Time cards prices in all Russian online stores were almost simultaneously raised by 1/3 (!!!) from ~15$ to ~20$. Sellers claim that NC divided world into two zones - NA and Europe, and each zone would have their own TCs, which you can't activate on account of another zone. Prices for TCs are also different.
Well, that's not news about splitting the world, since NA ppl pay using CC 15$ per months, and Euro 14 EURO = 20$. So Euro people usually buy time cards since it's much cheaper. Now it's not possible, people from Europe have to pay 35% more than people from NA for the same service and the same servers.
Can you, NCNA, please, explain the situation?
Yes, it's very interesting why NCsoft discriminates all Europeans for ~35%. Is there any reasons to bring discrimination to more than 50% of players base? Detailed public answer of NCsoft's representative, who has necessary competence, is highly needed. Why have we pay more? Basing on currency exchange ratios, maximum equivalent for USD15 is no more than EUR9.5 and not that huge overpriced EUR13. It's one from two: (1) NCsoft is quite incompetent in math and cannot use 4 (actually one from those 4) simple arithmetic operations or (2) they're cheating and fooling (disciminating!) us, players by the way.
please, someone NCsoft competent representative, make detailed comment, why are you so much full of hate to your European players?
Time cards prices in all Russian online stores were almost simultaneously raised by 1/3 (!!!) from ~15$ to ~20$. Sellers claim that NC divided world into two zones - NA and Europe, and each zone would have their own TCs, which you can't activate on account of another zone. Prices for TCs are also different.
Well, that's not news about splitting the world, since NA ppl pay using CC 15$ per months, and Euro 14 EURO = 20$. So Euro people usually buy time cards since it's much cheaper. Now it's not possible, people from Europe have to pay 35% more than people from NA for the same service and the same servers.
Can you, NCNA, please, explain the situation?
Actually, Euro players were using the same timecards as NA players, and because of the value of the Euro Vs. Dollar, so in reality Euro players were paying significantly LESS than NA Players, the balanced this out, so now Euro players are paying the same as NA players, not more than NA Players.
If you play on Euro servers you should pay in Euros and if you play on US servers you should pay in dollars. Actually europeans who play on US servers pay more for less quality service.
60 day gtc in Finland 26.90 eur (has been same for a few years) (=$42,74) 60 day gtc at amazon $29.99 (18.87 eur). A 30 day gtc at play.com 14.99 GBP (=$29.81) How the hell is that less?
OTOH the cc billing still works in dollars, and there the save is significant as I pay only ~10 eur/month. :)
US and Euro accounts have been "different" for some time now ... I got a US account (ie registered the account while I lived in the states), now I m in europe and I cant use euro bought timecards on it ....
As to the price, as far as I remember "absolute" prices have been the same over the last 3 years - ie 13E/month for Euro time cards and 15$/month for US timecards. What has changed is the relative value of the $ vs the Euro.
My guess, the OP was buying US timecards and was benefiting from the favourable exchange rate, now he has to buy Euro timecards so they are more expensive
You are not paying more, you were always paying 13Euro/month, assuming your salary is in Euro you are not loosing anything. And US based ppl arent paying less, they are still paying the same as they were.When lineage2 launched Eur/USD was around 1.2 (ie 1.2$ for 1 Euro) now it's 1.58, NCsoft cant really make its monthly subscriptions fluctuate with the Exchange rate ...
Anyway it's not fair that we Europeans should pay for our accounts far more than USes. Where's the reason for such a discrimination? :(
What not hard to understand here... before the majority of Euro players were paying LESS than NA players, now they pay the same... I mean, I can ask you why should NA players be paying more than Euro players for so long?
What not hard to understand here... before the majority of Euro players were paying LESS than NA players, now they pay the same... I mean, I can ask you why should NA players be paying more than Euro players for so long?
60 day gtc in Finland 26.90 eur (has been same for a few years) (=$42,74) 60 day gtc at amazon $29.99 (18.87 eur). A 30 day gtc at play.com 14.99 GBP (=$29.81)
How the hell is that the same amount? In the US you still pay $14.99 /month.
Explain one thing to me: is 15$ in Russia different value than 15$ in US? It's still 15 dollars for NC, no matter what part of the world you're in ... why raise prices for other countries then? :confused:
Time cards prices in all Russian online stores were almost simultaneously raised by 1/3 (!!!) from ~15$ to ~20$. Sellers claim that NC divided world into two zones - NA and Europe, and each zone would have their own TCs, which you can't activate on account of another zone. Prices for TCs are also different.
Well, that's not news about splitting the world, since NA ppl pay using CC 15$ per months, and Euro 14 EURO = 20$. So Euro people usually buy time cards since it's much cheaper. Now it's not possible, people from Europe have to pay 35% more than people from NA for the same service and the same servers.
Can you, NCNA, please, explain the situation?
You have some problems with math.
Currently 1EUR = 1.5758 USD (using FOREX's information).
NCsoft sells L2 for 13 EUR or for 15 USD depending on territory.
