The Remark made a 1000 times, Digital Downloaders Get Hornswaggled.

[Kir]

<p>Why SoE, do you hornswaggle your customers for using the preferred method of download for your expansions?  </p><p>I am trying to setup a second account for my son, we can not find the copy in the stores anywhere today of EoF.  I go to buy it online and I read that hey! Guess what! You won't get any of the other content if you buy strait from Sony.  YAY! that means I have to make a decision.  A) Order from some Shiesty Online CD Key place, or B) wait 4-5 days for the shipment from an online retailer to come, which means the plans I had made for me and my son to play today are gone.</p><p>Get your act together Sony, make retail and digi download the same fn thing.  It is ludicrous you won't.  If I choose to take on the download for 3 expansions, that should be my choice.  Those of us who already have the prior expansions would still be able to digi download just the expansion, and those of us who need it all, but do not have access to getting the retail version don't have to wait 4 days for it to ship, or send our money to some place over seas.  In my situation all I need is the Key, I have software already installed on 2 machines with all expansions for when I am playing in a different room, but I don't have the expansions for his account.</p><p>Anyways enough whining for me I guess we can go to the movies or something.  Sucks too I wanted to get his account setup today, looks like we might have to just hold off on it.  Instant Gratification FTL when trying to buy SoE products I guess. =(  </p>

[Iseabeil]

<p>As much as the situation with the digital vs boxed is annoying, its not really SoE's fault. The retailers today expect perks to put away shelfspace for games, and I wouldnt be surpriced if the reason ubisoft no longer distribute EQ2 in europe is related to them giving the stuff that was reserved for boxed versions when buying digital from them. Having shelf space is vital, as its one of the main sources of new players, the ones that go into a shop without having decided what to buy, picks up your game and looks at it and then decides to buy it and try it out. Digital download cant offer that 'free' advertisment. Allthou, I can agree somewhat that the whole situation with particularly EoF has been handled badly enough that SoE might as well make a rude gesture to the retailers and give all perks with DD, as no matter if it is SoE's or retailers fault, EoF is absent from the shelf space and getting none of the advantages of being seen. As SoE makes and distribute so many other games that might be more present, I doubt they will risk insulting the retailers over this tho.</p><p>Personally, I hope they kick the 'can never remind the name' of their new EU distributer before RoK, as I never seen such a utter and complete mess before, but I doubt that will happen either.</p>

[Zard]

<p>I believe everyone here agrees with you so I just wanted to thank you for suggesting a good surname for my gnome brigand: Gnife Hornswaggle.  <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p><p>He has a bruiser brother named Gnuckles so, if you see them on Oasis, they owe you one.  <img src="/smilies/ed515dbff23a0ee3241dcc0a601c9ed6.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p>

[LordPazuzu]

I always thought the reasoning behind the box extras was to encourage players to buy the box over the download to reduce stress on download servers.

[ke'la]

<p>The problem is that SoE unlike "other" developers does not BUY shelfspace from Retailers, wich is standard practous in the retail industery, as such it's left upto the retailer's descresion as to weather or not to stock a game, and if you can get the exsact same thing on-line that you can get in the box the retailer won't stock it. Couple that with the misconseption (do to the large number of WoW fanboys that run the Consol Video game shops(EB/Gamestop)) that EQ2 is the same as it was at launch, makes for a game with little shelfspace.</p><p>IMO, when I look to see if EQ2 is available I have NEVER seen it(atleast the EoF version) in any Consol game store. However, I usually see atleast 2 or 3 copies in Computer and Electronics Super stores like Best Buy, Fry's and CompUSA, I think thats because the buyers for those companies have the shelfspace and want a buch of games for the MMO section(heck I have even seen games that have I thought where dead forsale in those sections).</p>

[Maryk]

<p>Likewise...I got the impression from SOE that digital downloading was the preferred method.  So that's what I did for KOS and EOF.</p><p>I get screwed out of extras....and not just some silly thing.  I never got the plant that you feed and get very usable things.  </p><p>C'mon Sony...where's my plant.   Arghhhh</p>

