Just like people trying to sell World of Warcraft accounts... They do it successfully (even though it's against the terms of service there, too). But in both cases, why would anyone want to buy something already done like this? The answer, I think, is to look impressive to others with what they have, and what others think they've done.
With that, I don't understand it. How can you feel you've accomplished anything with a lvl 100 blood elf that you did nothing to get them to that level? You won't even understand the game, or how to use the character. Same in TSTO. You'll have missed everything and probably won't even understand how to move a building.
Of course, in both cases, you may have had a high level character that you can transfer your skills to, or have played TSTO enough to understand the basics enough to play it after you bought it. But I still don't see the fun in it. It's a hollow victory.
There's little downside to EA. It's like buying a video game and selling it to your friend.
The downside to EA is that if I buy some dude's Springfield for $200, that's $200 I could've given to EA. By and large, game developers and publishers don't like you selling used games to your friend.
The developers and publishers have been fighting tooth and nail against Gamestop and other 2nd hand sellers over this, albeit not entirely successfully.
I dont know whether any of you have ever worked on a miniature dollhouse (not the toy ones. The hobbyist ones.). People invest hundreds of dollars to buy all the pieces, and design and create them. They aren't a "game", but a fantastic outlet for creating a living space.
I could visualize someone with that same focus (the challenge to put pieces together in a unique design) would certainly enjoy purchasing a Springfield with all the pieces in storage to bring out and design as their own. They're not looking for a social game ... Just a creative artistic game.
I would imagine someone like that would really enjoy being provided all the pieces and making a town out of it. The idea that they could also have animated characters populate their town would be a tremendous pleasure. That may not be the purpose of this game, but I can certainly imagine someone wanting it.
If EA created an alternate, create-a-town version of this game, and bundled an entire package with all the elements, characters and all, I know they would find a niche market. It would require no further development to offer such a package. Not an online, social version. Just a standalone, purely design-oriented version. There would be no " lag" and no "item limit" ... Since youre not on a server.
Interesting point! I had not considered that - but you're right. If some view it as a unique work of art...even something they can contribute to from a pre-set point, there probably IS a market for that.
Lol. I can envision different packages offered: Essentials(freemium items with no characters), Basic plus (freemium items with characters) and additional modules (all premium buildings, all premium buildings plus characters but not premium decorations, all premium buildings and all premium decorations but no characters, and an extravaganza version.). And, as you say they could choose to have a layout in place with basic buildings, but not designed, or a blank slate with everything in storage, etc.
Or not.
The freemium version would be good but they would go with downloadable content for money with the premium stuff.
And something like this is shown to work and work well- just look at the Minecraft phenomenon that has inspired other games to include "toy box" creator options for their games.
@efin98, actually I had assumed all of those versions I described would be for a price. The essentials one would be maybe $9.99 and the premium ones would need to be relatively expensive. That toy box thing looks neat.
USA/UK Race To Throw Country Into Utter Chaos = TOO CLOSE TO CALL
Not sure why someone would buy a SF. The fun was in the playing through the 1st 30 or so levels and events, earning stuff, and building a town. I wouldn't want to start in a pre-built town even if it has more stuff than I do now.
I don't know why anyone would want to spend any significant amount of money to buy a for all intents and purposes: I've completed it for you game. Yet there is a demand for such a thing in MMORPGs so assuming those types also are interested in TSTO I supposed it is not a reach to think they would be candidates for doing so with TSTO. The sad thing in those MMO games you can usually spot the person who never played their character to level up because they lack the knowledge and experience that comes along with having done so. Not to mention they missed out on all the content you play to get there as well.
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With that, I don't understand it. How can you feel you've accomplished anything with a lvl 100 blood elf that you did nothing to get them to that level? You won't even understand the game, or how to use the character. Same in TSTO. You'll have missed everything and probably won't even understand how to move a building.
Of course, in both cases, you may have had a high level character that you can transfer your skills to, or have played TSTO enough to understand the basics enough to play it after you bought it. But I still don't see the fun in it. It's a hollow victory.
The developers and publishers have been fighting tooth and nail against Gamestop and other 2nd hand sellers over this, albeit not entirely successfully.
The freemium version would be good but they would go with downloadable content for money with the premium stuff.
And something like this is shown to work and work well- just look at the Minecraft phenomenon that has inspired other games to include "toy box" creator options for their games.
I don't know why anyone would want to spend any significant amount of money to buy a for all intents and purposes: I've completed it for you game. Yet there is a demand for such a thing in MMORPGs so assuming those types also are interested in TSTO I supposed it is not a reach to think they would be candidates for doing so with TSTO. The sad thing in those MMO games you can usually spot the person who never played their character to level up because they lack the knowledge and experience that comes along with having done so. Not to mention they missed out on all the content you play to get there as well.
Oh, I completely knew that, but sexy Santa rose is a cute change!