Making some easy math, we have 1 EUR = 1.1548 USD
Using current EUR/USD ratio,
13 EUR = 20.4854 USD
OR
15 USD = 9.5190 EUR
So we, Europeans are paying MORE than NA residents OR NA residents are paying LESS than Europeans. Is this any fair? No, this is hypocritical discrimination.
You are not paying more, you were always paying 13Euro/month, assuming your salary is in Euro you are not loosing anything. And US based ppl arent paying less, they are still paying the same as they were.When lineage2 launched Eur/USD was around 1.2 (ie 1.2$ for 1 Euro) now it's 1.58, NCsoft cant really make its monthly subscriptions fluctuate with the Exchange rate ...
Using exchange ratios, that you're praying to, we have real price of 9.5 EUR/month or 20.5 USD/month. And don't say me about how much we have Europeans using their Euros. I'm Russian, i live in Russia and i use roubles. How the hell roubles are comparable to euros or even to dollars? Why the hell are we forced to pay in Euros? If they sell this game in Russia, why don't they accept pays in roubles? I will gladly pay ~350 roubles/months and this is about 40% cheaper using current Russian Central Bank RUB/USD ratio. Why do we, Russians, have such big discrimination? What are these hypocritical reasons to force 40% (!!!) higher pays for one of the biggest resource of potential players? This is already made effect of explosion in Russian players community. Most of us think NCsoft hate Europe and Russia. Very fair and very smart.
What was the euro to dollar exchange rate back when the game started? Has the euro price of the game cards changed since then? Beyond the USD increase of 4 cents to match all other NCSoft products. How often should NCSoft change the prices of the game cards, making the adjustments for the fluctuation of the Euro to the dollar?
You are not paying more, you were always paying 13Euro/month, assuming your salary is in Euro you are not loosing anything. And US based ppl arent paying less, they are still paying the same as they were.When lineage2 launched Eur/USD was around 1.2 (ie 1.2$ for 1 Euro) now it's 1.58, NCsoft cant really make its monthly subscriptions fluctuate with the Exchange rate ...
Using exchange ratios, that you're praying to, we have real price of 9.5 EUR/month or 20.5 USD/month. And don't say me about how much we have Europeans using their Euros. I'm Russian, i live in Russia and i use roubles. How the hell roubles are comparable to euros or even to dollars? Why the hell are we forced to pay in Euros? If they sell this game in Russia, why don't they accept pays in roubles? I will gladly pay ~350 roubles/months and this is about 40% cheaper using current Russian Central Bank RUB/USD ratio. Why do we, Russians, have such big discrimination? What are these hypocritical reasons to force 40% (!!!) higher pays for one of the biggest resource of potential players? This is already made effect of explosion in Russian players community. Most of us think NCsoft hate Europe and Russia. Very fair and very smart.
economics 101
you live in the US, you earn US$, you paid 15$ you still pay 15$, no more no less
You live in Europe, you earn Euro, you paid 13E you still pay 13E no more, no less
The concept of converting from one currency to the other makes no difference to an American or someone in the Euro Zone ... there is no "real" price, the only "real" price is their local currency price.
Now if random russian shops imported american timecards cause they were cheaper, well whoohoo what do we care? You are classified as a European country, you pay Euro prices, in your case dont call Trichet, call Ignatiev and ask him to jack up the rouble, then you ll pay less ...or petition NCsoft to come up with Rouble timecards... but tbh if they were to come up with rouble time cards they would be A LOT more expensive, considering the rouble is A LOT more volatile than eurodollar crosses.
Explain one thing to me: is 15$ in Russia different value than 15$ in US? It's still 15 dollars for NC, no matter what part of the world you're in ... why raise prices for other countries then? :confused:
Well, no.
They require a set amount of money to make their numbers for the year. So if they are actually getting less in once currency because of exchange rates then they need to rais prices.
When you buy regular things for your home, do you complain to the supermarket, or whatever, that the US pays less than me...I have stronger currency so I should pay less than them, hecks no.
You buy it and move on. This is a stupid argument. If LINEAGE II prices bother you THAT much, I wish I had your problems.
ehem ... srsly guys where's the prob?
i'm from germany but i buy my gametimecards in the usa. this way i saved almost 18€ for 120 days. which is over 90% of a 3rd gamecard .. kekeke
just dont buy the cards at european shops ;)
geez you g2 act a little smarter
But your US cards should not work on your account if you are registered from EU.
Maybe unless you registered before NC even knew there is some EU of course :) Like in C2 and before.
Now if random russian shops imported american timecards cause they were cheaper, well whoohoo what do we care? You are classified as a European country, you pay Euro prices, in your case dont call Trichet, call Ignatiev and ask him to jack up the rouble, then you ll pay less ...or petition NCsoft to come up with Rouble timecards... but tbh if they were to come up with rouble time cards they would be A LOT more expensive, considering the rouble is A LOT more volatile than eurodollar crosses.
you don't get the idea. look at cash convert ratios. Calculate how much is 15$. it is 9.5E. why are we forced to pay 13E? it's 3.5E more than it costs. forex is the only place which is accurate at course ratios. 15$ = 9.5E is calculated using forex's information. it is real reflection of currencies price. it's not about central banks, gods and abstract matters. it's all about math.
ehem ... srsly guys where's the prob?
i'm from germany but i buy my gametimecards in the usa. this way i saved almost 18€ for 120 days. which is over 90% of a 3rd gamecard .. kekeke
just dont buy the cards at european shops ;)
geez you g2 act a little smarter
lolz. one day you will be unable to input your US time card. the system will say the number is valid, but it is improper for your account. then you'll find your territory switched to Europe. the day is first day of additional 3.5 euro/month pays.
