Station Cash?

[Kere]

<p>I am not on the Test server, but in the other thread about downtime, someone posted the following notes from the Test Server patch:</p><p><span ><p>"EverQuest 2<span>Test Update<em> December / 9 / 2008</em></span></p><p>STATION CASH</p> <p> Station Cash is a new virtual currency from SOE that has been created to allow for the purchase of premium in-game items within EverQuest II.</p> <p> To get started, access the "Marketplace" from the EQII Window within the game.  Click on the "Add Funds" button to purchase Station Cash to fund your wallet and then select items to purchase. "</p><p>So are RMT (real-money transactions) coming to EQ2?  What prompted this change, and why is this the first we're hearing about it?</p></span></p>

[Killerbee3000]

<p><cite>Kerec@Venekor wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>So are RMT (real-money transactions) coming to EQ2?  What prompted this change, and why is this the first we're hearing about it?</p></blockquote><p>Not really the first time we hear about it, Smedley (I'm pretty sure it was him) said long ago that he thinks the future of mmorpgs would be legal rmt.</p>

[-Arctura-]

<p>(( since EQ2 is (according to the numbers) frailing away (aka dying), it needs a boost. I guess They feel this boost comes in the form of people spending cash on in game items.</p>

[madha]

<p>Haven't found any information about this. Thnk a dev would have explained what this is.  I dont want to play a rmt game, at least with lon i could sort of ignore it.  Will the station cash buy pp? will i be able to sell pp for station cash.  What exchage rate will station cash use? With the world economy the way it is most peopel dont have cash laying around for station cash.</p><p>Maybe it will be liek the sim store and u can buy new cloths and hair styles, you know stuff that should be included in the game for everyone.</p>

[Kere]

<p>They could boost the game if they'd advertise it.  Or make sure stores actually carry the game.</p><p>When I started playing back in August, I couldn't find the game for sale in any store around here.  I finally did the digital download just to be able to start playing.</p><p>TSO came out 2 weeks ago... I have yet to see it in any stores around here (Best Buy, Walmart).  Now, true, I live in the sticks, but the WoW expansion is all over the place - why not TSO?</p><p>Rather than trying to boost the game with RMT, why not boost it with advertising?  Sony has an absolutely amazing game here... why are they risking alienating their slowly eroding fanbase with this?</p>

[Chiyoiche]

<p>i posted this in the other thread as well...</p><p><span >well considering that it says <strong>Virtual</strong> <strong>Currency</strong>...im hoping its using your actual in game plat, wich in turn can be used for funds in this new system...EI:tagged to your ENTIRE account, and mebe let you buy things for your chars. Cause...we all know we have at least one char a lil richer than our others.</span></p>

[Unfeter]

<p>So to put it bluntly, because the station exchange server is a failure, they are going to force this feature on everyone?</p><p>I know everyone doesnt have to use it, but we all rolled on a server where people cannot have that kind of advantage.</p>

[Mithi]

<p>Kk if this happens, i am for sure, we )2 persons atm' will cancel our accounts.</p><p>I mean, come on, these stuff you see with free to play games.</p><p>Wonder why SOE so desperate wanna destroy a game.</p><p>Is in fact against their own uella, or is in game for real dollars bought stuff not same as the freaking webpages where you can buy plat.</p><p>I really really really hope this isnt the case, i dont play any other good game next to eq2 (play archlord, free to play, but the good stuff you need to buy with reall money) but if thats the game, no thnx, take advance from other but not from me anymore.</p>

[Kere]

<p><cite>Chiyoiche@Antonia Bayle wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>i posted this in the other thread as well...</p><p><span>well considering that it says <strong>Virtual</strong> <strong>Currency</strong>...im hoping its using your actual in game plat, wich in turn can be used for funds in this new system...EI:tagged to your ENTIRE account, and mebe let you buy things for your chars. Cause...we all know we have at least one char a lil richer than our others.</span></p></blockquote><p>There's no point in that.  I can use plat I earn in-game for any in-game purchase as it is.  I can even mail that plat to an alt and let him use it (as long as it's on the same server).  No, I think this is more than just using in-game plat.</p>

[Zarador]

<p><cite>Myrddin@Venekor wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>So to put it bluntly, because the station exchange server is a failure, they are going to force this feature on everyone?</p><p>I know everyone doesnt have to use it, but we all rolled on a server where people cannot have that kind of advantage.</p></blockquote><p>Thank goodness no one on those Non-Exchange Servers engage in any RMT.  Wait, maybe they discovered that the 3rd party RMT Market is raking in billions (between the games out there) and not everyone is so honest on the "honest" servers.</p><p>I'm on the Exchange Server. We have 5 accounts there.  We never bought or sold on the Exchange, just wanted that option if we felt we needed it.  I guess the difference is that everyone on the Exchange Server <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>IS</strong></span> playing by the same rules; unlike the server that we were on in Everquest Live where so many people were buying and selling coin, characters and gear from a 3rd party site and claiming to have "earned" it all.</p>

[Chiyoiche]

<p>well did you stop to think that mebe its on TEST first for a reason? and we dont know what they will be selling. maybes its a bunch of Fluff items...who knows. Just because it is on TEST does not mean it will go live....unless...they ninjad into the live servers..</p>

[Unfeter]

<p><cite>Zarador wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Myrddin@Venekor wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>So to put it bluntly, because the station exchange server is a failure, they are going to force this feature on everyone?</p><p>I know everyone doesnt have to use it, but we all rolled on a server where people cannot have that kind of advantage.</p></blockquote><p>Thank goodness no one on those Non-Exchange Servers engage in any RMT.  Wait, maybe they discovered that the 3rd party RMT Market is raking in billions (between the games out there) and not everyone is so honest on the "honest" servers.</p><p>I'm on the Exchange Server. We have 5 accounts there.  We never bought or sold on the Exchange, just wanted that option if we felt we needed it.  I guess the difference is that everyone on the Exchange Server <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>IS</strong></span> playing by the same rules; unlike the server that we were on in Everquest Live where so many people were buying and selling coin, characters and gear from a 3rd party site and claiming to have "earned" it all.</p></blockquote><p>However you are on the server so you can have the option to USE it if you wish.  We are not on that server because we dont want to have that option.  if we wanted that option, we would have rolled with you.</p>

[madha]

<p><cite>Zarador wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Myrddin@Venekor wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>So to put it bluntly, because the station exchange server is a failure, they are going to force this feature on everyone?</p><p>I know everyone doesnt have to use it, but we all rolled on a server where people cannot have that kind of advantage.</p></blockquote><p>Thank goodness no one on those Non-Exchange Servers engage in any RMT.  Wait, maybe they discovered that the 3rd party RMT Market is raking in billions (between the games out there) and not everyone is so honest on the "honest" servers.</p><p>I'm on the Exchange Server. We have 5 accounts there.  We never bought or sold on the Exchange, just wanted that option if we felt we needed it.  I guess the difference is that everyone on the Exchange Server <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>IS</strong></span> playing by the same rules; unlike the server that we were on in Everquest Live where so many people were buying and selling coin, characters and gear from a 3rd party site and claiming to have "earned" it all.</p></blockquote><p>true but how is the economy on the exchange servers? do masters sell for 100pp of 1k pp? People with disposable $ will be able to totaly distroy the economy on every server if the station cash lets them buy pp.. expect to see more pp sinkcs if soe starts selling pp, they have the advantage over 3rd part sites, soe can print out pp like the federal reserve, and anyone who has taken any ecomonic class knows once you start just printing coin the value of the coin goes down</p>

[feldon30]

And we need two IDENTICAL topics about this why? <a href="http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/posts/list.m?topic_id=438321" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/...topic_id=438321</a>

[Chiyoiche]

<p><cite>feldon30 wrote:</cite></p><blockquote>And we need two IDENTICAL topics about this why? <a rel="nofollow" href="http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/posts/list.m?topic_id=438321" target="_blank">http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/...topic_id=438321</a></blockquote><p>this one need to be merged with the original. ^^</p>

[madha]

<p>gives the forum mods soemthign to do =P</p>

[Beggon]

<p><cite>feldon30 wrote:</cite></p><blockquote>And we need two IDENTICAL topics about this why? <a rel="nofollow" href="http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/posts/list.m?topic_id=438321" target="_blank">http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/...topic_id=438321</a></blockquote><p>Because that title does not hint towards that thread being about this topic and you are not a mod.</p>

[-Arctura-]

<p><cite>Myrddin@Venekor wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Zarador wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Myrddin@Venekor wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>So to put it bluntly, because the station exchange server is a failure, they are going to force this feature on everyone?</p><p>I know everyone doesnt have to use it, but we all rolled on a server where people cannot have that kind of advantage.</p></blockquote><p>Thank goodness no one on those Non-Exchange Servers engage in any RMT. Wait, maybe they discovered that the 3rd party RMT Market is raking in billions (between the games out there) and not everyone is so honest on the "honest" servers.</p><p>I'm on the Exchange Server. We have 5 accounts there. We never bought or sold on the Exchange, just wanted that option if we felt we needed it. I guess the difference is that everyone on the Exchange Server <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>IS</strong></span> playing by the same rules; unlike the server that we were on in Everquest Live where so many people were buying and selling coin, characters and gear from a 3rd party site and claiming to have "earned" it all.</p></blockquote><p>However you are on the server so you can have the option to USE it if you wish. We are not on that server because we dont want to have that option. if we wanted that option, we would have rolled with you.</p></blockquote><p>(( i dono, but im patching the LIVE version, and i saw a bunch of files whiz past called 'cash.dds' etc etc.</p><p>LON generated millions of dollars for SOE. Companies like money</p><p>You better believe its gonna happen if it involves profits! <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p><p>I wonder what kind of premium gear we can buy...</p><p>I dont think they are worried about losing patronage, the amount of cash generated from LON dwarfs every single persons monthly fees for standard gameplay accounts.</p><p>They can make some serious coin if they do widespread legalized trading on all servers.</p><p>PS. Yes, I think they should just advertise the [Removed for Content] game instead but... you know that wont ever happen. They dont want to throw money at posters and signage when they can just tell a few coders to implement woldwide exchange servers for millions less <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> (advertising costs insane amounts of cash (And its WORTH IT imho), but some people dont see that =(</p>

[Swayde]

<p><cite>madhatr wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Zarador wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Myrddin@Venekor wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>So to put it bluntly, because the station exchange server is a failure, they are going to force this feature on everyone?</p><p>I know everyone doesnt have to use it, but we all rolled on a server where people cannot have that kind of advantage.</p></blockquote><p>Thank goodness no one on those Non-Exchange Servers engage in any RMT.  Wait, maybe they discovered that the 3rd party RMT Market is raking in billions (between the games out there) and not everyone is so honest on the "honest" servers.</p><p>I'm on the Exchange Server. We have 5 accounts there.  We never bought or sold on the Exchange, just wanted that option if we felt we needed it.  I guess the difference is that everyone on the Exchange Server <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>IS</strong></span> playing by the same rules; unlike the server that we were on in Everquest Live where so many people were buying and selling coin, characters and gear from a 3rd party site and claiming to have "earned" it all.</p></blockquote><p>true but how is the economy on the exchange servers? do masters sell for 100pp of 1k pp? People with disposable $ will be able to totaly distroy the economy on every server if the station cash lets them buy pp.. expect to see more pp sinkcs if soe starts selling pp, they have the advantage over 3rd part sites, soe can print out pp like the federal reserve, and anyone who has taken any ecomonic class knows once you start just printing coin the value of the coin goes down</p></blockquote><p>I can't imagine there are a lot of people with tons of disposable income playing EQ2. If I could afford to do more IRL, I would definitely be doing it, rather than playing in a very economical virtual world <img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> And who cares if they do? So what if items go up in value...the items are still available for you to go out and farm/camp for yourself.</p><p>I do not like the idea of items that are ONLY available if you pay cash for them...that sucks completely, but I'll just have to make do without them and if it gets too out of hand, I'll have to find another game to play or another hobby.</p>

[Unfeter]

<p><cite>feldon30 wrote:</cite></p><blockquote>And we need two IDENTICAL topics about this why? <a rel="nofollow" href="http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/posts/list.m?topic_id=438321" target="_blank">http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/...topic_id=438321</a></blockquote><p>Mod police alert!</p>

[feldon30]

<p><cite>Beggon wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>feldon30 wrote:</cite></p><blockquote>And we need two IDENTICAL topics about this why? <a rel="nofollow" href="http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/posts/list.m?topic_id=438321" target="_blank">http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/...topic_id=438321</a></blockquote><p>Because that title does not hint towards that thread being about this topic and you are not a mod.</p></blockquote><p>If I were, I would have merged the topics by now. <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p>

[madha]

<p><cite>-Arctura- wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>(( i dono, but im patching the LIVE version, and i saw a bunch of files whiz past called 'cash.dds' etc etc.</p><p>LON generated millions of dollars for SOE. Companies like money</p><p>You better believe its gonna happen if it involves profits! <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" /></p><p>I wonder what kind of premium gear we can buy...</p><p>I dont think they are worried about losing patronage, the amount of cash generated from LON dwarfs every single persons monthly fees for standard gameplay accounts.</p><p>They can make some serious coin if they do widespread legalized trading on all servers.</p><p>PS. Yes, I think they should just advertise the [Removed for Content] game instead but... you know that wont ever happen. They dont want to throw money at posters and signage when they can just tell a few coders to implement woldwide exchange servers for millions less <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" /> (advertising costs insane amounts of cash (And its WORTH IT imho), but some people dont see that =(</p></blockquote><p>Its to bad too but when the merg all the servers into one they wont have to make new zones just dump more stuff to sell, makes running the game super easy. We could starta user based advertising drive, now somone play they game for liek 48 hours and die so we can get soem free press. joke btw omg dont keel urself for soe.</p>

[Unfeter]

<p><cite>Swayde wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>madhatr wrote:</cite></p><p>And who cares if they do? So what if items go up in value...the items are still available for you to go out and farm/camp for yourself.</p></blockquote><p>How many T8 masters have you farmed foryourself lately?</p>

[Kere]

<p>Re:  the need for a different topic about this:</p><p>Well, the other thread was about the downtime today - not about this specifically... but it is all about this, so yeah if they need merged, go ahead.</p>

[madha]

<p><cite>Myrddin@Venekor wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Swayde wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>madhatr wrote:</cite></p><p>And who cares if they do? So what if items go up in value...the items are still available for you to go out and farm/camp for yourself.</p></blockquote><p>How many T8 masters have you farmed foryourself lately?</p></blockquote><p>dude you missed up quots i didnt say that =P. and a few masters =P maybe 3 lol.</p>

[-Arctura-]

<p><cite>madhatr wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>-Arctura- wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>(( i dono, but im patching the LIVE version, and i saw a bunch of files whiz past called 'cash.dds' etc etc.</p><p>LON generated millions of dollars for SOE. Companies like money</p><p>You better believe its gonna happen if it involves profits! <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" /></p><p>I wonder what kind of premium gear we can buy...</p><p>I dont think they are worried about losing patronage, the amount of cash generated from LON dwarfs every single persons monthly fees for standard gameplay accounts.</p><p>They can make some serious coin if they do widespread legalized trading on all servers.</p><p>PS. Yes, I think they should just advertise the [Removed for Content] game instead but... you know that wont ever happen. They dont want to throw money at posters and signage when they can just tell a few coders to implement woldwide exchange servers for millions less <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" /> (advertising costs insane amounts of cash (And its WORTH IT imho), but some people dont see that =(</p></blockquote><p>Its to bad too but when the merg all the servers into one they wont have to make new zones just dump more stuff to sell, makes running the game super easy. We could starta user based advertising drive, now somone play they game for liek 48 hours and die so we can get soem free press. joke btw omg dont keel urself for soe.</p></blockquote><p>(( roffle!</p>

[Zarador]

<p><cite>Myrddin@Venekor wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Zarador wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Myrddin@Venekor wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>So to put it bluntly, because the station exchange server is a failure, they are going to force this feature on everyone?</p><p>I know everyone doesnt have to use it, but we all rolled on a server where people cannot have that kind of advantage.</p></blockquote><p>Thank goodness no one on those Non-Exchange Servers engage in any RMT.  Wait, maybe they discovered that the 3rd party RMT Market is raking in billions (between the games out there) and not everyone is so honest on the "honest" servers.</p><p>I'm on the Exchange Server. We have 5 accounts there.  We never bought or sold on the Exchange, just wanted that option if we felt we needed it.  I guess the difference is that everyone on the Exchange Server <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>IS</strong></span> playing by the same rules; unlike the server that we were on in Everquest Live where so many people were buying and selling coin, characters and gear from a 3rd party site and claiming to have "earned" it all.</p></blockquote><p>However you are on the server so you can have the option to USE it if you wish.  We are not on that server because we dont want to have that option.  if we wanted that option, we would have rolled with you.</p></blockquote><p>Well, you got my honest response because:</p><ul><li>The Bazaar Server, the Exchange Server that I am on seems to be far from a failure based on the amount of players that seem to enjoy playing there.</li><li>People on regular servers spend a ton of real life coin on 3rd party RMT sites so obviously your not on a server where they <em>cant</em> do that.  Why do you think we have a spam filter? If no one purchased RMT items, then no one would be advertising them. </li><li>People on regular servers have also been using a loophole with LoN by purchasing the packs and then selling them for coin on the Broker. </li></ul><p>I do however understand your point of view completely and agree that <strong><em>legitimate RMT</em></strong> should only be permitted on RMT enabled servers.</p>

[feldon30]

<p><cite>Myrddin@Venekor wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>feldon30 wrote:</cite></p><blockquote>And we need two IDENTICAL topics about this why? <a rel="nofollow" href="http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/posts/list.m?topic_id=438321" target="_blank">http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/...topic_id=438321</a></blockquote><p>Mod police alert!</p></blockquote><p>I take people accusing me of being a mod as a compliment.</p>

[Stuge]

<p><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v260/chris55204/mikepopcorn.gif" width="200" height="136" /></p>

[Chiyoiche]

<p><cite>Stugein@Antonia Bayle wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v260/chris55204/mikepopcorn.gif" width="200" height="136" /></p></blockquote><p>*giggles repeatedly at said .gif*</p>

[Unfeter]

<p><cite>Zarador wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Myrddin@Venekor wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Zarador wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Myrddin@Venekor wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>So to put it bluntly, because the station exchange server is a failure, they are going to force this feature on everyone?</p><p>I know everyone doesnt have to use it, but we all rolled on a server where people cannot have that kind of advantage.</p></blockquote><p>Thank goodness no one on those Non-Exchange Servers engage in any RMT.  Wait, maybe they discovered that the 3rd party RMT Market is raking in billions (between the games out there) and not everyone is so honest on the "honest" servers.</p><p>I'm on the Exchange Server. We have 5 accounts there.  We never bought or sold on the Exchange, just wanted that option if we felt we needed it.  I guess the difference is that everyone on the Exchange Server <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>IS</strong></span> playing by the same rules; unlike the server that we were on in Everquest Live where so many people were buying and selling coin, characters and gear from a 3rd party site and claiming to have "earned" it all.</p></blockquote><p>However you are on the server so you can have the option to USE it if you wish.  We are not on that server because we dont want to have that option.  if we wanted that option, we would have rolled with you.</p></blockquote><p>Well, you got my honest response because:</p><ul><li>The Bazaar Server, the Exchange Server that I am on seems to be far from a failure based on the amount of players that seem to enjoy playing there.</li><li>People on regular servers spend a ton of real life coin on 3rd party RMT sites so obviously your not on a server where they <em>cant</em> do that.  Why do you think we have a spam filter? If no one purchased RMT items, then no one would be advertising them. </li><li>People on regular servers have also been using a loophole with LoN by purchasing the packs and then selling them for coin on the Broker. </li></ul><p>I do however understand your point of view completely and agree that <strong><em>legitimate RMT</em></strong> should only be permitted on RMT enabled servers.</p></blockquote><p>I apologise on the comment of the failure part.  I am on a PVP server and I associate Vox as the failure of a station exchange server.  As you may or may not know, if you play PVP, other servers dont exist... to a certain few of us any how <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p>

[bryldan]

<p><cite>Zarador wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Myrddin@Venekor wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Zarador wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Myrddin@Venekor wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>So to put it bluntly, because the station exchange server is a failure, they are going to force this feature on everyone?</p><p>I know everyone doesnt have to use it, but we all rolled on a server where people cannot have that kind of advantage.</p></blockquote><p>Thank goodness no one on those Non-Exchange Servers engage in any RMT.  Wait, maybe they discovered that the 3rd party RMT Market is raking in billions (between the games out there) and not everyone is so honest on the "honest" servers.</p><p>I'm on the Exchange Server. We have 5 accounts there.  We never bought or sold on the Exchange, just wanted that option if we felt we needed it.  I guess the difference is that everyone on the Exchange Server <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>IS</strong></span> playing by the same rules; unlike the server that we were on in Everquest Live where so many people were buying and selling coin, characters and gear from a 3rd party site and claiming to have "earned" it all.</p></blockquote><p>However you are on the server so you can have the option to USE it if you wish.  We are not on that server because we dont want to have that option.  if we wanted that option, we would have rolled with you.</p></blockquote><p>Well, you got my honest response because:</p><ul><li>The Bazaar Server, the Exchange Server that I am on seems to be far from a failure based on the amount of players that seem to enjoy playing there.</li><li>People on regular servers spend a ton of real life coin on 3rd party RMT sites so obviously your not on a server where they <em>cant</em> do that.  Why do you think we have a spam filter? If no one purchased RMT items, then no one would be advertising them. </li><li>People on regular servers have also been using a loophole with LoN by purchasing the packs and then selling them for coin on the Broker. </li></ul><p>I do however understand your point of view completely and agree that <strong><em>legitimate RMT</em></strong> should only be permitted on RMT enabled servers.</p></blockquote><p>You make it sound like there is a TON more trading of plat on regular servers than where you are at. How do you know exactly how much plat is being bought on your server? I would be willing to guess a lot more than on normal servers....</p>

[Noaani]

<p>My first thoughts on this are it is not for gear, per se, but it is probably more for things such as mounts, appearance items, house items , illusions etc, much the same as most LoN loot card items. If this is the case, and if it makes SoE some more money, then its fine as far as I am concerned.</p><p>I see nothing wrong with adding in extra things along this line, and expect players to pay a small amount for them. If the alternative was simply for these items to not exist (ie, if these items are self funding), then the game as a whole is better off with them than without.</p><p>However, my two main reservations are: SoE better not screw this up by adding in items that are wanted/needed with all this; and SoE had better get the station Store working better for international customers, and sort out that crap with their phony exchange rates and non existant taxes/forcing taxes from European countries on to players from Oceania.</p>

[Chiyoiche]

<p><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=198okcxeF74" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=198okcxeF74</a></p>

[Vonotar]

