NEW Hero’s Edge Items!

[Piestro]

<p align="center"><img src="http://www.everquest2.com/images/en/features/2012/05/he/heroedgebanner.jpg" /></p> <p>In our last in-game poll, we asked players what they thought of us selling health, power, and self-rez potions for solo, group, and raid players.</p> <p>The results are in! Overall, for all items, there was an average of 65% support for the solo versions in all three categories (and, in fact, there was only a minor variance in the percentages for each item). Group and Raid items averaged at 55%.</p> <p>As we saw with the EQ2X (Freeport) server, where we sold similar items, these types of items help the solo player have fun while adventuring alone. We also added limitations to these items so they will not affect group or raid players.</p> <p>Starting on Friday, May 18, 2012, you will see the solo health, power, and self-rez items for sale in the marketplace! These items will be found in the Consumable category, under Combat Skills.</p> <p>The items are:</p> <p>Name: Health Potion</p><ul><li>3 charges </li> <li>1 second casting, 5 minute reuse</li> <li>Gives you 100% Health</li> <li>You may only be grouped with mercenaries or not grouped</li> <li>Cannot be used in PvP combat</li> </ul> <p>Name: Power Potion</p><ul><li>3 charges</li> <li>1 second casting, 5 minute reuse</li> <li>Gives you 100% Power</li> <li>You may only be grouped with mercenaries or not grouped</li> <li>Cannot be used in PvP combat</li> </ul> <p>Name: Scroll of Resurrection</p><ul><li>3 charges</li> <li>Instant cast, 15 minute reuse</li> <li>Allows player to resurrect themselves</li> <li>You may only be grouped with mercenaries or not grouped</li> <li>This item can be used on PvP servers but not cast in PvP combat</li> </ul> <p><em>Holly "Windstalker" Longdale</em></p> <p>Happy Adventuring!</p>

[vexrm]

<p>So, what counted as support?</p>

[Michayla]

<p>I'm not convinced. And 65% isn't an overwhelming majority, and 55% certainly isn't, either.</p><p>The game is easy enough as it is. Stop making it easier.</p>

[Onorem]

<p>Going it alone just got easier...like it wasn't easy enough before.</p><p>Boo. Horrible change...but at least you polled.</p>

[Juravael]

<p>I voted against this and personally think this game is already too easy as it is. When do we get a "win" button or the "instant level 92 with Mythical" items on SC?</p>

[Astarte]

<p><span style="font-family: times new roman,times;"><span style="font-size: small;"><em>This is just sad..</em>  <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/9d71f0541cff0a302a0309c5079e8dee.gif" border="0" /> <span style="font-family: times new roman,times;"><em>But of course.. listen to what the f2p want and not the ones who pays a monthly subscription.</em></span></span></span></p>

[Khayos]

<p>Boo, epic fail SOE. Stop money grubbing and support your crafting system instead with better healing, power and rez pots that players make and sell for in game cash instead of trying to milk us for all we are worth. If your poll had been truly unbiased and you had asked if players would like the SC pots or for you to add craftable pots, you know your percentages would have been far lower and you wouldnt have been approved for your money grubbing.</p><p>Of course you will give voice to your Bronze and silver members and the voice of the people who actually pay you faithfully every month go hurt and unheard. F2P players dont deserve a voice. get it through your head SOE. Stop force balancing the polls by letting P2Win players vote.</p><p>Every week you add garbage to your SC store instead of adding content to your games. Soon we will have to pay for the ability to level from 1 to 2 from 2 to 3. etc. This is sad and closing in on the epic fail that bioware created. granted for completely different reasons.</p><p>Every time i see a new post like this with more P2win stuff being added every week, I realize that you will never be a successful MMO company again, and my dreams of Planetside 2 and Everquest Next Being Real MMO's will never come to pass.</p>

[GussJr]

<p><cite>Piestro wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><em>Holly "Windstalker" Longdale</em></p><p>Happy Adventuring!</p></blockquote><p>Wow...everything about this announcement is just...bad. But the worst part? The worst part is that Piestro signed his post with the above quote...</p><p>So sad the direction this game has taken...</p><p>As always, just my 2c's</p>

[Yimway]

<p>Let me explain something here.</p><p>Your poll did not show you had 65% acceptance.  Your poll showed you that you had 35% of your players adamantly opposed to it. </p><p>Because you ordered the answers to acceptance first on all questions, any player that didn't have a strong opinion for or against chose the first option.</p><p>I want to add that this is a horrible time to announce these items that you know have impact 35-45% of your player-base in a negative manner.</p><p>You've got significant issues with the game currently.  No content to do, itemization that doesn't represent difficulty, in general progression is foobar and your refusing to talk about it, acknowledge it, or dispute it.  As a result a host of players are fed up with the game, luke warm with the game, already left, or seriously considering leaving already.</p><p>Releasing these items before opening a dialog about the problems in the game is absolutely the WORST thing you could have done this week.</p><p>If I ran my guild by pushing thru policies that have a 34-45% unfavorable reaction, how long do you think I can maintain enough players to be a viable guild?  How long can you maintain enough players to keep the game viable?</p><p>But fine, go on ignoring the problems those passionate about your success are screaming in your faces, and keep throwing out one more thing to the giant pile of things that are reasons why people are fed up and feel driven away from EQ2.</p><p>Congratulations on the most alienating thing your could have done this week,  whats the plan for next week?</p>

[SOE-MOD-02]

This post has moved: <a href="/eq2/posts/preList.m?topic_id=499962&post_id=5757270" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">/eq2/posts/preList.m?topic_id=49996...post_id=5757270</a> Let's keep the posts constructive and respectful please.

[vexrm]

<p><cite>Atan@Unrest wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Let me explain something here.</p><p>Your poll did not show you had 65% acceptance.  Your poll showed you that you had 35% of your players adamantly opposed to it. </p><p>Because you ordered the answers to acceptance first on all questions, any player that didn't have a strong opinion for or against chose the first option.</p><p>I want to add that this is a horrible time to announce these items that you know have impact 35-45% of your player-base in a negative manner.</p><p>You've got significant issues with the game currently.  No content to do, itemization that doesn't represent difficulty, in general progression is foobar and your refusing to talk about it, acknowledge it, or dispute it.  As a result a host of players are fed up with the game, luke warm with the game, already left, or seriously considering leaving already.</p><p>Releasing these items before opening a dialog about the problems in the game is absolutely the WORST thing you could have done this week.</p><p>If I ran my guild by pushing thru policies that have a 34-45% unfavorable reaction, how long do you think I can maintain enough players to be a viable guild?  How long can you maintain enough players to keep the game viable?</p><p>But fine, go on ignoring the problems those passionate about your success are screaming in your faces, and keep throwing out one more thing to the giant pile of things that are reasons why people are fed up and feel driven away from EQ2.</p><p>Congratulations on the most alienating thing your could have done this week,  whats the plan for next week?</p></blockquote><p>This is why I want to see the numbers. How were Neutrals counted? How did it break down by server? What was considered postive? what was negative? What was a non vote?</p><p>I don't have enough details to agree or disagree with 65% said yes or even really meant it. I do have enough details to tell them the folks that attend fan fair. The folks that run the fan sites. The folks that make up the actual community and invest into the community said no as a vast majority. That worries me as that's a core, stable, and invested group.</p><p>I can't add to this discussion in a meaningful way, because there's nothing meaningful for us to say. They didn't give us the information to respond in a meaningful way. they don't want to hear our rage quits. They wish not to hear of the actual issues. They slip this in during the time of Diablo III. Really? What can we add that is needed?</p>

[GussJr]

<p><cite>SOE-MOD-02 wrote:</cite></p><blockquote>This post has moved:<a rel="nofollow" href="/eq2/posts/preList.m?topic_id=499962&post_id=5757270" target="_blank">/eq2/posts/preList.m?topic_id=49996...post_id=5757270</a>Let's keep the posts constructive and respectful please.</blockquote><p>I know...just frustrated. I had a feeling you'd swoop in and do that. I'll keep it constructive.</p>

[Yimway]

<p>For the record, I don't actually care at all about these items.  I care about how hard it is to retain players in this game over the past 8 months, and that since Skyshrine that is actually trending even worse. </p><p>I would think they would be hesitant to do anything to contribute to losing more people, but considering the only thing they communicate about is SC, Selling SC, or new items to purchace with SC, I have to assume they're cash strapped and grasping at straws and no longer care about retention or fixing the core game.</p>

[Sidharrah]

<p>Does the "Must not be engaged in PVP combat" apply to duels as well? Because if it doesn't it definitely should.</p>

[Geothe]

<p>So,</p><p>Lets not fix the big issues with the game.Lets just add yet more NON-FLUFF, direct game affecting stuff to the cash store instead!</p><p>BRILLIANT!<img src="/eq2/images/smilies/2786c5c8e1a8be796fb2f726cca5a0fe.gif" border="0" /></p><p>Needless to say, I disagree with the addition of this trash to the game, and am very amused by the justification SoE used.Atan spelled it out very well, in how the entire poll was skewed to what SoE wanted to see in the first place.</p>

[Khayos]

<p>What is the point of grouping and combining forces to over come stuff when you are just selling items to destroy the community. SOE words cannot express the sadness and disappointment I feel. The worlds I once loved will never be anything but a solo playground not meant for communities, and the worlds I looked forward to like Everquest Next, which John Smedley stated was not the game we were expecting you to make and instead was the game we wanted and would demand when we saw it. I'm calling you out on that Smed. You are going to fail like you are here because you are making the games that P2win players want, and selfish Soloers. MMO's are for communities, If you dont want to be part of the community then take a hike. you have alienated your core fans, the people who attend fan faire religiously or who have paid you thousands of dollars through the years. You lie to their face, and then go back on your word consistently. You as a company are just as bad as the others, and but a few years ago maybe EQ2 wasnt as profitable as you would have liked it, but instead of advertising and getting people onboard to realize what a good game it is, you threw your core dedicated and loyal customers to the wind in favor of money. I understand these games need to be profitable to keep sustained but these P2win cash shop things are NOT the answer. in 2009 you were in my opinion the greatest MMO company on the market, with the best products. Now you are worse than the rest of them. For shame.</p>