[lilmohi]

<cite>Iseabeil wrote:</cite><blockquote><p>As much as the situation with the digital vs boxed is annoying, its not really SoE's fault. The retailers today expect perks to put away shelfspace for games, and I wouldnt be surpriced if the reason ubisoft no longer distribute EQ2 in europe is related to them giving the stuff that was reserved for boxed versions when buying digital from them. Having shelf space is vital, as its one of the main sources of new players, the ones that go into a shop without having decided what to buy, picks up your game and looks at it and then decides to buy it and try it out. Digital download cant offer that 'free' advertisment. Allthou, I can agree somewhat that the whole situation with particularly EoF has been handled badly enough that SoE might as well make a rude gesture to the retailers and give all perks with DD, as no matter if it is SoE's or retailers fault, EoF is absent from the shelf space and getting none of the advantages of being seen. As SoE makes and distribute so many other games that might be more present, I doubt they will risk insulting the retailers over this tho.</p><p>Personally, I hope they kick the 'can never remind the name' of their new EU distributer before RoK, as I never seen such a utter and complete mess before, but I doubt that will happen either.</p></blockquote><p> Iseabeil is exactly right.  Sony would love to sell more digital downloads because they make more proffit.  Unfortunately if they don't sell enough boxs at retail, then retailers will quit carrying their product (it's happened before).  As Iseabeil pointed out, without shelf space advertisements they can kiss new players good-bye.  As a MMO the core of their income is from subscription fees and not box sales so it's better to bring new players in than to make a few extra bucks on a digital download.  </p><p>Also Sony's server farms can handle the stress, in fact in the last expansion most people already had most of the expansion downloaded even before it went live.</p>

[Syndic]

I don't think the box on the shelf is going to be the only way to get alot of new customers.  Around the time of EOF's release there was adverts all over the web, to play the trial version.  I don't think I could go to a games site without seeing an advert for EQ2.  I wasn't playing it at the time but it certainly made me think about coming back.  I think Sony gets alot more exposure with these web ads, and by giving a trial most likely pulled in more new customers than a single box sitting on a shelf next to a dozen copies of WoW.  I can't say how a computer shop looks in the USA but in Aus EQ is practically impossible to find, about the only time you will find it is in the month surrounding a release.  Not only that releases are several days to a week behind launch.  I'm sure US customers wouldn't stand for this so why do we?  DD is the only decent way for me to go, it just really sucks to loose out on extras.  Just a shame that something has to give, if DD had the same as retail international customers would be alot happier.

[ganjookie]

Degenerate@Blackburrow wrote: <blockquote><p>Why SoE, do you hornswaggle your customers for using the preferred method of download for your expansions?  </p><p>I am trying to setup a second account for my son, we can not find the copy in the stores anywhere today of EoF.  I go to buy it online and I read that hey! Guess what! You won't get any of the other content if you buy strait from Sony.  YAY! that means I have to make a decision.  A) Order from some Shiesty Online CD Key place, or B) wait 4-5 days for the shipment from an online retailer to come,<span style="color: #cc3366"> which means the plans I had made for me and my son to play today are gone.</span></p><p>Get your act together Sony, make retail and digi download the same fn thing.  It is ludicrous you won't.  If I choose to take on the download for 3 expansions, that should be my choice.  Those of us who already have the prior expansions would still be able to digi download just the expansion, and those of us who need it all, but do not have access to getting the retail version don't have to wait 4 days for it to ship, or send our money to some place over seas.  In my situation all I need is the Key, I have software already installed on 2 machines with all expansions for when I am playing in a different room, but I don't have the expansions for his account.</p><p>Anyways enough whining for me I guess we can go to the movies or something.  Sucks too I wanted to get his account setup today, looks like we might have to just hold off on it.  Instant Gratification FTL when trying to buy SoE products I guess. =(  </p></blockquote>Sounds like you should have done better planning before you waited till today to get it all setup.  Get your act together customer.

