it was the other way around... Not a fan at all. I was already unhappy with the store selling stuff for cash that aren't any different from what we get on the prize map or in the reward-o-tron or for region rewards. I was hoping that at first Rux would sell the Everlasting Crown and other stuff like that, stuff above and beyond the other sources of items. Finding punchers and emotes in the store was a major letdown. 

On the face of it, the ability to buy the bulbs isn't that big of a deal, but stacked on top of how disappointing the Rux store is already, it makes the entire idea repugnant. We've stated this before (man, that's a statement I've had to post a lot lately), but many of us had zero issue pumping money into GW1 and 2 because we enjoyed the games so much. I never once felt I had to spend money in those games, I just wanted to do so, just like several have posted here.

It's obvious the plan is for this game to a long time online one much like GW1 and 2, so it is to be expected that the game with have other streams of revenue beyond the initial sticker price and while I've never been a fan of that, I can live it and would be fine with spending some additional cash on the game, but BfN's monetization is far less benign than it was in GW 1 and 2 which is damaging the game. 

Don't drive us away. If those of use that love PvZ and these shooters especially become frustrated, the game will be in big trouble, and I don't think anyone here wants that. I certainly don't.

@shurikeninjaIt does harm players though, which others have talked about why in this thread. I couldn't disagree more about the prizemap being "really really easy" to complete, neither can I relate to bulbs being just too plentiful! The "difficulty" of completing the prizemap is highly subjective. I can say without a doubt, that most people just don't have time for this, and with the strict time limits.. it just puts pressure on them to buy their way out of it if they don't want to miss out on something. That's the entire point. This is harmfully taking advantage of people susceptible to this fear... and of course children.. You just aren't considering the fear of missing out, which might not affect you, but you have to understand that it does affect others! The purchasable bulbs just adds some more pressure to people who don't think they can finish the prizemap in time. Its really just more FOMO garbage. I realize my post may have come off as overly negative, but I still do stand by what I said, which I also don't think it was an overreaction. There hasn't been much good news about anything lately, and now they decided to add a little fun surprise for everyone in their latest patch, which just adds onto my already least favorite aspect of this game. This is very off putting for a lot of people, which may not include you, and that's fine, but you really have to consider the feelings of others here. Just give some of the other posts in this thread a read, there are some nice ones that might help you understand. Like it or not, this is going to hurt the game and its playerbase. You know, the patience of a loyal fan is a lot more than any other person who bought this game. And... when we get to the point where there is a majority of long time players bringing up their concerns about this........ well.. there might actually be a problem here. 🤔

You said it yourself, this is a "dumb idea". So why are you okay with it? Why should it be allowed in the game? Why keep your standards that low? You paid for this game, and really shouldn't be rooting for anything anti-consumer. It just doesn't make any sense defending this when absolutely no one benefits from it. This is purely harmful.

And your comments about GW 2 I can understand, but you keep failing to consider that nearly every single thing in GW 2 was able to be unlocked for FREE. It also didn't push extremely strict time limits, other than Rux (which could also be bought from for free, unlike BFN). Nobody is trying to say that GW 2 was perfect monetization wise, but it was undoubtedly better! 

I'm of course not saying your opinion is wrong, just that this is subjective and you need to consider that. However, something I think everyone should be able to agree on is that they absolutely have no business in pushing ANY FORM of monetization when their game is in such a poor state. Once again, if they want to keep being anti-consumer with an already upset playerbase.... you might as well just close the game's servers right now. 

@brady3176  I don’t have the energy to debate this anymore.  To clarify, I agree with your post 100% and just don’t have the energy to type all of that out... so... thanks.

People can see the participation from myself, @Iron_Guard8 , @dwooten77  , @Gormey  , @Screion , @GraveledStoopid , @SonicMaster92  ..  we haven’t unanimously complained for YEARS of being in these forums/in-game/on mics... (I mean, not more than expected with common sense issues).  When ALL of us simultaneously complain, there is a problem.  When we collectively are REPULSED, devs REALLY need to take heed.

@pandareno1999  was one of my favorite buddies from GW2 that can’t stand BfN, along with @asukojo from the GW2 forums.  Speaking of that, I have MORE FRIENDS on my PSN list playing GW2 now than BfN usually. 😢🤷🏼‍♂️

Fast forward to the current issues of FOMO and other crazy issues at hand and our retired Heros like Reality Squared (don’t know why I can’t @ mention him) are coming out of retirement in complete agreement with us.  More of the new/active loyal crowd is in agreement and some of these people are WAY more patient and forgiving than us long-time vets( @ToastedSarnie , @asabaida , @TLEsquire ).

@brady3176 and @ippig  I feel like you both are vets of the game that just weren’t around as long.... but I know you both agree, too.

Point is - we ALL AGREE CONCLUSIVELY that FOMO and the current Rainbow Star conundrum needs addressing.

You guys clearly want the devs eating mac and cheese for xmas...open up those wallets and don't be scrooges.  What are you going to do with that cash?   Give it to a food bank?  Wrong...give it to EA.

Lest any of you think I'm joking, imagine any of these devs out of work, trying to get a job with Bfn at their last game...poop emoji indeed gentlemen.