RoK and Future Expansions vs. Current Players

[LaurnaRose Fauldorn]

<p>Ive been thinking (heavy I know ... ), but here is my concern.</p><p>A lot of players bought EQII at release, then bought DoF, then bought KoS, and again EoF, and will probably continue to purchase all future EPs.</p><p>Joe Schmoe bought EoF for the same price as this vetran player and recieved all the other stuff the vet player had to pay $39.99 each for free.  Joe Schmoe recieved all of the same "gifts" as the vetran player.  </p><p>There really is no "hey, thanks for continuing to buy the expansions we release" for the vetran player.  </p><p>I realize that selling a reduced price version of JUST the expansion (though that is what station store is doing only charging regular price for it) is not going to happen. </p><p>Here is my idea.  If you purchase an expansion pack (I would like to see this rolled back too if at all possible), ie for each key you've collected for your account sorta thing, you should recieve a special group of items for the unique keys everytime a new key is incerted.  </p><p>For example:  Hubby and I purchased the original EQII and the EoF expansion pack.  Since we did not purchase the DoF and KoS EPs separately, we should have been given 1 group of "veteran gifts" to choose, the original EQII group.  Once RoK is released and we purchase that EP, we would be offered another EQII group gift along with an EoF group gift.  Where someone who had been purchasing the EPs as they were released would have recieved a total of 3 gifts from the original EQII group, 2 from DoF, and 1 from KoS and will recieve another of each and one from EoF when they use their RoK key.  Sorry, not sure how else to explain what Im thinking ... minds a bit garbled with it right now.  </p><p>These groups of gifts should have a couple items to choose from (a mix of combat and house items) and new items should be added to each group with each expansion.  Items added with each expansion into the different groups (ie DoF would offer only EQII items, KoS would offer EQII and DoF items, EoF would offer KoS, DoF amd EQII items and so on) should be available to EVERYONE who purchases that particular game release, but the EQII/DoF/KoS/EoF/RoK gift groups themselves would only be available to those who purchased the corresponding game release (ie you purchase EoF, which comes with vet gifts for EQII, DoF, and KoS, but you only purchased original EQII and EoF, you would only be able to choose a vet gift from the EQII group).</p>

[Armawk]

<p>*shrug* referring to new players as "joe schmoe" is disrespectful to them.</p><p>You GOT a huge reward for being a veteran player. 3 years of fun and a huge advantage in terms of game experience. Thats what you paid for, not gimmicky toys to puff egos. They give you mostly fluff gifts to recognise veterancy also, which is nice I guess. You also got fluff gifts to recognise buying the expansions. Which is nice also.</p><p>I see no merit in going any further.</p>

[numbaseven]

Think I might be able to make better sense of this.Expansion Rewards:Person A has bought EQII, DoF, KoS, and EoFPerson B has bought EQII and EoFPerson C bought EoFPerson D is going to start playing by buying RoKWhen RoK releases, they all go out and buy it. Entering the Product Key, Person A gets a choice of vet rewards from the other product keys they enteredSo they can choose from EQII, DoF, KoS and EoF vet reward listsPerson B can choose from EQII and EoFPerson C can choose only from EoFPerson D gets no rewards.I think this would be a really great idea, I don't necessarily think the items have to be that worthwhile but something to show SOE cares about the long term players.I need to reinstall everything on my main comp, years of expansions has led to quite a few high memory programs in my repair/remove area in my comupter. =/

[Vonotar]

Well Sony are allowing players to buy in-game enhancements (via LoN) so I see no reason why similiar fluff(ish) items cannot be given each time you replace your old game key with a shiny new one.However I have no objections to new players being able to buy all expansions for one tidy sum (assuming they can find a copy on the shelves... especially in the UK).I have enough trouble with the odd groupie being unable to go to EoF, or worse only having DoF and being unable to traverse norrath via the spires....