[Nuadah]

<p>Does this mean we may see mythicals and HM gear for sale in the future? To be honest I find it hard to believe that raiders voted for this sort of thing. Unless it's because of players leaving due to the dumbing down of the game. This game is easy enough as it is; does it really need to be any easier?</p>

[khenan]

<p><strong>I would like to take a moment in silence to congratulate to SOE for making EQ2 a game which many loved and enjoyed who day end and day out who played hard to sharpen there skills and to be a better player, and now to be a game where its PTW (pay to win) THANK YOU SOE!!!!  (cheers and claps in the background)</strong></p>

[Eshne448]

<p>I chose to come to EQ2 because although there was a f2p model in place, there were little to no items that directly impacted in-game commerce.  I came from a game I love because they started selling items that hurt the in-game economy.  I realize these items are minor compared to other games' offerings but it is just the begininng of a trend I, as a subscriber of this game, don't want to see.</p>

[lazlo1]

<p></p><p >and down the slippery slope we go! If I wanted a pay-to-win game I would just play maple story! Sacrificing ethics for money is only a short term gain.</p> <p >But really this is just insult to injury. The real issue with eq2 currently is the itemization. This expansion is so bad for raiders its a game killer for many.</p>

[Leinna]

<p>One word...disappointed.</p><p>Marketplace should NOT contain items to enchance the games mechanics.  Only apperance items should be there.  This is unacceptable and based on the responses i'm not sure we can actually trust the poll done...</p>

[Leinna]

<p><cite>Atan@Unrest wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Let me explain something here.</p><p>Your poll did not show you had 65% acceptance.  Your poll showed you that you had 35% of your players adamantly opposed to it. </p><p>Because you ordered the answers to acceptance first on all questions, any player that didn't have a strong opinion for or against chose the first option.</p><p>I want to add that this is a horrible time to announce these items that you know have impact 35-45% of your player-base in a negative manner.</p><p>You've got significant issues with the game currently.  No content to do, itemization that doesn't represent difficulty, in general progression is foobar and your refusing to talk about it, acknowledge it, or dispute it.  As a result a host of players are fed up with the game, luke warm with the game, already left, or seriously considering leaving already.</p><p>Releasing these items before opening a dialog about the problems in the game is absolutely the WORST thing you could have done this week.</p><p>If I ran my guild by pushing thru policies that have a 34-45% unfavorable reaction, how long do you think I can maintain enough players to be a viable guild?  How long can you maintain enough players to keep the game viable?</p><p>But fine, go on ignoring the problems those passionate about your success are screaming in your faces, and keep throwing out one more thing to the giant pile of things that are reasons why people are fed up and feel driven away from EQ2.</p><p>Congratulations on the most alienating thing your could have done this week,  whats the plan for next week?</p></blockquote><p><span >Well said about the guild example.  Really puts things into perspective.  As a long time Vet I couldn't agree with you more.</span></p><p>I'm actually curious how these polls were put together.  How many strongly agreed since there were 5 options to select.  How many people didnt't take the poll?  How many took the poll on multiple characters, giving you false reports?</p>

[Finora]

<p>Oh boy, what an overwhelming number of people wanted these. </p><p>Where are the 100% heals for alchemists? Where's the decent power potions for alchemists?</p><p>Level 91 mastercrafted health potion only heals ~1700 hp. Very small heal when your health is in the 30-40 K range (if not higher) and has a nearly 3 minute reuse timer. We've been told in the past it couldn't be made better because it would be detrimental to the game.</p><p>Level 91 power potion also gives only ~1700 power and has about a 3 minute reuse.</p><p>Even the revamped Empowered Sleeper totem & Sealed Book of Knowledge (obtained during the claymore questline) that can't be used until level 67 heal only 11000 & 7500 respectively with more than a 36 minute reuse.</p><p>Yes those items can be used in groups/raids but the big two can't even be used in combat and the other two a lot less useful than they could be due to small heal amount & long reuse time.</p><p>Out of all the wonderful fluff that you could make available that would make fewer people angry, you add game altering things.</p>

[Kenazeer]

<p><cite>Aiyon@Antonia Bayle wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p> i'm not sure we can actually trust the poll done...</p></blockquote><p>What? You don't think SOE would be above board in designing the poll or reporting the results?</p>

[Yimway]

<p><cite>Aiyon@Antonia Bayle wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>I'm actually curious how these polls were put together.  How many strongly agreed since there were 5 options to select.  How many people didnt't take the poll?  How many took the poll on multiple characters, giving you false reports?</p></blockquote><p>Holly, the phantom producer, stated in an interview on eq2talk that only one response per account was accepted.</p><p>The way the poll was constructed we know 35% of those responding disagreed, and we know that 65% of those responding either agreed, or left the default option and clicked next. </p><p>Personally I'd bet no less than 15% of that 65% was the ambivelant click next response, in truth I think that number was closer to 25%, making the real data almost split on these items.</p><p>Yes its a slippery slope, yes they only affect solo play, yes they really wont impact the game much.  However the real impact here is thumbing your nose at that 35% at a time in the game when there is much wrong and many contributing factors already pushing players away.</p>

[Gyee]

<p>What was that couldn't hear you over the sound of me rezzing myself. I win!</p><p>/guzzles a health potion. /attacks mob /gets pwned</p><p>Well, then I shoulda used that SC on something more constructive...</p><p>ahem... anyway.. I don't really use these things but i did try the wand of obliteration and the rune of devastation when they were available on EQ2X. They were fun seeing people elite and noob alike blasting mobs into powder.</p><p>They're time savers and convience. So, why care if someone paid 20 dollars to stay alive when you just paid with time?</p><p>I do wonder, however, why I can't get in group voice... vivox, eq2 step ya game up.. <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> it's 2012.</p>

[SlashnGut]

<p>Eh they followed their normal pattern of ask for feedback, ignore feedback and do what they feel like doing. No one should be surprised by this at all. You also have to remember they said 66/55% - that would be of those who responded so if only 100 people bothered to respond it is no surprise they can tout those numbers. Since they refuse to fully release the info we will never know the truth.</p>

[Avirodar]

<p>Don't worry guys. Those who defend SOE at every turn, will soon be posting here to re-assure you, that this is not just another step down the slippery slope. RMT in EQ2 will never be for anything more than fluff.Just remember, this is what people "want". Another poll will be taken in the future, and I predict the 55% in support for group/raid potions, will become 70-75%% (entirely legit, of course!), and SOE will be kind enough to meet the popular request. We all know what SmokeJumper thinks of people who provide forum feedback, so the complaints here do not reflect the average player who only has 10 minutes of game time every 3rd week, thus feels entitled to pay to win, instead of play to win.Playing a game, is so yesterday.</p>

[Kenazeer]

<p><cite>Avirodar@Oasis wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Playing a game, is so yesterday.</p></blockquote><p>I think I just might make that my sig...or a variation anyway.</p>

[Dafrog]

<p>Nooooo!!!</p><p>My entire family and I just began playing EQ2 and am a paid subscriber. I am level 55, but feel the game is too easy and was hoping it would get more challenging. This makes me want to quit my subscription and go elsewhere to find a challenge.</p><p>Just because you take a poll, and even if your numbers are accurate doesn't mean it is a good business decision. How many people are refusing to play your game because YOU DON'T have those items?? Think about it...if a certain percentage 35% said "no" - I am sure that also corresponds to my issue that the game is just too easy and some may possibly just quit and find a game that provides a challenge and accountability for decisions made. Have you ever thought that you might just lose some of your player base over this?</p><p>I used to play EQ1 and that was challenging - have the game designers made EQ1 stupidly easy also?</p><p>I should note that my family contains 6 individual paying subsriptions...</p>

[Starbuck1771]

<p><cite>Astarte wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><span style="font-family: times new roman,times;"><span style="font-size: small;"><em>This is just sad..</em>  <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/9d71f0541cff0a302a0309c5079e8dee.gif" border="0" /> <span style="font-family: times new roman,times;"><em>But of course.. listen to what the f2p want and not the ones who pays a monthly subscription.</em></span></span></span></p></blockquote><p>Do you wanna know whats realy sad? You people trying to dictate how other people play their game. Just because something is on the SC store does not mean you have to buy it.</p><p>Like you I will not buy those items however i refuse to make myself a jerk at the same time by whineing about something so trivial. Like most of you have said the game is already easy so therefore the pots are not that much of a change. Plus they have been handing xp pots for years for free so once again it is not realy that much of a change.</p><p>So just stop crying over spilt milk and move along as there is nothing to see here.  <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/e8a506dc4ad763aca51bec4ca7dc8560.gif" border="0" /></p>

[denmom]

<p>Stated without offense meant or sarcasm: you don't need or must buy these items.</p><p>If others have them, then it's how they wish to play the game.  And it's limited to single or mercenary grouped, so doesn't really impact anyone but that player.</p><p>Now in my case, I'd probably consider the self-rez item.  Why?  Because it's such a pain to run aaaaalll the way back to where you were if you're deep in a contested dungeon or deep in while overland.  Sure, it's more xp and such, but it can be such a slog.  And I tend to play without a healer merc or mercs of any type.</p>

[Michayla]

