Relic Delta & Current Pricing May Be Limiting Player Retention and Revenue
DEV FEEDBACK: Relic Delta and Pricing Are Hurting Casual Spenders (and Long-Term Growth)
I want to give feedback on something that is becoming increasingly frustrating in SWGOH: relic delta and how heavily it impacts the experience even when relic differences are minor.
Even when two players are relatively close in roster progression, relic delta creates a situation where matchups can feel discouraging and overly punishing. It does not just affect high-end competitive players, it affects the average player base the most, and it often makes progression feel less rewarding.
The bigger issue is that relic delta punishes the casual spender.
Whales will always outspend. F2P already expects the grind. But the middle group (players willing to spend $10 to $50 occasionally) are the ones who get hit hardest. When casual spenders realize that small spending still will not let them keep pace, they do not spend less, they stop spending entirely. That hurts retention and long-term revenue.
BUNDLE PRICING FEELS UNREALISTIC FOR WHAT PLAYERS ARE BUYING
It is also hard to justify current bundle prices when players are spending real money on a limited, non-transferable license to access EA/CG services. At current pricing, many offers feel aimed only at big spenders. A simple example: if a new (non-legendary) character releases requiring 330 shards, why not offer something like:
$10 = 110 shards
(no gear, no extras, just shards)
This would immediately pull in a huge number of casual Star Wars fans who want to participate in new content without feeling priced out.
LIGHTSPEED AND HYPERDRIVE BUNDLES PROVED AFFORDABLE PRICING WORKS
The early Lightspeed Bundles were some of the best-received offers SWGOH has ever had because they made progression feel achievable. Getting multiple R5/R7 characters for $10 to $20 kept casual spenders engaged and brought back returning players.
The $10 Hyperdrive Bundle was also a major step in the right direction because it gives new players an affordable entry point into the game. These proved something important: lower price points drive higher volume, better retention, and more consistent spending.
I UNDERSTAND THE NEED TO CATER TO BIG SPENDERS, BUT DO NOT HURT THE MANY TO PROTECT THE FEW
I completely understand that some content and pricing needs to cater to the big spenders out there. That is expected in a game like this. But the game should not hurt the majority of the playerbase just to preserve exclusivity for a small group. If you bring a boat load of more players into the pool, think about the money that can be made off of one of the most iconic and recognizable IPs in history. A stronger economy comes from volume, not just a handful of whales.
A MORE EFFICIENT PROFIT-MAXIMIZING APPROACH
If the goal is long-term growth and maximum profit, the best strategy is not relying only on whales. It is making casual spending feel worth it.
A healthier model would include:
- Affordable shard bundles ($5 to $20 range)
- Reasonable relic progression packs (clear value and simple pricing)
- More consistent rotating Lightspeed “catch-up” bundles
- Reworking or removing relic delta impacts to keep the game more enjoyable for the majority
CONCLUSION
Relic delta and overpriced bundles discourage the exact group that keeps games healthy: casual spenders. If people feel like they cannot keep up without spending heavily, they stop spending at all. Hyperdrive and Lightspeed bundles proved the opposite. Affordable pricing increases spending, excitement, and retention.If SWGOH wants stronger long-term growth, healthier player retention, and higher profits, relic delta needs to be reduced/reworked and bundle pricing should shift toward lower-cost, higher-volume purchases.
I know this is a bit of a dump but I think this game could be something so much greater than what it already is. I really want to see this game thrive and continue, but in order for that to happen CG needs to listen to the people who are giving them money.