[Catria]

<p>Ok, as far as I know, you don't get any "vet rewards" for simply buying expansions.  Vet rewards are given based on account age, not on any given expansion.  Yes, new players do get all the cute little "toys" that came with each expansion, but can you honestly say that you only bought any given expansion for the freebie house item?</p><p>Those of us who started with original EQ2 and bought each expansion and adventure pack as they came out got the "perk" of being able to play it right away, seeing the new content when it really <u>was</u> new.  </p><p>There is also the point that if you were to decide to start playing EQ2 for the very first time today and the all-in-one version wasn't available you would not be able to play with any of your friends in zones that were related to DoF, KoS, or EoF.  Seems like that would be a good reason for a person not to want to bother with it.  Having an all-in-one package for new players is simply good marketing strategy.  If SoE didn't do that it's likely this game would eventually die.</p><p>I've been playing EQ2 since it first came out.  I have paid for every expansion and adventure pack as they came out, and it doesn't bother me at all that new players get it all in one.  </p>

[ke'la]

Accually I beleave the way account flaging works there is no way to tell the differance between someone who bought DoF at launch and someone who bought it as part of EoF(they both get the DoF Enabled Flag) so I don't think its possable to give addtional gifts to those that already have other expaintions, but thats one of the reasons for the vet rewards.

[K@z]

I son't understand thisI bought box of EQ2 after release, than boxed DoF (original EQ2+DoF), than boxed KoS (original EQ2+KoS+maybe DoF again, not sure), so I tried digital EoF, hmm nice the price is the same.Had 2 options, buy boxed EoF+EQ2+all EP or buy digital download, only EoF, but look, the prace is the same.Now expect the same situation with RoK.Think that old players shall have better price if they need only EP, not the original game again. <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />

[ke'la]

<cite>K@z wrote:</cite><blockquote>I son't understand thisI bought box of EQ2 after release, than boxed DoF (original EQ2+DoF), than boxed KoS (original EQ2+KoS+maybe DoF again, not sure), so I tried digital EoF, hmm nice the price is the same.Had 2 options, buy boxed EoF+EQ2+all EP or buy digital download, only EoF, but look, the prace is the same.Now expect the same situation with RoK.Think that old players shall have better price if they need only EP, not the original game again. <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY<img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />" width="15" height="15" /></blockquote><p>Accually DoF did not come with EQ2:Classic.</p><p>So if you bought everything from day one in retail box form you bought</p><p>EQ2:Classic(what they now call the origanal game only)</p><p>DoF: (needs EQ2:Classic to play)</p><p>KoS: Includes EQ2:Classic but you need to buy DoF to get that content</p><p>EoF: Includes Classic, DoF, and KoS.</p><p>RoK: WILL include Classic, DoF, KoS, and EoF</p>

[LaurnaRose Fauldorn]

<cite>K@z wrote:</cite><blockquote>I son't understand thisI bought box of EQ2 after release, than boxed DoF (original EQ2+DoF), than boxed KoS (original EQ2+KoS+maybe DoF again, not sure), so I tried digital EoF, hmm nice the price is the same.Had 2 options, buy boxed EoF+EQ2+all EP or buy digital download, only EoF, but look, the prace is the same.Now expect the same situation with RoK.Think that old players shall have better price if they need only EP, not the original game again. <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY<img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />" width="15" height="15" /></blockquote><p>This is the precise reasoning behind my idea.  Its not that I mind new players being allowed to buy an expansion and have instant access to all the other content.  I think that is great, and it is a nice way to keep new players coming in and not feeling left out.  HOWEVER, I also think it would be nice to either offer JUST the expansion at a lower price for those who are already playing the game, or, if that would be too dificult market wise to implement the "gift" idea mentioned in OP (or better sumarized in numbaseven's post).</p><p>Now, shaunfletcher, please explain to me how referring to new players as "joe schmoe" is a disrespectfut comment?  It is a generic name, not an insult ... so please, explain?  Also, Im not asking for a HUGE reward, Im simply asking for a small item of insignificant gameplay value such as a house item to reward those of us who have spent money to purchase each expansion as oppose to obtaining past expansions through new expansions.  The "fluff gifts" we recieve as vetran rewards are nice, but EVERYONE will eventually recieve those if they continue playing the game regardless as to how/when they started playing.  What I am asking for is recognition for something completely different.</p><p>Each expansion comes with its own set of gifts for everyone who purchases the EP and the EPs being released now that contain all the game content including the original game and all previous EPs include the gifts that were released with those EPs as well.  What Im asking for is a separate set of gifts for those who purchased the original game and each EP individually.  This will benefit all who are currently playing, even if you didnt start playing until EoF, as when RoK comes out, you would recieve a special gift option simply for already owning the game before the release of RoK.</p><p>Ke'la, it would seem to me that though the accounts are flagged for the EPs that there should be a record somewhere of the keys used on each account to enable those flags.  This would be what the gifts would be based on.</p>