[lancekortesoja]

Ok first off, why do you dof and kos do you really expect him to get over 50 levels in 1 day? and 2nd, maybe you should take it as a sign and don't get him into your video games focus more on his schoolwork so he doesn't get a [Removed for Content] up life, yea you could say "I'll make sure he does his schoolwork before his eq2 gaming" although this will not work he will rush his homework so he could get back to eq2 anyway he might not even like the game '

[WtheD]

Dragonfighter@Oasis wrote: <blockquote>Ok first off, why do you dof and kos do you really expect him to get over 50 levels in 1 day? and 2nd, maybe you should take it as a sign and don't get him into your video games focus more on his schoolwork so he doesn't get a [I cannot control my vocabulary] up life, yea you could say "I'll make sure he does his schoolwork before his eq2 gaming" although this will not work he will rush his homework so he could get back to eq2 anyway he might not even like the game ' </blockquote><p> First, kudos to the OP for using the word 'hornswaggled', it truly is a word that needs a comeback!</p><p>Second, to the reply above, most kids in June don't have school, you see, they're out.</p><p>Luckily, the Best Buy and EB games near me is pretty good with EQ stuff, so I've never had a problem getting an expansion, even if it's several months or more after it came out.</p>

[zerfall]

<p>It's not the lack of "extras" that annoys me.  I can live without the plant, the monkey, the whirlygig, and all of the other fun stuff you get with the boxed retail version.</p><p>The single hugest annoyance for me is the price.  The fact that it costs me the exact same amount to Digital Download EoF as it does to buy the retail version, and yet the retail version comes with not only the base EQ2 game, but also DoF and KoS.  Now, you may consider the expansions to be "extras" but in this case, I don't.  They are too significant to just leave out, especially at $50 (Canadian).</p><p>So leave behind the fluff in the DD version.  Most people probably wouldn't care.  But if you're not going to include the previous expansions that retail purchasers get for free, then lower the DD price, <b>*especially* </b>when so many people have such a hard time simply finding a retail version to begin with, assuming that they even can get one locally.</p><p>P.S. While "hornswaggled" is a fine word, I personally prefer the term "hoodwinked". <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p>

[Kir]

Dragonfighter@Oasis wrote: <blockquote>Ok first off, why do you dof and kos do you really expect him to get over 50 levels in 1 day? and 2nd, maybe you should take it as a sign and don't get him into your video games focus more on his schoolwork so he doesn't get a [I cannot control my vocabulary] up life, yea you could say "I'll make sure he does his schoolwork before his eq2 gaming" although this will not work he will rush his homework so he could get back to eq2 anyway he might not even like the game ' </blockquote><p> Ok big guy, not sure why I just saw this... but I am going to respond.</p><p>#1) Use your head. PRICE.  Lets see OH GOD why would I EVER want to spend 50 dollars instead of 50x4.  I mean 200 dollars compared to 50 HOW STUPID OF ME!</p><p>#2) Where do you live?  My kid is out of school.  Funny because I don't think I should be cramming down school work when he just got out a couple weeks ago, kids need a break or did you forget that already since you are of Elder and know so much about parenting.  I have 2 well adjusted kids, both game, both have great grades.  Maybe your kids can't handle more then one task in their life, mine can.</p><p> #3) EXACLTY!  Which is why I don't want to spend 200 dollars digi downloading every expansion, when I could get them all for 50 bucks.  So what if he does like the game?  Then I have to shell out another 100 dollars to buy DoF and KoS?  Yea so was your major economics?</p>

[Kir]