<p>Maybe this is simply a shop for LoN loot items... Given the number of people who are buying LoN packs and then selling the Loot cards via eBay etc, perhaps SoE have decided to 'cap' the value of loot cards by providing an alternative way to straight-buy the item rather than have to buy pack upon pack of cards until you get the loot item you want.</p><p>Personally I hate LoN and would hate for all servers to become (in some way) station exchange enabled... HOWEVER... If they dropped the monthly subscription (converting any remaining subscription time into this virtual currency) I would drop any and all objections instantly.</p><p>More than anything, what hacks me off is that they are ramping up RMT <strong>AND</strong> still asking for £9.50 a month subscription.  Either - Or please SoE, if your going to add the type of 'extras' that are expected on an MMO like FreeRealms then you need to charge a similar subscription rate... i.e. none!</p>

[madha]

<p><cite>Noaani wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>My first thoughts on this are it is not for gear, per se, but it is probably more for things such as mounts, appearance items, house items , illusions etc, much the same as most LoN loot card items. If this is the case, and if it makes SoE some more money, then its fine as far as I am concerned.</p><p>I see nothing wrong with adding in extra things along this line, and expect players to pay a small amount for them. If the alternative was simply for these items to not exist (ie, if these items are self funding), then the game as a whole is better off with them than without.</p><p>However, my two main reservations are: SoE better not screw this up by adding in items that are wanted/needed with all this; and SoE had better get the station Store working better for international customers, and sort out that crap with their phony exchange rates and non existant taxes/forcing taxes from European countries on to players from Oceania.</p></blockquote><p>dude there is so a federal tax for non real items perchased in a comp game, maybe call the irs im sure soe isnt calculating the tax amount correctly nore givign the taxe revinue to the correct people.</p>

[liveja]

<p><cite>Noaani wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>SoE better not screw this up by adding in items that are wanted/needed with all this</p></blockquote><p>If they're not going to include things that are "wanted" -- i.e., really nice fluffy things that people will really want -- then there's no point in doing it at all.</p><p>I of course agree that nothing purchasable from this system should be "needed", but sadly the definition of "needed" is pretty amorphous.</p><p>Overall, I'm hoping this whole thing was a gigantic mistake & that it has nothing at all to do with Mistmoore. I don't care if people want to play on RMT servers, but I very much want the option to NOT play on one, & if SOE is going to take that option away from me, then I'm going to have to take a serious look at other MMOs.</p>

[Vonotar]

<p><cite>bryldan wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Zarador wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Myrddin@Venekor wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Zarador wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Myrddin@Venekor wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>So to put it bluntly, because the station exchange server is a failure, they are going to force this feature on everyone?</p><p>I know everyone doesnt have to use it, but we all rolled on a server where people cannot have that kind of advantage.</p></blockquote><p>Thank goodness no one on those Non-Exchange Servers engage in any RMT.  Wait, maybe they discovered that the 3rd party RMT Market is raking in billions (between the games out there) and not everyone is so honest on the "honest" servers.</p><p>I'm on the Exchange Server. We have 5 accounts there.  We never bought or sold on the Exchange, just wanted that option if we felt we needed it.  I guess the difference is that everyone on the Exchange Server <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>IS</strong></span> playing by the same rules; unlike the server that we were on in Everquest Live where so many people were buying and selling coin, characters and gear from a 3rd party site and claiming to have "earned" it all.</p></blockquote><p>However you are on the server so you can have the option to USE it if you wish.  We are not on that server because we dont want to have that option.  if we wanted that option, we would have rolled with you.</p></blockquote><p>Well, you got my honest response because:</p><ul><li>The Bazaar Server, the Exchange Server that I am on seems to be far from a failure based on the amount of players that seem to enjoy playing there.</li><li>People on regular servers spend a ton of real life coin on 3rd party RMT sites so obviously your not on a server where they <em>cant</em> do that.  Why do you think we have a spam filter? If no one purchased RMT items, then no one would be advertising them. </li><li>People on regular servers have also been using a loophole with LoN by purchasing the packs and then selling them for coin on the Broker. </li></ul><p>I do however understand your point of view completely and agree that <strong><em>legitimate RMT</em></strong> should only be permitted on RMT enabled servers.</p></blockquote><p>You make it sound like there is a TON more trading of plat on regular servers than where you are at. How do you know exactly how much plat is being bought on your server? I would be willing to guess a lot more than on normal servers....</p></blockquote><p>You have to be kidding, third-party RMT is rife on all servers, however the population of the SE servers is so low it virtually guarentee's that plat sales (SE and third-party) must be miniscule in comparison with large servers such as AB and Nagafen.</p>

[Tangletwigs]

<p>Well its in the (non test) patch notes for today : Hotfix December / 9 / 2008 STATION CASH Station Cash is a new virtual currency from SOE that has been created to allow for the purchase of premium in-game items within EverQuest II. To get started, access the "Marketplace" from the EQII Window within the game. Click on the "Add Funds" button to purchase Station Cash to fund your wallet and then select items to purchase. GAMEPLAY Clan Brokenskull faction will no longer go down to -50,000 after zoning. </p>

[cawalton]

<p>they did update the enduser agreement to Dec. 2, 2008, it was "something 2006", so there probably will be something coming up</p>

[Geothe]

<p>This was removed from the test update notes.</p><p>It is now found on the live update notes.</p><p><span >Hotfix<em> December / 9 / 2008</em></span> STATION CASHStation Cash is a new virtual currency from SOE that has been created to allow for the purchase of premium in-game items within EverQuest II.To get started, access the "Marketplace" from the EQII Window within the game.  Click on the "Add Funds" button to purchase Station Cash to fund your wallet and then select items to purchase.GAMEPLAY</p><p><a href="http://patch.everquest2.com:7010/patch/eq2/motd/en/updates_live.html">http://patch.everquest2.com:7010/pa...dates_live.html</a></p>

[madha]

<p>wonder if i can buy aa =P</p>

[madha]

<p>From the wording it might not be lon only stuff casue it's not eq1 also wich also has a good lon selling community going.</p>

[corndog2451]

<p>Theres now a newsfeed on eq2players about it with a broken link</p>

[Kere]

<p>New forum related to support for it:</p><p><a rel="nofollow" href="http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/forums/list.m" target="_blank">http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/forums/list.m</a></p><p>Wonder why we've not heard anything at all about this until now?</p><p>*edit* Oh, and they're asking for feedback when we don't even know what it is yet?</p><p><a href="http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/posts/list.m?topic_id=438341" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/...topic_id=438341</a></p>

[Noaani]

<p><cite>madhatr wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Noaani wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>My first thoughts on this are it is not for gear, per se, but it is probably more for things such as mounts, appearance items, house items , illusions etc, much the same as most LoN loot card items. If this is the case, and if it makes SoE some more money, then its fine as far as I am concerned.</p><p>I see nothing wrong with adding in extra things along this line, and expect players to pay a small amount for them. If the alternative was simply for these items to not exist (ie, if these items are self funding), then the game as a whole is better off with them than without.</p><p>However, my two main reservations are: SoE better not screw this up by adding in items that are wanted/needed with all this; and SoE had better get the station Store working better for international customers, and sort out that crap with their phony exchange rates and non existant taxes/forcing taxes from European countries on to players from Oceania.</p></blockquote><p>dude there is so a federal tax for non real items perchased in a comp game, maybe call the irs im sure soe isnt calculating the tax amount correctly nore givign the taxe revinue to the correct people.</p></blockquote><p>While that may or may not be true, I don't care, as they do not apply to me. What I don't want to see is my having to pay Austrian taxes when I live in New Zealand. Being several thousand miles away, and on a different contenient, I believe I am under no obligation to pay their tax. I also do not want to be billed for a tax, and then not provided with a tax reciept nor discription or name of which tax I paid (both illegal and done by SoE many times).</p><p>I also don't want to see SoE lock the exchange rate for all purchases at the highest point the $US has been against my currancy in the last 5 years (which it was locked at for over a year, Station Store purchases were forced to be made at US55c to the NZD, when the actual exchange rate was closer to US80c to the NZD).</p>

[madha]

<p><a href="http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/posts/list.m?topic_id=438341">http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/...topic_id=438341</a> has its own forum no still no info</p>

[corndog2451]

<p><a href="http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/posts/list.m?topic_id=438343">http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/...topic_id=438343</a></p><p>FAQ about it</p>

[feldon30]

<a href="http://fanfaire08.feldoncentral.com/StationCash.jpg"><img src="http://fanfaire08.feldoncentral.com/StationCash_thumb.jpg"> Snapshot</a>

[Yimway]

<p>WTS Mythical updates $50 Station Cash....</p>

[Noaani]

<p><span ><a href="http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/posts/list.m?topic_id=438343"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-size: x-small; color: #b5c7c2;">Station Cash FAQ</span></span></a><span style="font-size: x-small; color: #403c56;"> </span></span></p>

[Akaran2]

<p>My wife's needed a slowfall cloak for a while now.. wonder if there's an item list yet. *crosses fingers*</p>

[Kiara]

<p>Please feel free to continue discussing in this thread.</p><p>I've also created a thread in the Developer's Roundtable for you to give us <a href="http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/posts/list.m?topic_id=438341" target="_blank">feedback</a>.</p><p>You'll also notice there is a new Station Cash forum in the Support Forum section.</p>

[Manadar]

<p>Before i freak out and cancel my 3 accts, i'll see what exactly their selling.. junk stuff like effect cloaks (basically all the LoN stuff) vit potions etc, i don't care about.. but if it's gear,spells, etc.. we're gonna have a problem ~</p>

[Yimway]

<p>First off...  Let's all take a deep breath here.</p><p>These are items placed on the marketplace by SoE, players can not trade or sell items on the marketplace as I read the system.</p><p>I haven't seen the marketplace items, but it seems to me they are putting the LoN fluff type stuff on the marketplace so that you can eliminate the purchacing of booster packs to buy loot, you can just buy the loot without the randomness of the booster pack.</p><p>So, its the virtually the same RMT that already existed.</p>

[Cayden]

<p><img src="http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i88/cormaeryl/Misc-What_Im_talking_about.gif" width="178" height="120" /></p>

[Kere]

<p>Judging from the screenshot of the marketplace window:</p><p><a href="http://help.station.sony.com/cgi-bin/soe.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=19672&p_created=1228516729&p_sid=_7ldqXkj&p_accessibility=0&p_redirect=1&p_lva=&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPTEmcF9zb3J0X2J5PSZwX2dyaWRzb3J0PSZwX 3Jvd19jbnQ9Nzc4LDc3OCZwX3Byb2RzPTAmcF9jYXRzPTAmcF9 wdj0mcF9jdj0mcF9zZWFyY2hfdHlwZT1hbnN3ZXJzLnNlYXJja F9ubCZwX3BhZ2U9MSZwX3NlYXJjaF90ZXh0PXN0YXRpb24gY2F zaCBGQVE*&p_li=&p_topview=1" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://help.station.sony.com/cgi-bi...amp;p_topview=1</a></p><p>It's not all fluff items - at least for a pvp server... speed potions?  alacrity potions?</p>

[Valdaglerion]

<p><cite>Killerbee3000 wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Kerec@Venekor wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>So are RMT (real-money transactions) coming to EQ2?  What prompted this change, and why is this the first we're hearing about it?</p></blockquote><p>Not really the first time we hear about it, Smedley (I'm pretty sure it was him) said long ago that he thinks the future of mmorpgs would be legal rmt.</p></blockquote><p>He also stated that he saw monthly recurring subscriptions would go away with this model didnt he? More people playing and less people paying subscriptions so you would essentially pay as you play through content and wanted to purchase things like plat, items, mounts, etc.</p>

[Cayden]

<p>But then, would we be paying for content?</p><p>ie: Hey! We now have a new instance available for 900SC.  (Where ALL the good gear drops)</p>

[-Arctura-]

<p>(( the items are purely cosmetic, save for the potions which are replicas of exp/aa/crafting potions you can get via /claim.</p><p>The armor sets they have available currently look kinda... well... hehe... its just same old stuff retextured, except for the arms are bare, save One spaulder/shoulderpad on one arm.</p><p>If you want to look like a brown player without enough money for 2 spaulders, this is for you <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p>

[Noaani]

<p><cite>-Arctura- wrote</cite></p><blockquote>If you want to look like a brown player without enough money for 2 spaulders, this is for you <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" /></blockquote><p>Spending rl money to make our characters look like they have no money, anyone else see the irony in that?</p>

[liveja]

<p><cite>Artemiz@The Bazaar wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>He also stated that he saw monthly recurring subscriptions would go away with this model didnt he? More people playing and less people paying subscriptions so you would essentially pay as you play through content and wanted to purchase things like plat, items, mounts, etc.</p></blockquote><p>According to the FAQ, this seems to have changed. They don't seem to be eliminating monthly subscription fees, because $100SC apparently will only cost $1US.</p><p>I'm seeing this as a test run for future expansions of RMT, & as such am reviewing my MMO gaming options.</p>

[prusso1970]

<p>Its kinda junky but its cheap ! games up now ..</p>

[DngrMou]

<p>The whole thing seems rather benign to me, but I have'nt browsed the available items yet.</p>

[-Arctura-]

<p><img src="http://www.kolcrosbie.com/g7.jpg" /></p><p>(( So far theres 2 armor sets, 3 inhouse pets, 2 summonable pet scrolls, several potions, etc.</p><p><img src="http://www.kolcrosbie.com/g1.jpg" width="722" height="727" /> <img src="http://www.kolcrosbie.com/g2.jpg" width="686" height="747" /> <img src="http://www.kolcrosbie.com/g3.jpg" /></p><p><img src="http://www.kolcrosbie.com/g4.jpg" /></p><p><img src="http://www.kolcrosbie.com/g5.jpg" /></p><p><img src="http://www.kolcrosbie.com/g6.jpg" /></p>

[Geothe]

<div>Originally Posted by <strong>Smed</strong> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.eq2flames.com/general-gameplay/16896-soe-licenses-3rd-party-rmt-company-game-virtual-property-sales-post382284.html#post382284"><img title="View Post" src="http://www.eq2flames.com/images/styles/eq2/buttons/viewpost.gif" border="0" /></a></div><div>I've been a regular lurker on this site for a while but I wanted to step in here and dispel something that's just plain not true - I don't have my name highlighted here, but anyone that doubts it's me can email me at <a href="mailto:[email protected]"><span style="color: #f6861e;">[email protected]</span></a> and I'll happily reply.We aren't going to be allowing RMT in any way, shape or form on the non-exchange enabled EQ II servers. Period. End of statement. In any event, I wanted to stop in and at least set the record straight - you aren't going to be seeing RMT allowed on the non-exchange enabled servers. John SmedleyPresident, Sony Online Entertainment</div>

[Yimway]

<p>Smedly didn't acknowledge LoN as RMT in the strict interpretation of the definition, and that was a gateway to this system.</p><p>LoN was RMT disguised in a card game to get us accustomed to the idea.  Station Cash can be easily dismissed as just removing the booster pack from the LoN equation, so we can justify that.</p><p>We'll be able to justify trading Station Cash between players in a couple months.</p><p>Give it a year, and we'll accept a cash out option at 50 cents on the dollar.  Or the ability to pay for our subscriptions / expansions with Station Cash.</p><p>"The first one's free kid."</p>

[Dasein]

<p>Virtual Item Purchases are not RMT. What SOE is implementing is a microtransaction system which will likely be implemented across multiple games and platforms in the future. Thus, you would pruchase station cash for real money, which could then be spent in any game which is part of the SC network - FreeRealms, The Agency, EQII, and likely other PS3 games. Further, Station Cash is something which SOE/Sony can use in various other promotions - for example, if you buy a PS3 system, you might get a few thousand station cash dollars, or veteran rewards could come in the form of station cash. There are tons of possibilities with a system like this.</p><p>As for paying real money for virtual items, we do that every time we buy an expansion or any other game. This is just in smaller units.</p>

[Heinzrick]

<p>Unless that armor has uber stats it looks just like most all other armor that drops pre lvl 30 heheh</p><p>Welcome to Maple Story guys =) Lets all give SOW more money</p>

[Kordran]

<p>I'm guessing that the Flask of Acheivements III gives something like a 30% gain to AXP for 4 hours. That answers questions for all of those concerned about how they're going to hit 200 APs.</p><p>For only $2.50 per hour, you too can reach the AP cap before the next expansion... <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/97ada74b88049a6d50a6ed40898a03d7.gif" border="0" /></p><p>Edit: In all seriousness, I think everyone had to see this coming. Microtransactions are the direction that the MMO gaming market as a whole is moving. People basically said the same thing when LoN was released, and the (virtual) world hasn't stopped spinning. The sky has not fallen.</p><p>What they're offering is fluff for some extra money. You find exactly the same kind of things already exist in LoN (fluff pets, potions to increase AP gain, etc.). And actually, LoN has some useful stuff (the magical 5 room house, mounts, etc.) while so far, what you can buy with station cash is purely fluff. I know some of you fear that it's the beginning of a slippery slope to them selling more valuable things in game, but I honesty don't see them selling fabled gear for station cash.</p>

[Yimway]

<p><cite>Dasein wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Virtual Item Purchases are not RMT. What SOE is implementing is a microtransaction system which will likely be implemented across multiple games and platforms in the future. Thus, you would pruchase station cash for real money, which could then be spent in any game which is part of the SC network - FreeRealms, The Agency, EQII, and likely other PS3 games. Further, Station Cash is something which SOE/Sony can use in various other promotions - for example, if you buy a PS3 system, you might get a few thousand station cash dollars, or veteran rewards could come in the form of station cash. There are tons of possibilities with a system like this.</p><p>As for paying real money for virtual items, we do that every time we buy an expansion or any other game. This is just in smaller units.</p></blockquote><p>I'm sorry, but LoN is a RMT bridge. Because the items are tradeable before attuning.  So I can trade you a LoN item from the 100 booster packs I bought for 300p in game.  I just converted cash to plat with no intentions of EVER playing LoN.</p><p>The Station Cash system states player to player cash trades is something not currently in but they are looking into.  So you can buy SC dockets, trade them to me for plat and I can get the rewards that would have cost me real dollars.  Or, you could say you just paid me for something in game with real dollars.  Just cause I don't have a cash out option would not change the fact that a RMT transaction took place.</p><p>If they leave player trades out of the equation, then Station Cash is not RMT, yet.  LoN still remains a RMT gateway.</p>

[Smed]

<p>Just to be clear here - We aren't allowing RMT (i.e. players selling items to each other for real money) on servers other than the existing Live Gamer enabled servers. What I said still stands.</p><p>John Smedley</p>

[Bardweiser]

<p>This is still RMT by proxy.  Throwing the Station Cash in as a go-between doesn't alter that.</p><p>They really should have put more thought into providing worthwhile armors, weapons, skills, etc. </p><p>As for the potions... the one I would be most interested in is the AP potion but even at 50%, that would only bring it to "Barely Noticeable Gain", and that's only for 2 hours.  Not worth $10, imo.</p>

[Mins]

<p><cite>Smed wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Just to be clear here - We aren't allowing RMT (i.e. players selling items to each other for real money) on servers other than the existing Live Gamer enabled servers. What I said still stands.</p><p>John Smedley</p></blockquote><p>RMT does not mean (i.e. players selling items to each other for real money)</p><p>RMT is selling ingame items that assist or give one player an advantage over another...</p><p>Besides, didn't i read you left soe ... If you left they can toss what ever you said out the door...  corps do that all the time...</p>

[Dasein]

<p><cite>Mins wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Smed wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Just to be clear here - We aren't allowing RMT (i.e. players selling items to each other for real money) on servers other than the existing Live Gamer enabled servers. What I said still stands.</p><p>John Smedley</p></blockquote><p>RMT does not mean (i.e. players selling items to each other for real money)</p><p>RMT is selling ingame items that assist or give one player an advantage over another...</p><p>Besides, didn't i read you left soe ... If you left they can toss what ever you said out the door...  corps do that all the time...</p></blockquote><p>In that case, selling expansions is RMT.</p>

[Birn]

<p>This is the worst addition ever to EQ2 after that LoN crap.</p><p>Give me those xp potions for free or leave those out from RMT, gaining AA xp is slow as hell as it is and this is just a slap to the face.</p><p>What will come next? 1000 SC and you get a bonus void shard quest? pfff! I'm seriously considering quiting, which means 0$ from me.</p>

[Yimway]

<p><cite>Smed wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Just to be clear here - We aren't allowing RMT (i.e. players selling items to each other for real money) on servers other than the existing Live Gamer enabled servers. What I said still stands.</p><p>John Smedley</p></blockquote><p>Use whatever creative definition you want.</p><p>1) LoN is RMT</p><p>2) Player to Player SC exchanges as eluded to in the Station Cash FAQ is RMT.</p><p>There does not have to be a 'cash out' option for RMT to exist.  I understand it does for *your* definition though, just not by the community's.</p>

[Gaige]

<p><cite>Dasein wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>In that case, selling expansions is RMT.</p></blockquote><p>Oh please.  We all know this dumb analogy isn't going to get you anywhere.  Buying an expansion is basically buying a game.  It is not buying an upgrade, additional xp or a mount for cash.</p><p>If I could go to the store and pick-up a void shard dire bear box and pay for it at the register, your analogy might hold water.</p><p>However we both know I can't and it doesn't.</p><p>Station Cash (especially as soon as the player to player trades are implemented as per the FAQ) will enable RMT, just as LoN enables RMT.</p>

[Gaige]

<p><cite>Smed wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Just to be clear here - We aren't allowing RMT (i.e. players selling items to each other for real money) on servers other than the existing Live Gamer enabled servers. What I said still stands.</p><p>John Smedley</p></blockquote><p>Can you let us all know why this wasn't discussed/mentioned/announced before hand?  Why it was announced/patched to live like it was?</p><p>You'd think something like this would have been announced prior to implementation.  Especially when most new additions to this game like guild halls and live updates are usually delayed and implemented months after they're initially announced.</p>

[Bardweiser]

<p>A "Real Money Transaction" is the sale and/or purchase of in-game items with real-world currency. </p><p>Station Cash is purchased with real-world cash.  Station Cash is then used to purchase in-game items.  Station Cash is only acting as the intermediary in this transaction and does not preclude it from being a RMT no matter how you try to stretch the definition.</p><p>As a real world example:  if I own stock in a company but am not able to make a vote, I can assign someone to vote my shares in my place: a proxy.  Their voting of my shares is the exact same as if I were voting them.</p><p>Please leave the linguistic gymnastics to the politicians.  Admit it's an RMT (which I have nothing against, btw) and move on.</p><p>As for the rest, the whole "It's an RMT" thing is a bit of a waste of time.  I bring up the semantics of it because I am feeling argumentative <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />  The real issue is the level of items they are offering for our hard-earned money.  Looking over the armor sets and the prices for the potions, I am almost offended that they would expect me (or anyone else) to pay that much money for those things.</p>

[Yimway]

<p><cite>Bardweiser wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>As for the rest, the whole "It's an RMT" thing is a bit of a waste of time.  I bring up the semantics of it because I am feeling argumentative <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" />  The real issue is the level of items they are offering for our hard-earned money.  Looking over the armor sets and the prices for the potions, I am almost offended that they would expect me (or anyone else) to pay that much money for those things.</p></blockquote><p>It's marketing and customer relations my friend.  If you launch a controversial service like this weith REALLY nice stuff in the marketplace you have a much harder time getting customer buy-in.  It is much easier for us to dismiss this service at launch as benign when nothing really interesting appears there, isn't it?</p><p>If you slowly add better and better things into the marketplace after the initial acceptance is met, you generate more revenue thru it while minimizing lost subscriptions.</p><p>You can look at the relative value / interest of the LoN loot cards and how they have progressed since launch, and apply the same expected model to this service.</p>