[Za]

<p>Unneccessary and just plain bad idea.</p><p><b>Vertran awards already give perks to people who have played the longest. Regardless of the expansions you're purchased along the way, SoE rewards you for your account's acvtivity, which is what's most important to them in the long run.</b></p><p>The expaniosns your purchase are for YOUR OWN enjoyment. This is like askig lucas to go back and give people that bought the original Star Wars troligy some extras since the new DVD sets cost less.</p><p>When you bought EQ2 3 years ago... you got what you bought then... and you've gotten that much usage out of it. Every expansion/mini-expansion you're purchased since then, YOU've gotten that much more enjoyment out of it. New players can buy that 2 years of experience and enjoyment you already own... The new and future expansions work the same way. We'll all pay some amount for the new content and future enjoyment. People just starting to play today will get more content for less money, but will ultimately still only get content... not the 3 years of playtime that you've already accrued.</p><p>And as pointed out above, its not the expansions that matter, its the overall number of months you've played the game... and SoE already gives out little rewards for customer loyalty in that reguards.</p>

[Griffinhart]

<p>While I agree that it feels that long time players don't get as good as a deal as new players, I feel it is needed.  If they required new players to buy all the expansions it would be a very expensive game to get into for new players.  That would really keep people away.  Plus, they will be in the same boat later anyway when the next expansion comes out.  so, it doesn't really bother me.</p><p>On the other hand, players that get the expansion via digital download seem to get screwed.  EOF was the same cost via download as it was for the retail box yet it was the retail box that got the in game goodies.  The digital download actually saves SOE money, yet it's the more expensive to produce retail that gets the reward.  SOE should include it in all versions or in just the digital version.</p>

[Josgar]

Other companies have been doing it:<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Final-Fantasy-XI-Vanadiel-Collection/dp/B000JJI4Z0/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/103-1441112-0526265?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&qid=1189958159&sr=8-1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">FFXI</a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Blizzard-Entertainment-020626726191-Warcraft-Battlechest/dp/B000H96C9M/ref=sr_1_5/103-1441112-0526265?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&qid=1189958203&sr=1-5" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">WoW</a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dark-Age-Camelot-5th-Anniversary/dp/B000IVJXMM/ref=sr_1_2/103-1441112-0526265?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&qid=1189958322&sr=1-2" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">DAOC</a>I for one am happy they are doing this, it lets me get my friends into the game so much faster.

[Rocc]

<p>I agree with the original poster. I think the solution is to make the rewards for purchasing an expansion pack much greater and hve that reward get nerfed 6 months later (example). A good example of a reward commensurate with a 3 year veteran is a uber mount. It's a virtual item SOE can throw in game from creation to launch within 2 weeks. A VIRTUAL item! Thank us for your jobs SOE. Without us you would be working in some third world country making Pacman or Astroids. <img src="http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/images/smilies/283a16da79f3aa23fe1025c96295f04f.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" width="15" height="15" /></p><p>Seriously, give credit where credit is due! The game is as successful as we make it. How about aknowledging that and going a step above on the next veteran reward and added bonuses along the way like stated in the OP post.</p>

[Armawk]

<cite>Anobabylon@Befallen wrote:</cite><blockquote><p>Now, shaunfletcher, please explain to me how referring to new players as "joe schmoe" is a disrespectfut comment?  It is a generic name, not an insult ... so please, explain?  </p></blockquote><p>Joe Schmoe: It is used to identify the typical, everyday person who does not have any special status, frequently in contrast to some group. Adding a "Shm" to the beginning of a word is meant to diminish, negate, or dismiss an argument.</p><p>in effect its a diminishing description.. that they are not 'special' like us. I dont find that to be a suitable viewpoint.</p>