<p><cite>Starbuck1771 wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Astarte wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><span style="font-family: times new roman,times;"><span style="font-size: small;"><em>This is just sad..</em>  <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/9d71f0541cff0a302a0309c5079e8dee.gif" border="0" /> <span style="font-family: times new roman,times;"><em>But of course.. listen to what the f2p want and not the ones who pays a monthly subscription.</em></span></span></span></p></blockquote><p>Do you wanna know whats realy sad? You people trying to dictate how other people play their game. Just because something is on the SC store does not mean you have to buy it.</p><p>Like you I will not buy those items however i refuse to make myself a jerk at the same time by whineing about something so trivial. Like most of you have said the game is already easy so therefore the pots are not that much of a change. Plus they have been handing xp pots for years for free so once again it is not realy that much of a change.</p><p>So just stop crying over spilt milk and move along as there is nothing to see here.  <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/e8a506dc4ad763aca51bec4ca7dc8560.gif" border="0" /></p></blockquote><p>Wrong. Utterly and completely.</p><p>The sad part is there is still apologists out there who honestly believe it's just these solo potions and that's it. We all know bigger things are on the horizon. SoE is entirely too predictable.</p>

[Moldylocks]

<p><cite>Dafrog wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Nooooo!!!</p><p>My entire family and I just began playing EQ2 and am a paid subscriber. I am level 55, but feel the game is too easy and was hoping it would get more challenging. This makes me want to quit my subscription and go elsewhere to find a challenge.</p><p>Just because you take a poll, and even if your numbers are accurate doesn't mean it is a good business decision.</p><p><span style="color: #ff6600;">"Good business decision" is a relative term.  It hasn't been good for the loyal players that have build and maintained the game, but it has been fantastic for Dave and Smed's wallets and for the F2P/P2W crowd. </span></p><p>How many people are refusing to play your game because YOU DON'T have those items?? Think about it...if a certain percentage 35% said "no" - I am sure that also corresponds to my issue that the game is just too easy and some may possibly just quit and find a game that provides a challenge and accountability for decisions made. Have you ever thought that you might just lose some of your player base over this?</p><p><span style="color: #ff6600;">The game has been hemmoraging players for quite some time.  That is why the transition to F2P happened.  Not enough paying subs, so they changed the game model to appeal to those who will pay waaay more than $15 a month on fluffy junk. </span></p><p>I used to play EQ1 and that was challenging - have the game designers made EQ1 stupidly easy also?</p><p><span style="color: #ff6600;">We aren't the target audience any more.  This is not the game it used to be, and it is only going to get increasingly more P2W.  Those that don't like the SC crap will leave (or have left), and those that remain keep buying from the store.  So, then all that remains are the avid, non-complaining SC spenders who get all their wants catered to.  It will become completely win-win for the P2W crowd and the dev team, as the devs won't have to focus on real content at all anymore.  Oh wait, I think we are almost already there.</span></p><p>I should note that my family contains 6 individual paying subsriptions...</p><p><span style="color: #ff6600;">Unfortunately, people that use the Market pay much more than one person paying the traditional sub model.  Have you looked at the prices on the items?  Some of that crap sells for $19.95 for <em>one</em> item.  Now that they are including P2W consumables..Ka-CHING.  Its more lucrative for them to attract and keep people that feed off their SC items than it is to worry about someone paying a measly $15 a month anymore.</span></p></blockquote>

[MurFalad]

<p>I think 65% support is unlikely.  More likely is that 65% could not care less about the already trivialised solo content, so its just adding power items to a part of the game that offers them no gameplay.</p><p>Personally I'd rather have wondered why 65% of people didn't care about the solo content in EQ2, I think fixing that would be much better for the health of the game then adding power items.</p><p>As for the power items themselves, they just kill off whatever part of the game they are added to for me.  I play EQ2 more for what I cannot do then for what I can do.  So if power items are added to the marketplace that allow me to do everything I have lost interest as there is nothing left to work towards.</p><p>Still, at least there is one good thing to come out of all of this, all the people out there who had doubts that free to play was a bad idea know exactly where it leads to now.</p>

[Junniper]

<p>The point is there is no real need for any of these items.</p><p>Honestly if you can't solo from level 1 to level 92, then something is horribly wrong.  The game is now specifically designed that all classes can do this feat without much of an issue.</p><p>So creating these items on a poll that is very scrupulous of accuracy is just a complete waste of time and energy.</p><p>The game has become too easy, with the exception of raiding.  Which in turn can be usually either be easy or very hard.  Thus of course depending on your current gear and those surrounding you.</p><p>The only thing I see these items helping are those who are having a hard time finding a group and need stuff/updates/etc in heroic areas. </p>

[Cloudrat]

<p>Does this mean we can get crafting potions added to marketplace now?  please please please<img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p>

[thepriz]

<p>I have a mixed opinion on this, I think it is stupid to spend real money on virtual items, that someday you will never use again. In a game, I want to be on equal footing with everyone else. However that is not the case anymore, I run around without buying stuff and adventure my way to the top, but others are now paying their way to the top. If I wanted that sort of thing, I can just return to real life.</p><p>On the other hand, at least SOE is now getting the money that people spent on third-party solutions.</p>

[Malleria]

<p><cite>Nuadah wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>To be honest I find it hard to believe that raiders voted for this sort of thing. </p></blockquote><p>This ^</p><p>No doubt the 55% (lol) is comprised almost entirely of soloers who don't actually raid. </p>

[Gravy]

<p>Thanks for putting these in the  marketplace. As a solo player they are a welcome addition to my toolbox. Also, disabling them in groups was a great idea.</p>

[zarriya]

<p>I want to say how dissapointed I am.  More and more Buy-To-Win items are being added to the market.  SOE you made an awesome game and now you are cheapening it.  This game is starting to look less and less like the beautiful wife you married and instead is turning into a cheap prostitute to squeeze out as much money as you can.  You used to have the best community out of all the games released in the last 5 years. The community is changing from loyal customers to players that race to the top with their cash and leave just as fast.  You are killing this game.</p><p>Blizzard does not have Pay-To-Win Items and I would say they turn a good profit.</p><p>edit: Please put the effort into marketing your game and your future games (Planetside 2 and Everquest Next).  SOE makes the best games out there - you are better than this.</p>

[Dafrog]

<p><cite>Starbuck1771 wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Astarte wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><span style="font-family: times new roman,times;"><span style="font-size: small;"><em>This is just sad..</em>  <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/9d71f0541cff0a302a0309c5079e8dee.gif" border="0" /> <span style="font-family: times new roman,times;"><em>But of course.. listen to what the f2p want and not the ones who pays a monthly subscription.</em></span></span></span></p></blockquote><p>Do you wanna know whats realy sad? You people trying to dictate how other people play their game. Just because something is on the SC store does not mean you have to buy it.</p><p>Like you I will not buy those items however i refuse to make myself a jerk at the same time by whineing about something so trivial. Like most of you have said the game is already easy so therefore the pots are not that much of a change. Plus they have been handing xp pots for years for free so once again it is not realy that much of a change.</p><p>So just stop crying over spilt milk and move along as there is nothing to see here.  <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/e8a506dc4ad763aca51bec4ca7dc8560.gif" border="0" /></p></blockquote><p>Voicing an opinion is not "dictating" anything. If anything is dictating it is you telling people what they can and cannot voice on an open forum.</p><p>Your idea is that it is in everyone's best interest (because you speak for everyone) that people who are disturbed with the changes shouldn't "cry over spilt milk".</p><p>I am sure you don't speak for Sony and certainly the people who you are telling to "move along".</p><p>Also, it is not just one instance of a change - it is the collective decisions that change the game philosophy impacting the game play enviroment.</p><p>The only difference between what Sony did and what you apparently would have done is you wouldn't have even done the poll which Sony did because people's view on it doesn't matter.</p><p>If someone is breaking forum rules point it out to a forum administrator otherwise don't try to play traffic cop on what people are to write about concerning a game they play.</p>

[Gigv]

<p><span><p>Dear Sony,</p><p>I will have to say as a 12 year veteran between EQ1 and EQ2 I find this to be one of the worst things you could have done. I dare say and doubt the percentage is correct either. Have you forgotten your promise that only cosmetic items would be Station Cash Items. There is a lot of competition coming down the pike and the EQ 2 may be left out if this continues. Whether it is a trend or not to pay for items in game I expected you guys to do the right thing. I am so very disappointed. It is the same argument I have voiced time and again. Give the furniture recipes to to carpenters, Backpack recipes to the tailors and potion recipes to the alchemist. Please reverse so the game does not go completely down the tubes.</p><p>Sincerely</p><p>Mousemedic 92 Inq AB server</p></span></p>

[Lempo]

<p><cite>Gravy wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Thanks for putting these in the  marketplace. As a solo player they are a welcome addition to my toolbox. Also, disabling them in groups was a great idea.</p></blockquote><p>Do you honestly believe that this not useable in groups mechanic will not be openly abused and discussed w/o any repurcussions on the forums? The ability to circumvent this 'rule' (lol yeah I use it loosely) is so painfully obvious, and it will be even sadder to see the total refusal to do anything about making it where it can not be circumvented.</p>

[Lempo]

<p><cite>Piestro wrote:</cite></p><blockquote>Name: Scroll of Resurrection<ul><li>3 charges</li><li>Instant cast, 15 minute reuse</li><li>Allows player to resurrect themselves</li><li>You may only be grouped with mercenaries or not grouped</li><li>This item can be used on PvP servers but not cast in PvP combat</li></ul></blockquote><p>Let me guess no rez sickness comes with this does it?</p><p>I'm sure that was just 'overlooked' <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/2786c5c8e1a8be796fb2f726cca5a0fe.gif" border="0" /></p><p>Not shooting the messenger, I know you just deliver what you are told to deliver, that doesn't make it any less nauseating that these products were added, of course we were told that regardless of what we thought if TPTB wanted them there they were going to be there whether we liked it or not.</p><p>The funny thing here is the claim that these are simply 'convenience' items and the post that announces this vile tripe coming back to Norrath is labeled 'NEW Hero's Edge Items', it boggles the mind.</p><p>You guys must really think the playerbase as a whole is dumb beyond belief.</p>