Kithian@Permafrost wrote: <blockquote>Degenerate@Blackburrow wrote: <blockquote><p>Why SoE, do you hornswaggle your customers for using the preferred method of download for your expansions?  </p><p>I am trying to setup a second account for my son, we can not find the copy in the stores anywhere today of EoF.  I go to buy it online and I read that hey! Guess what! You won't get any of the other content if you buy strait from Sony.  YAY! that means I have to make a decision.  A) Order from some Shiesty Online CD Key place, or B) wait 4-5 days for the shipment from an online retailer to come,<span style="color: #cc3366"> which means the plans I had made for me and my son to play today are gone.</span></p><p>Get your act together Sony, make retail and digi download the same fn thing.  It is ludicrous you won't.  If I choose to take on the download for 3 expansions, that should be my choice.  Those of us who already have the prior expansions would still be able to digi download just the expansion, and those of us who need it all, but do not have access to getting the retail version don't have to wait 4 days for it to ship, or send our money to some place over seas.  In my situation all I need is the Key, I have software already installed on 2 machines with all expansions for when I am playing in a different room, but I don't have the expansions for his account.</p><p>Anyways enough whining for me I guess we can go to the movies or something.  Sucks too I wanted to get his account setup today, looks like we might have to just hold off on it.  Instant Gratification FTL when trying to buy SoE products I guess. =(  </p></blockquote>Sounds like you should have done better planning before you waited till today to get it all setup.  Get your act together customer. </blockquote> yup you got me there, stupid customer I am!  Glad Sony has a great PR guy like you to show me the errors of my ways =)  God forbid someone has an idea that happens on impulse.  Next time I will make sure to take the required time to go back in time and do research whenever I have an idea that just pops in my head.

[Kir]

<p>and for my last word on the subject!  My second favorite word to maybe Bamboozled.</p><p><span style="font-size: xx-large">HORNSWAGGLED FTW.</span></p>

[Kaoland]

<p>Not only does it screw us out of the extras they expect the vets to pay the same price for the single expansion pack as they charge the newbs for the Full game all the expansions and a free month. Not to just mention the extras involved. </p><p>I have owned EQ2 since the release I have spent this.</p><p>Base Game: 39.99 or so cannot remember off hand exact amount at release.</p><p>Deserts of Flame: 19.99</p><p>Kingdom of Sky: 19.99</p><p>I have spent 19.99 on Expansions ever since they released. Now all of a sudden they want 39.99 just for the expansion set with no perks?</p><p> This is what got my goat. I can buy the Full game with all the bells and whistles and get a free month of play for the same amount as downloading just the most recent expansion? That makes no sense and cannot be explained away with retail store charges.</p>

[Maryk]

<p>Hornswaggled and bamboozled...which has us all....</p><p><span style="font-size: large">Discombobulated</span>. </p>

[Solaran_X]

<b>DIGITAL DOWNLOAD: </b>Order your copy from SOE well in advance. Sit around. On release day, EQ2's LaunchPad automatically patches in the new expansion to EQ2. Finish updating, play new expansion, get server/world discoveries. <b>BOXED VERSION:</b> Pre-order a copy from a retailer. Wait for release day (and hope you're off from work that day). Drive out to the retailer or take public transportation (which costs money for gas or fare). Get your copy from the retailer and hope they didn't get too many pre-orders and not enough copies (it's happened to me before). If you got a copy, drive back home or take public transportation back home (more money spent for gas or fare). Install the new expansion and register it. Then patch EQ2 to get the updates. Finish updating, play new expansion. So...explain to me how you get hornswaggled? You get the expansion on release day, guaranteed, and can play it before anyone else. You don't need to spend money to get to the retailer to (hopefully) pick up your copy. You also don't waste time in transit to and from the retailer to pick it up. I'm sorry, but the people who actually go out and buy the boxed version do deserve extra for the extra time and money invested in getting the boxed version over the digital download.