[Rocc]

Dont care what you find suitable. Veteran players deserve recognition and this has nothing to do with you Joe! I mean <b>shaunfletcher</b>

[kidpaul]

<p>How about SOE "reimbursed" old players by giving us free gametime for all the expansion we previously bought? If you for instance bought DoF, KoS and EoF and then when you add your brand new shiny RoK you get a month free each of previous expansion you bought thats 3 months freetime now that would be nicer reward to veterans who payed the extra bucks for every expansion then any fluff items we get for 3 years service.</p><p>a 50% xp potion work for 1 hour but 3 months free time now thats a truckload of xp you can aquire.</p>

[Armawk]

<cite>aciddragon340 wrote:</cite><blockquote>Dont care what you find suitable. Veteran players deserve recognition and this has nothing to do with you Joe! I mean <b>shaunfletcher</b> </blockquote><p>Veteran players deserve NOTHING. I am one and I deserve NOTHING. You are one and you deserve NOTHING.</p><p>Why? because having owned a persistent computer game for a long time was its own benefit, or it wasnt worth doing. And thinking of yourself as somehow 'elite' or entitled (which is what you are doing) is borderline pathetic.</p>

[Rocc]

<p>You veteran status began 11 months ago so your disqualified from participating in this conversation because your a Joe Schmoe.</p><p>The thousand plus dollars I've spent playing this "video game" would be better justified if I was rewarded for my time and money spent. Do they have to? Nope! Should they? Yup!</p><p>We are talking about veteran players so unless you have something valuable to contribute your just making yourself look like more of a Joe Schmoe!</p>

[ZUES]

<p>I agree with the original poster. There should be more of an appreciation for those of us that have followed thru and stuck with this game in its darkest hours. I agree with Acid. The thousand or so bucks weve dropped into this game would be worth a pat on the back. Who cares? A virtual item in exchange for years of being a dedicated customer? Pfft, give my company the ability to get millions of dollars for creating a playable website. I would gladly create a virtual item to compensate all the real money my company has earned! IN A HEARTBEAT!! </p><p>Griffons for all players that have played since launch. No trade virtual item in exchange for a well paying job and a fortune 500 company. If I was boss my first command tomorrow would be "devs, give back something to the community for their dedicated service"!!!</p><p>Nov 9th 2006 LOL your not a veteran your a pup. Isnt there a Joe Schmoe thread somewhere?</p>

[Terrius]

O.o errr, but the game itself is a service to us. Along your lines, WE should give something back to them for their dedicated work and services since launch. I still dont understand why people think cause they have played longer they are better and more important and need compensation. Guess what you've got your reward, you've been able to play EQ2! Congratz!!! if that's not enough for you, oh well. Sure is enough for me, and the fluff veteran rewards are nice but in no way do we "deserve" them.

[Za]

<cite>Lyssia@The Bazaar wrote:</cite><blockquote><p>Ok, as far as I know, you don't get any "vet rewards" for simply buying expansions.  Vet rewards are given based on account age, not on any given expansion. </p></blockquote><p>I beleive this is somewhat incorrect.</p><p>My understanding is that when you buy an expansion you get a "bonus" number of days added to your number of days tally. So if you've been playing for 200 real life days, but bought 2 expanions the reward system counts you as having 260 days played.... (NOT ACCURATE NUNBERS... JUST AN EXAMPLE)  But if I recall correctly, you get 3 or 6 months of credit added for each expansion... or something like that. </p><p>Anyway, that's a small perk for buying expansions, you get veteran rewards sooner than you otherwise would have.</p>

[Leatherneck]

<cite>Terrius wrote:</cite><blockquote>O.o errr, but the game itself is a service to us. Along your lines, WE should give something back to them for their dedicated work and services since launch.I still dont understand why people think cause they have played longer they are better and more important and need compensation. Guess what you've got your reward, you've been able to play EQ2! Congratz!!! if that's not enough for you, oh well. <b>Sure is enough for me, and the fluff veteran rewards are nice but in no way do we "deserve" them.</b></blockquote><p>I hear what you're saying, and if this conversation had taken place a few years ago, I would agree.</p><p>Now, however, the vet rewards are an industry standard.  How many mainstream games out there don't have them?</p>

