Then, something else called my attention, a little event that is taking place in the Korean servers (http://lineage2.plaync.co.kr/promotion/icard/) and the introduction of a new feature: The L2 I-Card (http://lineage2.plaync.co.kr/promotion/icard/info/).
For those who cant read Korean the I-Card is essentially a micro-transaction model with a twist for L2. It allows you to purchase a variety of accessory Items at the moment and the chance to win "luxury items" such as S80 weapons an armours, boss jewelry including Valakas and Antharas, etc.
This is nothing new, micro-transactions are a huge new trend in the gaming industry, EA is making millions out of it (http://www.profy.com/2008/01/22/micro-transactions-as-a-business-model) and basically every game company worth mentioning has announced they will introduce this system in many of their games, its the brand new cash cow of the online game market and seems to be working very well for them.
But where does that leave us?
Evolution is necessary for the survival of any MMO game company in such a monolithic market, and the numbers speak for themselves, these models make a lot of money.
Ive noticed a disturbing trend in american gamers, in every forum to ever exist they denounce micro-transactions with absolute resolve, suggesting they would cancel their accounts and stop playing should this oh so great evil ever corrupt their beloved game.
At the same time they spend billions of dollars annually on the RMT (http://virtual-economy.org/blog/how_big_is_the_rmt_market_anyw), and free to play games with a micro-transaction model prosper in the west.
Why then are we so opposed to it?
We all experience daily in L2 what the RMT has done to the game, many fear introducing a micro-transaction system would further erode their game experience as purchasing items in a legal, morally acceptable way would create an unspoken obligation to do so in the name of competitiveness.
Others feel the introduction of such a system will bring forth the other gremlins associated with such system, the memory of XP scrolls and other highly unbalancing item mall favorites fresh in their mind.
In the end its not the fact the system exists but what does it allow the player to do that should be debated, a line needs to be drawn in what does the micro-transaction system allow the players to buy.
I would like to hear from Rust about the future of the I-Card system in north america, but if history has taught us anything is that this change will likely come in a similar fashion to other account servers, allowing us very little if any input as to how its handled and what we would like to see.
why are you worried? as it is, the ebayers have 0 clue how to control their powerful lvl 80 characters. and die quickly.
I-card accessory items wont unbalance these ebayers. not in the slightest. its like having a HUUUUUUUUGE ... sword...
you cant just *poof* have one and expect to be God. Godhood is acheived when your familiarity and skill are pronounced. not when youve got the bigger sword.
How long have you been following L2? Just curious...
Reason I ask is, I-Card isnt the first time they've given away in game items, boss jewels, computer upgrade parts, limited time art work, etc.
Its not the second time. Its also not the third or fourth time. (I believe this is the fifth event that is doing such) If I remember right, Coke was the first event, where you would drink Code, get a code on the cap and input it in for points which could be traded toward specific items. Some of the codes gave you access to a NVIDIA Geforce card, as well as a AQ/Baium ring(s), among other things.
Its important to note, not a *single* one of these events have come to NA market.
How long have you been following L2? Just curious...
Reason I ask is, I-Card isnt the first time they've given away in game items, boss jewels, computer upgrade parts, limited time art work, etc.
Its not the second time. Its also not the third or fourth time. (I believe this is the fifth event that is doing such) If I remember right, Coke was the first event, where you would drink Code, get a code on the cap and input it in for points which could be traded toward specific items. Some of the codes gave you access to a NVIDIA Geforce card, as well as a AQ/Baium ring(s), among other things.
Its important to note, not a *single* one of these events have come to NA market.
Will ICard? Perhaps.. but I doubt it.
The event is a promotion surrounding the release of a new service, unlike the coca cola event where you purchase a real world item and enter a code to have a chance to win something this is in fact a new system that will allow you to purchase in game items directly with the use of a point system.
I agree, right now all you can buy is accessories, and have a chance to win the other big things, but how will the I-Card evolve is another question.
My main motivation for this post was to inform the community of that information I have found and to promote further discussion about the direction of NC soft micro-transactions.
Im also not saying HGM spam lied on his post, as it predates this korean event and the interviews with the NCNA president, so Im sure he answer truthfully at the time.