[Lempo]

<p><cite>Aiyon@Antonia Bayle wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>One word...disappointed.</p><p>Marketplace should NOT contain items to enchance the games mechanics.  Only apperance items should be there.  This is unacceptable and based on the responses i'm not sure we can actually trust the poll done...</p></blockquote><p>Sure you can, the polls were carefully culled and crafted to give a higher weight to the positive responses, the polls will always be done in this fashion.</p>

[dj_krztoff]

<p>Did we really need one more excuse for people to NOT group?  This + Mercs + broken Dungeon Finder + minimum AA requirements really leads me to believe that SOE had a sheltered childhood that has left them bitterly opposed to social interaction.</p><p>*hugs SOE*</p><p>It'll be okay ... why don't you come play Warhammer Online with me?  We'll find you a friend or two for you to hang out with.  There there ...</p>

[Ahlana]

<p>On the scroll of ressurection...</p><p>What stops me from leaving group after I died.. rezzing and then recovering the group?</p>

[Lempo]

<p><cite>Ahlana wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>On the scroll of ressurection...</p><p>What stops me from leaving group after I died.. rezzing and then recovering the group?</p></blockquote><p>Absolutely nothing. Working as intended and thinly veiled at that. If this were not the inteded use the items would specifically be disabled from use in heroic instances and raid zones. Point is the only thing of concen is whatever increased SC revenue they get from this.</p>

[Gravy]

<p><cite>Ahlana wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>On the scroll of ressurection...</p><p>What stops me from leaving group after I died.. rezzing and then recovering the group?</p></blockquote><p>I assume you're talking about a raid because if its just a heroic dungeon then the worst that happens is you rez and run back.</p><p>So in a raid, what stops you from camping an alt in the zone outside of group and doing the same thing?</p>

[Ahlana]

<p><cite>Gravy wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Ahlana wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>On the scroll of ressurection...</p><p>What stops me from leaving group after I died.. rezzing and then recovering the group?</p></blockquote><p>I assume you're talking about a raid because if its just a heroic dungeon then the worst that happens is you rez and run back.</p><p>So in a raid, what stops you from camping an alt in the zone outside of group and doing the same thing?</p></blockquote><p>Then why the restriction in the first place?</p><p>I mean originally the 8 year vet reward was suppose to do this but was deemed "too powerful"</p>

[Michayla]

<p><cite>Ahlana wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Gravy wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Ahlana wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>On the scroll of ressurection...</p><p>What stops me from leaving group after I died.. rezzing and then recovering the group?</p></blockquote><p>I assume you're talking about a raid because if its just a heroic dungeon then the worst that happens is you rez and run back.</p><p>So in a raid, what stops you from camping an alt in the zone outside of group and doing the same thing?</p></blockquote><p>Then why the restriction in the first place?</p><p>I mean originally the 8 year vet reward was suppose to do this but was deemed "too powerful"</p></blockquote><p>It was deemed too powerful because SoE couldn't charge for the 8 year vet reward. But since they can charge you extra money for this, it's A-OK! /rollseyes</p>

[General_Info]

<p><cite>Ahlana wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Gravy wrote:</cite></p><blockquote>I assume you're talking about a raid because if its just a heroic dungeon then the worst that happens is you rez and run back.<p>So in a raid, what stops you from camping an alt in the zone outside of group and doing the same thing?</p></blockquote><p>Then why the restriction in the first place?</p><p>I mean originally the 8 year vet reward was suppose to do this but was deemed "too powerful"</p></blockquote><p>anything that is good improvement on the game (such as alchemist health-power or self-rez) is "too powerful" when it is gotten for free and yet is it "balanced" when you have to pay real money to get them.</p>

[Alenna]

<p><cite>Starbuck1771 wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Astarte wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><span style="font-family: times new roman,times;"><span style="font-size: small;"><em>This is just sad..</em>  <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/9d71f0541cff0a302a0309c5079e8dee.gif" border="0" /> <span style="font-family: times new roman,times;"><em>But of course.. listen to what the f2p want and not the ones who pays a monthly subscription.</em></span></span></span></p></blockquote><p>Do you wanna know whats realy sad? You people trying to dictate how other people play their game. Just because something is on the SC store does not mean you have to buy it.</p><p>Like you I will not buy those items however i refuse to make myself a jerk at the same time by whineing about something so trivial. Like most of you have said the game is already easy so therefore the pots are not that much of a change. Plus they have been handing xp pots for years for free so once again it is not realy that much of a change.</p><p>So just stop crying over spilt milk and move along as there is nothing to see here.  <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/e8a506dc4ad763aca51bec4ca7dc8560.gif" border="0" /></p></blockquote><p>I'd be saying the same thing if there was a way in game to get comprable items like say from Alchemists. but there isn't you can only get these in the market place that is the Pay to Win model. So when they put a great weapon or piece of armour with stats you can only get in the market place are you going to say the same thing?</p>

[Rijacki]

<p><cite>General_Info wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>anything that is good improvement on the game (such as alchemist health-power or self-rez) is "too powerful" when it is gotten for free and yet is it "balanced" when you have to pay real money to get them.</p></blockquote><p>That's my primary complaint. Items obtainable in-game that have a similar function are so low in power as to be laughable. If the Marketplace was an -alternative- way to get items like these, it wouldn't be as distressing.</p>

[Leko]

<p>Cool idea.  Thank you for not allowing the items to be used in PvP.  </p>

[Winter]

<p><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; color: #cc99ff; font-size: medium;">I totally disagree with these. Flat out and simply.</span></p>

[Amekoi]

<p>I'm an avid SoE lover. Been playing the game since launch and everything.</p><p>And with this latest announcement, I'm just disappointed.</p><p>I purposefully picked a social class (bard buff bot) so I could group. I tried to be a nice and social person so I could group. I put in effort to not suck or go /afk so much so I could group. And yet, around every turn, I find this game has been going more and more to encouraging a solo mentality. I already feel useless and almost never group, since everything is completely soloable. Now people don't even need my heals or rezzes, so that puts me out even further; anyone can grab potions from the SC store and do things all by their onesies. Watching how this game has been going, I know full well that these potions are hardly the last thing we'll see towards a completely soloable, play to win game.I find myself logging in once a week, or so, and staring at an empty landscape with a couple roaming mobs. And sighing, and logging out.</p><p>Thanks for the great game while it lasted, I suppose... find no reason to play since it's become so solo-friendly that it has become a Skyrim alternative for me, and that's simply no fun.</p>

[FreaklyCreak]

<p>It's solo. If people want to waste money on these to get an edge at things they can solo or Molo(mercenary + 1 player), then who the heck cares? You can't add even one person to a group or it gives you the inability to use the item unless you disband.</p><p>There is so much content that can't be done even after this. This does not affect the endgame for heroic or raid.(maybe heroic normal, but def not challenge mode heroic) Unless possibly the person was geared from raiding or bought raiding gear with plat....But thats even smaller of players...</p><p>So let SoE make their income...let them alienate more and more people. Because for every item they add to SC marketplace, they loose another subscriber even it latches on a F2Per with cash for extras.</p>

[Lempo]

<p>The numbers reported seem a bit off if you take percentages of support in this thread, of course us forum posters are considered 'trolls' by the games producer, we were flat out called that in an interview he did.</p><p>Then there is the forum posters do not represent anything that the playerbase as a whole....</p><p>Pretty much anything to discount or dismiss the opinions that we have.</p><p>Instead of being insistant on adding these kinds of items to the SC shop, more could be gained by adding items like shared bank/bank expansion slots, ability to link 2 accounts for Heirloom purposes, maybe something like special goggles that allow you to see shinies in zones that rewarded NO EXPERIENCE and gave a house or appearance item memorializing the zone (some might not like this saying it locks a collection to paying to be able to get, but if it doesn't reward experience or stop you from obtaining an achievement I see little harm).</p><p>Not one person in my guild was thrilled about the idea to say the least.</p><p>Yeah I am sure there are some that like it, after all who wouldn't like something that allows them to do something that they are simply too bad of a player to do. That's pretty much what it boils down to, it is the equivalent of using /godmode when playing Doom and nothing less. Just because you get a piece of gear in the end you didn't earn it you bought it, you know the kids that get an award at schools now when they give an award to anyone, EVERYONE has to get an award for something or it will hurt their self esteem and now this mentality has infected Norrath.</p>

[Starbuck1771]

<p><cite>Cloudrat wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Does this mean we can get crafting potions added to marketplace now?  please please please<img src="/eq2/images/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" /></p></blockquote><p>I would rather have crafting mats back. I miss buying stacks of rares for crafting.</p>

[clotilde22]

<p><cite>Amekoi wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>I find this game has been going more and more to encouraging a solo mentality. I already feel useless and almost never group, since everything is completely soloable.</p><p>...anyone can grab potions from the SC store and do things all by their onesies. Watching how this game has been going, I know full well that these potions are hardly the last thing we'll see towards a completely soloable, play to win game.</p></blockquote><p>Count me as another disappointed gamer.  The above quote aptly describes my view as well (sorry for snipping your post, Amekoi).  I'd been away from the game for an extended period and returned just a few months ago.  It seems that grouping is part of a scenario that doesn't really exist anymore for most characters below the cap--like my own.  I understand that there are many people that play during odd hours, have kid/pet/health/other reasons that they don't want to put themselves into a situation where they cannot go afk for as long as it takes to deal with their RL issue(s).  In this case soloing is preferred--I do understand.  But these very powerful items will further erode any incentive people ever had for grouping at lower levels, I do believe.   </p><p>I will just stand over here and have my EQ nostalgia moment of grouping and camaraderie while Barbra Streisand plays in the background. </p>

[ChrissyFaey]