[Giral]

<p><cite>Gage wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Smed wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Just to be clear here - We aren't allowing RMT (i.e. players selling items to each other for real money) on servers other than the existing Live Gamer enabled servers. What I said still stands.</p><p>John Smedley</p></blockquote><p>Can you let us all know why this wasn't discussed/mentioned/announced before hand?  Why it was announced/patched to live like it was?</p><p>You'd think something like this would have been announced prior to implementation.  Especially when most new additions to this game like guild halls and live updates are usually delayed and implemented months after they're initially announced.</p></blockquote><p>we all know the answer to that ...</p><p>becuase it was already discussed on the forums and the vast majority never wanted any "form" of RMT on the live servers and Smed himself said we wouldnt have any,,, so we had Station exchange servers for just that reason</p><p>anyway SOE is banking on how complacent the playerbase has become, and beting on how addicted  people are to eq2 that even if they hate this idea they wont cancel thier accounts</p><p>NOW , can we have 2 Servers that do not have any "Form" of RMT on them that we can freely transfer to ? becuase we all know that 90 % of the player base will want to go there , so it will never happen</p>

[Martrae]

<p><cite>Smed wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Just to be clear here - We aren't allowing RMT (i.e. players selling items to each other for real money) on servers other than the existing Live Gamer enabled servers. What I said still stands.</p><p>John Smedley</p></blockquote><p>RMT=Real Money Transaction</p><p>You are taking real money for in-game items. That IS RMT no matter how you try and dress it up.</p>

[Valdaglerion]

<p><cite>Smed wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Just to be clear here - We aren't allowing RMT (i.e. <span style="color: #ff0000;"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em>players selling items to each other</em></span></strong> </span>for real money) on servers other than the existing Live Gamer enabled servers. What I said still stands.</p><p>John Smedley</p></blockquote><p>Thats the literal right there folks, SOE is selling to the players No-Trade items, period, for now anyway.</p><p>This has been something asked for in expanded conversations for some time anyway. Smed has said before he sees a subscriptionless game with these types of transactions. Someone asked about paying for content, well yeah, your $15 monthly subscription does that now. If the item purchases are made cheap enough or content made reasonable enough, would it matter if you paid $9 one month for new content vs the $15 you pay now?</p><p>It could be more of a cafeteria plan. Consider all the people that just plunked down $40 for an expansion that got sold as 50-80 content but is really only for toons 75-80. Maybe all they wanted was the crafting instance upgrades, etc? It has some potential for  more customized game play. It will all be in the eventual pricing models and gameplay pieces. Some people have more time than money others have more money than time. Cater to both and the gameplay is enhanced for all.</p><p>For me, I would like to see the number of players increase in the game and the ego's of uberness to get checked at the door.</p>

[feldon30]

<p><cite>Bardweiser wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>They really should have put more thought into providing worthwhile armors, weapons, skills, etc. </p><p>As for the potions... the one I would be most interested in is the AP potion but even at 50%, that would only bring it to "Barely Noticeable Gain", and that's only for 2 hours.  Not worth $10, imo.</p></blockquote><p>When I saw the items, I knew that they picked mostly Fluff and XP potion type items to go ahead and get the firestorm out of the way.</p><p>They'll wait a few weeks before they add game-changing stuff like useful armor, weapons, mounts, etc.</p><p>And I also think by limiting the $10 50% XP potion to only 2 hours instead of 4 hours, it will be only bought by rich folks.</p>

[Gaige]

<p><cite>Artemiz@The Bazaar wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Thats the literal right there folks, SOE is selling to the players No-Trade items, period, for now anyway.</p><p>For me, I would like to see the number of players increase in the game and the ego's of uberness to get checked at the door.</p></blockquote><p>Transferring real money for in game items is RMT.  Literally. I'm transferring real money to SOE for xp potions.  So, there is your literal interpretation.</p><p>Sure, now the ego of those players with more time than you will be checked at the door, and instead replaced with the ego of players with more money than you, who will flaunt all the fabled gear they bought from SOE that you can't afford.</p><p>Woop ti do.</p>

[Yimway]

<p><cite>Artemiz@The Bazaar wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Smed wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Just to be clear here - We aren't allowing RMT (i.e. <span style="color: #ff0000;"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em>players selling items to each other</em></span></strong> </span>for real money) on servers other than the existing Live Gamer enabled servers. What I said still stands.</p><p>John Smedley</p></blockquote><p>Thats the literal right there folks, SOE is selling to the players No-Trade items, period, for now anyway.</p></blockquote><p>However, players openly buy 100 booster packs and sell the loot items in game for 100's of plat.  The player is buying my plat for real cash, and I got a pretty unicorn in return. <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/2786c5c8e1a8be796fb2f726cca5a0fe.gif" border="0" /></p><p>As soon as player to player SC exchanges are in, and the items on marketplace is upgraded, we'll start selling instance fabled loots for 10000SC to get items we'd normally have to pay cash for.</p><p>It's still RMT even if there is no cash out optiion.  Smedly will not acknowledge this however as it's a significant proffit stream in a time he's having to choose who to lay-off.</p><p>I don't explicitly have a problem with RMT, but come on, call a spade a spade.</p>

[Bardweiser]

<p><cite>Giralus wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Gage wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Smed wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Just to be clear here - We aren't allowing RMT (i.e. players selling items to each other for real money) on servers other than the existing Live Gamer enabled servers. What I said still stands.</p><p>John Smedley</p></blockquote><p>Can you let us all know why this wasn't discussed/mentioned/announced before hand?  Why it was announced/patched to live like it was?</p><p>You'd think something like this would have been announced prior to implementation.  Especially when most new additions to this game like guild halls and live updates are usually delayed and implemented months after they're initially announced.</p></blockquote><p>we all know the answer to that ...</p><p>becuase it was already discussed on the forums and the vast majority never wanted any "form" of RMT on the live servers and Smed himself said we wouldnt have any,,, so we had Station exchange servers for just that reason</p><p>anyway SOE is banking on how complacent the playerbase has become, and beting on how addicted  people are to eq2 that even if they hate this idea they wont cancel thier accounts</p><p>NOW , can we have 2 Servers that do not have any "Form" of RMT on them that we can freely transfer to ? becuase we all know that 90 % of the player base will want to go there , so it will never happen</p></blockquote><p>You are probably right but I'm not sure of the brilliance of the logic behind that business model.  Starting a new service but only offering worthless items doesn't really seem like it would engender repeat business or customer loyalty.  I guess having it ingame is a bit of a different animal.</p>

[Giral]

<p><cite>Artemiz@The Bazaar wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Smed wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Just to be clear here - We aren't allowing RMT (i.e. <span style="color: #ff0000;"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em>players selling items to each other</em></span></strong> </span>for real money) on servers other than the existing Live Gamer enabled servers. What I said still stands.</p><p>John Smedley</p></blockquote><p>Thats the literal right there folks, SOE is selling to the players No-Trade items, period, for now anyway.</p><p>This has been something asked for in expanded conversations for some time anyway. Smed has said before he sees a subscriptionless game with these types of transactions. Someone asked about paying for content, well yeah, your $15 monthly subscription does that now. If the item purchases are made cheap enough or content made reasonable enough, would it matter if you paid $9 one month for new content vs the $15 you pay now?</p><p>It could be more of a cafeteria plan. Consider all the people that just plunked down $40 for an expansion that got sold as 50-80 content but is really only for toons 75-80. Maybe all they wanted was the crafting instance upgrades, etc? It has some potential for  more customized game play. It will all be in the eventual pricing models and gameplay pieces. Some people have more time than money others have more money than time. Cater to both and the gameplay is enhanced for all.</p><p>For me, I would like to see the number of players increase in the game and the ego's of uberness to get checked at the door.</p></blockquote><p>kinda funny you play on the Bazzar server /wink,   to quote you " this has been something asked for in extended conversations"</p><p>tell me please where these extended conversations took place?  becuase 100 % of the playerbase was Just blindsided by RMT being added to the game that was "NEVER announced in anyay, shape , or form "  if we all wanted it so bad why wasnt it screamed fromt he roof tops to let players know we were getting it ?  answer = people on NON-exchange servers didnt ask for it, didnt expect it, and the Vast majority ( as shown when lon came out and Smeds reply of we would never have RMT on live ) Never ever wanted it .</p>

[Kordran]

<p><cite>Artemiz@The Bazaar wrote:</cite></p><blockquote>It could be more of a cafeteria plan. Consider all the people that just plunked down $40 for an expansion that got sold as 50-80 content but is really only for toons 75-80. Maybe all they wanted was the crafting instance upgrades, etc? It has some potential for  more customized game play. It will all be in the eventual pricing models and gameplay pieces. Some people have more time than money others have more money than time. Cater to both and the gameplay is enhanced for all.</blockquote><p>My only real issue with that is it can make things more convoluted. Although, that could be kind of interesting. Attempt to zone into a new instance "I'm sorry, you have not purchased this instance. Would you like to enter the zone for only 1,000 SC?"</p>

[Bardweiser]

<p>Bah!  Quoted the wrong person =p</p>

[Windowlicker]

<p>Add our household to the batch of people leaving this game the minute I see one stat on any gear available for purchase.  LoN had me close enough, this will push me out for good.</p>

[docpaulp]

<p><cite>Dasein wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Virtual Item Purchases are not RMT. What SOE is implementing is a microtransaction system which will likely be implemented across multiple games and platforms in the future. Thus, you would pruchase station cash for real money, which could then be spent in any game which is part of the SC network - FreeRealms, The Agency, EQII, and likely other PS3 games. Further, Station Cash is something which SOE/Sony can use in various other promotions - for example, if you buy a PS3 system, you might get a few thousand station cash dollars, or veteran rewards could come in the form of station cash. There are tons of possibilities with a system like this.</p><p>As for paying real money for virtual items, we do that every time we buy an expansion or any other game. This is just in smaller units.</p></blockquote><p>I've  always seen you as a SoE employee posting under the name Dasein. Meanwhile you seem to have picked up some internet lawyer lines in addition. Say, what is there in it for you ? For me, this new , but old scheme, but now expanded jst reeks of scam.</p><p>I don't live in the U.S. i can't enter LoN tournaments, yet i get spammed for them. IF i chose to get some of the new items with stationcash, i have to pay a disgusting exchange rate. I couldn't care less for the EULA that you hold as high as some deity because i don't live in the US. Not that i would want to, if i wanted a RMT game (which you claim it isn't and hide behind semantics) i'd sign up for one of those. You can't just apply monthly fee AND RMT, that's just utter disgusting GREED.</p><p>So for me, it's a disgusting SCAM. Argue all you want behind your pink glasses.</p>

[Armironhead]

<p><cite>Smed wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Just to be clear here - We aren't allowing RMT (i.e. players selling items to each other for real money) on servers other than the existing Live Gamer enabled servers. What I said still stands.</p><p>John Smedley</p></blockquote><p>Yea, what you're doing is more objectionable.  With rmt, players can make money; with this program only soe makes money.  Moreover its clear that as with lon the items that are for sale are going to slowly morph from being mere junk to useful and then finally necessary.  Clearly this is soe's drive to change the way players preceive how the game is played and to make them more comfortable with the idea of having to invest monies beyond the subscription price to be effective in the game.  Its simply a shame that Smedley cant be honest about soe's intentions, so that players can make up their minds and respond accordingly.</p><p>BTW Smed, the assertion that the addtion of sc was at you your "players’ requests" as set forth in the email announcing the program is a transparent lie.  And as a further aside cant you just leave EQ2 alone and go find someother soe game to ruin?</p>

[Seffrid]

<p><cite>Birn wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>This is the worst addition ever to EQ2 after that LoN crap.</p></blockquote><p>I couldn't have put it better, and it makes me give serious thought to my future with the game.</p><p>Smed always said he thought that legitimate RMT was the way forward for MMOs, but that he meant that only for those future games that were designed around it. EQ2 was not such a game, and he has gone back on his word not to extend RMT to non-Exchange servers. Trying to pretend that this isn't RMT is frankly pathetic, if using real money to trade ingame for items not otherwise available isn't RMT then what is?</p><p>Terrible mistake, SOE, terrible mistake. However, I'm willing to bet there are an awful lot of the EQ2 team who share the players' disgust with it. This has all the hallmarks of a fait-accompli foisted on the team by Smed and the Grey Suits against everyone else's better judgement.</p>

[Brenlo]

<p><cite>Artemiz@The Bazaar wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite> </cite></p><p>Thats the literal right there folks, SOE is selling to the players No-Trade items, period, for now anyway.</p></blockquote><p>The items available from Station Cash will not be tradeable.    Ever.</p>

[Jacquette]

<p><cite>Brenlo wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Artemiz@The Bazaar wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite></cite></p><p>Thats the literal right there folks, SOE is selling to the players No-Trade items, period, for now anyway.</p></blockquote><p>The items available from Station Cash will not be tradeable.    Ever.</p></blockquote><p><strong></strong></p><p><strong>So the items won't be tradeable. . . BUT: (from the FAQ section of Station Cash)</strong></p><p><strong>Is Station Cash transferable?</strong>Station Cash is non-transferable and currently non-giftable; however, SOE is working on features to allow players to gift Station Cash to other players and friends in the future.</p>

[Killerbee3000]

<p>Just logged into test to see what you can buy, it's a bunch of exp potions (adventure exp, achievment exp, crafting exp), some fluff pets. some house pets and 2 sets of no stats armour, pictured below:</p><p>And sorry if it's been posted before, didnt read entire thread.</p><p><img src="http://i33.tinypic.com/2wovqm9.jpg" /></p>

[feldon30]

<p>The Tunarian Alliance set (left side leather with metal spikes) is identical to the Wilderness Void Shard set, but no stats, the arms are bare, and only one shoulder is adorned.</p><p>The list of items and prices are at my blog:</p>

[Yimway]

<p><cite>Brenlo wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Artemiz@The Bazaar wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite> </cite></p><p>Thats the literal right there folks, SOE is selling to the players No-Trade items, period, for now anyway.</p></blockquote><p>The items available from Station Cash will not be tradeable.    Ever.</p></blockquote><p>But Brenlo, with what is eluded to in the FAQ, I could sell a mythical update for 10000SC then buy those items correct?</p>

[wolfIII]

<p>I have been fortunate and my life has been blessed.  I retired in my 40's with more money than I can spend.  I will not, however, spend a dime on a company that markets virtual items to a player base that is highly addictive.  This is greedy and irresponsible.</p><p>Shortly after LoN launched, I had a guild friend that was despondant and talked of suicide because he spent all his money on LoN and didn't have food for his kids.  I sent him a $300.00 kroger gift certificate in exchange for his promise to never play LoN again.  That is not the only person I have talked to that has been in this prediciment.</p><p>You might say I'm a carebear, and you're probably right, but it's hard to watch familys of addictive players suffer because of irresponsible marketing.  Get it right Mr. Smedley, market a game and charge what you need.  Stop being a pusher.</p>

[Armironhead]

<p><cite>Brenlo wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Artemiz@The Bazaar wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite></cite></p><p>Thats the literal right there folks, SOE is selling to the players No-Trade items, period, for now anyway.</p></blockquote><p>The items available from Station Cash will not be tradeable.    <span style="color: #ff0000;"><span style="text-decoration: line-through;">Ever.</span>  <span style="color: #ffff00;">Until Soe changes its mind</span>.</span></p></blockquote><p>/fixed.</p><p>Oh and can you promise that SOE will only allow sc to be used for the purchase of crap items?  Or is one "Linguistic mIsinformation Effort" your limit for the day?</p>

[Killerbee3000]

<p><cite>Brenlo wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Artemiz@The Bazaar wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite> </cite></p><p>Thats the literal right there folks, SOE is selling to the players No-Trade items, period, for now anyway.</p></blockquote><p>The items available from Station Cash will not be tradeable.    Ever.</p></blockquote><p>I would not advice the use of the word ever, because that word was also used when station exchange launched.</p>

[Vonotar]

<p><cite>Smed wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Just to be clear here - We aren't allowing RMT (i.e. players selling items to each other for real money) on servers other than the existing Live Gamer enabled servers. What I said still stands.</p><p>John Smedley</p></blockquote><p>Just to be clear RMT = REAL MONEY TRANSACTION</p><p>Nothing to do with players selling to each other.</p><p>You sir are a liar.</p>

[Kordran]

<p>I think folks are overreacting to this. The sky is not falling. The things that they're going to be selling look like they're no more game-breaking than what is given out for veteran rewards or the LoN fluff. Dress clothing (without stats), house items and fluff pets.</p><p>Everyone seems to be concerned about what "might" happen at some point in the future. And they point out LoN, but I haven't seen anything from LoN that is really game breaking. A 5 room house in an annoying location? Semi-fluff. The cloaks? Semi-fluff. The paintings? Full-on fluff. The freakin' Good Gear Man? Ultra-fluff fluff.</p><p>When they start selling fabled gear, mythical weapons and master 1s for Station Cash, then I'll be concerned. Right now? It's just a big /yawn. If you don't like it, don't buy Station Cash and don't get the items they're selling. It's that easy. Nothing, and I mean absolutely nothing, is forcing you to get this stuff. Just like nothing is forcing you to play LoN or get those items.</p><p>I raid and group, and there has not been a single, solitary instance of <em>ever</em> saying to myself "I really wish I had this LoN fluff item. It would make beating this raid mob just so much easier!"</p>

[Andu]

<p>Lol. Brenlo and Smedley in a thread. It must be really bad.</p><p>And it is. You guys are just the lowest. You release this filth just after the expansion to make sure we have all bought it, then drop the bombshell with no announcement, no prior discussion, nothing.</p><p>SoE's reputation couldn't be any lower, yet somehow you two have managed to plum new depths. I've always shrugged off the QQ'ing from SWG players and the hordes of rabid anti-SoE guys out there but I guess I've finally seen the light.</p><p>Pitiful. Just pitiful. 8,000 Sony guys lost their jobs. I guess it is too much to hope that you two were in the mix eh.</p>

[Yimway]

<p><cite>Kordran wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Everyone seems to be concerned about what "might" happen at some point in the future. And they point out LoN, but I haven't seen anything from LoN that is really game breaking. A 5 room house in an annoying location? Semi-fluff. The cloaks? Semi-fluff. The paintings? Full-on fluff. The freakin' Good Gear Man? Ultra-fluff fluff.</p></blockquote><p>My only complaint with LoN is the same as this.  It is a barter system to allow players to buy anything in the game with real dollars.   There is an obstifucation layer in the process, but that is the net result.  I absolutely unecquivocately can buy plat on any server buy purchacing Booster Packs.</p><p>If SC can be traded between players, it is in effect the same thing.  As long as players are motivated to obtain these items, they will trade whatever they can obtain in game for your purchased SC dockets.</p>

[Sphiriah]

<p>Being able to buy currency that can only be used to purchase fluff items is not going to hurt anyone.</p><p>Stop being so dramatic.</p>

[Amise]

<p>SOE are in business to make money so it's hardly surprising that they would be thinking up more ways to make money in MMOs. I love the way people are all saying that SOE are only doing it to make money, as if they've just exposed a deep dark Sony secret.</p><p>I have no problem at all with any plans to add micro-transactions. I doubt I'll ever buy anything but none of it bothers me. Not because I'm blind to the potential pitfalls, but because I genuinely believe it's not a big deal.</p><p>Also, the armor sets are fugly. Don't see anyone wanting to pay RL money for those.</p>

[Geothe]

<p><cite>Brenlo wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Artemiz@The Bazaar wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite></cite></p><p>Thats the literal right there folks, SOE is selling to the players No-Trade items, period, for now anyway.</p></blockquote><p>The items available from Station Cash will not be tradeable.    Ever.</p></blockquote><p>Riiiiiight.Just like it was said before:"We aren't going to be allowing RMT in any way, shape or form on the non-exchange enabled EQ II servers. Period. End of statement. "You are all full of complete BS.Merely money-grubbing jerks willing to screw over your playerbase in any way if it means a slim chance of getting another dollar.</p><p>Talk about pathetic.</p>

[Sphiriah]

<p><cite>Geothe wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Riiiiiight.Just like it was said before:"We aren't going to be allowing RMT in any way, shape or form on the non-exchange enabled EQ II servers. Period. End of statement. "You are all full of complete BS.Merely money-grubbing jerks willing to screw over your playerbase in any way if it means a slim chance of getting another dollar.</p><p>Talk about pathetic.</p></blockquote><p>I don't think you know what RMT is.</p>

[Yimway]

<p><cite>Sphiriah wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Being able to buy currency that can only be used to purchase fluff items is not going to hurt anyone.</p></blockquote><p>If Station Currency is player giftable / tradeable, then you will be able to buy just about anything in the game with it, you just have to find someone who wants the fluff items they can redeem your cash for.</p><p>It should not be tradeable, and LoN loot cards should also be non-tradeable.</p><p>Close the RMT holes, make these 2 things mircrotransactions, and 90% of the people upset by this go away.</p>

[Armironhead]

<p><cite>Anduri wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Lol. Brenlo and Smedley in a thread. It must be really bad.</p><p>And it is. You guys are just the lowest. You release this filth just after the expansion to make sure we have all bought it, then drop the bombshell with no announcement, no prior discussion, nothing.</p><p>SoE's reputation couldn't be any lower, yet somehow you two have managed to plum new depths. I've always shrugged off the QQ'ing from SWG players and the hordes of rabid anti-SoE guys out there but I guess I've finally seen the light.</p><p>Pitiful. Just pitiful. 8,000 Sony guys lost their jobs. I guess it is too much to hope that you two were in the mix eh.</p></blockquote><p>/qfe and absolutely right.</p>

[Geothe]

<p>Another fun Smed Quote:"5) This is not some slippery slope towards selling items directly in EQ & EQ II. We had a cool idea for a card game set within the lore common to both games. Yes, we chose to include in-game loot as part of the fun rewards you could get when you open booster packs. However, as I said... you don't have to spend a dime to get exactly the same things. I should also point out that these items are similar to Veteran rewards or pre-order items in that they tend to be more fun.. not some big powerful in-game item."</p><p>Guess it was a pretty darn slippery slope after all because you are now selling in game item directly in EQ and EQII.Nice.</p>

[Brenlo]

<p><cite>Atan@Unrest wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Sphiriah wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Being able to buy currency that can only be used to purchase fluff items is not going to hurt anyone.</p></blockquote><p>If Station Currency is player giftable / tradeable, then you will be able to buy just about anything in the game with it, you just have to find someone who wants the fluff items they can redeem your cash for.</p><p>It should not be tradeable, and LoN loot cards should also be non-tradeable.</p><p>Close the RMT holes, make these 2 things mircrotransactions, and 90% of the people upset by this go away.</p></blockquote><p>Station Cash is not tradeable nor are the items purchased and they will not be.  THe items will remain "fluff" items for convenience or customization.  House items, pets, etc. . .  This will not take away from anyones hard work and no one is forced to purchase anything.  If you like the items offered, you can buy them. If not, keep on playing the way you always have. </p>