The event is a promotion surrounding the release of a new service, unlike the coca cola event where you purchase a real world item and enter a code to have a chance to win something this is in fact a new system that will allow you to purchase in game items directly with the use of a point system.
Thats not correct either. This event has absolutely no link with the NC-Coin system. Please for the love of god lets get it straight here before you get people screaming when you dont present all the facts.
This *IS* a event to celebrate the release of Gracia. There have been others. There will be more as the game goes. Will we get them in the US, probably not.. we havent at all up to this point.
I agree, right now all you can buy is accessories, and have a chance to win the other big things, but how will the I-Card evolve is another question.
The same way all other events evolve.... they /end. Pretty simple. To be frank, you'd have more chance of getting a boss jewel from one of the other events that offered them then this event. The major reward will be the new hats (AQ and uh, god what was the other one.. I cant remember ;X) that turn your head into the monster.
The ICard or Item-Card is used to purchase shadow accessories.
There's an event to give the opportunity to win a uber-item while purchasing shadow accessories with the Item-Card.
This is not NC Coins, it's far from sure it'll arrive on US/EU servers.
have no problems with the company making more money out of the products it has worked hard to make. However, I hope they don't make exclusive cash only items. Meaning what they sell should be available from ingame content. However, the test phase of cash only items in L2 is already ongoing with the items you can only get from the new retail boxes. The next step will be to sell actual game items. The current trend of making it easier and easier to level with each update will open the demand for higher grade items. This demand, along with an increased player base, will make the selling of those items by the company very profitable.
Most players won't like the micro transaction model simply because they stand to lose value to it, if NCSoft sells 1 billion adena at X dollars, their 1 billion adena won't be worth more than below the X dollars that NCSoft is selling them for. Not to mention it would erode the market for gold selling making it really hard to get rid of adena, because people would be reluctant to buy when there's a legal alternative even if it did cost more.
That and several other reasons...but the bottomline is that many players (especially the higher you get up) in L2 want to keep the current Adena buying model for various reasons.
A micro-transaction is system where the player can pay a small ammount of cash for an in game item, access to special in game features or special consumables.
You'll find its not THIS EVENT.
Incorrect this event allows players to purchase in game content with item cards which operate similarly to our NC coin. The event is all about micro-transactions.
You tell me what this event is about. How do you participate? How do you get the I-Cards? Etc
The event gives people that purchase a certain ammount of Item card points a chance to win a whole bunch of stuff including major in game items, video cards and other things.
You participate by purchasing an item card and redeeming the points between the 30th of april and 28th of may.
You get I-card by purchasing them from NCsoft using a credit card, internet bank transfer or cell phone billing.
Now that we got that out of the way, and since you evidently need help understanding this concept. The Icard system is NOT an event, the event are the prices they are giving away if you purchase one. The I-card system is most defenetly a form of micro-transaction, this isnt a promotion code you get from a real world item, its simply Item cards sold by nc which then give you item points to spend on items.
tbh i d prefer watching NC selling these hard to get items, through a proceedure called event or even NOT, than reading at clan forums or [censored] these greedy farmers or clan leaders that turned greedy and they re selling off their clan's effort like this
WTS Valakas 5k $
WTS Antharas 3k $
FFS. its a game and the black market is worse than drugs black market.
i d definitely go with NC on such kind of events and even if they do it the raw way, like putting a price list on each and every thing.
One problem specifically with Epics is that its ridiculously difficult to split loot when an Epic drops and you have 4 clans and 40+ players involved. I personally think it would be fairer to everyone on a raid if multiple epics dropped. That way after a dozen or more successful raids everyone gets one fairly, and everyone is happy.
You'd still have to be there, participate, and toil for your treasure, but it would be worth it. Unlike now, where you get 35,000XP and a couple of A grade mats for killing a normal level 70 RB.
Well, I can't read korean so really can't comment on the I-Card. However, since their payment system works differently wouldn't it make sense that "if" this I-Card is a micro transaction system (even if it is for an event) that it's only regional and won't come here?