<p>Don't really care ...  if people want to spend 1/10th a monthly subscription on three measely charges of these items, then that's their loss. It doesn't affect my game in any way!</p>

[Brigh]

<p><cite>Amekoi wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>I'm an avid SoE lover. Been playing the game since launch and everything.</p><p>And with this latest announcement, I'm just disappointed.</p><p>I purposefully picked a social class (bard buff bot) so I could group. I tried to be a nice and social person so I could group. I put in effort to not suck or go /afk so much so I could group. And yet, around every turn, I find this game has been going more and more to encouraging a solo mentality. I already feel useless and almost never group, since everything is completely soloable. Now people don't even need my heals or rezzes, so that puts me out even further; anyone can grab potions from the SC store and do things all by their onesies. Watching how this game has been going, I know full well that these potions are hardly the last thing we'll see towards a completely soloable, play to win game.I find myself logging in once a week, or so, and staring at an empty landscape with a couple roaming mobs. And sighing, and logging out.</p><p>Thanks for the great game while it lasted, I suppose... find no reason to play since it's become so solo-friendly that it has become a Skyrim alternative for me, and that's simply no fun.</p></blockquote><p>Sounds more like you chose a class everyone wants for raids and possibly is over saturated. </p><p>Everything is not completely soloable. Try soloing a heroic DoV instance.</p>

[Equilibrium]

<p>These are the same people that said there would never be a cash shop in a monthy sub model game, and that there is no chance that Beastlords will ever be added to EQ2. Do you really think they would be above lying about poll numbers to push thier agenda? Desperate times call for desperate measures. That should be there new motto. "SOE, Desperate Times Call for Desperate Measures"</p>

[Ahlana]

<p>One last thing since I am on Naggy</p><p><span ><p>Name: Scroll of Resurrection</p><ul><li>3 charges</li><li>Instant cast, 15 minute reuse</li><li>Allows player to resurrect themselves</li><li>You may only be grouped with mercenaries or not grouped</li><li>This item can be used on PvP servers but not cast in PvP combat</li></ul><p>The last line... why add it? This can only be used solo anyways.. which means when you die on Naggy you are OUT OF PVP COMBAT.</p><p>So on a close fight you can just pop up on the unsuspected opponent and kill them... I mean how would you rez yourself in combat anyways? You have to be dead to use it lol, it baffles the mind.</p></span></p>

[soulsercher]

<p>Gee, and people say WoW is the "easy" game. <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/2786c5c8e1a8be796fb2f726cca5a0fe.gif" border="0" /></p><p>I haven't logged in in a while (Skyshrine is kind of boring, actually) but when I play, I mostly solo. And these new items truly aren't needed. Way to go dumbing and lazy-ing down this game even more. </p>

[Leko]

<p>I do not see a single issue with these items.  They can only be used for solo play and not in groups, raids, or PvP.  Once again I go back to my views on the SOE store.  IMO there are two buckets that gamers pick from time and money.  Some gamers have more time, some more money, and same a balance of the two.  Gamers with more time can grind out better gear, run in well equiped groups, and have strong raiding guild.  Gamers with more money can pick up items like these and other things from the store and enjoy the game at their pace and style.  </p><p>Having someone run around with these items does not efect your game play.  Once you get past the intinal OMG how dare SOE add these items in game I think you will come to see that they are not a big deal and it will all be OK.</p>

[Kryvak]

<p>I would have voted agree on these solo items if it wasn't for one thing: once they start, they can't stop. Everyone can see that, it all started with LoN, and they said that was not going to end up becoming RMT in game. They made money off it, and wanted more, so the marketplace came. It's going to be a sad day when someone says "Man, we just can't beat that deathtouch for this raid mob, someone wanna buy that rez item off the marketplace?". And now that they've started adding game-affecting items in, it won't stop. They'll just keep coming until the game is completely pay-to-win and people are expected to use marketplace items to play the game.</p>

[Khayos]

<p>You know as I have had more time to think, I wondered to myself if maybe the changes to EQ and EQ2 are based on the populations dwindling through the years and the prospects of a newer more populated game.</p><p>EQ didnt add mercenaries until 2008, 9 years after EQ launched, by that time the reported population was below 125,000 and falling. So Things to make a solo experience were added to help those who still wanted to play.</p><p>EQ2 added mercenaries just last year again nearly 8 years after launch, and a population that had been previously reported at around the 100,000 mark, God only knows what it actually was before they went F2P. These SC Items as well could be a response to the lack of finding people to group with, as well as maybe squeezing out the last amounts of money they can muster to keep the games running at a profit.</p><p>Essentially as much as I dont believe this to be true, I cant help but wonder, if they are doing this all for those of us who want the servers running. The last thing a person who loves an mmo wants is for the servers to shut down for good, but a company will have to cut its losses if the game is running at a deficit. They are in fact a business and need to make money, the games are not charity cases.</p><p>As far as we know, the games might just be making enough money to break even on operation, in which case we are lucky that they are staying running. We saw the shut down of EQOA, and if a game doesn't make enough money to sustain, then they can't keep it running bleeding money. Maybe the same is said for EQ and EQ2. The changes were possibly to save the games from the ultimate fate even if sacrifices had to be made in terms of systems.</p><p>Again all speculation, but just cant help but wonder. Perhaps I just want to believe, because I want the future to be as bright as the past was.</p>

[SOE-MOD-02]

This post has moved: <a href="/eq2/posts/preList.m?topic_id=499962&post_id=5757554" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">/eq2/posts/preList.m?topic_id=49996...post_id=5757554</a> Insults are not permitted

[Laenai]

<p><cite>Khayos wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>You know as I have had more time to think, I wondered to myself if maybe the changes to EQ and EQ2 are based on the populations dwindling through the years and the prospects of a newer more populated game.</p><p>EQ didnt add mercenaries until 2008, 9 years after EQ launched, by that time the reported population was below 125,000 and falling. So Things to make a solo experience were added to help those who still wanted to play.</p><p>EQ2 added mercenaries just last year again nearly 8 years after launch, and a population that had been previously reported at around the 100,000 mark, God only knows what it actually was before they went F2P. These SC Items as well could be a response to the lack of finding people to group with, as well as maybe squeezing out the last amounts of money they can muster to keep the games running at a profit.</p><p>Essentially as much as I dont believe this to be true, I cant help but wonder, if they are doing this all for those of us who want the servers running. The last thing a person who loves an mmo wants is for the servers to shut down for good, but a company will have to cut its losses if the game is running at a deficit. They are in fact a business and need to make money, the games are not charity cases.</p><p>As far as we know, the games might just be making enough money to break even on operation, in which case we are lucky that they are staying running. We saw the shut down of EQOA, and if a game doesn't make enough money to sustain, then they can't keep it running bleeding money. Maybe the same is said for EQ and EQ2. The changes were possibly to save the games from the ultimate fate even if sacrifices had to be made in terms of systems.</p><p>Again all speculation, but just cant help but wonder. Perhaps I just want to believe, because I want the future to be as bright as the past was.</p></blockquote><p>Once again, I direct this sort of thing towards Ford and Chevrolet.</p><p>Ford and Chevrolet have been running in the red for years, were both recipients of bail out money, and nearly had to close their doors after bleeding thousands of employees.</p><p>Then one day, Ford took a look at their business model. They cut the number of car models they offered by almost half and decided to focus on increasing the quality of 12 models instead of pushing the quantity of 22 models. Almost immediately, their profits soared, they began making money again, and their customers came back. Because they suddenly realized that what people want is better QUALITY, not higher quantity. Chevrolet followed suit very quickly and within 20 months of the original bailout date, Ford and Chevrolet were once again announced as the top 2 auto makers in the world.</p><p>If they concentrated on the quality of the game versus the quantity of the marketplace, EQ2 would return to a thriving community. If the game came first, people would come back, subs would fill in the gaps, and game affecting items wouldn't need to be a necessity to pay the bills to keep the lights on.</p><p>Unfortunately, the marketplace comes first which means the players don't come first. And this slippery slope will eventually kill the great game they're attempting to "save" with it when the next quality title comes out.</p>

[Sigtyr]

<p><cite>clotilde22 wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>  It seems that grouping is part of a scenario that doesn't really exist anymore for most characters below the cap--like my own.  I understand that there are many people that play during odd hours, have kid/pet/health/other reasons that they don't want to put themselves into a situation where they cannot go afk for as long as it takes to deal with their RL issue(s). </p></blockquote><p><span style="font-size: small; font-family: georgia,palatino; color: #00ff00;">First personally I do not care, the target group of these potions do rarely post on forums like these anyway and also in many ways play a totally different EQ2 than what people who post in this thread does.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: small; font-family: georgia,palatino; color: #00ff00;">Secondly, IMHO grouping disappeared for the casual player during TSO when "you have to have this and you have to have that" to group became the norm, if that was due to the players or the designers is at this moment unimportant. This is an old game and if you understand and "get" all of it you should be happy, but you should also realize that for an casual player who only hears "level to 90 and solo it" as reply to all the questions things might not be that easy. We are playing several different games in EQ2 and the discusion should really be about that. </span></p>

[Ahlana]

<p><cite>Laenai@Oasis wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Once again, I direct this sort of thing towards Ford and Chevrolet.</p><p>Ford and Chevrolet have been running in the red for years, were both recipients of bail out money</p></blockquote><p>Though my responce adds nothing to the topic at hand. Ford did not get Bail out money. It was Chevy and Chrysler, Ford refused the bailout money and is part of the reason they rebounded faster than Chevy.</p><p>Now the rest of you may carry on <img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p>

[Maisland]