[Za]

<cite>aciddragon340 wrote:</cite><blockquote><p>You veteran status began 11 months ago so your disqualified from participating in this conversation because your a Joe Schmoe.</p><p>The thousand plus dollars I've spent playing this "video game" would be better justified if I was rewarded for my time and money spent. Do they have to? Nope! Should they? Yup!</p><p>We are talking about veteran players so unless you have something valuable to contribute your just making yourself look like more of a Joe Schmoe!</p></blockquote><p>I SOOO hope you're joking! </p><p>If you're not, you're an idjiot. Your money spent in this game is for YOUR enjoyment. If you ain't enjoyin it, then stop wasting your money. SoE don't owe you ANYTHING other than what they originally promised... access to play EQ2... </p><p>Vet rewards are nice little tockens of thank you, nothing more. If you feel you need anything else to "justify" your spening whatever amount of money you spend, then you have a serious issue that SOE can't fix. </p>

[Cathars]

<cite>shaunfletcher wrote:</cite> <blockquote><p>You GOT a huge reward for being a veteran player. 3 years of fun and a huge advantage in terms of game experience.</p></blockquote>And thats about it.  If something is worth the price to you, then buy it.  If its not, then don't.  You can't, months or years later, say "oh well, I paid that price for a service, and I got it, but now I want something more for it".  And you do get a bonus.  In the form of additional account days on your vet status.

[Leatherneck]

<cite>Catharsis wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>shaunfletcher wrote:</cite> <blockquote><p>You GOT a huge reward for being a veteran player. 3 years of fun and a huge advantage in terms of game experience.</p></blockquote>And thats about it.  If something is worth the price to you, then buy it.  If its not, then don't.  You can't, months or years later, say "oh well, I paid that price for a service, and I got it, but now I want something more for it".  And you do get a bonus.  In the form of additional account days on your vet status.</blockquote>I agree.  However, there are people out there that won't. So-and-so is giving out veteran rewards so such-and-such should too.

[Za]

<cite>Leatherneck wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>Terrius wrote:</cite><blockquote>O.o errr, but the game itself is a service to us. Along your lines, WE should give something back to them for their dedicated work and services since launch.I still dont understand why people think cause they have played longer they are better and more important and need compensation. Guess what you've got your reward, you've been able to play EQ2! Congratz!!! if that's not enough for you, oh well. <b>Sure is enough for me, and the fluff veteran rewards are nice but in no way do we "deserve" them.</b></blockquote><p>I hear what you're saying, and if this conversation had taken place a few years ago, I would agree.</p><p>Now, however, the vet rewards are an industry standard.  How many mainstream games out there don't have them?</p></blockquote><p>Yes, other games have taken to doing what SoE did a while ago.... So now you're trying to say that SoE should just keep sweetening the pot...?</p><p>How much is too much? I guess to some people nothing is ever enough.</p>

[Leatherneck]

<cite>Zald wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>Leatherneck wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>Terrius wrote:</cite><blockquote>O.o errr, but the game itself is a service to us. Along your lines, WE should give something back to them for their dedicated work and services since launch.I still dont understand why people think cause they have played longer they are better and more important and need compensation. Guess what you've got your reward, you've been able to play EQ2! Congratz!!! if that's not enough for you, oh well. <b>Sure is enough for me, and the fluff veteran rewards are nice but in no way do we "deserve" them.</b></blockquote><p>I hear what you're saying, and if this conversation had taken place a few years ago, I would agree.</p><p>Now, however, the vet rewards are an industry standard.  How many mainstream games out there don't have them?</p></blockquote><p>Yes, other games have taken to doing what SoE did a while ago.... <b>So now you're trying to say that SoE should just keep sweetening the pot...?</b></p><p>How much is too much? I guess to some people nothing is ever enough.</p></blockquote><p>At this point?  Maybe.</p><p>If SOE were at the top of the game, they could get away without it.  However, neither EQ nor EQ2 (much less their other games) are at the top.  <i>Within reason</i> they really need to look at every avenue of attracting and retaining players.</p><p>Simply put, Vet rewards are a feature.  For some people it's not an important feature.  For others, it clearly is.  An extreme example is City of Heroes/City of Villains.  Those folks live and die by their vet rewards.  I personally know quite a few players who have "quit" the game, yet still pay the subscription fees so they continue to rack up time on the vet rewards just in case they want to come back.</p><p>And their vet rewards aren't all inconsequential.  Two of them are powers that every character can use, even newly created level 1's.</p>