[Allisia]

<cite>Kaoland wrote:</cite><blockquote><p>Not only does it screw us out of the extras they expect the vets to pay the same price for the single expansion pack as they charge the newbs for the Full game all the expansions and a free month. Not to just mention the extras involved. </p><p>I have owned EQ2 since the release I have spent this.</p><p>Base Game: 39.99 or so cannot remember off hand exact amount at release.</p><p>Deserts of Flame: 19.99</p><p>Kingdom of Sky: 19.99</p><p>I have spent 19.99 on Expansions ever since they released. Now all of a sudden they want 39.99 just for the expansion set with no perks?</p><p> This is what got my goat. I can buy the Full game with all the bells and whistles and get a free month of play for the same amount as downloading just the most recent expansion? That makes no sense and cannot be explained away with retail store charges.</p></blockquote> Echoes of Faydwer retail costs about $40. They just threw the other expansions in as a perk. You're not paying for the whole game, you're paying for one expansion. You are getting the whole game, but the other expansions and original game are free with the purchase of Echoes of Faydwer. You only get a free month if you open a new account, not if you use the key to add it to an existing account. Desert of Flames was not $20 when it was released. I wasn't playing when Kingdom of Sky came out, but I doubt it was $20 either. Digital downloads do not encourage impulse buys, but retail copies do.

[Karlen]

>>>Why SoE, do you hornswaggle your customers for using the <b>preferred</b> method of download for your expansions?<<< You hit on the reason in your question. Because it is <b>preferred</b> (at least by many), they can get away with charging more (and/or offering less). SOE would likely prefer that you buy the expansion at a store, thus making retailers like SOE more.  They would likely prefer not to offer a download option at all. When demand is high (inferred by the comment that the download is preferred), there is opportunity for increased profit.

[Kaoland]

<p>Well alright then. If the expansions are selling for $40 everytime they are released, then why is the Main game and all the expansions plus perks in the store the same price? It is BS do to the fact that SOE has to spend more in order to provide hardcopies and packaging to the Stores for their product, And virtually do nothing but post the downloadable on their website for the downloaders. The cost of giving the expansion to those that download just that from them is a whole lot cheaper for them to do then it is to make a box, put the program to disk Ship the thing all over the place and hope some little kid and his mom walk by and decide to buy it.</p><p> Providing a easy access downloading system to already loyal customers for a cheaper rate will keep their current base happy. The time and effort for this is basically nill. Yet on the other hand they spend probably twice as much on attracting new customers and give nothing to their loyal base.</p><p>I mean I see the point of releasing the box to stores to attract new customers. That is good marketing. However the current customers should be getting some kind of reward for staying with them. Not having to pay the same amount as a newb does for everything.</p><p>When I look at buying the expansion only I do not want to be spending the same amount the store shelf is. Reasons are above. Frankly there is no reason we should have to pay the same price when we get less product. So just because of those reasons SOE will not get money from me for the expansion until it comes down dramatically. </p><p>Common Sense and a little business knowledge will tell you that you get screwed if you buy the expansion from download. Don't tell me about conveniance either they are gougeing the customer for the download and they know it. If anyone out there believes differently then explain to me where the cost of selling a downloadable product remotely compares to the selling a Boxed and shipped product?</p><p> When this can be explained properly then I may agree with you. However I do believe one will have a hard time convincing anyone with an abuility to add 1+1 that the company makes the same return off both.</p>

[Allisia]

If the digital download has everything the retail copy has it reduces interest in stocking it for retail stores. Best Buy, Wal-Mart, etc. don't want to stock games that you can buy over the internet for exact same product at the same price. Retail vendors want perks on the versions they stock to entice people to buy them over the digital download.

[Karlen]

The point of charging for an expansion is not to simply recoup the distribution costs.  It would be cheaper still just to simply give it to everyone in the monthly update. The point of an expansion is to generate revenue to cover the development costs of the new expansion plus some profit for SOE.   They can maximize their revenue from the downloads since it will primarily be current players purchasing the expansion through download.  These are captive customers that don't take a lot of convincing to purchase the update (since they won't be able to play with their friends if they don't). The in-store boxes cost more to distribute.  However, they can't charge more for them because they will not get enough people buying to make it worthwhile.   There has to be bonus features and included content (such as the previous expansions) to make it attractive to someone in the store that might want to spend their money on one of the other games on the shelf. If you think that the in-store box is a better deal, then go to the store and get the in-store box.  If you want the convenience of the download, then be prepared to pay for it.