<p>More junk on the marketplace that I will not waste my money on.</p><p>How about putting stuff that I <strong>would</strong> buy there?  I would gladly buy new races (Othmir anyone?  I would also pay to be able to play a gnoll).  I would also be willing to pay for new classes.  I would buy something that made my non-prestige homes rent free.  I would pay for additional merc slots (so I could pull out a specific merc for a specific objective).  I would even buy crafting recipes.</p><p>I suppose I should be grateful that at least this crap is only for solo play... but how much longer before it is available for groups or raids?  and how long after that before it becomes mandatory for raids?  I should not have to pay more than my monthly subscription to do any content!</p>

[Starbuck1771]

<p><cite>Alenna@Guk wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Starbuck1771 wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Astarte wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><span style="font-family: times new roman,times;"><span style="font-size: small;"><em>This is just sad..</em>  <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/9d71f0541cff0a302a0309c5079e8dee.gif" border="0" /> <span style="font-family: times new roman,times;"><em>But of course.. listen to what the f2p want and not the ones who pays a monthly subscription.</em></span></span></span></p></blockquote><p>Do you wanna know whats realy sad? You people trying to dictate how other people play their game. Just because something is on the SC store does not mean you have to buy it.</p><p>Like you I will not buy those items however i refuse to make myself a jerk at the same time by whineing about something so trivial. Like most of you have said the game is already easy so therefore the pots are not that much of a change. Plus they have been handing xp pots for years for free so once again it is not realy that much of a change.</p><p>So just stop crying over spilt milk and move along as there is nothing to see here.  <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/e8a506dc4ad763aca51bec4ca7dc8560.gif" border="0" /></p></blockquote><p>I'd be saying the same thing if there was a way in game to get comprable items like say from Alchemists. but there isn't you can only get these in the market place that is the Pay to Win model. So when they put a great weapon or piece of armour with stats you can only get in the market place are you going to say the same thing?</p></blockquote><p>The way I see this is it effects nothing. They can only be used while solo. The only people that this realy would effect would be the alchemists but it is not that big of a hit. Now if these were useable dureing raids or partys then there would be reasons to complain. do the math if a person buys these and dies or uses the health potion. I am sure there is a cooldown between uses and that means they are going to most likely die again or need another health boost.  This is smart business on SOE's part make money off peoples lack of common sense. </p>

[Starbuck1771]

<p><cite>Ahlana wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>One last thing since I am on Naggy</p><p>Name: Scroll of Resurrection</p><ul><li>3 charges</li><li>Instant cast, 15 minute reuse</li><li>Allows player to resurrect themselves</li><li>You may only be grouped with mercenaries or not grouped</li><li>This item can be used on PvP servers but not cast in PvP combat</li></ul><p>The last line... why add it? This can only be used solo anyways.. which means when you die on Naggy you are OUT OF PVP COMBAT.</p><p>So on a close fight you can just pop up on the unsuspected opponent and kill them... I mean how would you rez yourself in combat anyways? You have to be dead to use it lol, it baffles the mind.</p></blockquote><p>I am sure they are saying you can't use them in the pvp battlegrounds or when killed by another player on a pvp server.</p>

[Starbuck1771]

<p><cite>Detriment@Kithicor wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>These are the same people that said there would never be a cash shop in a monthy sub model game, and that there is no chance that Beastlords will ever be added to EQ2. Do you really think they would be above lying about poll numbers to push thier agenda? Desperate times call for desperate measures. That should be there new motto. "SOE, Desperate Times Call for Desperate Measures"</p></blockquote><p>Yup the same people that claimed that they would continue to carry SWG. Welcome to the world of business children. They can promise anything on these forums/sites and it is not binding.</p>

[Starbuck1771]

<p><cite>ChrissyFaey wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Don't really care ...  if people want to spend 1/10th a monthly subscription on three measely charges of these items, then that's their loss. It doesn't affect my game in any way!</p></blockquote><p>DING! DING! We have a winner. This is the way everyone should see it. People toss out the phrase pay to win. My question is win what? Debt? Because in the end you have nothing if SOE shuts down the game due to lack of funding.  They just need to stop acting 12 and get on with life. It is the people buying this stuff that is keeping the game around.</p>

[Ahlana]

<p><cite>Starbuck1771 wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Ahlana wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>One last thing since I am on Naggy</p><p> </p><p>Name: Scroll of Resurrection</p><ul><li>3 charges</li><li>Instant cast, 15 minute reuse</li><li>Allows player to resurrect themselves</li><li>You may only be grouped with mercenaries or not grouped</li><li>This item can be used on PvP servers but not cast in PvP combat</li></ul><p>The last line... why add it? This can only be used solo anyways.. which means when you die on Naggy you are OUT OF PVP COMBAT.</p><p>So on a close fight you can just pop up on the unsuspected opponent and kill them... I mean how would you rez yourself in combat anyways? You have to be dead to use it lol, it baffles the mind.</p><p> </p></blockquote><p>I am sure they are saying you can't use them in the pvp battlegrounds or when killed by another player on a pvp server.</p></blockquote><p>Actually you can use it right after being killed in PVP. The restriction is just not while IN  combat lol.. which of course you couldn't use it then .. you are dead.</p><p>But you can indeed use it after they kill you. They really should just flip our switch to blue already.. They gave up on PVP a loooooooooooong time ago.</p>

[Khayos]

<p><cite>Starbuck1771 wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Detriment@Kithicor wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>These are the same people that said there would never be a cash shop in a monthy sub model game, and that there is no chance that Beastlords will ever be added to EQ2. Do you really think they would be above lying about poll numbers to push thier agenda? Desperate times call for desperate measures. That should be there new motto. "SOE, Desperate Times Call for Desperate Measures"</p></blockquote><p>Yup the same people that claimed that they would continue to carry SWG. Welcome to the world of business children. They can promise anything on these forums/sites and it is not binding.</p></blockquote><p>On a side note just to address this. While SOE stated they and Lucas Arts came to the decision together, it is false. Lucas refused to renew the IP, and forced SOE to close it down. SOE did not default on their claim, Lucas Arts forced their hands. SOE made the statement to not make Lucas Arts look bad....Which Lucas Arts is the devil but we can talk about that another time lol.</p><p>Ok Carry on to the original convo.</p>

[Boethius_Permafrost]

<p>If the items are needed for people to enjoy solo play, make them free or crafted.  </p><p>I think you are undervaluing the stability of a loyal paying base.  You're blatantly mocking everyone who said they are adamantly opposed to making those items available for station cash, and daring us to quit.</p>

[SOE-MOD-17]

This post has moved: <a href="/eq2/posts/preList.m?topic_id=516791&post_id=5757609" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">/eq2/posts/preList.m?topic_id=51679...post_id=5757609</a> Off-topic. Please keep discussion constructive and on-topic. Thanks.

[LordPazuzu]

<p>If I needed to uses those items to solo in this game, especially with a merc, I'd just quit.</p>

[Starbuck1771]

<p><cite>Meaghan@Lucan DLere wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>If I needed to uses those items to solo in this game, especially with a merc, I'd just quit.</p></blockquote><p>Which is your right just like it is their right to use them if they so choose. So therefore the entire issue of complaining about them being sold to people is a moot point.</p><p><a href="http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=moot%20point">http://www.urbandictionary.com/defi...rm=moot%20point</a></p><p><table style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 11px; width: 475px; margin-bottom: 5px; color: #000000;" ><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><div>A moot point is an expression meaning that something doesn't matter so there is no point for debate because of certain circumstances. It is either irrelevant/not worth arguing over.</div></td></tr></tbody></table></p>

[Starbuck1771]

<p><cite>Cloudrat wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Starbuck1771 wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Meaghan@Lucan DLere wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>If I needed to uses those items to solo in this game, especially with a merc, I'd just quit.</p></blockquote><p>Which is your right just like it is their right to use them if they so choose. So therefore the entire issue of complaining about them being sold to people is a moot point.</p><p><a href="http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=moot%20point">http://www.urbandictionary.com/defi...rm=moot%20point</a></p><p><table style="width: 475px; border-collapse: collapse; margin-bottom: 5px; color: #000000; font-size: 11px;" ><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><div>A moot point is an expression meaning that something doesn't matter so there is no point for debate because of certain circumstances. It is either irrelevant/not worth arguing over.</div></td></tr></tbody></table></p></blockquote><p>I have been told that defining the words you use when not asked to do so, is considered condescending....</p><h2><a class="entry-title" rel="bookmark" href="/Dictionary/search?q=define+condescending&qpvt=condescending&FORM=DTPDIA"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0044cc;"><strong>condescending</strong> (adj)</span></span></a></h2><p><cite><span style="color: #388222;">bing.com</span></cite></p><div><div><div>con·de·scend·ing</div><div> [ kòndə sénding ]   </div><a href="/caption/image/?bid=%2fVl8zV5ZByWcVg&bn=EDPG&FORM=DTPDIA"></a></div><div><ol><li>snobby: behaving toward other people in a way that shows you consider yourself socially or intellectually superior to them</li></ol></div><div>I think the potions are nice for those who want them and of no consequence to those who don't.</div></div></blockquote><p>Just posted the meaning for those that didn't know it. After all some of those complaining about this are acting rather childish instead of like adults so it is hard to tell. <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/908627bbe5e9f6a080977db8c365caff.gif" border="0" /></p>

[SOE-MOD-17]

This post has moved: <a href="/eq2/posts/preList.m?topic_id=516791&post_id=5757669" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">/eq2/posts/preList.m?topic_id=51679...post_id=5757669</a> Trolling. Please review the forum guidelines.