[Za]

<p>CoH ain't EQ2... I played CoH... loved it... wracking up time so I can get a power ina game I don't choose to play anymore is not my idea of a sound financial investment... but god bless those that do.</p><p> As far as EQ2 goes, I don't want time in game to EVER be a factor in any character's usefulness or abilities. </p><p>DON'T WANT TO SEE:</p><p>/ooc Group Looking for <Insert Class> with <Insert Ubber Verteran Power>. </p><p>/r Hey So and So do you have <Ubber god destroying Veteran Power>? If not we'll have to wait for it to recycle to kill <Ubber Raid Mob>.</p><p>------ you get the point-------</p><p>Currently the Vet perks are just that... non/minimully game altering perks. To change that at this point would cause all kinds of balance issues. I'd rather them save the balance altering crap for game functionality everyone can use.</p>

[Leatherneck]

<cite>Zald wrote:</cite><blockquote><p>CoH ain't EQ2... I played CoH... loved it... wracking up time so I can get a power ina game I don't choose to play anymore is not my idea of a sound financial investment... but god bless those that do.</p><p> As far as EQ2 goes, I don't want time in game to EVER be a factor in any character's usefulness or abilities. </p><p>DON'T WANT TO SEE:</p><p>/ooc Group Looking for <Insert Class> with <Insert Ubber Verteran Power>. </p><p>/r Hey So and So do you have <Ubber god destroying Veteran Power>? If not we'll have to wait for it to recycle to kill <Ubber Raid Mob>.</p><p>------ you get the point-------</p><p>Currently the Vet perks are just that... non/minimully game altering perks. To change that at this point would cause all kinds of balance issues. I'd rather them save the balance altering crap for game functionality everyone can use.</p></blockquote><p>I'm well aware that CoH isn't EQ2.  I stated it was an extreme example of what vet rewards mean to some people.</p><p>Yes, if any vet reward gets to the point you're talking about, that would be absurd.  That's why I specifically used the wording "Within reason".  What you're talking about is unreasonable.  It also is completely different from fluff that most vet rewards are.</p><p>"More" vet rewards doesn't mean "stronger" by definition.  It does, however, mean an increased number of vet rewards.</p>

[Armawk]

<cite>aciddragon340 wrote:</cite><blockquote><p>You veteran status began 11 months ago so your disqualified from participating in this conversation because your a Joe Schmoe.</p><p>The thousand plus dollars I've spent playing this "video game" would be better justified if I was rewarded for my time and money spent. Do they have to? Nope! Should they? Yup!</p><p>We are talking about veteran players so unless you have something valuable to contribute your just making yourself look like more of a Joe Schmoe!</p></blockquote><p>It is sometimes better to be quiet, and risk appearing to have nothing worthwhile to say, than to open your mouth and confirm it. Im sorry for not advising you of that before you did the latter.</p><p>Just to help you out, I have more than one account, along with a probable majority of veteran players.</p><p>Ill contribute something else. Noone cares. Noone gives a flying monkeys about how long you or I have been playing or how much money you have spent (especially that) or how elite you think you are. You were probably about to tell us you were in the pre-beta of eq1 (your kind always is, if half of them were it would have been like woodstock). You think you are 'someone', but noone cares. </p>

[Terrius]