[Kaoland]

<p>The point I am making is that it is a better deal for the newb then it is for the veteran. There is no insentive for a Vet to go out and buy the shelf one because 95% of it is already in their game. Also there is no insentive for a Vet to go online and buy it on Digital Download do to the price being the same as a Newbs full version. So what it all boils down to is that the Shelf version is giving the Newb all of what we Vets already paid for, for free pluse PERKS. If you need to give away so much to attract a new customer doesn't that say something about your company?</p><p>Finally Why are the Newbs to the game getting more free stuff then the Vet that has been in game for 3 years?</p><p>Newbs should get the game and maybe the first two expansions and maybe some PERKS. But making them pay only for the newest expansion and giving them all the expansions and the main game is a little rediculous if you ask me. Since they are so worried about attracting new customers they should take a few moments and ask themselves "What are we doing for our loyal vets that is comparable to what we give our New ones?</p><p>When they answer this question without using the convienence BS, because a Newb can download the full package they can get on the shelf also from SOE. Also by the way you can get the full store version on DD also so that is not a good enough arguement.</p>

[Karlen]

<p>>>>The point I am making is that it is a better deal for the newb then it is for the veteran. <<<</p><p>Correct.  They want to attract newbs.  Veterans are already attracted. </p><p>>>>There is no insentive for a Vet to go out and buy the shelf one because 95% of it is already in their game. <<<</p><p>Correct.  Veterans will likely want the download version. </p><p>>>>Also there is no insentive for a Vet to go online and buy it on Digital Download do to the price being the same as a Newbs full version. <<<</p>Veterans can get the download version and stay home rather than have to go out to buy the game.  Either way, they pay the same amount and end up with the same game. <p>>>>So what it all boils down to is that the Shelf version is giving the Newb all of what we Vets already paid for, for free pluse PERKS. If you need to give away so much to attract a new customer doesn't that say something about your company?<<<</p>New customers are ones that aren't customers already (which is why they are "new&quot<img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />.  New customers need attracting to get them to buy this game and not a different one. <p>>>>Finally Why are the Newbs to the game getting more free stuff then the Vet that has been in game for 3 years?<<<</p>I got a veteran sales crate for being in three years.  Newbs don't get that.  But perks are what get people to buy EQ2 rather than something else. <p>>>>Newbs should get the game and maybe the first two expansions and maybe some PERKS. But making them pay only for the newest expansion and giving them all the expansions and the main game is a little rediculous if you ask me. Since they are so worried about attracting new customers they should take a few moments and ask themselves "What are we doing for our loyal vets that is comparable to what we give our New ones?<<<</p><p>When they answer this question without using the convienence BS, because a Newb can download the full package they can get on the shelf also from SOE. Also by the way you can get the full store version on DD also so that is not a good enough arguement.<<<</p> Why do veterans need to be rewarded?  They are rewarded by getting to play the game. If you don't like the deal, don't buy the expansion. Where did this sense of entitlement come from?  If you won't play EQ2 unless you are "rewarded", then perhaps this game isn't for you.

[Karlen]

Hornswaggled no longer: <a href="http://www.direct2drive.com/6/4362/product/Buy-EverQuest-II:-All-In-One-Compilation-Download" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www.direct2drive.com/6/4362/...lation-Download</a> Doesn't help those who have already bought the expansions, though.

[Dionysoz]

The problem I am having is that I went down to the stores in my area but they no longer carry any SOE games. They had like 50 copies of WOW and all the other games, but I did not even see any emply shelf labels showing that they did have it at some time and just ran out. So I am back home now trying to find one "Online". Did that not defeat the purpose of having me run down  to the store to get a boxed copy.<img src="/smilies/8f7fb9dd46fb8ef86f81154a4feaada9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> I mean if you cant get one at a store near you and you have to "Search" online for a boxed set to have sent to you. Can you read the irony, I am searching online to have a box sent to me. Most people would agree that if you are searching "Online", it would just be more practical and better marketing to just offer it online so you would not have to wait.  I mean come on  not like I am going to do anything with the box I just need the "Key".