[Amise]

<p><cite>Atan@Unrest wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Sphiriah wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Being able to buy currency that can only be used to purchase fluff items is not going to hurt anyone.</p></blockquote><p><strong>If Station Currency is player giftable / tradeable, then you will be able to buy just about anything in the game with it, you just have to find someone who wants the fluff items they can redeem your cash for.</strong></p></blockquote><p>It's already possible to buy/sell just about anything in the game. People already buy and sell mythical updates and other raid/instance loot. The only new thing they're adding is another form of currency with which these items can be bought and sold.</p>

[Sphiriah]

<p><cite>Brenlo wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Station Cash is not tradeable nor are the items purchased and they will not be.  THe items will remain "fluff" items for convenience or customization.  House items, pets, etc. . .  This will not take away from anyones hard work and no one is forced to purchase anything.  If you like the items offered, you can buy them. If not, keep on playing the way you always have. </p></blockquote><p>^</p><p>Is this really hard to understand, people? You'll notice no difference in-game. There's no way this can negatively affect you.</p>

[Yimway]

<p><cite>Brenlo wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><blockquote></blockquote><p>Station Cash is not tradeable nor are the items purchased and they will not be.  THe items will remain "fluff" items for convenience or customization.  House items, pets, etc. . .  This will not take away from anyones hard work and no one is forced to purchase anything.  If you like the items offered, you can buy them. If not, keep on playing the way you always have. </p></blockquote><p>Great, we've established your apparent intent.  Can you please then comment to this item in the FAQ:</p><p><span><p><strong>Is Station Cash transferable?</strong>Station Cash is non-transferable and currently non-giftable; however, SOE is working on features to allow players to gift Station Cash to other players and friends in the future.</p></span></p><p>----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</p><p>If the cash can be gifted to friends and other players, can I not still sell Mythical updates for 10000SC?</p><p>Please explain the steps you are taking to prevent me from doing this.</p>

[Valsehna]

<p><cite>Amise wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>SOE are in business to make money so it's hardly surprising that they would be thinking up more ways to make money in MMOs.</p></blockquote><p>Oh who knows, maybe the next scheme might be Tiered levels of Subscriptions.  Basic level, Gold Level! Platinum Plus Level! </p><p>For a mere Extra $__.__ per months you could get hmm...maybe...</p><p>Unique zone city/village!Extra Character slots!Bigger Nicer Plusher Homes!Extra Extra Storage Lots!Special Merchants!Extra long term subscription rewards!Reserved surnames!More, Quicker Transportation Spells!</p><p>The possibilities are...sickening.</p><p>But this new Station Cash thing, coming from nowhere like a bolt out of the blue..its creepy. [Removed for Content].</p>

[Jacquette]

<p><cite>Brenlo wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Atan@Unrest wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Sphiriah wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Being able to buy currency that can only be used to purchase fluff items is not going to hurt anyone.</p></blockquote><p>If Station Currency is player giftable / tradeable, then you will be able to buy just about anything in the game with it, you just have to find someone who wants the fluff items they can redeem your cash for.</p><p>It should not be tradeable, and LoN loot cards should also be non-tradeable.</p><p>Close the RMT holes, make these 2 things mircrotransactions, and 90% of the people upset by this go away.</p></blockquote><p>Station Cash is not tradeable nor are the items purchased and they will not be.  THe items will remain "fluff" items for convenience or customization.  House items, pets, etc. . .  This will not take away from anyones hard work and no one is forced to purchase anything.  If you like the items offered, you can buy them. If not, keep on playing the way you always have. </p></blockquote><p>I repeat my post.... this is a copy/paste from the FAQ section of the Station Cash announcement</p><p><strong>Is Station Cash transferable?</strong>Station Cash is non-transferable and currently non-giftable; <span style="color: #ff0000;">however, SOE is working on features to allow players to gift Station Cash to other players and friends in the future.</span></p>

[Barzzboi]

<p><cite>Brenlo wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Atan@Unrest wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Sphiriah wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Being able to buy currency that can only be used to purchase fluff items is not going to hurt anyone.</p></blockquote><p>If Station Currency is player giftable / tradeable, then you will be able to buy just about anything in the game with it, you just have to find someone who wants the fluff items they can redeem your cash for.</p><p>It should not be tradeable, and LoN loot cards should also be non-tradeable.</p><p>Close the RMT holes, make these 2 things mircrotransactions, and 90% of the people upset by this go away.</p></blockquote><p>Station Cash is not tradeable nor are the items purchased and they will not be.  THe items will remain "fluff" items for convenience or customization.  House items, pets, etc. . .  This will not take away from anyones hard work and no one is forced to purchase anything.  If you like the items offered, you can buy them. If not, keep on playing the way you always have. </p></blockquote><p>Your assurance that things won't change just doesn't hold any water with a lot of us - if Smed can lie and then try to spin it to try to make it sound plausible to the masses, then I'm sure you can be a spin-master too if (WHEN) it comes the time that SC can be gifted, or the items available by C will be...one or the other WILL happen, and has already been quoted that "gifting" is "being worked on" in another thread/post (I don't have time or inclination to quote the source - going back to my F2P MMO - reading this drivel is just driving up my blood pressure.</p>

[Kordran]

<p><cite>Atan@Unrest wrote:</cite></p><blockquote>My only complaint with LoN is the same as this.  It is a barter system to allow players to buy anything in the game with real dollars.   There is an obstifucation layer in the process, but that is the net result.  I absolutely unecquivocately can buy plat on any server buy purchacing Booster Packs.</blockquote><p>Only because there's a sucker born every minute. And note that there is no way to guarantee the trade, it is not secure. You can't exchange plat for decks inside either game. You give them the deck first, they can walk away and not give you a copper. They pay you first, you could just say thank you and walk away. And from what I gather, SOE will not intervene because it's outside of their TOS agreement, just as is trading plat from one server to another.</p><p>I would no more trade a loot card or deck for plat than I would hand some stranger my wallet and tell him to go buy me a cheeseburger from the grill down the street.</p>

[LadyGalasya]

<p><cite>Brenlo wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Atan@Unrest wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Sphiriah wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Being able to buy currency that can only be used to purchase fluff items is not going to hurt anyone.</p></blockquote><p>If Station Currency is player giftable / tradeable, then you will be able to buy just about anything in the game with it, you just have to find someone who wants the fluff items they can redeem your cash for.</p><p>It should not be tradeable, and LoN loot cards should also be non-tradeable.</p><p>Close the RMT holes, make these 2 things mircrotransactions, and 90% of the people upset by this go away.</p></blockquote><p>Station Cash is not tradeable nor are the items purchased and they will not be.  THe items will remain "fluff" items for convenience or customization.  House items, pets, etc. . .  This will not take away from anyones hard work and no one is forced to purchase anything.  If you like the items offered, you can buy them. If not, keep on playing the way you always have. </p></blockquote><p>Perhaps everyone at SoE should be on the same page before you post things like this Brenlo, or your FAQs should at least be correct.</p><p>DIRECT QUOTE from the FAQ on Station Cash by Kiera:</p><p><strong>Is Station Cash transferable?</strong>Station Cash is non-transferable and currently non-giftable; however, <span style="color: #ff0000;">SOE is working on features to allow players to gift Station Cash to other players and friends in the future.</span></p><p>Let me highlight the contradiction in case you missed it. So which is it. Will station cash be transferable or not?</p>

[Brenlo]

<p><cite>Atan@Unrest wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Brenlo wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><blockquote></blockquote><p>Station Cash is not tradeable nor are the items purchased and they will not be.  THe items will remain "fluff" items for convenience or customization.  House items, pets, etc. . .  This will not take away from anyones hard work and no one is forced to purchase anything.  If you like the items offered, you can buy them. If not, keep on playing the way you always have. </p></blockquote><p>Great, we've established your apparent intent.  Can you please then comment to this item in the FAQ:</p><p><span><p><strong>Is Station Cash transferable?</strong>Station Cash is non-transferable and currently non-giftable; however, SOE is working on features to allow players to gift Station Cash to other players and friends in the future.</p></span></p><p>----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</p><p>If the cash can be gifted to friends and other players, can I not still sell Mythical updates for 10000SC?</p><p>Please explain the steps you are taking to prevent me from doing this.</p></blockquote><p>Well Mythical update will not be available for purchase with Station Cash for one.  =) </p><p>Gifting of station cash will only grant access to station cash to spend at the marketplace.  it will not grant the ability to exchange items.  Thus a friend could gift you $10 in station cash which you could then spend to buy from the marketplace.  Not to purchase items directly from you nor to transfer items from your account to thiers.</p>

[feldon30]

<p><cite>Kordran wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>I think folks are overreacting to this. The sky is not falling. The things that they're going to be selling look like they're no more game-breaking than what is given out for veteran rewards or the LoN fluff. Dress clothing (without stats), house items and fluff pets.</p></blockquote><p>If you want to pretend that there won't be mounts, armor, weapons, jewelry, and other significant items in the future, that is your business. But they ARE coming. It's just a fact.</p>

[Geothe]

<p>Until you change your minds about that as well.Because you guys sure have a solid record for doing so if it allows you to grab more cash.</p><p>Smed:  "This [LoN] is not some slippery slope towards selling items directly in EQ & EQ II. "</p>

[Yimway]

<p><cite>Brenlo wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><blockquote></blockquote><p>Well Mythical update will not be available for purchase with Station Cash for one.  =) </p><p>Gifting of station cash will only grant access to station cash to spend at the marketplace.  it will not grant the ability to exchange items.  Thus a friend could gift you $10 in station cash which you could then spend to buy from the marketplace.  Not to purchase items directly from you nor to transfer items from your account to thiers.</p></blockquote><p>I think you're either missing the point, or just trying to dance around it.</p><p>Lets say I want fluff items on the marketplace, and I'm killing VP dragons.</p><p>You have 100$ in your pocket and want a mythical update.</p><p>What stops me from accepting the 10000SC you buy for 100$ and then gift to me in exchange for giving you a spot in my raid in return? Didn't I just sell you a mythical update for 100$ in ingame items?</p>

[Loolee]

<p><cite>Brenlo wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Well Mythical update will not be available for purchase with Station Cash for one.  =) </p><p>Gifting of station cash will only grant access to station cash to spend at the marketplace.  it will not grant the ability to exchange items.  Thus a friend could gift you $10 in station cash which you could then spend to buy from the marketplace.  Not to purchase items directly from you nor to transfer items from your account to thiers.</p></blockquote><p>But, you can see how SC can be used to purchase the favor of being brought along on their next VP raid to acheive said mythical?</p>

[Doodar]

<p><cite>Brenlo wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Atan@Unrest wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Brenlo wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><blockquote></blockquote><p>Station Cash is not tradeable nor are the items purchased and they will not be.  THe items will remain "fluff" items for convenience or customization.  House items, pets, etc. . .  This will not take away from anyones hard work and no one is forced to purchase anything.  If you like the items offered, you can buy them. If not, keep on playing the way you always have. </p></blockquote><p>Great, we've established your apparent intent.  Can you please then comment to this item in the FAQ:</p><p><span><p><strong>Is Station Cash transferable?</strong>Station Cash is non-transferable and currently non-giftable; however, SOE is working on features to allow players to gift Station Cash to other players and friends in the future.</p></span></p><p>----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</p><p>If the cash can be gifted to friends and other players, can I not still sell Mythical updates for 10000SC?</p><p>Please explain the steps you are taking to prevent me from doing this.</p></blockquote><p>Well Mythical update will not be available for purchase with Station Cash for one.  =) </p><p>Gifting of station cash will only grant access to station cash to spend at the marketplace.  it will not grant the ability to exchange items.  Thus a friend could gift you $10 in station cash which you could then spend to buy from the marketplace.  Not to purchase items directly from you nor to transfer items from your account to thiers.</p></blockquote><p>So i could sell plat by use of the gift feature of Station Cash. (Example:I want 100 Station Cash for 10pp.)</p>

[Brenlo]

<p><cite>Atan@Unrest wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Brenlo wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><blockquote></blockquote><p>Well Mythical update will not be available for purchase with Station Cash for one.  =) </p><p>Gifting of station cash will only grant access to station cash to spend at the marketplace.  it will not grant the ability to exchange items.  Thus a friend could gift you $10 in station cash which you could then spend to buy from the marketplace.  Not to purchase items directly from you nor to transfer items from your account to thiers.</p></blockquote><p>I think you're either missing the point, or just trying to dance around it.</p><p>Lets say I want fluff items on the marketplace, and I'm killing VP dragons.</p><p>You have 100$ in your pocket and want a mythical update.</p><p>What stops me from taking your $100 to buy SC items and giving you a spot in my raid in return so you get your mythical update?</p></blockquote><p>Ah now I understand.  Well nothing I suppose but the value of items available on Marketplace would be far less in terms of in-game value than the potential drops in a raid.  But if you really want that fancy armoire that is only available on Marketplace or a couple of XP potions, I guess you could do that.  I do imagine that anyone who did this would face a backlash from their guild or raiding group however. </p>

[Valsehna]

<p><cite>feldon30 wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Kordran wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>I think folks are overreacting to this. The sky is not falling. The things that they're going to be selling look like they're no more game-breaking than what is given out for veteran rewards or the LoN fluff. Dress clothing (without stats), house items and fluff pets.</p></blockquote><p>If you want to pretend that there won't be mounts, armor, weapons, jewelry, and other significant items in the future, that is your business. But they ARE coming. It's just a fact.</p></blockquote><p>Yah...you'd think so, huh?</p><p>Especially if this Goose starts laying Golden Eggs all over the place.</p>

[Amise]

<p><cite>Valsehna@Antonia Bayle wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Amise wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>SOE are in business to make money so it's hardly surprising that they would be thinking up more ways to make money in MMOs.</p></blockquote><p>Oh who knows, maybe the next scheme might be Tiered levels of Subscriptions.  Basic level, Gold Level! Platinum Plus Level! </p><p>For a mere Extra $__.__ per months you could get hmm...maybe...</p><p>Unique zone city/village!Extra Character slots!Bigger Nicer Plusher Homes!Extra Extra Storage Lots!Special Merchants!Extra long term subscription rewards!Reserved surnames!More, Quicker Transportation Spells!</p><p>The possibilities are...sickening.</p></blockquote><p>So what? None of that would bother me. I don't see why so many people feel like MMOs are sacrosanct and should be kept apart from the dirty filthy world of business.</p><p>There was a tiered subscription service in EQ1 several years ago (Legends servers; the program ended in 2006). And the world didn't end, the sky didn't fall down, and things continued pretty much as usual. I hear the people playing on that server were actually human, even.</p>

[Yimway]

<p><cite>Brenlo wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Atan@Unrest wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>What stops me from taking your $100 to buy SC items and giving you a spot in my raid in return so you get your mythical update?</p></blockquote><p>Ah now I understand.  Well nothing I suppose but the value of items available on Marketplace would be far less in terms of in-game value than the potential drops in a raid.  But if you really want that fancy armoire that is only available on Marketplace or a couple of XP potions, I guess you could do that.  I do imagine that anyone who did this would face a backlash from their guild or raiding group however. </p></blockquote><p>Only if I didn't share those SC dockets with them.</p><p>In turn, I could also just offer to trade you 100p for 100$ in SC dockets...</p>

[Kordran]

<p><cite>Brenlo wrote:</cite></p><blockquote>Well Mythical update will not be available for purchase with Station Cash for one.  =) <p>Gifting of station cash will only grant access to station cash to spend at the marketplace.  it will not grant the ability to exchange items.  Thus a friend could gift you $10 in station cash which you could then spend to buy from the marketplace.  Not to purchase items directly from you nor to transfer items from your account to thiers.</p></blockquote><p>What they're concerned about is a scenario like this: A player wants the Runnyeye cloak for their character, but they're cash poor so they can't offer plat for looting rights. Instead, they buy $60 worth of station cash, and offer to "gift" it to any player who allows them to loot the drop; that player can then "gift" $10 worth to each of the other group members. In this situation, Station Cash is in effect acting in lieu of in-game currency.</p><p>Of course, that is only something that would be feasible if the no-trade items being sold in the marketplace are something that those players actually want in exchange. Personally, I'd say no thanks. The only thing I buy at all (aside from consumables) these days are masters. Now, if they ever made it so that you could buy masters for Station Cash, then I'd have a real issue with that.</p><p>A house pet so you can make your apartment look like it was decorated by the Munsters? Who cares?</p>

[Loolee]

<p><cite>Brenlo wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Atan@Unrest wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Brenlo wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><blockquote></blockquote><p>Well Mythical update will not be available for purchase with Station Cash for one.  =) </p><p>Gifting of station cash will only grant access to station cash to spend at the marketplace.  it will not grant the ability to exchange items.  Thus a friend could gift you $10 in station cash which you could then spend to buy from the marketplace.  Not to purchase items directly from you nor to transfer items from your account to thiers.</p></blockquote><p>I think you're either missing the point, or just trying to dance around it.</p><p>Lets say I want fluff items on the marketplace, and I'm killing VP dragons.</p><p>You have 100$ in your pocket and want a mythical update.</p><p>What stops me from taking your $100 to buy SC items and giving you a spot in my raid in return so you get your mythical update?</p></blockquote><p>Ah now I understand.  Well nothing I suppose but the value of items available on Marketplace would be far less in terms of in-game value than the potential drops in a raid.  But if you really want that fancy armoire that is only available on Marketplace or a couple of XP potions, I guess you could do that.  I do imagine that anyone who did this would face a backlash from their guild or raiding group however. </p></blockquote><p>They do it for plat now, whats the difference?</p>

[Brenlo]

<p><cite>Eyenstein@Najena wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>So i could sell plat by use of the gift feature of Station Cash. (Example:I want 100 Station Cash for 10pp.)</p></blockquote><p>Well again, I suppose, however you would not recieve cash for the plat.  You would recieve Station Cash which is only usable on the Marketplace.  Thus you would be trading plat for access to potions, house items, pets, etc. . .  I guess for me I an not seeing the incentive to do this.  I imagine that some folks out there would try but the payoff just does not seem to be there. </p>

[Gisallo]

<p><cite>Zarador wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Myrddin@Venekor wrote:</cite></p><p>Thank goodness no one on those Non-Exchange Servers engage in any RMT.  Wait, maybe they discovered that the 3rd party RMT Market is raking in billions (between the games out there) and not everyone is so honest on the "honest" servers.</p><p>I'm on the Exchange Server. We have 5 accounts there.  We never bought or sold on the Exchange, just wanted that option if we felt we needed it.  I guess the difference is that everyone on the Exchange Server <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>IS</strong></span> playing by the same rules; unlike the server that we were on in Everquest Live where so many people were buying and selling coin, characters and gear from a 3rd party site and claiming to have "earned" it all.</p></blockquote><p>I have to sorta agree with this.  Lets be honest here.  Go to IGE, IGXE etc.  Look at the bank they are making selling plat and items.  There is also a web site where you can buy loot cards for up to $400.00 US<img src="/eq2/images/smilies/385970365b8ed7503b4294502a458efa.gif" border="0" /> (won't post it because that site is perhaps the most ridiculous I have seen). </p><p>They would not be able to exist unless people on the "honest" servers were buying the junk.  SOE has tried many different way of defeating this to no avail.  Eventually you get to the point of "if someone is going to make a big profit off of my game ...dang it it should be me."  The fact that the system is only going to be for fluff items I think does NOT go far enough.  So in this sense it would be like legalizing marijuana and taxing it.</p><p>As for it borking the economy...dudes and dudets just so you know all of the economies are already borked beyond belief and it both plat farmer AND player fault.  Why do I say player?  There are a large and wealthy minority on every server that take advantage of their economic position and artificially inflate the broker markets.  Has anyone ever logged onto their broker after they have been harvesting for a week and seen the same character bought all of their rares, then when you check the broker this same character has all of the same rares on the broker for twice your cost?  I have...and I know they are an actual player from personal experience, not a plat farmer.  I wasn't even under cutting the market, I just put them there at the "market rate".</p><p>I have had others do it as well who may be plat farmers, I don't know.  Either way this is artificially inflates the economy.  This is called profiteering and is not to disimilar to certain practices that have been outlawed in the rl economy and where people found ways around the laws, helped contribute to our current economic down turn.</p><p>The in game economy is completely unregulated.  I see a system (if done right) as potentially being a good thing.  If it does not completely over lap the economy (say no masters etc) then you will in essence have regulation.  A Player with disposable cash will say "is item A worth the 15 plat price that is completely ridiculous? (we all know what I am talking about) or will I pay $20.00?"  If that item was 2-5 plat though, to a consistently adventuring lvl 80 it wouldn't be that big a deal and they would spend the plat.  You will basically have a form of competition that does not take into account that "everyone in the economy will play nice and not take advantage of having been here since 2004 using a plat war chest to exploit the system."  Because we all know that is bogus. </p>

[Yimway]

<p><cite>Brenlo wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Well again, I suppose, however you would not recieve cash for the plat.  You would recieve Station Cash which is only usable on the Marketplace.  Thus you would be trading plat for access to potions, house items, pets, etc. . .  I guess for me I an not seeing the incentive to do this.  I imagine that some folks out there would try but the payoff just does not seem to be there. </p></blockquote><p>Brenlo,</p><p>You're not seeing it only cause you choose not to.  If you can't accept that 100's of booster packs are sold every day for this specific purpose, then you're in a level of denial I would think not possible by a game designer.</p>

[Oisin]

<p>This is no different from what other MMO's have done for years.  It's all just fluff items and xp potions.  So, lets not start predicting the end of EQ2 yet.  <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" />  As for my impressions, not a bad start.  I'm a costume junkie though, so get some more armor up soon.  <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" /></p>

[Boyar]

<p><cite>LadyGalasya wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Perhaps everyone at SoE should be on the same page before you post things like this Brenlo, or your FAQs should at least be correct.</p><p>DIRECT QUOTE from the FAQ on Station Cash by Kiera:</p><p><strong>Is Station Cash transferable?</strong>Station Cash is non-transferable and currently non-giftable; however, <span style="color: #ff0000;">SOE is working on features to allow players to gift Station Cash to other players and friends in the future.</span></p><p>Let me highlight the contradiction in case you missed it. So which is it. Will station cash be transferable or not?</p></blockquote><p>Gala, it's not a contradiction. You won't be able to transfer your SC to someone else, but they might let you pay SoE $10 to give someone else SC, just like you can pay money on someone else's subscription as a gift if you have the email address they use for the game. Once purchased, it never leaves the account of the recipient, so is not a viable currency for "Mythical Updates" unless the leader of the raid guild really has to have 10,000SC worth of fluff.</p>

[DngrMou]

<p><cite>Atan@Unrest wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Brenlo wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><blockquote></blockquote><p>Well Mythical update will not be available for purchase with Station Cash for one.  =) </p><p>Gifting of station cash will only grant access to station cash to spend at the marketplace.  it will not grant the ability to exchange items.  Thus a friend could gift you $10 in station cash which you could then spend to buy from the marketplace.  Not to purchase items directly from you nor to transfer items from your account to thiers.</p></blockquote><p>I think you're either missing the point, or just trying to dance around it.</p><p>Lets say I want fluff items on the marketplace, and I'm killing VP dragons.</p><p>You have 100$ in your pocket and want a mythical update.</p><p>What stops me from accepting the 10000SC you buy for 100$ and then gift to me in exchange for giving you a spot in my raid in return? Didn't I just sell you a mythical update for 100$ in ingame items?</p></blockquote><p>Uhhhh...are'nt they doing this now?  With real money?  I'd much rather have 100 dollars in my pocket, in exchange for that mythical update, than any amount of 'play money'.</p>