<cite>Leatherneck wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>Zald wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>Leatherneck wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>Terrius wrote:</cite><blockquote>O.o errr, but the game itself is a service to us. Along your lines, WE should give something back to them for their dedicated work and services since launch.I still dont understand why people think cause they have played longer they are better and more important and need compensation. Guess what you've got your reward, you've been able to play EQ2! Congratz!!! if that's not enough for you, oh well. <b>Sure is enough for me, and the fluff veteran rewards are nice but in no way do we "deserve" them.</b></blockquote><p>I hear what you're saying, and if this conversation had taken place a few years ago, I would agree.</p><p>Now, however, the vet rewards are an industry standard.  How many mainstream games out there don't have them?</p></blockquote><p>Yes, other games have taken to doing what SoE did a while ago.... <b>So now you're trying to say that SoE should just keep sweetening the pot...?</b></p><p>How much is too much? I guess to some people nothing is ever enough.</p></blockquote><p>At this point?  Maybe.</p><p>If SOE were at the top of the game, they could get away without it.  However, neither EQ nor EQ2 (much less their other games) are at the top.  <i>Within reason</i> they really need to look at every avenue of attracting and retaining players.</p><p>Simply put, Vet rewards are a feature.  For some people it's not an important feature.  For others, it clearly is.  An extreme example is City of Heroes/City of Villains.  Those folks live and die by their vet rewards.  I personally know quite a few players who have "quit" the game, yet still pay the subscription fees so they continue to rack up time on the vet rewards just in case they want to come back.</p><p>And their vet rewards aren't all inconsequential.  Two of them are powers that every character can use, even newly created level 1's.</p></blockquote><p>heh you just gave the exact reason EQ2 doesnt have them like that. In eq2 they are meant as fun/fluff things. that is all we can/should expect, EQ2 has enough ballence issues without Items that groups and raids would start saying "if you dont have _____ you cant come you noob!"</p>

[Leatherneck]

<cite>Terrius wrote:</cite><blockquote><p>heh you just gave the exact reason EQ2 doesnt have them like that. In eq2 they are meant as fun/fluff things. that is all we can/should expect, EQ2 has enough ballence issues without Items that groups and raids would start saying "if you dont have _____ you cant come you noob!"</p></blockquote>Um...yah, I know.  That's why I never argued that the fluff items should be "better".

[natasha]

I do agree with the OP, I think it would be nice if veteran players got a break every now and then. Hehe, a couple of my friends are waiting to buy anything or play until RoK comes out, they want to get em "all-in-one".I guess that's another way of looking at it. However, I wouldnt' mind, say-a break in digital download price available only to those who had played say 1+ years or something.

[Ogrebe]

I hate how this argument come out every time before an expansion come out.IF SoE did not buddle the game like that how many new player do you think you'd have if they had to spend the 100+ buck to get all the expansions? Now many.This encourage new players to play the game, which results in more player on the server, and (i don't know about you) but that a good thing.

[Za]

<cite>natashabu wrote:</cite><blockquote>I do agree with the OP, I think it would be nice if veteran players got a break every now and then. Hehe, a couple of my friends are waiting to buy anything or play until RoK comes out, they want to get em "all-in-one".I guess that's another way of looking at it. However, I wouldnt' mind, say-a break in digital download price available only to those who had played say 1+ years or something.</blockquote><p>See you people don't listen to your own people's arguments.</p><p>Some of you say you want "something", although we already GET SOMETHING. Then you turn around and say, you want money (price breaks = payment to you). But SoE has done that in the past, and ya still complained about that. Really people just realize that some people want something for nothing. Some people want more than others. And some people want the world on a plate. Then some of you group yourselves in with the whole lot and just want becasue someone else said they wanted!</p><p>The OP is wrong, plain and simple. SoE already rewards long time players with Vet perks in game... everything from furniture for your virtual homes, to exp potions which has minor in game ramifications. They don't need to start giving away free product to everyone... that defeats the purpose of running a business. And if it can't be done for everyone, then its unfair to everyone. This is a retail product, and its a game at that. When you buy it, you do so for the entertainment value it will provide you TODAY. If you want you can always wait for it to go down in price or for it to be bundled or upgraded such that you get more for your money. But part of what you're paying a premuim for today is the fact you get to play it TODAY, you don't have to wait a year unless you value the money more than the entertainment value. Either way, it's YOUR choice. And choice = responsibility, which is what many of you are trying to sherk off... You made a choice and now you want SoE to make your choice sweeter for you... after you already made it. That's like me going back in to the car dealership 2 years later and saying, "ya know, I think I paid too much for this car. It should have come with the leather package... My friend bought the new model yesterday and he paid 10% less and got more options. So you owe me. "   I wish that worked!</p>