[SpineDoc]

<p>Why do you guys blame SOE?  Go log into the game, look to the player on your left, then to the player on your right.  Yes that's who you should blame, this is what players want.  SOE is a profit driven company, they are not an evil supervillain.  What drives them are profit, and the profits have clearly spoken.  It's not like it's an unique phenomenon, log into ANY new MMO in the last couple of years and you will see they are hugely solo oriented. </p><p>It's not what I would prefer in a social game, I'm one of the last dinosaurs who MUCH preferred the forced grouping of the games heyday.  What ends up happening here is that you get a generation of players who reach level 90/320/masters AND have full raid gear BUT HAVE NEVER GROUPED BEFORE!!!  Read that again for a second and realize how funny that is, but it's the complete and utter reality of today's game. </p><p>Now on some levels I'm torn, we just had a baby and it makes committing an hour or 2 to do a group zone pretty tough at times and I'm glad for the mercs where I can just go farm plat in PR.  I think there is a time and place for soloing certainly, but I never understood why people just don't log off and play a nicer looking game like Skyrim and just keep their chat/messenger window open.</p><p>But, all crying and moaning aside, it is what it is and if anyone expects SOE to go in any other different direction than full pay to win I've got a bridge to sell you.  It always amazes me how many are actually surprised.</p>

[Onorem]

<p><cite>Starbuck1771 wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p> This is the way everyone should see it.</p></blockquote><p>Please feel free to 'not' tell me how I should see it.</p>

[Anadorn]

<p>Sadly this is a game breaker for me, everyone has their own opinion and tolerance.  If this doesn't cross a boundary for you then happy gaming but I will no longer take part, just sad that after almost 8 years this is the reason.</p>

[Skylan]

<p>I would have left long ago if it wasn't for station cash.  Idiotic people buy station cash cards with real world currency and sell to me for a pittance worth of infinitely generated digital money. </p><p>I play this game for free at the gold level.</p><p>Thanks, Sony!</p><p>The apologists are always going to be here.  Even when there is raid gear on the marketplace their response will be "How does it affect your gameplay?!"  They aren't typically logically minded players.  Let them spout nonsense until this game is bankrupt. </p>

[Malchore]

<p>I'm a solo player, and the only item that remotely has any use would be the Scroll of Resurrection. I can't think of situations while soloing where the full health and full power would be usefull (though I'm sure there <em>are </em>situations.)</p><p>I noticed in that same set of consumables are other, more useful items, like the Summoning Charm, Charm of Escape or the Scroll of Tracking. Those are genuinely useful in gameplay. Was there complaints from players when those went live? (I'm asking because I recently returned and don't know.)</p>

[Khayos]

<p>I am really hoping that SOE is adding these things to the market because of the smaller populations of said games and they wont be in their up and coming games if they have healthy populations.</p><p>It may be wishful thinking, but I still hope that is the case.</p>

[Skylan]

<p>Yes, Malchore.</p>

[Starbuck1771]

<p><cite>Anadorn wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Sadly this is a game breaker for me, everyone has their own opinion and tolerance.  If this doesn't cross a boundary for you then happy gaming but I will no longer take part, just sad that after almost 8 years this is the reason.</p></blockquote><p>Well if you have to dictate how others play in order to enjoy the game maybe it is a good thing your quiting. There is no place in an MMO for that type of person frankly.</p>

[Khayos]

<p><cite>Starbuck1771 wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Anadorn wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Sadly this is a game breaker for me, everyone has their own opinion and tolerance.  If this doesn't cross a boundary for you then happy gaming but I will no longer take part, just sad that after almost 8 years this is the reason.</p></blockquote><p>Well if you have to dictate how others play in order to enjoy the game maybe it is a good thing your quiting. There is no place in an MMO for that type of person frankly.</p></blockquote><p>um Starbuck did you quote the wrong guy? Cuz in no way did Anadorn dictate how others play. Just curious.</p>

[Xianthia]

<p><cite>Khayos wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>I am really hoping that SOE is adding these things to the market because of the smaller populations of said games and they wont be in their up and coming games if they have healthy populations.</p><p>It may be wishful thinking, but I still hope that is the case.</p></blockquote><p>I think that this is more of a way of things and how they will be in upcoming games.  The way I see it, for any new games coming if a cash shop/items are in place from the start, it would alleviate a lot of people's distress when things are changed in a game that they've played for a long time (EQ2 for example).  It also would make someone make a more informed decision on whether to play the game or not.</p>

[Starbuck1771]

<p><cite>Khayos wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Starbuck1771 wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Anadorn wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Sadly this is a game breaker for me, everyone has their own opinion and tolerance.  If this doesn't cross a boundary for you then happy gaming but I will no longer take part, just sad that after almost 8 years this is the reason.</p></blockquote><p>Well if you have to dictate how others play in order to enjoy the game maybe it is a good thing your quiting. There is no place in an MMO for that type of person frankly.</p></blockquote><p>um Starbuck did you quote the wrong guy? Cuz in no way did Anadorn dictate how others play. Just curious.</p></blockquote><p>Read his post again he is leaving because they added these items which are not required to play the game. His post is basicly you added them , I don't like them or want them in a game i play so I quit. I see what he is doing as trying to dictate how others play the game. I see his post basicly as an ultimatum that is saying remove them and I will stay. However his type are never gone long and comeback with every excuse for the reason they returned.</p>

[Khayos]

<p><cite>Starbuck1771 wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Khayos wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Starbuck1771 wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Anadorn wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Sadly this is a game breaker for me, everyone has their own opinion and tolerance.  If this doesn't cross a boundary for you then happy gaming but I will no longer take part, just sad that after almost 8 years this is the reason.</p></blockquote><p>Well if you have to dictate how others play in order to enjoy the game maybe it is a good thing your quiting. There is no place in an MMO for that type of person frankly.</p></blockquote><p>um Starbuck did you quote the wrong guy? Cuz in no way did Anadorn dictate how others play. Just curious.</p></blockquote><p>Read his post again he is leaving because they added these items which are not required to play the game. His post is basicly you added them , I don't like them or want them in a game i play so I quit. I see what he is doing as trying to dictate how others play the game. I see his post basicly as an ultimatum that is saying remove them and I will stay. However his type are never gone long and comeback with every excuse for the reason they returned.</p></blockquote><p>His post is saying everyone has a right to play how they want and their own threshold as to what they will allow in their game, he met his and is leaving. He knows full well, that SOE wont change it because of him. He said anyone who enjoys it happy gaming, Its just not for him. There is not some deeper meaning behind everyones posts, they are pretty straight forward <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />.</p>

[Starbuck1771]

<p><cite>Xianthia wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Khayos wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>I am really hoping that SOE is adding these things to the market because of the smaller populations of said games and they wont be in their up and coming games if they have healthy populations.</p><p>It may be wishful thinking, but I still hope that is the case.</p></blockquote><p>I think that this is more of a way of things and how they will be in upcoming games.  The way I see it, for any new games coming if a cash shop/items are in place from the start, it would alleviate a lot of people's distress when things are changed in a game that they've played for a long time (EQ2 for example).  It also would make someone make a more informed decision on whether to play the game or not.</p></blockquote><p>It is the way of the future even if people don't like it. The fact is the companys make more money from microtransactions then from actual subscriptions. People are just going to have to live with it or stop playing mmo's. So far this year GW2 and the secret world are bothe supposed to launch with stores already implemented not sure of others right now.</p>

[Khayos]

<p><cite>Starbuck1771 wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Xianthia wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Khayos wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>I am really hoping that SOE is adding these things to the market because of the smaller populations of said games and they wont be in their up and coming games if they have healthy populations.</p><p>It may be wishful thinking, but I still hope that is the case.</p></blockquote><p>I think that this is more of a way of things and how they will be in upcoming games.  The way I see it, for any new games coming if a cash shop/items are in place from the start, it would alleviate a lot of people's distress when things are changed in a game that they've played for a long time (EQ2 for example).  It also would make someone make a more informed decision on whether to play the game or not.</p></blockquote><p>It is the way of the future even if people don't like it. The fact is the companys make more money from microtransactions then from actual subscriptions. People are just going to have to live with it or stop playing mmo's. So far this year GW2 and the secret world are bothe supposed to launch with stores already implemented not sure of others right now.</p></blockquote><p>This is true, and while I dont neccessarily like GW2's Store, The one for the Secret world is meant to be clothes and such of which you can get in game as well through working for it. So You just have 2 options, and they dont offer anything as of yet that changes or aids game mechanics in any way. Oh and TSW is a sub model btw, the store is meant to be just fluff. Sort of like WoW, except its store is smaller, and what EQ2 was Before.</p>

[Khayos]

<p>Staying on track though, I am just going to have to wait and see how they implement the stores for Planetside 2 and Everquest Next.</p>

[feldon30]

<p><cite>Starbuck1771 wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>DING! DING! We have a winner. This is the way everyone should see it. People toss out the phrase pay to win. My question is win what? Debt? Because in the end you have nothing if SOE shuts down the game due to lack of funding.  They just need to stop acting 12 and get on with life. It is the people buying this stuff that is keeping the game around.</p></blockquote><p>So what is SOE doing with the ~250,000 subscribers each paying $15 a month for a total of <strong>$4.5 million per year</strong>?</p><p>Until there is some evidence that the cash shop is providing more revenue to SOE than the monthly subs, your argument is invalid.</p><p>Actually, SOE shot themselves in the foot by allowing subscriptions to be bought with SC. I bought a year's EQ2 subscription for <span style="color: #ff6600;"><strong>$29.95</strong></span> because of Triple SC (with Walmart bonus). Now they have to sell more SC items to make up for a shortfall of <span style="color: #ff6600;"><strong>$90</strong></span> they would have gotten from me if they just funded EQ2 with a monthly sub.</p> <p><cite>Starbuck1771 wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>It is the way of the future even if people don't like it. The fact is the companys make more money from microtransactions then from actual subscriptions. People are just going to have to live with it or stop playing mmo's. So far this year GW2 and the secret world are bothe supposed to launch with stores already implemented not sure of others right now.</p></blockquote><p><span style="color: #ff0000;"><strong> Citation needed.</strong></span></p><p>The problem with pay-to-win items is, some day soon, items will be added that your group/raid/guild will EXPECT you to have.</p>