[Bloodfa]

Well, now you can download it all in one fell swoop.  The onlinle version now equates to the boxed set.

[Dionysoz]

I am reading the info on that D2D but it does not say anything about house items. Is it confirmed that you get them when you buy from them???

[irish]

I dont believe you get the bonus items with the direct 2 drive download only the boxed version.

[Dionysoz]

<cite>irish wrote:</cite><blockquote>I dont believe you get the bonus items with the direct 2 drive download only the boxed version.</blockquote>Bugger and I thought I just hit some luck when I saw that link. Was going to buy it when I got home but if I dont get the items then that pretty much would blow the point and I would be out 80 bucks. Can anyone confirm D2D having house items??

[Bloodfa]

Download has never included house items.  I'd be surprised to see that added in.

[Pyrodex]

Why don't they give this Download to current customers for FREE? It sucks to have to download all the content over on a fresh install!

[AidynLegends]

<p>Forgive me if I am mistaken.</p><p> Can't you just buy the download. (they give you the key). Then upgrade your account.</p><p>Go and run EQ2 again and the client should update automatically.</p>

[Maryk]

Yeah I was very carefully looking for mention of the house items.  Not there.

[Kalria]

I ditto the OP. We had nearly exact same problem. Waste of money. *sigh*

[k7eric]

I made the mistake of buying one of the expansions by digital download a long time ago...never again.  I loved the EOF package though since it included the expansion I had downloaded a while back when I had to reinstall.

[pist]

As someone who has been on board since the original game, I personally find it atrocious that they continue to swindle the very player base that has seen them through all of their hard times with actions like these.  For me, its not the extra content, but is the previously mentioned price difference. C'mon dildos, i've been paying my monthly subscription for 3 years now, INCLUDING buying all the expansions and adventure packs - that's almost $1000 worth of stuff over the years.  And you mean to tell me that that some WoW kiddy can walk into EB or gamestop, buy a $40 copy of the game, and have almost the exact same thing I have PLUS house stuff I don't get?  That's seriously messed up - I just hope you never wonder why player retention is such an issue for you.  People don't like being mistreated or exploited, and I would very much say this is the case with the retail vs. DD problem.

[Ravaan]

i just dont get how SoE the maker of the game only offers only the expansion but "direct2download" offers the entire game (all expansions) for the same price?

[StoneySilen]

<cite>Ravaan wrote:</cite><blockquote>i just dont get how SoE the maker of the game only offers only the expansion but "direct2download" offers the entire game (all expansions) for the same price?</blockquote>Because SOE doesn't want to P/O the retailers and they may have contracts saying they can't.  D2D has no such limitations since it is a retailer itself. I think it sucks too but until SOE goes pure digital download with no more boxes on the shelves then this is gonna happen.  You would be surprised at how much power retailers have.  I used to work in the CD-Manufacturing business and Wal-Mart due to their HUGE lock on the market for CD sales dictated to US (A Major CD/Music company) what/how they wanted things.  So I am sure SOE is in a similar situation with EBGames/Gamestop/Best Buy.  It's do as we say or we won't carry your products (any of them) kind of thing.

[LexiThePirate]

Nitelen@The Bazaar wrote: <blockquote><cite>Ravaan wrote:</cite><blockquote>i just dont get how SoE the maker of the game only offers only the expansion but "direct2download" offers the entire game (all expansions) for the same price?</blockquote>Because SOE doesn't want to P/O the retailers and they may have contracts saying they can't.  D2D has no such limitations since it is a retailer itself. I think it sucks too but until SOE goes pure digital download with no more boxes on the shelves then this is gonna happen.  You would be surprised at how much power retailers have.  I used to work in the CD-Manufacturing business and Wal-Mart due to their HUGE lock on the market for CD sales dictated to US (A Major CD/Music company) what/how they wanted things.  So I am sure SOE is in a similar situation with EBGames/Gamestop/Best Buy.  It's do as we say or we won't carry your products (any of them) kind of thing. </blockquote>Indeed, and as a returning player who bought the package from D2D, it actually comes with the house items.