Explain one thing to me: is 15$ in Russia different value than 15$ in US? It's still 15 dollars for NC, no matter what part of the world you're in ... why raise prices for other countries then? :confused:
nah i don't believe this will happen in the near future. but even if this happens i already saved a lot of money ... and i mean a lot :)
i also don't see a reason why nc should take any actions. they earn the same ammount of money as if i was from the us and imo they don't need to earn more just because i'm from europe . (I'm not doing anything illegal) it's more likely that they will increase the prices in the us than blocking my us gamecards ^^
a sorry for third edit but i just understood what you meant by:
then you'll find your territory switched to Europe.
nope dude i didn't cheat on my account profile. It's my real name, my real location (germany = eu), my real phone number. My account is 100% legit so they can't switch it to europe b/c it's already an eu account
But your US cards should not work on your account if you are registered from EU.
Maybe unless you registered before NC even knew there is some EU of course :) Like in C2 and before.
ehm nope i registered in mid of c3 ... and i'm pretty sure this works for everybody because a friend of mine from france who joined in c4 is also playing with us cards.
Ok, Just so people don't think NC is intentionally jerking their chain on the matter of time card costs, you do need to remember that doing business in the EU means that you have to pay EU costs for your office there.
This includes not only the costs of servers located there, but also the rents, salaries and marketing costs as well.
So yeah, it sucks if you were used to the 'US' price, and it get's much cheaper due to currency valuations, as the the EU portion of the game was handled out of NC in the US at the start.
Is it rather callous of NC to suddenly shift any EU 'based' players to the complete EU costs even if they have dealt with aquiring and playing on US servers for a long time now?
I think so, but unless NC makes concessions to their older EU players who could be called 'grandfathered in', having started on US servers, it's not a completely unreasonable action on the part of NC for newer EU players from a purely business standpoint.
Geez people is it so hard to understand that the value of the dollar compared to the euro has dropped ALOT recently?
Yes forex is reliable for currency conversion, so what? Even using them I have seen the values plummet over past few weeks....I'm in Sweden and waiting to purchase a large item from the US so taking advantage of that drop in dollar value.
How often do you think NCSoft should have to update their worldwide prices? Weekly? Monthly? Yearly? They set a price at a certain time and since then values hve changed. You are not paying more now than you were then, you are just not able to take advantage of the weakness of the dollar right now since prices are set and not supple.
If the value of the dollar had strengthened instead would you be so fast to cry out that you should pay more to make up for that change? I think not lol
Ok, Just so people don't think NC is intentionally jerking their chain on the matter of time card costs, you do need to remember that doing business in the EU means that you have to pay EU costs for your office there.
This includes not only the costs of servers located there, but also the rents, salaries and marketing costs as well.
Russia is not a part of EU. NCsoft has no office and no marketing campaign (other than "illegal" private servers) I know of in Russia. Russia's currency is not Euro, and Hindemith is a NA server.
Ok, Just so people don't think NC is intentionally jerking their chain on the matter of time card costs, you do need to remember that doing business in the EU means that you have to pay EU costs for your office there.
This includes not only the costs of servers located there, but also the rents, salaries and marketing costs as well.
Marketing costs????? :D :D :D You gotta be kiddin' me!
Anyway I dont think that the EU office is that big, that is should justify higher cost of playing for roughly half of the player base. (Connection statistics showed that Teon/Frans have about 50% of the connections. They're not all Euros but neither are the players on other servers only US).
Ok, Just so people don't think NC is intentionally jerking their chain on the matter of time card costs, you do need to remember that doing business in the EU means that you have to pay EU costs for your office there.
This includes not only the costs of servers located there, but also the rents, salaries and marketing costs as well.
Russia is not a part of EU. NCsoft has no office and no marketing campaign (other than "illegal" private servers) I know of in Russia. Russia's currency is not Euro, and Hindemith is a NA server.
Now...?
Doesn't matter what server you play on, that actually shows very little since most servers are very mixed between NA and non NA customers.
And Russia is definitely not part of NA so if they split between NA and rest of world then guess where Russia naturally fits?
I do think those countries who do not use the Euro as a currency themselves should be allowed to still trade in dollars with NCSoft, but that is a matter for you to take up with them directly, not on a player forum.
Lets face it they are not gonna make any changes to pricing policy cos of a thread here apparantly ranting about not being able to take advantage of the weak dollar and accusing them of cheating their EU customers because of it lol.
Write to them. Word it nicely. State your case clearly. If enough people do this then perhaps you will get it changed.