Yes, much of what they get comes here in one form or another but certainly not their payment system. And, since it seems that they are open to micro transactions it seems that this event might better suit their tastes.
A micro-transaction is system where the player can pay a small ammount of cash for an in game item, access to special in game features or special consumables.
Very loose definition, but we'll work with it and watch where it goes at the end, you'll adore it!
Incorrect this event allows players to purchase in game content with item cards which operate similarly to our NC coin. The event is all about micro-transactions.
A event is a limited time access deal, therefor no its not. A micro transaction is *required* to be available *all the time*, and not just "at a certain date". This event is no different then the 3 other events they held, your all just having a cow over it I guess because you think its related to NC-Coin.
Now that we got that out of the way, and since you evidently need help understanding this concept. The Icard system is NOT an event, the event are the prices they are giving away if you purchase one. The I-card system is most defenetly a form of micro-transaction, this isnt a promotion code you get from a real world item, its simply Item cards sold by nc which then give you item points to spend on items.
Which after May 28th wont give those item promotions anymore, therefor, incorrect again.
But lets say you want to take it there.... then we've already got micro transactions in game and have had them for, well, awhile.
4th Edition anyone? You've got to go out and buy that to get access to 2 items, and reduced server/sex/name changes. In your "loose" argument, that is a micro transaction too. (Paying RL money for in game benefits)
But wait, it dosent stop there folks! We've also got Server transfers, Sex changes, Name changes! Again, RL money, for in game benefits.
See how bad it is when you loosely define micro transaction to get your point across, and in the end realize... wow, we've had them for quiet awhile? If you define it how its spose to be defined, you'll realize that THIS event dosent fall into it, NOR does the 4th edition, NOR do Sex/Server/Name changes.
I understand what the poster is saying.
Its only informative and the poster seems very passionate about the i-card, or at least about informing us about it.
I dont see so much wrong with it other then it will cater to players who can afford to reap the rewards from it.
Wait.. shadow weapons are for sale? As in.. limited use items are for sale. That's not a bad thing at all! It's not like.. I work my butt off for blue wolf and someone who has 50 bucks to spare can buy it. More like I work my butt off for blue wolf and someone with 50 bucks can rent it for a month.
I am all for that plan. I really dig the shadow weapon thing. Here's hoping the icard comes to US :)
Actually, this looks more about accessories in L2 definition (necklace, ring, earring) than weapons.
Yes it's about RL rich getting an advantage ingame, and poor go back to mine for their stuff. In a more limited range than what already exist illegally with auction sites.
If this happens (item shop i mean) I will simply quit. Like I did other games (f2p) that took the "ingame item shop for real money" too far offering too much to people who take out their CC.
Oh wait this is not even f2p, so you get to pay a monthly fee to have your self looked down upon by ppl with too much money on their hands. (sure, rmt exists now too "illegaly" but at least it's just that, illegal... )
Honestly, I don't think this will happen, and until someone translates what ICard actually is and what NCSoft's intentions are... I've lost alot of interest in L2.
And I hope Ash is right, at least she's optimistic (foolishly maybe..) about how unsure all the info about ICard is, that ppl don't have much of a clue as to how it will translate past the event period.
If it does make it to an "NCSoft Item Shop" system, then good bye and thanks for all the fish. :) (yes, a smirk, but it's one in anticipating disgust)
Ok, before you two argue eachother to death, there's no real set definition of what and how much micro-transactions covers in MMOs. Both of you could be right, both of you could be wrong.
Other than that, feel free to argue the finer points of of this event/system.
I don't feel like playing against those with big credit card wallets.
(I know I know that is already the case now but then it's deemed "fair and oke" as long as they get the cash for it.
I play with a sense of accomplishment. Buying your items via a CC system is not an accomplishment.
It would be my sunset aka I would quite outright the day they make it available.
heh, for all the people screaming quit in games that slowly introduce pay-4-items systems, none of those games look all that deserted regardless of being free to play or pay-permonth
When the Icard comes here you can bet your fannie that many will jump at the chance to get a Valakas or Antharas. Or both. I seriously doubt that they'll ever sell adena but you never know.
Frankly I am 100% sure people will do so.