[Geothe]

<p><cite>Atan@Unrest wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Brenlo wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Well again, I suppose, however you would not recieve cash for the plat.  You would recieve Station Cash which is only usable on the Marketplace.  Thus you would be trading plat for access to potions, house items, pets, etc. . .  I guess for me I an not seeing the incentive to do this.  I imagine that some folks out there would try but the payoff just does not seem to be there. </p></blockquote><p>Brenlo,</p><p>You're not seeing it only cause you choose not to.  If you can't accept that 100's of booster packs are sold every day for this specific purpose, then you're in a level of denial I would think not possible by a game designer.</p></blockquote><p>Its not a level of denial.  Its about only caring about dollar signs at the end.If SoE is able to introduce more ways to get people to spend CASH to get game items in a round-about manner (like booster packs, and now this new Market BS) you can be assured they will introduce it as well.</p>

[Kordran]

<p><cite>feldon30 wrote:</cite></p><blockquote>If you want to pretend that there won't be mounts, armor, weapons, jewelry, and other significant items in the future, that is your business. But they ARE coming. It's just a fact.</blockquote><p>Says who? Please, cite any example of that which doesn't come from a figment of your imagination. When you see them adding "significant" items to buy (by this, I would mean fabled gear, masters, etc.) then I would agree you have every right to stomp your foot on the ground. But let's hold off on the torches and pitchforks until then, shall we?</p>

[LadyGalasya]

<p><cite>Thud@Befallen wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>LadyGalasya wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Perhaps everyone at SoE should be on the same page before you post things like this Brenlo, or your FAQs should at least be correct.</p><p>DIRECT QUOTE from the FAQ on Station Cash by Kiera:</p><p><strong>Is Station Cash transferable?</strong>Station Cash is non-transferable and currently non-giftable; however, <span style="color: #ff0000;">SOE is working on features to allow players to gift Station Cash to other players and friends in the future.</span></p><p>Let me highlight the contradiction in case you missed it. So which is it. Will station cash be transferable or not?</p></blockquote><p>Gala, it's not a contradiction. You won't be able to transfer your SC to someone else, but they might let you pay SoE $10 to give someone else SC, just like you can pay money on someone else's subscription as a gift if you have the email address they use for the game. Once purchased, it never leaves the account of the recipient, so is not a viable currency for "Mythical Updates" unless the leader of the raid guild really has to have 10,000SC worth of fluff.</p></blockquote><p>Could care less about mythical updates. What I do care about is the mincing of words and outright fibs the Devs seem to be telling.</p>

[Powers]

<p><cite>Loolee wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>They do it for plat now, whats the difference?</p></blockquote><p>Plat is earned in-game for in-game activities.  Station Cash is bought with real money earned in real life for real activities.</p><p>If someone has earned the plat, no problem.  If someone hasn't played long enough or isn't good enough to earn the plat, but he has $100 burning a hole in his pocket, he shouldn't be able to buy in-game favors with it.</p><p>I'm still wondering how this isn't RMT, according to Smed.</p><p>Powers  &8^]</p>

[Ookami-san]

<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">DON'T PANIC!</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I hear Bush is going to appoint a PLAT CZAR!  And do an EQ2 economy bailout!</span></p>

[Yimway]

<p><cite>Atan@Unrest wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Brenlo wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Well again, I suppose, however you would not recieve cash for the plat.  You would recieve Station Cash which is only usable on the Marketplace.  Thus you would be trading plat for access to potions, house items, pets, etc. . .  I guess for me I an not seeing the incentive to do this.  I imagine that some folks out there would try but the payoff just does not seem to be there. </p></blockquote><p>Brenlo,</p><p>You're not seeing it only cause you choose not to.  If you can't accept that 100's of booster packs are sold every day for this specific purpose, then you're in a level of denial I would think not possible by a game designer.</p></blockquote><p>I thought about this more, and to state more clearly.</p><p>It appears SoE's policy is you take no exception to players being able to purchace plat and in game items and services with real cash.  You only have a problem when a player attempts to trade these items or coin for actual cash.</p><p>Thats a very sketchy choose only what you want see definition of RMT.  One that I'm trying to beat home that many of your players are not going to be comfortable with.</p><p>Most of them play on non-exchange servers because they don't want to play next to players that are able to openly purchace what they need in game, they want to play next to players that had to presumably earn it the same way as they did themselves.</p><p>You've launched 2 one sided RMT services, regardless if you are willing to acknowledge this.  Your going to get some pretty strong pushback from your player base as they begin to wrap their heads around it.</p><p>I personally don't take issue with RMT itself; however, I absolutely understand what the general player base's exception to it is, and I can certainly understand why they may take exception to this service.</p><p>If you just take some simple steps to lock SC and LoN purchaces to not be tradeable by any means, then I think most of your player base will accept this just fine.</p>

[mr23sgte]

<p><cite>Atan@Unrest wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Brenlo wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><blockquote></blockquote><p>Station Cash is not tradeable nor are the items purchased and they will not be.  THe items will remain "fluff" items for convenience or customization.  House items, pets, etc. . .  This will not take away from anyones hard work and no one is forced to purchase anything.  If you like the items offered, you can buy them. If not, keep on playing the way you always have. </p></blockquote><p>Great, we've established your apparent intent.  Can you please then comment to this item in the FAQ:</p><p><span><p><strong>Is Station Cash transferable?</strong>Station Cash is non-transferable and currently non-giftable; however, SOE is working on features to allow players to gift Station Cash to other players and friends in the future.</p></span></p><p>----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</p><p>If the cash can be gifted to friends and other players, can I not still sell Mythical updates for 10000SC?</p><p>Please explain the steps you are taking to prevent me from doing this.</p></blockquote>

[Runewind]

<p><cite>Brenlo wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Eyenstein@Najena wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>So i could sell plat by use of the gift feature of Station Cash. (Example:I want 100 Station Cash for 10pp.)</p></blockquote><p>Well again, I suppose, however you would not recieve cash for the plat. You would recieve Station Cash which is only usable on the Marketplace. Thus you would be trading plat for access to potions, house items, pets, etc. . . I guess for me I an not seeing the incentive to do this. I imagine that some folks out there would try but the payoff just does not seem to be there.</p></blockquote><p>Okay. Let me break something down for you. You seem to believe that 50% Exp potions are worth $10 since it's 1000 SC and that's $10. The average plat selller I think is currently selling plat at about a 1 to 1 ratio. So 10 plat would also be $10. So if someone were to buy 1000 SC and "gift" it to someone for 10p and just use the SC as a go between for the real cash what's to prevent that? Clearly some people out there think that those potions are worth $10. So someone could start trading real money for plat essentially. Now you can't claim you don't think people will take this deal because you have the item PRICED at $10. And $10 is worth about 10p.</p>

[mr23sgte]

<p><cite>Atan@Unrest wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Brenlo wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><blockquote></blockquote><p>Station Cash is not tradeable nor are the items purchased and they will not be.  THe items will remain "fluff" items for convenience or customization.  House items, pets, etc. . .  This will not take away from anyones hard work and no one is forced to purchase anything.  If you like the items offered, you can buy them. If not, keep on playing the way you always have. </p></blockquote><p>Great, we've established your apparent intent.  Can you please then comment to this item in the FAQ:</p><p><span><p><strong>Is Station Cash transferable?</strong>Station Cash is non-transferable and currently non-giftable; however, SOE is working on features to allow players to gift Station Cash to other players and friends in the future.</p></span></p><p>----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</p><p>If the cash can be gifted to friends and other players, can I not still sell Mythical updates for 10000SC?</p><p>Please explain the steps you are taking to prevent me from doing this.</p></blockquote><p> I find this hyprocritical since your Guild is selling Mythical updates .........</p>

[Armironhead]

<p><cite>Kordran wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>feldon30 wrote:</cite></p><blockquote>If you want to pretend that there won't be mounts, armor, weapons, jewelry, and other significant items in the future, that is your business. But they ARE coming. It's just a fact.</blockquote><p>Says who? Please, cite any example of that which doesn't come from a figment of your imagination. When you see them adding "significant" items to buy (by this, I would mean fabled gear, masters, etc.) then I would agree you have every right to stomp your foot on the ground. But let's hold off on the torches and pitchforks until then, shall we?</p></blockquote><p>Not for nothing, but didnt they also say that lon would never be allowed to effect the pvp game -- but then gave us lon in comabt evac, lon shrink, and various lon cloaks?</p>

[Loolee]

<p><cite>Hereo@Unrest wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Atan@Unrest wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Brenlo wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><blockquote></blockquote><p>Station Cash is not tradeable nor are the items purchased and they will not be.  THe items will remain "fluff" items for convenience or customization.  House items, pets, etc. . .  This will not take away from anyones hard work and no one is forced to purchase anything.  If you like the items offered, you can buy them. If not, keep on playing the way you always have. </p></blockquote><p>Great, we've established your apparent intent.  Can you please then comment to this item in the FAQ:</p><p><span><p><strong>Is Station Cash transferable?</strong>Station Cash is non-transferable and currently non-giftable; however, SOE is working on features to allow players to gift Station Cash to other players and friends in the future.</p></span></p><p>----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</p><p>If the cash can be gifted to friends and other players, can I not still sell Mythical updates for 10000SC?</p><p>Please explain the steps you are taking to prevent me from doing this.</p></blockquote><p> I find this hyprocritical since your Guild is selling Mythical updates .........</p></blockquote><p>I see what he is doing though.  He is trying to show, how people will be trading RL$$ for in-game advantage.  Whether his guild sells mythicals or not is irrelevant.</p>

[Sphiriah]

<p><cite>Runewind wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Brenlo wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Eyenstein@Najena wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>So i could sell plat by use of the gift feature of Station Cash. (Example:I want 100 Station Cash for 10pp.)</p></blockquote><p>Well again, I suppose, however you would not recieve cash for the plat. You would recieve Station Cash which is only usable on the Marketplace. Thus you would be trading plat for access to potions, house items, pets, etc. . . I guess for me I an not seeing the incentive to do this. I imagine that some folks out there would try but the payoff just does not seem to be there.</p></blockquote><p>Okay. Let me break something down for you. You seem to believe that 50% Exp potions are worth $10 since it's 1000 SC and that's $10. The average plat selller I think is currently selling plat at about a 1 to 1 ratio. So 10 plat would also be $10. So if someone were to buy 1000 SC and "gift" it to someone for 10p and just use the SC as a go between for the real cash what's to prevent that? Clearly some people out there think that those potions are worth $10. So someone could start trading real money for plat essentially. Now you can't claim you don't think people will take this deal because you have the item PRICED at $10. And $10 is worth about 10p.</p></blockquote><p>Hey, you hear about that LoN game that's been out for a year?</p>

[Gisallo]

<p>Gosh if its just fluff items whats the problem now?  It almost made sense in the beginning when people thought it would be useful items.  I could see both sides of an argument then.  All an argument against fluff items comes down to is "SOME ONE CAN GET A COOLER LOOKING CLOAK THAN ME IF THEY HAVE A JOB IN RL....NOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!"  Good lord people, if keeping up with the Jones now means having the same appearance slot item (not in game effectivness) I think some people need a break from the game.</p><p>As for those that think significant items will come int he future, they may well be right.  This could just be a test bed.  Guess what will cause this?  Among other things us.  How long do we expect SOE to sit there while plat farmers like IGE are making huge bank on their game, which they could be making, and IGE etc only make money because players pay them.  Also see my prior post.  Did some research.  Some of the people who are complaining most about this...are the same people that do what I described in terms of artificially inflating the in game economy.  If we can not police ourselves and we the players are screwing up the economy, then heck SOE might as well make bank on it.</p>

[Kordran]

<p><cite>Atan@Unrest wrote:</cite></p><blockquote>Most of them play on non-exchange servers because they don't want to play next to players that are able to openly purchace what they need in game, they want to play next to players that had to presumably earn it the same way as they did themselves.</blockquote><p>And that hasn't changed. It hasn't changed with LoN, and it hasn't changed with the new SC marketplace. There is no loot card or marketplace item that anyone can buy that will make them "uber". There's no Sword of a Thousand Truths being sold there.</p><p><strong><em>As I said before, all of this hairpulling and jumping about is over what might possibly happen at some point in the indeterminate future.</em></strong> Not over what they're actually doing.</p>

[Yimway]

<p><cite>Hereo@Unrest wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><blockquote><p>---------------------</p><p>If the cash can be gifted to friends and other players, can I not still sell Mythical updates for 10000SC?</p><p>Please explain the steps you are taking to prevent me from doing this.</p></blockquote><p> I find this hyprocritical since your Guild is selling Mythical updates .........</p></blockquote><p>I didn't claim it isn't exactly,  I'm only trying to illustrate the obvious to those that want to feign innocence.</p><p>That being said, I will not accept RMT for anything in game.  I will however gladly take you along on our raid for my m1 offensive stance =P</p>

[Yimway]

<p><cite>Kordran wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Atan@Unrest wrote:</cite></p><blockquote>Most of them play on non-exchange servers because they don't want to play next to players that are able to openly purchace what they need in game, they want to play next to players that had to presumably earn it the same way as they did themselves.</blockquote><p>And that hasn't changed. It hasn't changed with LoN, and it hasn't changed with the new SC marketplace. There is no loot card or marketplace item that anyone can buy that will make them "uber". There's no Sword of a Thousand Truths being sold there.</p></blockquote><p>No, but there is a fairly large marketplace and established value for LoN loot cards to in game plat transactions.</p><p>The card itself will not make them uber.  However, the 500p I can get from the 1000 bucks in booster cards I can purchace certainly will help me make my character uber.</p><p>This is what happens every day already, and the SC system is just another avenue to this end.  However, the SC system has the potential of removing the 'lotto randomness' from the booster pack equation, making my money in for reward out conversion closer to a standard transaction price rather than a little bit of a gamble.</p>

[Jovie]

<p>Utter failure john smedly.</p><p>The items you can buy in your new cash cow are items that should be available in game via quests, drops and vendor bought items.</p><p>Praise Jesus i just cancelled my four accounts the day before this garbage was brought to light.</p><p>Utter and complete and total failure John Smedly. Nothing but pure corporate greed.</p>

[Amise]

<p><cite>Atan@Unrest wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Hereo@Unrest wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><blockquote><p>---------------------</p><p>If the cash can be gifted to friends and other players, can I not still sell Mythical updates for 10000SC?</p><p>Please explain the steps you are taking to prevent me from doing this.</p></blockquote><p> I find this hyprocritical since your Guild is selling Mythical updates .........</p></blockquote><p>I didn't claim it isn't exactly,  I'm only trying to illustrate the obvious to those that want to feign innocence.</p><p>That being said, I will not accept RMT for anything in game.  I will however gladly take you along on our raid for my m1 offensive stance =P</p></blockquote><p>So, someone buys a mythical update, which they pay for in plat or items they spent time in game to earn (or else they spent real money on buying said plat. You have no way of knowing when you sell the update). And that is fine with you.</p><p>Or someone buys a mythical update with station cash bought with real money, which they spent time in real life to earn. And that is not fine.</p><p>You know, I don't see the difference. Selling updates/loot is either ok or it's not. Quibbling over the currency being used is just semantics.</p>

[Giral]

<p><cite>Smed wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Just to be clear here - We aren't allowing RMT (i.e. players selling items to each other for real money) on servers other than the existing Live Gamer enabled servers. What I said still stands.</p><p>John Smedley</p></blockquote><p>  funny how you havent posted anything in the forums for over a year and the day this comes out you just happen to pop in for a second /Ponder ..... gee imagine that .. what could be the reasoning behind it ? o yeah to tell us your not a lier wyle you lie to us ...</p><p>  we are all secure in the fact now that this isnt RMT...cuase you know Smed said so ...  /rolls eye's</p><p>see you all in 6 months when purchasable mounts with stats, raid equivelent gear,shards,and platnum are all on the market , and you can Gift people , its not actualy Trading ,,its Gifting /roll's eyes more .....</p><p>its not what you do in the game ,, its how large your bank account is,  poor people need not apply,</p><p>great timing also with the economy in a whirlwind lol,. now that is something we all expect from Smed <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/49869fe8223507d7223db3451e5321aa.gif" border="0" /></p>

[Cyanbane]

<p>I am extremely glad to see this, and I think it should have been done months/years ago.I hope SOE:a.) Invests resources back in the game made from thisb.) focuses on high level content (because people can advance faster)c.) Is completely transparent in what it is doing.  Don't say this isn't RMT because this is from SOE to the customer as opposed a customer-to-customer transaction.  Thats the wrong route.   SOE should come out and say that we need to make money to keep pumping money into this game (that we all love) and we think this is the best way to do it. </p><p>This is a pretty monumental/fundamental change to the 2 AAA title MMOs, I think SOE (and the MMO-Shere) as a whole will be more receptive than people think to this idea.</p>

[Loolee]

<p><cite>Amise wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Atan@Unrest wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Hereo@Unrest wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><blockquote><p>---------------------</p><p>If the cash can be gifted to friends and other players, can I not still sell Mythical updates for 10000SC?</p><p>Please explain the steps you are taking to prevent me from doing this.</p></blockquote><p> I find this hyprocritical since your Guild is selling Mythical updates .........</p></blockquote><p>I didn't claim it isn't exactly,  I'm only trying to illustrate the obvious to those that want to feign innocence.</p><p>That being said, I will not accept RMT for anything in game.  I will however gladly take you along on our raid for my m1 offensive stance =P</p></blockquote><p>So, someone buys a mythical update, which they pay for in plat or items they spent time in game to earn (or else they spent real money on buying said plat. You have no way of knowing when you sell the update). And that is fine with you.</p><p>Or someone buys a mythical update with station cash bought with real money, which they spent time in real life to earn. And that is not fine.</p><p>You know, I don't see the difference. Selling updates/loot is either ok or it's not. Quibbling over the currency being used is just semantics.</p></blockquote><p>You are not quite getting his point.  If someone purchases plat with RL$, they are breaking the EULA.  If they purchase the SC for RL$ and use that to purchase their mythical update, then it is SOE condoning the use of RL$ to purchase in-game advantage, which is something that should never be allowed.</p>

[Kordran]

<p><cite>Atan@Unrest wrote:</cite></p><blockquote>No, but there is a fairly large marketplace and established value for LoN loot cards to in game plat transactions.</blockquote><p>Right, and that already exists (see my previous comment about a sucker being born every minute). And yet, with this happening in the game, the virtual world has not imploded. The end is not near.</p><p>My bottom line is this: am I having fun in the game? None of this has any effect on the enjoyment I have raiding and running instances with my guildmates. None of this has any effect on the enjoyment I have doing HQs and helping folks out with my crafters. None. Zero. Zilch. Nada.</p><p>When SOE starts making decisions that actually impact my enjoyment of the game, that's when I'll consider my options. But all of this? It's a tempest in a teacup being made by people who are seriously overreacting to something that is neutral in terms of its effect on the game itself.</p>

[DngrMou]

<p><cite>Loolee wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>I see what he is doing though.  He is trying to show, how people will be trading RL$$ for in-game advantage.  Whether his guild sells mythicals or not is irrelevant.</p></blockquote><p> But people are already trading RL $$$ for in game advantage.  They don't need to launder that money through the SC system...since rl money is preferable, (and more useful), than any amount of play money, (which can only be spent on a few items, (which can't be traded), and not even the money itself can be given away......I think even the raidiest of raid leaders has only so much use for fluff pets.  After the 30th, or 40th, I suspect the novelty would wear off).</p>

[Amise]

<p><cite>Loolee wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Amise wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Atan@Unrest wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Hereo@Unrest wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><blockquote><p>---------------------</p><p>If the cash can be gifted to friends and other players, can I not still sell Mythical updates for 10000SC?</p><p>Please explain the steps you are taking to prevent me from doing this.</p></blockquote><p> I find this hyprocritical since your Guild is selling Mythical updates .........</p></blockquote><p>I didn't claim it isn't exactly,  I'm only trying to illustrate the obvious to those that want to feign innocence.</p><p>That being said, I will not accept RMT for anything in game.  I will however gladly take you along on our raid for my m1 offensive stance =P</p></blockquote><p>So, someone buys a mythical update, which they pay for in plat or items they spent time in game to earn (or else they spent real money on buying said plat. You have no way of knowing when you sell the update). And that is fine with you.</p><p>Or someone buys a mythical update with station cash bought with real money, which they spent time in real life to earn. And that is not fine.</p><p>You know, I don't see the difference. Selling updates/loot is either ok or it's not. Quibbling over the currency being used is just semantics.</p></blockquote><p>You are not quite getting his point.  If someone purchases plat for RL$, they are breaking the EULA.  If they purchase the SC for RL$ and use that to purchase their mythical update, then it is SOE condoning the use of RL$ to purchase in-game advantage, which is something that should never be allowed.</p></blockquote><p>Lol. No, I get his point, I just don't agree with it. There's a difference.</p><p>See, you think that using RL money in game should never be allowed, but I don't have a problem with it. It's not that I don't understand your opinion, it's that I think you're wrong. See? Not the same thing.</p>

[Yimway]

<p><cite>Loolee wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>I see what he is doing though.  He is trying to show, how people will be trading RL$$ for in-game advantage.  Whether his guild sells mythicals or not is irrelevant.</p></blockquote><p>Exactly.</p><p>As long as SC dockets can be traded or gifted from player to player, then this allows for this type of exchange to take place.  And if it CAN take place, it will take place. </p><p>To say this system will not be abused for player to player RMT is just burying your head in the sand.</p>

[Loolee]

<p><cite>DngrMouse wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Loolee wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>I see what he is doing though.  He is trying to show, how people will be trading RL$$ for in-game advantage.  Whether his guild sells mythicals or not is irrelevant.</p></blockquote><p> But people are already trading RL $$$ for in game advantage.  They don't need to launder that money through the SC system...since rl money is preferable, (and more useful), than any amount of play money, (which can only be spent on a few items, (which can't be traded), and not even the money itself can be given away......I think even the raidiest of raid leaders has only so much use for fluff pets.  After the 30th, or 40th, I suspect the novelty would wear off).</p></blockquote><p>Maybe, but who knows what else might eventually added to the inventory of items available for SC?  Besides, if their guild has VP on farm status, there probably isn't that much stuff they need for gear, perhaps all thats desirable for them is fluff items anymore.</p>

[Loolee]

