9 replies to this topic

[Bridger]

Gems are here!  This week we talk about new footage from the recent press beta, and boy are we glad TotalBuiscuit finally got to play it for himself.  We then move on to the massive topic of the Guild Wars 2 trading post and then the dreaded topic of Microtransactions.  We had some differing opinions on the various types of things expected to be in the Gem store.

 Episode 24:

• 04:47 - News: Region Free? GW2 Signature Creator, TotalBiscuit Videos
• 39:36 - Bridger Rant: Play the game before making a video!
• 43:15 - Roundtable: Gems, Microtransactions, and That Slimy Feeling.

Weekly Question:

Question of the Week - What are your feelings on the Gem store?

Let us know what you think and send us feedback.  Also, watch us live on Sunday nights @ 8pm EST.

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[Mirik]

Forgot Oku in Host. I like the show went from Showing TB in PvE to showing some Cannons in PvP all the way to the worse being the Ranger in PvP all around thought it was a very nice segment.

[Crawly]

I think it's a great solution. ArenaNet needs to make money so everyone knew that there would be a cash shop. I knew that I'd be getting at the very least extra character slots and probably bank slots and maybe a mini-pet oh and something that sparkles and... you get the point. Here I was thinking that I'd save myself 15$ a month and now I've spent that and more. But wait there's Gems now my cheap self doesn't have to spend any money on anything HOOORAY!!!
ArenaNet has found a way to make money and give me Unlimited Access to thier game what more can you ask for.

[Demosthenes]

I kinda felt that the whole talk about the money to gem system became someone kerfuffled. I agree what +karma boosts and +exp boosts is fine if someone is willing to pay for it, unless the level differences in pvp actually becomes significantly noticeable on release than people think, and are also able to find a way to get more exp in 1 hour than normally. Same with karma and rare item find.

It did start to become silly when it was about the keys to open chests to get rare items. Sure, it was scummy of Valve in TF2 to do it, and I do absolutely understand the hate as referred by your cartoon. But, what is the difference between the boosts and the keys? With the boosts, you run the risk of not using your boost to it's full potential. With the keys you're still taking a risk of not really getting what you want. Is it scummy to actually have it in the game? On both levels it's just like a slot machine that you have a chance to win big, but more often than not, you'll end up with the same result. If it's on the same level of having a chance to get something that I don't want, then I feel that anything that is more than "I'll pay money to make me look unique" is scummy, even if it doesn't make you more powerful. Even the pet packs fall in the same place of the slot machine system.

I have a hard time seeing a difference between someone using boosts, or buying character slots, or keys to get rare items since they may improve your game experience, and you're paying for it, but not necessarily make you better at the game than anyone else.

Please correct me if I'm wrong about the purchasable items.

[Orz]

Merged and reopened!

[Mirik]

Cheers!

[xandar]

It did start to become silly when it was about the keys to open chests to get rare items. Sure, it was scummy of Valve in TF2 to do it, and I do absolutely understand the hate as referred by your cartoon. But, what is the difference between the boosts and the keys? With the boosts, you run the risk of not using your boost to it's full potential. With the keys you're still taking a risk of not really getting what you want.

Functionally, the key system is almost the same as directly selling random treasure chests in the store. However, when you give them an item and then force them to pay to unlock it, you're sort of manipulating people with psychological tricks. More so than directly selling random loot. It doesn't work on everyone, and it's hardly unfair, but it is a bit slimy.

I can live with it, I'd just prefer something more direct.

[Zatek]

This was the first Tales of Tyria that I watched and now I have a new weekly podcast to listen to. Thanks to all those who are involved in the process of making it.

As for the Gem store, I feel it's less bad now than I use to, but I still don't really like it. I would rather have a $15 a month subscription and have no cash shop whatsoever. Unfortunately for me at least, that's just not a reality anymore what with MMOs increasingly going F2P (B2P in GW2s case) and the current MMO subscription model seemingly going to die off eventually. Ah well. The Gem store could be a lot worse. *Looks at Allods Online's cash shop.*

[Neclord]

This was the first Tales of Tyria that I watched and now I have a new weekly podcast to listen to. Thanks to all those who are involved in the process of making it.

As for the Gem store, I feel it's less bad now than I use to, but I still don't really like it. I would rather have a $15 a month subscription and have no cash shop whatsoever. Unfortunately for me at least, that's just not a reality anymore what with MMOs increasingly going F2P (B2P in GW2s case) and the current MMO subscription model seemingly going to die off eventually. Ah well. The Gem store could be a lot worse. *Looks at Allods Online's cash shop.*

Like Anet is silly that you make me pay extra efter I buyed the game to actually played it then comes private servers and a lot of ppl with ellegal copies of the game, besides what if you payed your $15 for the month and for some reason you werent able to fully enjoy the month for X reason that means you lost your $15? not really fair if you ask me, is better B2P you catch all those people that would play on a private I've been on servers of 500ppl.

Besides I don't think exp karma and such boosts are game breaking just save you in time factor and rushing to the end is not really that important remember endgame is from lv1 this time you will actually enjoy the trip or at least I will.

As for Allods man don't even use Gpot as and example all their games are ridicoulusly P2W, in conclusion HOOORAY!! for the gem system.(I wonder if Anet guys mind ever stop working? can't wait to test the final product)

[SnakeEvoke]

This was the first Tales of Tyria that I watched and now I have a new weekly podcast to listen to. Thanks to all those who are involved in the process of making it.

As for the Gem store, I feel it's less bad now than I use to, but I still don't really like it. I would rather have a $15 a month subscription and have no cash shop whatsoever. Unfortunately for me at least, that's just not a reality anymore what with MMOs increasingly going F2P (B2P in GW2s case) and the current MMO subscription model seemingly going to die off eventually. Ah well. The Gem store could be a lot worse. *Looks at Allods Online's cash shop.*

I absolutely do not want them to make GW2 a subscription model, if the only thing I have to sacrifise for that is to see people level faster, earn more karma etc then it is not worth it for me. It sounds like it doesn't affect me in a single way (the way they are doing it now).