[Finora]

<cite>K@z wrote:</cite><blockquote>I son't understand thisI bought box of EQ2 after release, than boxed DoF (original EQ2+DoF), than boxed KoS (original EQ2+KoS+maybe DoF again, not sure), so I tried digital EoF, hmm nice the price is the same.Had 2 options, buy boxed EoF+EQ2+all EP or buy digital download, only EoF, but look, the prace is the same.Now expect the same situation with RoK.Think that old players shall have better price if they need only EP, not the original game again. <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY<img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />" width="15" height="15" /></blockquote><p>Well, the standard price for an expansion is 39.99. That is the price to purchase the expansion. The other stuff is free and added to bring in NEW players for a reasonable price. How much would you actually consider starting up a new game if you had to pay 20 bucks for the base game, then another 40 bucks EACH for four more expansions just to be able to play with your friends? I know I wouldn't even consider it. I doubt many others would as well.</p><p>I am quite familiar with mmo's & expansion purchasing. I played eq1 from kunark though omens of war and eq2 from release, buying expasions for each one when they came out. I don't feel the least bit shafted by the way expansions work. In fact quite the opposite. I was able to afford to buy EOF as a gift for a friend to get her to start playing. I couldn't have done the base game & all expansions seperately thing.</p>

[Tiresais_Aph]

If you have to ask for a reward, do you really deserve it?

[Stickytoes]

<p>SOE didn't make you sign a contract forcing you to pay for this game for 3 years, therefore anyone who thinks they are entitled to and reward or special attention just because they spent money on a game is being rediculous. For your patronage and the money you spent playing this game you get increased content in the form of expansion packs and game updates. For each expansion you own you get a 90 day bonus to your account age, it's not like 90 days makes a new players account older than yours because you still have your base account age.</p><p> Besides SOE already gives veteran rewards to every one of it's players starting with any account over 1 day old and going up from there. If I'm not mistaken that is a sign of gratitude for ones patronage(to present one with a gift). I for one pay for a game because I enjoy playing it, not because I expect to be treated special for it. If enjoyment isn't the reason your playing then why spend the money?</p>

[ke'la]

<cite>Finora@Everfrost wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>K@z wrote:</cite><blockquote>I son't understand thisI bought box of EQ2 after release, than boxed DoF (original EQ2+DoF), than boxed KoS (original EQ2+KoS+maybe DoF again, not sure), so I tried digital EoF, hmm nice the price is the same.Had 2 options, buy boxed EoF+EQ2+all EP or buy digital download, only EoF, but look, the prace is the same.Now expect the same situation with RoK.Think that old players shall have better price if they need only EP, not the original game again. <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY<img src=" width="15" height="15" />" width="15" height="15"></blockquote><p>Well, the standard price for an expansion is 39.99. That is the price to purchase the expansion. The other stuff is free and added to bring in NEW players for a reasonable price. How much would you actually consider starting up a new game if you had to pay 20 bucks for the base game, then another 40 bucks EACH for four more expansions just to be able to play with your friends? I know I wouldn't even consider it. I doubt many others would as well.</p><p>I am quite familiar with mmo's & expansion purchasing. I played eq1 from kunark though omens of war and eq2 from release, buying expasions for each one when they came out. I don't feel the least bit shafted by the way expansions work. In fact quite the opposite. I was able to afford to buy EOF as a gift for a friend to get her to start playing. I couldn't have done the base game & all expansions seperately thing.</p></blockquote>I wonder how the OP would feel if HE was an EQ1 player consitering that the current EQ1 pack sells for $20.00 and has everything in it that like 13 expaintions and the NEW EQ1:Secrets of Faydwar expaintion(wich comes out about the same time RoK does) will ALSO contain all previous expaintions.

[Firecracker]

Why does anyone care weather we get more vet rewards? I don't understand why would any object to this idea especially if your vet yourself, it makes no sense to oppose it other then to be contrary I think.