<p><cite>Amise wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Loolee wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Amise wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Atan@Unrest wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Hereo@Unrest wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><blockquote><p>---------------------</p><p>If the cash can be gifted to friends and other players, can I not still sell Mythical updates for 10000SC?</p><p>Please explain the steps you are taking to prevent me from doing this.</p></blockquote><p> I find this hyprocritical since your Guild is selling Mythical updates .........</p></blockquote><p>I didn't claim it isn't exactly,  I'm only trying to illustrate the obvious to those that want to feign innocence.</p><p>That being said, I will not accept RMT for anything in game.  I will however gladly take you along on our raid for my m1 offensive stance =P</p></blockquote><p>So, someone buys a mythical update, which they pay for in plat or items they spent time in game to earn (or else they spent real money on buying said plat. You have no way of knowing when you sell the update). And that is fine with you.</p><p>Or someone buys a mythical update with station cash bought with real money, which they spent time in real life to earn. And that is not fine.</p><p>You know, I don't see the difference. Selling updates/loot is either ok or it's not. Quibbling over the currency being used is just semantics.</p></blockquote><p>You are not quite getting his point.  If someone purchases plat for RL$, they are breaking the EULA.  If they purchase the SC for RL$ and use that to purchase their mythical update, then it is SOE condoning the use of RL$ to purchase in-game advantage, which is something that should never be allowed.</p></blockquote><p>Lol. No, I get his point, I just don't agree with it. There's a difference.</p><p>See, you think that using RL money in game should never be allowed, but I don't have a problem with it. It's not that I don't understand your opinion, it's that I think you're wrong. See? Not the same thing.</p></blockquote><p>So, you don't mind if I use my next paycheck (yah right I would! *snort*)  to buy SC and send it to Atan so his guild can get me my mythical?</p>

[Kordran]

<p><cite>Loolee wrote:</cite></p><blockquote>Maybe, but who knows what else might eventually added to the inventory of items available for SC?  Besides, if their guild has VP on farm status, there probably isn't that much stuff they need for gear, perhaps all thats desirable for them is fluff items anymore.</blockquote><p>And again, I would say <strong><em>who cares</em></strong>? I personally don't agree with selling mythical updates under any circumstances, but if you're going to do it, does it really matter if the guild's compensation is 500 Munster hands running around their guildhall? Or everyone in the guild walking around in spectacularly bad looking armor? Seriously.</p><p>When Atan can walk into the local liquor store and buy a nice 30 year single malt whisky for Station Cash that he got from getting someone their mythical... <strong><em>then</em></strong> you have something to complain about.</p>

[Yimway]

<p><cite>Loolee wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Maybe, but who knows what else might eventually added to the inventory of items available for SC?  Besides, if their guild has VP on farm status, there probably isn't that much stuff they need for gear, perhaps all thats desirable for them is fluff items anymore.</p></blockquote><p>I honestly don't see a scenario where we would ever go down this path.  However, I'm sure others will, and I'm only using the example to illustrate a key example with how SC dockets can be abused for in-game gain other than fluff items.</p><p>I can tell you with 100% certainty that people are buying LoN boosters to sell for in game plat to give to guilds like mine to get their mythical updates.  I don't agree with the process, and i fully support any move to prevent RMT boosters being traded for ingame items or coin.</p><p>You want to go take the time to farm 125p, or you want to join a raid guild and get your mythical, i don't really care.  But if SoE is going to take an anti-rmt position, then they need to follow thru with mechanics that do not encourage it.</p>

[Giral]

<p><cite>Amise wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Atan@Unrest wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Hereo@Unrest wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><blockquote><p>---------------------</p><p>If the cash can be gifted to friends and other players, can I not still sell Mythical updates for 10000SC?</p><p>Please explain the steps you are taking to prevent me from doing this.</p></blockquote><p> I find this hyprocritical since your Guild is selling Mythical updates .........</p></blockquote><p>I didn't claim it isn't exactly,  I'm only trying to illustrate the obvious to those that want to feign innocence.</p><p>That being said, I will not accept RMT for anything in game.  I will however gladly take you along on our raid for my m1 offensive stance =P</p></blockquote><p>So, someone buys a mythical update, which they pay for in plat or items they spent time in game to earn (or else they spent real money on buying said plat. You have no way of knowing when you sell the update). And that is fine with you.</p><p>Or someone buys a mythical update with station cash bought with real money, which they spent time in real life to earn. And that is not fine.</p><p>You know, I don't see the difference. Selling updates/loot is either ok or it's not. Quibbling over the currency being used is just semantics.</p></blockquote><p>buying loot or update rights is not considered cheating by the Devs</p><p>buying Plat is against the EULA, and if the person was caught purchasing the plat to use to buy the loot rights or the update they could be banned .</p><p>they earned the Plat by playing the eq2, its thiers to spend on loot rights or updates as they see fit,</p><p>using real world money to buy Station credits to buy In-game plat . you never have to play eq2 to accumulate the plat to buy the loot rights, you barely have to  play the game to advance in the game = Fail </p><p>player A.  has a large bank account, they can buy ingame plat thru station exchange and buy loot rights, updates with it and deck out in fabled gear with a best weopon in game.</p><p>player B has no bank account and has to play eq2, get into a raid guild that can clear the mobs they need, or find means to make enough money in the game to have enough money to buy the loot rights, updates, either by tradeskilling or grinding for plat ,,player B is looking at alot of play time to equal what player A got in a couple days by swiping a credit card .</p><p>not affecting game play ? hehe just like the AA exp potions wont help those with more money cap out aa's befor people who have no money .....</p><p>welcome to eq2 for the wealthy , its just the begining,. plan on logging in, in a year and feeling Poor in the game becuase you dont have much money in real life,  sounds FUN and thrilling doesnt it ? playing eq2 to escape reality for a wyle only to be Poor in your virtual world also : ) /RMT for the Loss</p>

[Tenamdar]

<p>Look guys.. Since there's no way to change Station Cash into real-life $$, the whole mythical argument is practically a non-issue. If somebody does something like that, then they must REALLY have a need for a bunch of XP potions or something because that's basically the entire return for that transaction. Let's face it, people could do that NOW with PayPal if they so chose to! Nothing changes that here.</p><p>Personally, I'm more than happy to spend my hard earned cash to enable my character to get a bit of an XP bonus so I can make more advancement progress with my very limited play sessions.</p><p>If selling mythical spots for Station Cash became a real problem, then I think that's an issue that would need to be dealt with, but I really think there's little to fear here (especially since Station Cash transactions are a whole lot easy to track down than PayPal).</p><p>My 2 copper...</p>

[M0rticia]

<p>Apparently I am a 'valuable customer' because SOE gave me free SC dollars! I received an email this morning stating that I had free SC dollars waiting for me when I log in.</p><p>Here is part of that email:</p><p>Dear Valued Player,</p> <p>Based on feedback we have received from various player surveys, we are thrilled to present Station Cash™. As part of our ongoing efforts to respond to our players’ requests as we continue to evolve the <em>EverQuest</em>® franchise.</p><p>______________________</p><p>What surveys? I've been playing this game since beta and never took part in a survey asking if I wanted the option to buy items in-game. I know there is a survey out now but I don't recall it ever specifically asking me if I wanted the option to buy items in-game.</p><p>I don't want that option. If I did, I would be playing on an exchange server.</p><p>I prefer to EARN items via questing, raiding, running instances, taking part in live events, etc. Yes, there is a sense of accomplishment for me when I get a cool item through those methods. I like having items that are no longer available in-game or ones that took a lot of work to get. I don't really get a feeling of accomplishment by opening my wallet and buying an item. I like my character to be unique and getting items (whether they be fluff or not) via questing, raiding, running instances and live events. Yes, even house items gave me a sense of accomplishment.</p><p>What also feels like a smack in the face is the ability to BUY potions now. Potions that veteran players got as REWARDS for their continued support of Sony. I know the potions aren't giving people a HUGE advantage over others. I still have quite a few sitting in my bank and I typically only used the tradeskill potions. However, those potions were a GIFT for being a longtime subscriber and now anyone can buy them. It's just such a letdown.</p><p>We received no notice and no surveys as far as I have seen. Personally, I don't believe there were surveys, but if someone took one, please let me know.</p><p>Thanks Sony! <img src="/smilies/9d71f0541cff0a302a0309c5079e8dee.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p>

[Kordran]

<p><cite>Tenamdar wrote:</cite></p><blockquote>Let's face it, people could do that NOW with PayPal if they so chose to! Nothing changes that here.</blockquote><p>You raise an excellent point. People talk about plat buying/selling, using LoN to exchange cash for plat and all that good stuff. But the truth is, if someone wants to buy a loot drop, buy a mythical update, whatever ... all they need is the email address of the group/guild leader. And that's a transaction that would be completely off the radar as far as SOE is concerned.</p><p>People who want to buy things in-game for real cash can do so -- already do so -- and it doesn't need to involve a single LoN loot card or a single Station Cash point.</p>

[Giral]

<p><cite>Tenamdar wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Look guys.. Since there's no way to change Station Cash into real-life $$, the whole mythical argument is practically a non-issue. If somebody does something like that, then they must REALLY have a need for a bunch of XP potions or something because that's basically the entire return for that transaction. Let's face it, people could do that NOW with PayPal if they so chose to! Nothing changes that here.</p><p>Personally, I'm more than happy to spend my hard earned cash to enable my character to get a bit of an XP bonus so I can make more advancement progress with my very limited play sessions.</p><p>If selling mythical spots for Station Cash became a real problem, then I think that's an issue that would need to be dealt with, but I really think there's little to fear here (especially since Station Cash transactions are a whole lot easy to track down than PayPal).</p><p>My 2 copper...</p></blockquote><p> but the items arent suppose to effect the game,  you have the cash to advance your charcter faster then someone who does not.</p><p>any new player that has loads of cash can buy a bunch of potions and rush to endgame like a bullet,</p><p>any new player that has no cash, will have to level at the normal rate and get to endgame whenever they get there</p><p>its just one aspect of how it already effects the game based on people's Bank account .  </p><p>and im sure there are more people playing that are effected by the current economy and dont have money to throw away on eq2(after they already pay thier monthly sub) .then there are people with extra cash laying around</p><p>and if eq2 ever did go away from a monthly subscription to pure RMT , you can bet your astericks that Real Money items are going to be Needed .</p>

[Giral]

<p><cite>M0rticia wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Apparently I am a 'valuable customer' because SOE gave me free SC dollars! I received an email this morning stating that I had free SC dollars waiting for me when I log in.</p><p>Here is part of that email:</p><p>Dear Valued Player,</p><p>Based on feedback we have received from various player surveys, we are thrilled to present Station Cash™. As part of our ongoing efforts to respond to our players’ requests as we continue to evolve the <em>EverQuest</em>® franchise.</p><p>______________________</p><p>What surveys? I've been playing this game since beta and never took part in a survey asking if I wanted the option to buy items in-game. I know there is a survey out now but I don't recall it ever specifically asking me if I wanted the option to buy items in-game.</p><p>I don't want that option. If I did, I would be playing on an exchange server.</p><p>I prefer to EARN items via questing, raiding, running instances, taking part in live events, etc. Yes, there is a sense of accomplishment for me when I get a cool item through those methods. I like having items that are no longer available in-game or ones that took a lot of work to get. I don't really get a feeling of accomplishment by opening my wallet and buying an item. I like my character to be unique and getting items (whether they be fluff or not) via questing, raiding, running instances and live events. Yes, even house items gave me a sense of accomplishment.</p><p>What also feels like a smack in the face is the ability to BUY potions now. Potions that veteran players got as REWARDS for their continued support of Sony. I know the potions aren't giving people a HUGE advantage over others. I still have quite a few sitting in my bank and I typically only used the tradeskill potions. However, those potions were a GIFT for being a longtime subscriber and now anyone can buy them. It's just such a letdown.</p><p>We received no notice and no surveys as far as I have seen. Personally, I don't believe there were surveys, but if someone took one, please let me know.</p><p>Thanks Sony! <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/9d71f0541cff0a302a0309c5079e8dee.gif" border="0" /></p></blockquote><p>word on the street is these surveys were on the Station exchange servers Only /Chuckle</p><p>and add to it the live survay has been in-game for what a couple weeks? yeah im sure they had a large outcry for RMT lol, and threw this all together overnight /sad</p><p>getting bogus E-mails from SOE tyring to convince you that players wanted RMT in eq2 ... /Priceless,,, im sure they contacted Smed to write up that e-mail also : )</p>

[woolf2k]

<p>I'm in line to buy my Mythical...</p><p>LOL</p>

[Tenamdar]

<p>I can already buy advancement outside of the game with real-life money. In fact, I know of many folks who have done just that, and one person who has made a decent living providing said advancement to his customers. This happens already, like it or not. The market is there, like it or not.. regardless of the game you choose. The more popular the game, the larger of a market there is.</p><p>The fact that SOE is now providing a safe way to get a minor leg-up without risking your account being closed for violating the EULA, is a GOOD thing. People can and DO do this anyways. In fact, they'll STILL do it simply because the potions being provided are only going to provide so much benefit. That said, the 3rd party businesses will likely get LESS market share because many players (who pay for advancement in some fashion) would find value in reducing/eliminating the risk associated with doing these types of transactions.</p><p>This is not to say that there isn't a line that could be crossed, turning this into a BAD thing, but as of right now, I see this as appropriate and OK for SOE to do. My humble opinion of course! <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p>

[bryldan]

<p><cite>Brenlo wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Atan@Unrest wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Brenlo wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><blockquote></blockquote><p>Station Cash is not tradeable nor are the items purchased and they will not be.  THe items will remain "fluff" items for convenience or customization.  House items, pets, etc. . .  This will not take away from anyones hard work and no one is forced to purchase anything.  If you like the items offered, you can buy them. If not, keep on playing the way you always have. </p></blockquote><p>Great, we've established your apparent intent.  Can you please then comment to this item in the FAQ:</p><p><span><p><strong>Is Station Cash transferable?</strong>Station Cash is non-transferable and currently non-giftable; however, SOE is working on features to allow players to gift Station Cash to other players and friends in the future.</p></span></p><p>----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</p><p>If the cash can be gifted to friends and other players, can I not still sell Mythical updates for 10000SC?</p><p>Please explain the steps you are taking to prevent me from doing this.</p></blockquote><p>Well Mythical update will not be available for purchase with Station Cash for one.  =) </p><p>Gifting of station cash will only grant access to station cash to spend at the marketplace.  it will not grant the ability to exchange items.  Thus a friend could gift you $10 in station cash which you could then spend to buy from the marketplace.  Not to purchase items directly from you nor to transfer items from your account to thiers.</p></blockquote><p>I will probably be banned for this but here it goes</p><p>READ WHAT THE PERSON IS SAYING INSTEAD OF TURNING IT AROUND.</p><p>PERSON 1 WANTS MYTHICAL</p><p>PERSON 2 WANTS SC</p><p>PERSON 1 PAYS 1000SC TO PERSON 2 FOR MYTHICAL UPDATE</p><p>OMG RMT. How hard is that to understand?? No wonder why SoE is laying off so many ppl with this kind of management....</p>

[Loolee]

<p>I will probably be banned for this but here it goes</p><p><cite>bryldan wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>READ WHAT THE PERSON IS SAYING INSTEAD OF TURNING IT AROUND.</p><p>PERSON 1 WANTS MYTHICAL</p><p>PERSON 2 WANTS SC</p><p>PERSON 1 PAYS 1000SC TO PERSON 2 FOR MYTHICAL UPDATE</p><p>OMG RMT. How hard is that to understand?? No wonder why SoE is laying off so many ppl with this kind of management....</p></blockquote><p>He gets it you know.  But there are only so many things that SOE can do to stop people from circumventing the system so he is being deliberately obtuse.</p>

[Geothe]

<p>Being obtuse, and at the same time introducing yet MORE systems enabling people to go around "around the system".  SoE knows darn well that people do this, and so they have introduced these systems to enable RMT, whereby SOE gets all the cash profit, while still being able to make the blanket statement "its not RMT"</p><p>Pathetic.</p>

[bryldan]

<p><cite>Loolee wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>I will probably be banned for this but here it goes</p><p><cite>bryldan wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>READ WHAT THE PERSON IS SAYING INSTEAD OF TURNING IT AROUND.</p><p>PERSON 1 WANTS MYTHICAL</p><p>PERSON 2 WANTS SC</p><p>PERSON 1 PAYS 1000SC TO PERSON 2 FOR MYTHICAL UPDATE</p><p>OMG RMT. How hard is that to understand?? No wonder why SoE is laying off so many ppl with this kind of management....</p></blockquote><p>He gets it you know.  But there are only so many things that SOE can do to stop people from circumventing the system so he is being deliberately obtuse.</p></blockquote><p>Watch them take a step further and allow you to use SC on buying expansions or subscriptions? Then you will be making money. What about if you could buy fabled items? Special adornments? It will come they see the $$ they can make.</p><p>I have one suggestion to SOE</p><p>Either one of two things. Take this out OR</p><p>make this game free to play</p>

[Wirewhisker]

<p>You guys wanna kill this crappy idea? Because it's really simple how you do it.</p><p>Don't use it.</p><p>If people simply don't buy into this crap, it will disappear when it doesn't make Sony any money.</p>

[wolfIII]

<p><cite>bryldan wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Brenlo wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Atan@Unrest wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Brenlo wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><blockquote></blockquote><p>Station Cash is not tradeable nor are the items purchased and they will not be.  THe items will remain "fluff" items for convenience or customization.  House items, pets, etc. . .  This will not take away from anyones hard work and no one is forced to purchase anything.  If you like the items offered, you can buy them. If not, keep on playing the way you always have. </p></blockquote><p>Great, we've established your apparent intent.  Can you please then comment to this item in the FAQ:</p><p><span><p><strong>Is Station Cash transferable?</strong>Station Cash is non-transferable and currently non-giftable; however, SOE is working on features to allow players to gift Station Cash to other players and friends in the future.</p></span></p><p>----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</p><p>If the cash can be gifted to friends and other players, can I not still sell Mythical updates for 10000SC?</p><p>Please explain the steps you are taking to prevent me from doing this.</p></blockquote><p>Well Mythical update will not be available for purchase with Station Cash for one.  =) </p><p>Gifting of station cash will only grant access to station cash to spend at the marketplace.  it will not grant the ability to exchange items.  Thus a friend could gift you $10 in station cash which you could then spend to buy from the marketplace.  Not to purchase items directly from you nor to transfer items from your account to thiers.</p></blockquote><p>I will probably be banned for this but here it goes</p><p>READ WHAT THE PERSON IS SAYING INSTEAD OF TURNING IT AROUND.</p><p>PERSON 1 WANTS MYTHICAL</p><p>PERSON 2 WANTS SC</p><p>PERSON 1 PAYS 1000SC TO PERSON 2 FOR MYTHICAL UPDATE</p><p>OMG RMT. How hard is that to understand?? No wonder why SoE is laying off so many ppl with this kind of management....</p></blockquote><p>Paying for mythical update with real money online thru SOE is already posible.  Guild leader obtains credit card info or gives account info to purchaser and tells them they want their account prepaid for a year.  The guild leader/officer/members account is paid, it's verified and then they get their update.</p><p>Where there is a will there is a way.  My biggest problem with loN and this new program is that MMO's have a large number of players with addictive tendencies.  I hate to see RL money wasted in game at the expense of families.  No one can get hurt by a monthly subscription but they can be decimated by a player that maxes his credit cards or spends his rent money on virtual garbage.  This kind of marketing is irresponsible and is corporate greed.  If SOE needs a cash infusion, raise the monthly script.</p>

[bleap]

<p>AS I am typing this I am reading an article on Station Cash posted in Clockworkgamer.com. According to this article this is on live servers, it is funded with real money by seting up a payment source (credit card) and each Station Cash point is worth 1 U.S. cent. So if I am reading this correctly, RMT has come to all live EQ2 servers in the form of this Station Cash. Some of the items for sale are things like Achievement's potions...A type of EXP potion for AA EXP, Most of the items on teh list in teh article appear to be fluff....house pets, Great looking armor with no stats, ect.</p><p>Last straw for me folks, I will be discussing this with my husband tonight. If he agrees we are gone...</p><p>By the way, this ties directly into what I have been saying all along...SOE is hurting for $$....This will make them or break them..how many will leave because of this?</p>

[Yimway]

<p><cite>Kordran wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>You raise an excellent point. People talk about plat buying/selling, using LoN to exchange cash for plat and all that good stuff. But the truth is, if someone wants to buy a loot drop, buy a mythical update, whatever ... all they need is the email address of the group/guild leader. And that's a transaction that would be completely off the radar as far as SOE is concerned.</p><p>People who want to buy things in-game for real cash can do so -- already do so -- and it doesn't need to involve a single LoN loot card or a single Station Cash point.</p></blockquote><p>The difference is, money transactions are a violation of the EULA UNLESS they go thru the LoN or SC bridge.  IE, its ok for you to buy things in game with your cash. However it is not ok for me to earn cash from items and services in game.</p><p>The reason for my posts here is EITHER case is RMT, and I don't appreciate being told by SoE they don't condone RMT transactions in the same breath that they are providing a system designed to allow just that.  It would be extremely simple for them to choose not to allow RMT with SC.  Just don't allow them to be transferable or giftable to other players.</p><p>My goal here was to attempt to get them to acknowledge and change that, and after that point out the hypocracy in allowing LoN loot cards to remain tradeable.   I admit I don't expect either thing to happen, but I prefer to shine light on the issue than to remain silent.</p><p>Everyone should be aware of exactly how this system can and will be abused.  SoE can either acknowledge the abuse as intentional or excpeted, or they can take efforts to remedy it, either way, the decision is theirs.</p>

[Armironhead]

<p><cite>Kordran wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><strong><em>As I said before, all of this hairpulling and jumping about is over what might possibly happen at some point in the indeterminate future.</em></strong> Not over what they're actually doing.</p></blockquote><p>So I guess your in favor of letting the barn burn down <em>before</em> you call the fire department?</p>

[M0rticia]

<p>I won't be using the free SC dollars (or ANY SC dollars) that Sony gave me for being a 'valuable customer'. If I could send them back, I would...with a nice email telling them how utterly disappointed I am that my favorite MMO has come to THIS.</p>

[Yimway]

<p><cite>bleap wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>AS I am typing this I am reading an article on Station Cash posted in Clockworkgamer.com. According to this article this is on live servers, it is funded with real money by seting up a payment source (credit card) and each Station Cash point is worth 1 U.S. cent. So if I am reading this correctly, RMT has come to all live EQ2 servers in the form of this Station Cash. Some of the items for sale are things like Achievement's potions...A type of EXP potion for AA EXP, Most of the items on teh list in teh article appear to be fluff....house pets, Great looking armor with no stats, ect.</p></blockquote><p>Don't get to worked up over that honestly Bleap.  I'm not going to try to explain it exactly, but I'm pretty sure they had to put a cash value on the currency.  Otherwise, if a catastrophic failure were to happen, or a system glitch, you could go after them in penalties based upon the purchaced conversion rate vs their stated value.</p><p>Or something very much like that.</p>

[DngrMou]