[Armawk]

<blockquote><p>C'mon dildos, i've been paying my monthly subscription for 3 years now, INCLUDING buying all the expansions and adventure packs - that's almost $1000 worth of stuff over the years.  </p><p>And you mean to tell me that that some WoW kiddy can walk into EB or gamestop, buy a $40 copy of the game, and have almost the exact same thing I have PLUS house stuff I don't get?  </p></blockquote><p> erm.. you paid to play a NEW game, NEW expansions and for 3 years of play. Not for a smug sense of veterancy and superiority. You have to provide that yourself.</p><p>Someone buying now is buying ONE NEW expansion, a 3 year old game and the in between expansions. Yeah EoF box set is great value, but someone elses value isnt your loss. They are missing out on the following:</p><p>All the veteran rewards</p><p>Access to all this stuff when it was brand new</p><p>3 Years of play</p><p>I find peoples views unfathomable at times.. I mean we all know the digital sales are a scam, but sheesh</p>

[Thormiel]

<cite>shaunfletcher wrote:</cite><blockquote><blockquote><p>C'mon dildos, i've been paying my monthly subscription for 3 years now, INCLUDING buying all the expansions and adventure packs - that's almost $1000 worth of stuff over the years.  </p><p>And you mean to tell me that that some WoW kiddy can walk into EB or gamestop, buy a $40 copy of the game, and have almost the exact same thing I have PLUS house stuff I don't get?  </p></blockquote><p> erm.. you paid to play a NEW game, NEW expansions and for 3 years of play. Not for a smug sense of veterancy and superiority. You have to provide that yourself.</p><p>Someone buying now is buying ONE NEW expansion, a 3 year old game and the in between expansions. Yeah EoF box set is great value, but someone elses value isnt your loss. They are missing out on the following:</p><p>All the veteran rewards</p><p>Access to all this stuff when it was brand new</p><p>3 Years of play</p><p>I find peoples views unfathomable at times.. I mean we all know the digital sales are a scam, but sheesh</p></blockquote>Might be a scam in your view but not in mine, because you see there's other markets for the game than just the U.S. and where I live we don't get the expansions on the same date you people get. At worst it's up to a few weeks later before the physical boxes are on the store shelves. So if I want to access the expansion content on launch date, I gladly sacrifice some house items and price differences and pay for the digital download instead.

[Skai]

I can confirm the inclusion of house items in the D2D version.  Upgrading my account using it yielded a bunch of stuff including the whirlyjigg thingie and that plant that walks around your house.

[Armawk]

<cite>Thormiel wrote:</cite><blockquote>Might be a scam in your view but not in mine, because you see there's other markets for the game than just the U.S. and where I live we don't get the expansions on the same date you people get. At worst it's up to a few weeks later before the physical boxes are on the store shelves. So if I want to access the expansion content on launch date, I gladly sacrifice some house items and price differences and pay for the digital download instead. </blockquote><p> whosa wa? Im based in the UK and in New Zealand..</p><p>The digital downloads DO provide a possible fast way to buy the newest stuff when it comes out, no doubt about that.  I also think house items and fluff are fine to give away only with boxed sets. I dont even think that paying a few dollars more for the download matters (more money to the developer, less to retailers suits me). Where I think the awful value is is the fact that EoF Boxed set contains:</p><p>Everquest 2</p><p>Desert of Flames</p><p>Kingdom of Sky</p><p>Echoes of Faydwer</p><p>While the digital download contains:</p><p>Echose of Faydwer</p><p>And new buyers trip over this constantly, buying what they assume (a bit recklessly yes) will be the same and getting much much less. Why does the EoF download not include the other addons? Is that too much?</p>

[Reace]

I just bought the D2D all-in-one version last week for 30ish bucks and it came with a TON of extras that I had to /claim. An aviak pet, a monkey collar, a copter looking pet some paintings for the house and a whole lot more. It came with every expansion released to date. It took a while to download but was well worth it for new players like myself.