People are lazy by nature so getting there even easier is just the next step.
This game is a shoot-em-up game (like Call of Duty etc) when it gets to sunset. Role-playing will most likely be gone. No doom theory here just my prediction.
Frankly I am 100% sure people will do so.
People are lazy by nature so getting there even easier is just the next step.
This game is a shoot-em-up game (like Call of Duty etc) when it gets to sunset. Role-playing will most likely be gone. No doom theory here just my prediction.
Carry on
role play is a way of life, a style of gaming. not actually PART of the game, in any game.
I don't feel like playing against those with big credit card wallets.
(I know I know that is already the case now but then it's deemed "fair and oke" as long as they get the cash for it.
I play with a sense of accomplishment. Buying your items via a CC system is not an accomplishment.
It would be my sunset aka I would quite outright the day they make it available.
Its already "fair and ok". No one (and I mean no one) gets banned for buying, since its impossible to prove you paid cash for adena.
Since we all know (see other post) that they need proof to ban you, you have a result in "its ok to buy adena". The message even words it in a way that says please dont buy adena, not "you cannot buy adena". They are asking, because its already virtually legal.
If I-Card does get expanded beyond the event, and it does start to give some really good stuff.. oh well. I'd even say "ABOUT TIME!" and give it a big clap frankly.
I'd love it if NCSoft sold Adena. It would put the farmers entirely out of the market eventually. (They would have to reduce their price so much it woudnt be profitable at that stage)
I don't feel like playing against those with big credit card wallets.
(I know I know that is already the case now but then it's deemed "fair and oke" as long as they get the cash for it.
Yes, you already are and why are you deeming that fair and ok?
I play with a sense of accomplishment. Buying your items via a CC system is not an accomplishment.
Yet ebaying or establishing power/money/further income through ebaying gives you a sense of accomplishment?
You'd rather have a completely corrupt system that rewards those who utterly cheat? Gives value to the cheating? And gives a whole host of problems ranging from completely distorting the point of the game to botters.
Right, it's no surprise item shop games have alot of success and are very populated too, it's easier and you can almost litarally not worry about exp and/or items at all (almost), so it's more approchable.
For me they are not pleasent, as someone said there is zero sense of acomplishment from leveling up, gaining items etc., all that is left is pvp (pve has little meaning left since you're at the top of the game), little of anything else.
Oh well, I saw other p2p games that have item shop and services for faster exp and/or a considerable easier path in the game for a certain ammount of money. So it's not something reserved to f2p.
Many people will adapt, others will leave, some will just arrive to the game (since it would be much easier in a legal way).
I have other upcoming (and older) games I want to try, so I'm not worried I won't have something to play.
It's just that L2 means alot to me in the first place :eek:.
Hm... They offer some stupid head accessory for ther Icard point, right? And you have to play their game of chance to have a hope that they will reward you with a s80 set or overpowered A-grade weaponry. I know, s80 is hard to get nowadays in our servers. But, hey, in Korean server they have a lot of 82-84 toons with enchanted skills etc. I don't doubt they are familiar with s80 items and they use it like we use regular s-grade gear. So another one s80 set is nothing for them. Yes, it is great advantage for you if you hadn't it yet, but this can't change situation, like if if you find somewhere regular s-grade set in ours server. Overpowered A-grade weaponry is quite dumb even in ours realm, so I don't say for them. So this is not something like GM-shops, it's normal event for them. Also, don't forget that their special accessory expires on 31-dec-2008 so this is shadow items with huge lifetime. I don't know why are you all so nervous. If they gift to 2-3 lucky guys normal s-grade set and a couple of people gets overpowered b-grade weapon, this was correct reflection to ours realms. Don't forget that Korean servers are way more advanced in every factor...
Its already "fair and ok". No one (and I mean no one) gets banned for buying, since its impossible to prove you paid cash for adena.
I dunno.. It has been said that NC can follow item transfers. I would assume if they had some obvious farmers and watch where those farmers transfer to.. it could be ban worthy. Especially if the farmers are dumb enough to pool all that adena onto a single account for distro... or if the players transferred to are dumb enough to say something about it in-game. *shrugs*