<p><cite>Kordran wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Loolee wrote:</cite></p><blockquote>Maybe, but who knows what else might eventually added to the inventory of items available for SC?  Besides, if their guild has VP on farm status, there probably isn't that much stuff they need for gear, perhaps all thats desirable for them is fluff items anymore.</blockquote><p>And again, I would say <strong><em>who cares</em></strong>? I personally don't agree with selling mythical updates under any circumstances, but if you're going to do it, does it really matter if the guild's compensation is 500 Munster hands running around their guildhall? Or everyone in the guild walking around in spectacularly bad looking armor? Seriously.</p><p>When Atan can walk into the local liquor store and buy a nice 30 year single malt whisky for Station Cash that he got from getting someone their mythical... <strong><em>then</em></strong> you have something to complain about.</p></blockquote><p>The idea of an army of mini munster hands running around behind me is appealing.</p>

[The Inner]

<p>[Removed for Content]! Is what came to mind after seeing Station Cash patch notes. I am disgusted at this blatant attempt by SOE  to make more cash off of non station exchange servers.</p>

[Jovie]

<p>People speak loudest with their pocketbook or wallet or purse or atm card or whatever.</p><p>If you don't agree with it, don't use it. If you are for it, then you should be happy.</p><p>If you are like me and feel that these items should be available in game through current methods and not for sale from some electronic vending machine, then show soe you mean business and cancel your account.</p><p>SoE just lost 75 dollars a month from me, 900 dollars per year plus another 160 in next years expansion.</p><p>Speak with your pocketbook.</p><p>Somewhat off topic, if soe was truly hurting for cash, it would behove them to fold all but their most lucrative and lasting mmo and concentrate on ONE mmo. Trim some staff, work it out so that people can get into the survivng mmo with ease and then manage that mmo with great care.</p><p>Get rid of star wars, get rid of vanguard, get rid of potbs, get rid of the matrix and planet side and whatever else they have lurking out there. Either get rid of them or just make them free for play and stop supporting them.</p><p>Merge eq1 and eq2, get healthy server populations, develop content that keeps people out of other mmos and into their mmo.</p>

[bleap]

<p><cite>Atan@Unrest wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>bleap wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>AS I am typing this I am reading an article on Station Cash posted in Clockworkgamer.com. According to this article this is on live servers, it is funded with real money by seting up a payment source (credit card) and each Station Cash point is worth 1 U.S. cent. So if I am reading this correctly, RMT has come to all live EQ2 servers in the form of this Station Cash. Some of the items for sale are things like Achievement's potions...A type of EXP potion for AA EXP, Most of the items on teh list in teh article appear to be fluff....house pets, Great looking armor with no stats, ect.</p></blockquote><p>Don't get to worked up over that honestly Bleap.  I'm not going to try to explain it exactly, but I'm pretty sure they had to put a cash value on the currency.  Otherwise, if a catastrophic failure were to happen, or a system glitch, you could go after them in penalties based upon the purchaced conversion rate vs their stated value.</p><p>Or something very much like that.</p></blockquote><p>Yes, but regardless what value they assign to the individual points, it still boils down to real money for in game items. Sure most of teh items now are fluff, but the EXP potions are not fluff. They will give an unfair atvantage to anyone willing to shell out $7.50 US $ or however much they cost.</p><p>And the very worst thing about this who endeavour is the fact that they lied to their own customers. Do you like being lied to? If a company that provided you with most other products lied to you about something you were using would you continue to buy from them? It's not about the game anymore this is about bold faced out and out lying...saying anything to keep you as a customer....what's next? I completely expect slowly but surely to see game skewing items appear along with the fluff...armor, weapons, jewelry, food and drink....competeing with tradeskillers and throwing the balance of the game off so badly that it won't be worth playing. This will ruin what's left of this game....and possibly what's left of SOE...</p><p>Smed you lied to your customers...you should resign....</p>

[TwistedFaith]

<p><cite>Smed wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Just to be clear here - We aren't allowing RMT (i.e. players selling items to each other for real money) on servers other than the existing Live Gamer enabled servers. What I said still stands.</p><p>John Smedley</p></blockquote><p>Please  dont insult the player base, you owe the community at least that much.</p>

[jaguarjp]

<p>I am so disappointed by this news.</p><p>And why do so many people keep trying to downplay it by throwing the word "Fluff" out there? <span style="color: #ff0000;">Paying real money to buy virtual money to buy potions to boost Adventure / Achievement / Tradeskill experience game is...</span></p><p><strong><span style="font-size: xx-large; color: #ff0000;">NOT FLUFF.</span></strong></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">The rest of it may be fluff. The future might never include tradeable items, it might never include items with stats, etc. etc. etc., blah, blah, blah. I'm not talking about that stuff.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">IMO, once you offer potions that remove the "level playing field" regarding how fast I earn experience vs. the next guy, with all other things being equal, you have crossed the line.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: small; color: #ff0000;"><strong>EDIT: SOE, put your money where your mouth is - remove the potions. THEN it's just fluff.</strong></span></p>

[bleap]

<p><cite>TwistedFaith wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Smed wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Just to be clear here - We aren't allowing RMT (i.e. players selling items to each other for real money) on servers other than the existing Live Gamer enabled servers. What I said still stands.</p><p>John Smedley</p></blockquote><p>Please  dont insult the player base, you owe the community at least that much.</p></blockquote><p>Nice disclaimer there Smed...yet another lie....how far can you put your foot into your mouth??</p>

[Yimway]

<p><cite>bleap wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Yes, but regardless what value they assign to the individual points, it still boils down to real money for in game items. Sure most of teh items now are fluff, but the EXP potions are not fluff. They will give an unfair atvantage to anyone willing to shell out $7.50 US $ or however much they cost.</p><p>And the very worst thing about this who endeavour is the fact that they lied to their own customers. Do you like being lied to?</p></blockquote><p>No, I don't like being lied to, thats why I posted, regardless of my opinions on RMT. </p><p>I look at the items on the marketplace and I make the comparison to the very first fluff items in LoN.  Then extrabulate out how far the LoN items have come in 2 years, what will the marketplace look like next year?  What in-game demand might there be for those items?</p><p>Not locking out player to player SC exchanges and gifting is a deliberate decision to allow this secondary market and exchange to take place.  Players with tons of resources get unique things they want, people with money to burn get the services of these players motivated by these items for a few bucks.  SoE stands aside and accepts the money, nods, and waves their hands saying, 'The is not the RMT you're looking for...'</p>

[bleap]

<p><cite>jaguarjp wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>I am so disappointed by this news.</p><p>And why do so many people keep trying to downplay it by throwing the word "Fluff" out there? <span style="color: #ff0000;">Paying real money to buy virtual money to buy potions to boost Adventure / Achievement / Tradeskill experience game is...</span></p><p><strong><span style="font-size: xx-large; color: #ff0000;">NOT FLUFF.</span></strong></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">The rest of it may be fluff. The future might never include tradeable items, it might never include items with stats, etc. etc. etc., blah, blah, blah. I'm not talking about that stuff.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">IMO, once you offer potions that remove the "level playing field" regarding how fast I earn experience vs. the next guy, with all other things being equal, you have crossed the line.</span></p></blockquote><p>QFE</p>

[Kordran]

<p><cite>Armironhead@Vox wrote:</cite></p><blockquote>So I guess your in favor of letting the barn burn down <em>before</em> you call the fire department?</blockquote><p>Using your analogy, what's going on here is people yelling "Fire!" because someone lit a cigarette in a pub 10 miles down the road from the barn. There is no indication that they're going to have anything truly substantive (in terms of gameplay) for sale. Even with LoN, there were some things that I saw and thought "Oh, cool" ... but nothing I was willing to go out and spend $500 on buying decks hoping to get that loot card. And no one in my guild has said, "Dude, you either get that loot card, or we're giving your slot to someone else." And I feel fairly certain that a fluff lich pet is not going to help clear the TSO raid zones.</p><p>If SOE were to introduce stat items or spells/CAs (even if it's just treasured), then yeah, I would say that's a real sign of trouble ahead. But there's no indication that they're going to do. People can choose to not believe them of course, but I refuse to get wound up over something that is not happening now and doesn't affect my enjoyment of the game now. I see no benefit in "pre-emptively canceling" an account based on what they might do 6 months down the road. If they do end up offering non-fluff for sale, cancel your account <em>then</em> and let them know why.</p><p>I say this in particular to people like the poster a few messages above who said she's going to talk with her husband and cancel their accounts. Why? How exactly will your enjoyment of the game diminish because someone can buy a boarfiend house pet for $5. I can understand people getting wound up over game balance issues or itemization because it actually affects how they play the game. This? It doesn't even come close. It's like threatening the landlord that you're going to move out of your apartment because the building manager is offering to deliver the newspaper to your front door for an extra $10 a month. The fact that someone else gets their paper delivered to their door doesn't impact you at all -- you can still pick up yours at your mailbox. If you don't want it and don't like it, then don't buy it and don't use it. It's really that simple.</p>

[walaruss]

<p>so we now know, soe needs cash, i can understand this, 100k subscribers against 10mill+ subscribers on the other side, be constructive and tell them what they have to do to get our cash, what do you really want and what would you pay for ?</p>

[Windowlicker]

<p><cite>Jovie@Guk wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>omewhat off topic, if soe was truly hurting for cash, it would behove them to fold all but their most lucrative and lasting mmo and concentrate on ONE mmo. Trim some staff, work it out so that people can get into the survivng mmo with ease and then manage that mmo with great care.</p></blockquote><p>Oh really?</p><p>What's this?</p><p><a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1093067/Fears-British-jobs-Sony-slashes-16-000-positions-desperate-bid-cut-costs.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/wor...-cut-costs.html</a></p><p>16,000 jobs enough for you?</p>

[Gisallo]

<p>What I love here is that logically there can only be two reasons to be against this system.</p><p>You are either niave enough to think selling Mythical updates, loot rights, "real" players exploiting the broker economy is not going on</p><p>OR</p><p>You are one of the people doing it and you don't want to see your little rl money or Plat making operation get drummed down by SOE entering into competition with you.</p><p>Will players find a way to exploit this for in game plat to supply those who will not pay real money?  Yes.</p><p>But believe it people there is already a way to buy everything in this game.  If I had 300 plat right now, my zerker would have his mythical by the weekend (100 plat per update on my server).  If I wanted to spend 20 plat the other day I would have had the Jarsath Shoulder piece from Maidens and for 5 I would have gotten 3 void shards (which I earned running the instance myself I might add AFTER the advert went across level chat). </p><p>What SOE is doing is acknowledging that the economy exists and rather than allowing it to stay grey market they are trying to regulate it.  Does it stink from a morality persepctive?  Maybe...but the economy is here already, its just being exploited by those who already have the most in the game.  To me, while obviously its not going to level the playing field for everyone (maybe not even me in this economy) its a darn sight better than letting 5% of the population and unethical on-line companies make bank in rl or vl</p>

[LardLord]

<p>As I'm sure lots of others have said, potions that provide a boost to experience are not "fluff."  They can make a significant difference in how quickly guilds progress through raid content, for example.</p>

[Dreyco]

<p>If someone is dumb enough to spend their real life cash on fluff armor, more power to them.  If they start offering legendary or fabled gear for it, i'll be concerned.</p><p>I see it this way: Updates come faster because someone decided, for whatever reason, to blow an hour of their salary perhaps to get a little bear that sits in their house...</p><p>... okay?  Their money.</p>

[Yimway]

<p><cite>Kordran wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>I say this in particular to people like the poster a few messages above who said she's going to talk with her husband and cancel their accounts. Why? How exactly will your enjoyment of the game diminish because someone can buy a boarfiend house pet for $5. I can understand people getting wound up over game balance issues or itemization because it actually affects how they play the game. This? It doesn't even come close. It's like threatening the landlord that you're going to move out of your apartment because the building manager is offering to deliver the newspaper to your front door for an extra $10 a month. The fact that someone else gets their paper delivered to their door doesn't impact you at all -- you can still pick up yours at your mailbox. If you don't want it and don't like it, then don't buy it and don't use it. It's really that simple.</p></blockquote><p>Kodran, you seem to want to deny that players with resources will give them away to other players in exchanve for SC.  People with thousands of plat and every raid drop they ever wanted will gladly give hunreds of plat, in game favors, etc in exchange for someone else spending the money to give them the rare reward they covet.</p><p>Its these transactions that give these players pause.  And yes its already been in game for a while, but not everyone understood the nuances of the LoN transactions.</p>

[Kordran]

<p>And yes, the potions are fluff. Just like the ones that you get from LoN and from the veteran rewards. They're consumable, they're relatively short duration and they don't impact the endgame at all. Heck, a lot of people are looking for ways to <em>slow down</em> their progression, not speed it up.</p><p>And again, how does someone hitting level 80 adventuring, or tradeskill or 200 APs 5 days sooner than you have any effect on your gameplay (with the possible exception of being on a PvP server)? IMHO, it's a silly argument to make that some stranger who has a bonus to XP gain is somehow affecting your experience in the game.</p>

[bleap]

<p><cite>Atan@Unrest wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>bleap wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Yes, but regardless what value they assign to the individual points, it still boils down to real money for in game items. Sure most of teh items now are fluff, but the EXP potions are not fluff. They will give an unfair atvantage to anyone willing to shell out $7.50 US $ or however much they cost.</p><p>And the very worst thing about this who endeavour is the fact that they lied to their own customers. Do you like being lied to?</p></blockquote><p>No, I don't like being lied to, thats why I posted, regardless of my opinions on RMT. </p><p>I look at the items on the marketplace and I make the comparison to the very first fluff items in LoN.  Then extrabulate out how far the LoN items have come in 2 years, what will the marketplace look like next year?  What in-game demand might there be for those items?</p><p>Not locking out player to player SC exchanges and gifting is a deliberate decision to allow this secondary market and exchange to take place.  Players with tons of resources get unique things they want, people with money to burn get the services of these players motivated by these items for a few bucks.  SoE stands aside and accepts the money, nods, and waves their hands saying, 'The is not the RMT your looking for...'</p></blockquote><p>Yep, the players with extra real cash and willingness to spend it on in game potions (and anything else in the future that might accelerate their game play) will have a distinct advantage over those who don't/won't use this service.</p><p>for me, it's more about the lies than the service. I have been playing EQ and EQ2 now since 1999. 10 years of my life. the longest period I have gone without playing is 3 months and I have never stopped my accounts. In that time in game coin selling was always tabu. SOE posted great long verbose statements about how wrong it was for the game, how bad it was for the game....and now after 10 years they have embraced basically the same stand point as those who have been cheating (yes cheating) in game for all of these years...only now because SOE says it OK for THEM (and only them) to do it, it somehow makes it not cheating...Give us a break Smed, we wern't born yesterday....your new "service" is cheating, it's RMT and it's wrong....if it's not gone by tomorrow I will be..and so will my family...this is a deal breaker Smed....</p>

[Dreyco]

<p><cite>Quabi@Antonia Bayle wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>As I'm sure lots of others have said, potions that provide a boost to experience are not "fluff."  They can make a significant difference in how quickly guilds progress through raid content, for example.</p></blockquote><p>Quabi, my alts, and Dreyco, have a full 32 slot strongbox full of these things.  Dreyco, my level 80 assassin, has a 32 slot full of ones that he never used.  It is fluff to some extent.  They are just a little extra kick to the rear end, and if someone doesn't value their cash to the point that they just have to level their character that much faster? Well.  Their choice.</p>

[Iari111]

<p>Well, Smedley, I don't care what you call it, RMT or not, or what spin you want to put on it... it stinks and that's it.</p><p>At any rate, the majority of the people posting on this subject, on various threads, know that eventually, better-than-fluff items will be available through this.</p><p>Just as those of us who went through your SWG NGE know that no amount of complaining or reasoning will get you to change your mind.</p><p>SOE many be struggling for cash, but news flash: <em>so are most everyone else</em>.  If my $29 (x3 accounts) is not good enough for you, your company can shove it.  As I said in the feedback thread, the <strong>moment</strong> <strong>items</strong> available through Station Cash <strong>exceed in usefuleness or coolness those items which can be crafted, quested, or looted through normal means, <em>I am out</em></strong>.</p>

[walaruss]

<p><cite>Gisallo@Lucan DLere wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>You are either niave enough to think selling Mythical updates, loot rights, "real" players exploiting the broker economy is not going on</p><p>OR</p><p>You are one of the people doing it and you don't want to see your little rl money or Plat making operation get drummed down by SOE entering into competition with you.</p></blockquote><p>i am the one who knows, if you are playing with RL cash you play the game a different way, and i dont want friends who go this way.</p>

[bleap]

<p><cite>Kordran wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>And yes, the potions are fluff. Just like the ones that you get from LoN and from the veteran rewards. They're consumable, they're relatively short duration and they don't impact the endgame at all. Heck, a lot of people are looking for ways to <em>slow down</em> their progression, not speed it up.</p><p>And again, how does someone hitting level 80 adventuring, or tradeskill or 200 APs 5 days sooner than you have any effect on your gameplay (with the possible exception of being on a PvP server)? IMHO, it's a silly argument to make that some stranger who has a bonus to XP gain is somehow affecting your experience in the game.</p></blockquote><p>bull Shot....you can justify it anyway you like....but any potion desined to give someone accelerated advancement that can be purchased with real money is not fluff. The veterans rewards were gifts for being loyal paying customers. If you can't see the difference then you have been blinded.....</p>

[Kordran]

<p><cite>Atan@Unrest wrote:</cite></p><blockquote>Kodran, you seem to want to deny that players with resources will give them away to other players in exchanve for SC.  People with thousands of plat and every raid drop they ever wanted will gladly give hunreds of plat, in game favors, etc in exchange for someone else spending the money to give them the rare reward they covet.</blockquote><p>You misunderstand me. I'm not denying it. I'm saying it's a <strong><em>stupid</em></strong> thing to get worked up over. If you think a boarfiend housepet or fluff armor is a "rare reward" to be coveted, then I have a bridge I'd like to sell you, right next to this wonderful tract of swampland that I own...</p><p>When and if SOE starts selling meaningful items for SC, then I will admit you have a point. <strong><em>If</em></strong> they actually allow SC to be traded/gifted and <strong><em>if</em></strong> they offer something in the marketplace that is so significant, it's actually worth trading for. Right now, at this very moment, everything you're stating is based on what might happen, maybe.</p>

[Spyderbite]

<p><cite>bleap wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>if it's not gone by tomorrow I will be..and so will my family..</p></blockquote><p>I wish I had a nickel every time you've made this threat. <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p><p>I'm not for or against it myself. I've spent $60 on it today just out of curiosity. I don't see the potions doing anything more than giving those who blew through there Vet rewards like I did during Bonus Exp Weekends.</p>

[LardLord]

<p><cite>Dreyco wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Quabi, my alts, and Dreyco, have a full 32 slot strongbox full of these things.  Dreyco, my level 80 assassin, has a 32 slot full of ones that he never used.  It is fluff to some extent.  They are just a little extra kick to the rear end, and if someone doesn't value their cash to the point that they just have to level their character that much faster? Well.  Their choice.</p></blockquote><p>Maybe to people who are not competitve about content they are "fluff."  However, raiders try to clear content more quickly than other guilds.  To some people, just clearing instanced content more quickly than "rival" guilds is important.  To more hardcore guilds, it's about contested raid content.  If one guild had used the AA potions from the start of an expansion, they'd have 185 AAs in the time it took a less fortunate guild to get 170 AAs.  That's the difference of TSO endline AAs, and it makes a <strong>huge </strong>difference in how quickly content can be cleared. </p><p>And I know just the mention of the word "raiders" can sometimes get this forum all off track, but please stay on topic <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" />  I was just giving one point of view. </p>

[wolfIII]

<p><cite>walaruss wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>so we now know, soe needs cash, i can understand this, 100k subscribers against 10mill+ subscribers on the other side, be constructive and tell them what they have to do to get our cash, what do you really want and what would you pay for ?</p></blockquote><p>I'll start.  SOE break expansions every 6 months instead of every year so we don't have stale content half the time.  Double your script if necessary, I'd gladly pay it.</p>

[Kordran]

<p><cite>bleap wrote:</cite></p><blockquote>bull Shot....you can justify it anyway you like....but any potion desined to give someone accelerated advancement that can be purchased with real money is not fluff. The veterans rewards were gifts for being loyal paying customers. If you can't see the difference then you have been blinded.....</blockquote><p>Well let me qualify that then. To <strong>me</strong>, they are fluff. I don't need potions to progress through the game. I don't need potions to enjoy the game. I don't need potions to raid. I don't need potions to group. I don't need potions to solo. I don't need potions to quest. Something I do not <strong><em>need</em></strong> to progress, in my book, is fluff.</p><p>When they start selling gear, quest updates and zone access for SC, then rant away. I'll be right behind you with the tar and feathers. But consumable XP potions? It's like one kid screaming that there's more M&Ms on the other kid's cookie than his own.</p>

[bleap]

<p><cite>Spyderbite@Venekor wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>bleap wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>if it's not gone by tomorrow I will be..and so will my family..</p></blockquote><p>I wish I had a nickel every time you've made this threat. <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" /></p><p>I'm not for or against it myself. I've spent $60 on it today just out of curiosity. I don't see the potions doing anything more than giving those who blew through there Vet rewards like I did during Bonus Exp Weekends.</p></blockquote><p>To my knowledge I have never once made this "threat". I will speak with my husband tonight. If he agrees we will be gone. He has a bit cooler head than I do. He may want to continue to play to see how all of this plays out. We play together.</p><p>Honestly it pisses me off that they lied to us ....to our faces....it hurts....after they fought against this for teh last 10 years to finally do this...</p>

[TwistedFaith]

<p><cite>Spyderbite@Venekor wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>bleap wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>if it's not gone by tomorrow I will be..and so will my family..</p></blockquote><p>I wish I had a nickel every time you've made this threat. <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" /></p><p>I'm not for or against it myself. I've spent $60 on it today just out of curiosity. I don't see the potions doing anything more than giving those who blew through there Vet rewards like I did during Bonus Exp Weekends.</p></blockquote><p>See thats EXACTLY what SOE want, you just spent $60 to basivally advance your toon faster by buying potions. Reminds me of the guy who spent over $1000 on LON cards.</p>

[Yimway]

<p><cite>Spyderbite@Venekor wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>I'm not for or against it myself. I've spent $60 on it today just out of curiosity. I don't see the potions doing anything more than giving those who blew through there Vet rewards like I did during Bonus Exp Weekends.</p></blockquote><p>Even I am tempted by the Achievement XP bonus potion. I'd sell you a piece of fabled gear I earned in exchange for enough SC to purchace a few of these...</p><p>I wont spend my own money on it, but I wouldn't turn away someone else's money in exchange for something in game that is trivial for me to get, not when that exchange is no longer a EULA violation.</p><p>This is why the player-to-player gifting they intend to provide us is a bad idea.</p>

[jaguarjp]

<p>I'm surprised that there are quite a few people who think these experience boosting potions, which could be used nonstop, are fluff! I disagree wholeheartedly.</p><p>If something allows one person to work through the same game content I do - but since they spent real cash on virtual cash and then bought potions that awarded them up to 30% more experience for it - it affects my gaming experience.</p><p>It's a difficult thing to quantify, but to be more specific: I don't like the idea of going through the Moors of Ykesha, doing all the solo quests, and earning, say, 20 Achievement points - while some other guy paid a little extra, and earned 26 AP's from it. Because one day the both of us might be racing to some contested overland mob, and he runs just a little bit faster, because he *had* the extra AP's to spend on runspeed, given that we are the same class, and have each spent X points in the stuff generally agreed upon as critical, or "must-have".</p><p>Or lets say I'm LFG, and a group needs to choose between me with 150 AP's, and another player of my class with 180 AP's. If they don't know either of us, who will they take? In that case, the guy who drank those achievement boosting potions wins out.</p>

[Goemoe]

<p>Just canceled my account. LoN has been a nuisance, but I can't stand micro-payment in a paygame. They don't care for us, now I don't care any longer for them.</p><p>See you next game.</p>

[Kendricke]

<p><cite>Goemoe wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Just canceled my account. LoN has been a nuisance, but I can't stand micro-payment in a paygame. They don't care for us, now I don't care any longer for them.</p><p>See you next game.</p></blockquote><p>In all honesty, this really is the only way to get SOE's attention on this.  If you want to really send a message to SOE that you're not going to accept this, then you really have to cancel - tonight, if possible.  I would truly, sincerely, and honestly advocate that every person who wants to send a message to SOE get off of the message boards and go cancel your accounts.  Right now. </p><p>Because anything less than that won't do the trick. </p>

[walaruss]

<p><cite>Goemoe wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Just canceled my account. LoN has been a nuisance, but I can't stand micro-payment in a paygame. They don't care for us, now I don't care any longer for them.</p><p>See you next game.</p></blockquote><p>the end is near ;(</p><p>soon they also will rip off kids ("free"realms)</p>

[bryldan]

<p><cite>wolfIII wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>bryldan wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Brenlo wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Atan@Unrest wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Brenlo wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><blockquote></blockquote><p>Station Cash is not tradeable nor are the items purchased and they will not be.  THe items will remain "fluff" items for convenience or customization.  House items, pets, etc. . .  This will not take away from anyones hard work and no one is forced to purchase anything.  If you like the items offered, you can buy them. If not, keep on playing the way you always have. </p></blockquote><p>Great, we've established your apparent intent.  Can you please then comment to this item in the FAQ:</p><p><span><p><strong>Is Station Cash transferable?</strong>Station Cash is non-transferable and currently non-giftable; however, SOE is working on features to allow players to gift Station Cash to other players and friends in the future.</p></span></p><p>----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</p><p>If the cash can be gifted to friends and other players, can I not still sell Mythical updates for 10000SC?</p><p>Please explain the steps you are taking to prevent me from doing this.</p></blockquote><p>Well Mythical update will not be available for purchase with Station Cash for one.  =) </p><p>Gifting of station cash will only grant access to station cash to spend at the marketplace.  it will not grant the ability to exchange items.  Thus a friend could gift you $10 in station cash which you could then spend to buy from the marketplace.  Not to purchase items directly from you nor to transfer items from your account to thiers.</p></blockquote><p>I will probably be banned for this but here it goes</p><p>READ WHAT THE PERSON IS SAYING INSTEAD OF TURNING IT AROUND.</p><p>PERSON 1 WANTS MYTHICAL</p><p>PERSON 2 WANTS SC</p><p>PERSON 1 PAYS 1000SC TO PERSON 2 FOR MYTHICAL UPDATE</p><p>OMG RMT. How hard is that to understand?? No wonder why SoE is laying off so many ppl with this kind of management....</p></blockquote><p>Paying for mythical update with real money online thru SOE is already posible.  Guild leader obtains credit card info or gives account info to purchaser and tells them they want their account prepaid for a year.  The guild leader/officer/members account is paid, it's verified and then they get their update.</p><p>Where there is a will there is a way.  My biggest problem with loN and this new program is that MMO's have a large number of players with addictive tendencies.  I hate to see RL money wasted in game at the expense of families.  No one can get hurt by a monthly subscription but they can be decimated by a player that maxes his credit cards or spends his rent money on virtual garbage.  This kind of marketing is irresponsible and is corporate greed.  If SOE needs a cash infusion, raise the monthly script.</p></blockquote><p>The difference is that that way is not supported by soe yet this would be.</p>

[bucketon]

<p>I hate the concept of microtransactions personally, i think they ruin the believability of the online world you are playing in.</p><p>But in a twisted way i prefer this new system to lon, which had people with no interest in the card game buying packs just for hope of loot cards (/cough gambling) at least you know what you are paying for this way.</p><p>But i am not sure if everquest can justify having a top end monthly subscription rate AND microtransactions though. I can't think of any other mmo that has both.</p>

[Giral]

<p><cite>Atan@Unrest wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Spyderbite@Venekor wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>I'm not for or against it myself. I've spent $60 on it today just out of curiosity. I don't see the potions doing anything more than giving those who blew through there Vet rewards like I did during Bonus Exp Weekends.</p></blockquote><p>Even I am tempted by the Achievement XP bonus potion. I'd sell you a piece of fabled gear I earned in exchange for enough SC to purchace a few of these...</p><p>I wont spend my own money on it, but I wouldn't turn away someone else's money in exchange for something in game that is trivial for me to get, not when that exchange is no longer a EULA violation.</p><p>This is why the player-to-player gifting they intend to provide us is a bad idea.</p></blockquote><p>il trade you a peice of fabled,10 plat, and a 2 lvl 70+(rare) masters for 5 AA Potions ,,,cha ching for soe</p><p><a href="http://www.massively.com/2008/02/07/live-gamer-to-develop-in-game-rmt-service-for-everquest-2">http://www.massively.com/2008/02/07...for-everquest-2</a> </p><p>Mr. Schneider adds, "We looked at that market, and looked at the gross transaction volume flowing through the market, estimated at about 2 billion a year in gross transactions.</p><p>and we dont see the RMT items in the near future becoming more then fluff ?  hehe yeah right .. expect to see people blowing thousads of Dollars on RMT items,  a person spent $1000 on lon cards for " Chances " at rewards...  another just in this thread spent $60 just to check out the fluff rewards,,,  with 2 billion dollars floating around in the market you can bet your life savings you will see some realy nice items coming with the RMT in the Near future..</p><p>Show Me the  MONEY ,,,,SHOW me the MONEY .... SHOW ME THE MONEYyyyYYyyyYYYYy</p><p>...</p><p>im sure the rmt is just to add a litte fluff into the game tho /chuckle ,, and im sure Smed cares about players enjoying the game more then making money : ) ...NGE meet RMT  ... man i hope this crash and burn's so bad it and make's starwars mass exodus look like a firedrill .... please add in the good rewards sooner then later : )</p><p>hehe yeah that armor in the RMT looks so bad you just know its false advertising to ease your rising fears of what is to come.....</p>

[Thunndar316]

<p>Meh, it's all fluff guys.</p><p>When they start selling platinum and mythicals then you can worry.  Don't get your panties in a wad over nothing.</p>

[Dreyco]

<p>Guys, seriously.  They are giving us free things like the new Station Launcher Chat, and Station Voice, and a bunch of other services that they are paying out of pocket for.  They're offering their databases to Zam to build a new network at no cost to us, and probably having to hire people to cover that.</p><p>Here's the bubble burster for those who are getting all bent out of shape: It's a business.  Things cost money.  They want to make more money, and this is a very transparant way to do so.</p><p>I won't be buying any of these fluff items.  I won't be buying experience potions.  We all get access to those, and quite frequently at that.  As I said before, strongboxes full of the things.  If someone wants to spend Real Life money on these things, that's their perogative.  It's not very bright of them, but that's their business.</p><p>I would very seriously draw the line on things that actually impact the game economy.  If that were the case, it would be much more worthwhile griping over.  As it is right now, some people will get AA"s faster, and ding a little more often, or have a little extra piece of appearance armor.  It's all legit, offered through SOE, and not paid for through foreign bot services.</p><p>Again: raid gear? Mythicals? Things to be concerned over.  A little boar fiend that follows you around? Woopdeefrickindoo!</p>

[LardLord]

<p>"We aren't going to be allowing RMT in any way, shape or form on the non-exchange enabled EQ II servers. Period. End of statement." - SOE President and CEO, John Smedley on December 22, 2007. </p><p>That was posted in a thread on EQ2Flames (before they had their falling out) in response to concerns over LoN.</p><p>What a blatent, insulting lie.</p><p><img src="/eq2/images/smilies/9d71f0541cff0a302a0309c5079e8dee.gif" border="0" /></p>

[Yimway]

<p><cite>Dreyco wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>I would very seriously draw the line on things that actually impact the game economy.  If that were the case, it would be much more worthwhile griping over.  As it is right now, some people will get AA"s faster, and ding a little more often, or have a little extra piece of appearance armor.  It's all legit, offered through SOE, and not paid for through foreign bot services.</p><p>Again: raid gear? Mythicals? Things to be concerned over.  A little boar fiend that follows you around? Woopdeefrickindoo!</p></blockquote><p>WTS Jarsath Mantle - 1000 SC.</p><p>I wont spend my money on it either.  Will I turn down a line of people willing to spend their money for me?  I'm not so sure.  Once I have 200aa, yeah don't see much of interest on the current market...</p>

[Dreyco]

<p><cite>Atan@Unrest wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Dreyco wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>I would very seriously draw the line on things that actually impact the game economy.  If that were the case, it would be much more worthwhile griping over.  As it is right now, some people will get AA"s faster, and ding a little more often, or have a little extra piece of appearance armor.  It's all legit, offered through SOE, and not paid for through foreign bot services.</p><p>Again: raid gear? Mythicals? Things to be concerned over.  A little boar fiend that follows you around? Woopdeefrickindoo!</p></blockquote><p>WTS Jarsath Mantle - 1000 SC.</p><p>I wont spend my money on it either.  Will I turn down a line of people willing to spend their money for me?  I'm not so sure.  Once I have 200aa, yeah don't see much of interest on the current market...</p></blockquote><p>Doesn't happen.  There is no way to transfer the goofy things, thankfully, and hopefully they don't offer that service.  if they do? Well, again, valid reason to complain.</p>

[bleap]

<p>I just wonder how many of the people here taking up for this obvious RMT lie are actually SOE employees.....are that many players so blindly following SOE that they can't see how this is going to negatively impact the game?</p>

[Yimway]

<p><cite>Dreyco wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><blockquote><p>WTS Jarsath Mantle - 1000 SC.</p><p>I wont spend my money on it either.  Will I turn down a line of people willing to spend their money for me?  I'm not so sure.  Once I have 200aa, yeah don't see much of interest on the current market...</p></blockquote><p>Doesn't happen.  There is no way to transfer the goofy things, thankfully, and hopefully they don't offer that service.  if they do? Well, again, valid reason to complain.</p></blockquote><p>Read the FAQ, this is something they are working on allowing players to gift SC to other players and friends...</p>

[LardLord]

<p><cite>Dreyco wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Doesn't happen.  There is no way to transfer the goofy things, thankfully, and hopefully they don't offer that service.  if they do? Well, again, valid reason to complain.</p></blockquote><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;"><a href="http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/posts/list.m?topic_id=438343">http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/...topic_id=438343</a> </span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> </p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">"<span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">Station Cash is non-transferable and currently non-giftable; however, SOE is working on features to allow players to gift Station Cash to other players and friends in the future."</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;"></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">They are already working on a plan to make them giftable.</span></span></p>

[Detor]

<p><cite>Dreyco wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>They're offering their databases to Zam to build a new network at no cost to us, and probably having to hire people to cover that.</p></blockquote><p>That was going to come out before TSO; and there's been no word on it since the very first initial announcement.  I don't think it's still coming out.</p>

[Elorah]

<p><cite>Quabi@Antonia Bayle wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Dreyco wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Doesn't happen.  There is no way to transfer the goofy things, thankfully, and hopefully they don't offer that service.  if they do? Well, again, valid reason to complain.</p></blockquote><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "><a href="http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/posts/list.m?topic_id=438343">http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/...topic_id=438343</a> </span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> </p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: ">"<span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: ">Station Cash is non-transferable and currently non-giftable; however, SOE is working on features to allow players to gift Station Cash to other players and friends in the future."</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> </p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: ">They are already working on a plan to make them giftable.</span></span></p></blockquote><p>Which Brenlo has already explained..<a href="http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/posts/preList.m?topic_id=438336&post_id=4884060" target="_blank">.here</a></p><p><em><span >Gifting of station cash will only grant access to station cash to spend at the marketplace.  it will not grant the ability to exchange items.  Thus a friend could gift you $10 in station cash which you could then spend to buy from the marketplace.  Not to purchase items directly from you nor to transfer items from your account to thiers.</span></em></p>

[Loolee]

<p><cite>bleap wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>I just wonder how many of the people here taking up for this obvious RMT lie are actually SOE employees.....are that many players so blindly following SOE that they can't see how this is going to negatively impact the game?</p></blockquote><p>Well, you can count me as one taking a "wait-and-see" approach.  I don't like this idea, not at all.  I won't be spending my money on it and as it stands (with the pitiful selection of items in that market) I don't see it affecting my gameplay at all.  Now, when they bring out the rest of their planned items and we can see who this service is actually targeting, then I'll judge from there.  I've been with this game since launch and SoE has been pretty good to me.  But if this gets ugly, I won't have a problem dropping game completely and finding something else to do with my time.</p>

[Grumpy_Warrior_01]

<p><cite>Giralus wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>hehe yeah that armor in the RMT looks so bad you just know its false advertising to ease your rising fears of what is to come.....</p></blockquote><p>lol so true...</p><p>Soon if you want to look good or unique you'll have to shell out.</p>

[Thunndar316]

<p><cite>bleap wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>I just wonder how many of the people here taking up for this obvious RMT lie are actually SOE employees.....are that many players so blindly following SOE that they can't see how this is going to negatively impact the game?</p></blockquote><p>Hey where's my check?</p><p><img src="/eq2/images/smilies/2786c5c8e1a8be796fb2f726cca5a0fe.gif" border="0" /></p><p>This stuff has no effect on the game economy.  Until it does, I have no problem with it.</p>

[feldon30]

<p><cite>Armironhead@Vox wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Kordran wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>feldon30 wrote:</cite></p><blockquote>If you want to pretend that there won't be mounts, armor, weapons, jewelry, and other significant items in the future, that is your business. But they ARE coming. It's just a fact.</blockquote><p>Says who? Please, cite any example of that which doesn't come from a figment of your imagination. When you see them adding "significant" items to buy (by this, I would mean fabled gear, masters, etc.) then I would agree you have every right to stomp your foot on the ground. But let's hold off on the torches and pitchforks until then, shall we?</p></blockquote><p>Not for nothing, but didnt they also say that lon would never be allowed to effect the pvp game -- but then gave us lon in comabt evac, lon shrink, and various lon cloaks?</p></blockquote><p>They said LoN would not affect EQ2 at all. Now there are mounts, housing, etc. You are a fool if you think Marketplace will remain fluff items.</p><p>Let's look at all the things they have promised that they have then bypassed. They said they'd never sell in-game items in EQ2 for money. Yet here we are. They said they'd never add epic weapons.</p>

[Yimway]

<p><cite>Elorah wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Which Brenlo has already explained..<a href="http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/posts/preList.m?topic_id=438336&post_id=4884060" target="_blank">.here</a></p><p><em><span>Gifting of station cash will only grant access to station cash to spend at the marketplace.  it will not grant the ability to exchange items.  Thus a friend could gift you $10 in station cash which you could then spend to buy from the marketplace.  Not to purchase items directly from you nor to transfer items from your account to thiers.</span></em></p></blockquote><p>Which of course is a hoax.  They're saying they don't offer the explicit system to transfer the items.  However, I can say send 1000SC to my station account and I'll loot this item to your bag.  In this very thread I asked Brenlo directly what measures he is doing to prevent said transaction, and he admited there is nothing to prevent this from happening.</p><p>His arguement was the value of the items in the marketplace would be the deterent against the transaction.</p><p>This is a flawed arguement, cause if the value didn't exist, no one would buy SC dockets in the first place to get the items, now would they?</p><p>I run instances for master1 chances.  I get instanced fabled that I, my alts, and no one in my guild needs.  I often transmute these items.  If I can give loot rights to someone who'll give me SC dockets to get AA potions, I'd probably do that.</p>

[Rijacki]

<p>For 4 years they've beein telling us that additional armor shapes are too difficult to put into the game. For 4 years there has been a -single- robe shape (which there have been other armor shapes added). For 4 years they've molified players with new patterns laid over the exisiting shapes to create "new armor looks". They even promised a "skeletal revamp" as a way to address the problem with creating addtional shapes. Then "snap-ons" were created as a concept (the mega shoulders on mostly plate and chain items in TSO) to allow altering the shape a little. Still no new robe shape, not even a "snap-on" to change it in any way (not that I want mega shoulders on a robe *rolls her eyes*).</p><p>So.... if the new "fluff" armor appearances in SC includes a new robe shape, that will probably be the straw to break this camel's back.</p><p>I will admit, though, LoN has made me less.. umm.. outraged at this new RMT (real money transaction, pay real money to obtain in-game items, doesn't matter that the money is paid to SOE, it's still real money for in-game items -directly-). I'm distressed but LoN has softened me up enough to be willing to, grudgingly, look at the items it's selling and how game impacting they are (XP potions aren't a big deal to me, I couldn't care less how fast or slow others level) before "passing judgement".</p>

[Jovie]

<p><cite>Zahne@Mistmoore wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Jovie@Guk wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>omewhat off topic, if soe was truly hurting for cash, it would behove them to fold all but their most lucrative and lasting mmo and concentrate on ONE mmo. Trim some staff, work it out so that people can get into the survivng mmo with ease and then manage that mmo with great care.</p></blockquote><p>Oh really?</p><p>What's this?</p><p><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1093067/Fears-British-jobs-Sony-slashes-16-000-positions-desperate-bid-cut-costs.html" target="_blank">http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/wor...-cut-costs.html</a></p><p>16,000 jobs enough for you?</p></blockquote><p>That is the parent company, the one that sells tv's and electronics. SoE is a small splinter division of the entertainment wing that does movies and music and such.</p>

[walaruss]

<p><cite>Jovie@Guk wrote:</cite></p><blockquote>That is the parent company, the one that sells tv's and electronics. SoE is a small splinter division of the entertainment wing that does movies and music and such.</blockquote><p>..and they started to dig their grave today.</p>

[LardLord]

<p><cite>Elorah wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><em><span>Gifting of station cash will only grant access to station cash to spend at the marketplace.  it will not grant the ability to exchange items.  Thus a friend could gift you $10 in station cash which you could then spend to buy from the marketplace.  Not to purchase items directly from you nor to transfer items from your account to thiers.</span></em></p></blockquote><p>Unless I'm missing something, that doesn't help the issue at all?</p><p>Raiding Guild: Selling mythical updates for 50000 Station Cash!Some rich nub: I'll pay!*50000 points is "gifted" to the raiding guild in exchange for the mythical updates*</p><p>EDIT: In fact, raid guilds will pretty much be forced to sell loot rights and whatever else they can for station points so they can keep up with the competition (level quickly enough) when a new expansion is released.</p>

[Kendricke]

<p><cite>walaruss wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Jovie@Guk wrote:</cite></p><blockquote>That is the parent company, the one that sells tv's and electronics. SoE is a small splinter division of the entertainment wing that does movies and music and such.</blockquote><p>..and they started to dig their grave today.</p></blockquote><p>You know, whether or not I like the concept of Station Cash or not, I can't possibly argue that it's the deathknell for the game.  Honestly, do you really think that adding in ways for players to send more money to SOE is going to kill the game overall? </p><p>Of course not, because players will suck it up and continue playing.  Even if half of the players in this discussion thread actually followed through on their threats to cancel, it's not going to amount to a percent of the total playerbase.  I'd wager that SOE already made enough money from the first day of sales in Station Marketplace to offset the first month's cancellations ...and then some. </p><p>So, argue over the merits of the system and concept all you want, but I daresay you're going to be hardpressed to convince anyone that SOE's going to lose Everquest II over this - much less go bankrupt. </p>

[Ama]

<p>Sad to say that this was probably comming for quite some time.  Personally to me this just adds a nail into the coffin of a game I loved to play EQ2 and to the company I respected SoE. </p><p>Right now as a person pointed out in game they are offering fluff stuff with no real added benefit.  Only thing that could even be classified as "Benefit" is the xp potions, but with vet rewards I see it as fluff. </p><p>However getting down and dirty it becomes a question of not if, but when they will start offering upgrades and real items for money.  As more people gravitate from the "lets earn our ranks" mentality to "I have money why should I earn my right to it" mentality.  Instead of grinding several days to several weeks to gain a level, AA point, obtain an item, etc... you can just shell out $5-$70 real world currency then purchase the upgrade. </p><p>There have been several points where I swore to myself "SoE wouldn't do that it would cheapen the game" and yet as I watched it was done. </p><p>Right now my worst fear is SoE programers making a little bauble that auto-updates a quest of yours and/or possibly completes it.  You can buy them for a low low price of $10 for solo, $12 heroic/group, and $25 for epic quests.  So paying $75 you could have your mythical instead of trying to find a raid for pawbuster, protectors realm, venril sathir, and what have you. </p><p>May get flammed for this, but trust me folks this will come.  In the past it has been said "no this won't be done" yet 4-5 months down the road boom it gets done. </p><p>Course my mentality may just be old i'm sad to say where I felt pride when I earned my way to level X.  Now I guess it's just best to say "Hey let me buy my levels so I can get right into the action and have the best stuff possible."</p>

[Kordran]

<p><cite>Quabi@Antonia Bayle wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Elorah wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><em><span>Gifting of station cash will only grant access to station cash to spend at the marketplace.  it will not grant the ability to exchange items.  Thus a friend could gift you $10 in station cash which you could then spend to buy from the marketplace.  Not to purchase items directly from you nor to transfer items from your account to thiers.</span></em></p></blockquote><p>Unless I'm missing something, that doesn't help the issue at all?</p><p>Raiding Guild: Selling mythical updates for 50000 Station Cash!Some rich nub: I'll pay!*50000 points is "gifted" to the raiding guild in exchange for the mythical updates*</p></blockquote><p>And then the raidleader can buy 1000 boarfiends. Yeah, I see the raiding guilds just wringing their hands in anticipation.</p>

[Elorah]

<p><cite>Quabi@Antonia Bayle wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Elorah wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><em><span>Gifting of station cash will only grant access to station cash to spend at the marketplace.  it will not grant the ability to exchange items.  Thus a friend could gift you $10 in station cash which you could then spend to buy from the marketplace.  Not to purchase items directly from you nor to transfer items from your account to thiers.</span></em></p></blockquote><p>Unless I'm missing something, that doesn't help the issue at all?</p><p>Raiding Guild: Selling mythical updates for 50000 Station Cash!Some rich nub: I'll pay!*50000 points is "gifted" to the raiding guild in exchange for the mythical updates*</p></blockquote><p>What exactly would a guild do with all that Station Cash?  It would go to a single person...  not a guild...</p><p>"hey, lookie! I can now Buy 1500 of those walking hand house pets!" </p><p>*giggles*  I may want a few of them, but even 1500 is a bit much for me... lol</p>

[LardLord]

<p>As I said, hardcore raiders will need the experience potions to keep up with the competition.  It doesn't need to all go to one member...could have the buyer split it to a list of 30 different accounts.  It wouldn't change much.</p>