[Cyliena]

<p><cite>feldon30 wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Starbuck1771 wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>It is the way of the future even if people don't like it. The fact is the companys make more money from microtransactions then from actual subscriptions. People are just going to have to live with it or stop playing mmo's. So far this year GW2 and the secret world are bothe supposed to launch with stores already implemented not sure of others right now.</p></blockquote><p><span style="color: #ff0000;"><strong> Citation needed.</strong></span></p><p>The problem with pay-to-win items is, some day soon, items will be added that your group/raid/guild will EXPECT you to have.</p></blockquote><p>Your google not working? <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" /> I'll help you with one, was released a couple of months ago: <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.arena.net/blog/mike-obrien-on-microtransactions-in-guild-wars-2'" target="_blank">http://www.arena.net/blog/mike-obri...in-guild-wars-2</a> <em>(of course, depends what you wanted a citation for anyways)<a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.arena.net/blog/mike-obrien-on-microtransactions-in-guild-wars-2'" target="_blank"></a></em></p><p>So to mention the actual topic here.... not buying these, never will have interest in them, if someone buys them then that's their money to squander and not mine.</p>

[Raknid]

<p><cite>Starbuck1771 wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>It is the way of the future even if people don't like it. The fact is the companys make more money from microtransactions then from actual subscriptions. People are just going to have to live with it or stop playing mmo's. So far this year GW2 and the secret world are bothe supposed to launch with stores already implemented not sure of others right now.</p></blockquote><p>You just read and believe what you want to believe, all the while blinded by a "Pay to Win" is hunkey dorey mentality.</p><p>Microstransactions are hip for sure, and they do offer neat things, but having pay to win items as "the way of the future" is far from decided.</p><p>WoW does pretty well without pay to win items, and just to use one of your incorrectly cited examples:</p><p>"We think players should have the opportunity to spend money on items that provide <strong>visual distinction and offer more ways to express themselves</strong>...<span>it’s <em>never</em> OK for players who spend money to have an <strong>unfair advantage over players who spend time.</strong>"</span></p><p><span>There you go. Right from the GW2 mouth.</span></p><p><span>To adress two quick points. </span></p><ol><li><span>Yes. These potions are pay to win because you can use them to the alter the outcome of a fight you would have otherwise lost. Don't give me the "people will just use the to heal/power up after a fight"...that is not what is going to happen and you know it.</span></li><li><span>Yes these do give players and unfair advantage. Heres how. </span><span>Two players almost simultaenously come upon one of the contested heroics in the WL, you know those ones can drop some nice items. </span><span>One of them has heal/power potions and the other doesn't. </span><span>The player who has the heal/power potions is first to engage. If they would have otherwise died without use of the potions they have "paid to win" the mob over the second player who would have otherwise had a chance to engage it after the first player's death.</span></li></ol><p><span>These type of potions have no place in a game like this and are symptons of SOEs desperation for money In seach of which, they will cater to people who want the "I win" button and want it now.</span></p><p><span>We are wll down that slippery slope that many of us worried about years ago. Next will be rares so that people who are too lazy, err I mean time constrained..to harvest. Thus those of us who harvest to supply crafters will see our market diminshed; those of us who harvest to supply our own crafters, so that they can make finished goods for the market, will see our market (however small) decrease.</span></p><p><span>The introduction of these potions bodes very poorly for those of us who actually PLAY the game.</span></p>

[Crillus]

<p>Of course, I didn't read 7 pages of posts, but that being said - I'm kind of posting my thoughts on this in a bubble anyway.So if I recant what was said, etc - my apologies.</p><p>I guess what I think of when I think about this is well, from one point of view - aren't there already XP potions you can buy using SC? So there is already something on the marketplace that impacts the game mechanics.</p><p>Really, from one point of view anything that 'impacts' the game comes down to really just the XP (leveling) to time ratio.</p><p>Healing potions, Power Potions, Rez Potions in the end impact the Time vs. XP ratio. Same with XP potions - those are just more direct.</p><p>However; when I think about that some... maybe not so much - and this is why I would side with the 'it's a bad idea' camp on this...</p><p>My first real EQ2 character was a Wizard - one of the lightest armored classes of course. But it wasn't terribly hard to level him to 90. A new player would have more trouble from 1-30 than pretty much anyone in this game, save maybe the raiders for short periods of time during tough content. Of course, after a successful run or two - even that can become trivial.</p><p>So the 'hardest' part of EQ2 is for a new player - levels 1-30, if there's any spot that would scare someone or such with EQ2 - that's it.</p><p>So leveling my Wizard from 1-90 wasn't terribly hard for me at all. I'm an EQ1 vet, played EQ2 off and on since the Stress Test Beta and all that jazz. The *only* reason I would use these potions is to give me the 'edge' on soloing group content. That's it. This might help me at level 85+ with taking out some instance bosses for example. Or clearing out a group zone solo. My Wizard, as long as he has food/water regains health/power fast enough between fights that I have to be *pushing* hard to run out, really. If I'm just plowing through a zone - nuking like a madman - the power potion might help and all. But it's easy enough to pace myself and still net the same XP in the end mostly. If you run too hard and fast for 4 hours in this game, you'll need a sanity break for a minute anyway. Plus the short quest runs from one quest to the next easily give you time to fully replenish power/mana.</p><p>So really, in this game at least - can anyone see a use for these outside of using a solo character to take out group content? It would have been much better to see these in game as a tradeskilled item.</p><p>If you need ideas for the Marketplace Sony - ask the community straight out. Remember - the EQ community is different than WOW players, etc - you gotta cater to us spoiled EQ vets who like a challenge. But see - that really stems from human psychology - humans need a challenge, some more than others. Nothing is really 'fun' if it lacks challenge and nothing can possibly feel rewarding unless something has been overcome to provide that feeling. Make it too 'easy' and you also take the reward from us EQ players.</p><p>I often go 'in and out' of EQ - not because I don't like the game, but because I'll end up playing for a few hours - then I catch myself yawning. Not out of boredom of EQ as much as the 'bleh' of grinding mobs for hours - like production line style. It's different when there's a challenge to it - then you are on the edge of your seat, right? But quests are no better - they get to be just as much of a grind.</p><p>We need a 'EQ hardcore mode' server - can you make it RP too? Put one up Sony - and see how it does. I'm not saying it will have twice the population as the others - I have no idea at all, but it would be interesting to see. Maybe on a 'hardcore' version of the game, these potions would be quite useful. Like a server where you can't do Nek Castle solo when the mobs are still blue - one where a group would 100% be required for a place like that. That being said, I don't even personally know if I'd have the time for that - and thus is why I'm not 100% opposed to items on the marketplace that can maybe boost XP gain or heal health/power - but that's it... anymore is going overboard.</p><p>Personally - I like to see more clothing and maybe custom hairstyles on the Marketplace - maybe should fashion it like EA's 'The Sims' line of games, go look at their exchange and see what's popular. There's a group of 'Sims' players just LOOKING for a place to make custom houses and such - put up some ads on Sim sites and tout the player housing. That's EQ's goldmine - the housing. I know some players who play this game for no other reason - and not just a couple of them by any means.</p><p>Custom Housing Objects - Custom Clothes - Custom Hair.... people in EQ like the housing a lot - many of the constant players at that too. What about like custom wallpapers, etc that would auto-tile inside the house for example?</p>

[Rijacki]

<p><cite>Raknid wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Starbuck1771 wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>It is the way of the future even if people don't like it. The fact is the companys make more money from microtransactions then from actual subscriptions. People are just going to have to live with it or stop playing mmo's. So far this year GW2 and the secret world are bothe supposed to launch with stores already implemented not sure of others right now.</p></blockquote><p>You just read and believe what you want to believe, all the while blinded by a "Pay to Win" is hunkey dorey mentality.</p><p>Microstransactions are hip for sure, and they do offer neat things, but having pay to win items as "the way of the future" is far from decided.</p><p>WoW does pretty well without pay to win items, and just to use one of your incorrectly cited examples:</p><p>"We think players should have the opportunity to spend money on items that provide <strong>visual distinction and offer more ways to express themselves</strong>...<span>it’s <em>never</em> OK for players who spend money to have an <strong>unfair advantage over players who spend time.</strong>"</span></p><p><span>There you go. Right from the GW2 mouth.</span></p><p><span>To adress two quick points. </span></p><ol><li><span>Yes. These potions are pay to win because you can use them to the alter the outcome of a fight you would have otherwise lost. Don't give me the "people will just use the to heal/power up after a fight"...that is not what is going to happen and you know it.</span></li><li><span>Yes these do give players and unfair advantage. Heres how. </span><span>Two players almost simultaenously come upon one of the contested heroics in the WL, you know those ones can drop some nice items. </span><span>One of them has heal/power potions and the other doesn't. </span><span>The player who has the heal/power potions is first to engage. If they would have otherwise died without use of the potions they have "paid to win" the mob over the second player who would have otherwise had a chance to engage it after the first player's death.</span></li></ol><p><span>These type of potions have no place in a game like this and are symptons of SOEs desperation for money In seach of which, they will cater to people who want the "I win" button and want it now.</span></p><p><span>We are wll down that slippery slope that many of us worried about years ago. Next will be rares so that people who are too lazy, err I mean time constrained..to harvest. Thus those of us who harvest to supply crafters will see our market diminshed; those of us who harvest to supply our own crafters, so that they can make finished goods for the market, will see our market (however small) decrease.</span></p><p><span>The introduction of these potions bodes very poorly for those of us who actually PLAY the game.</span></p></blockquote><p>From the same Guild War's 2 blog post: "They should also be able to spend money on account services and on time-saving convenience items." (As a side note: the reasons for having the cash shop and their philosophy echos what has been officially said as SOE's reason and philosophy, too. I think they're all writing from the same page on it.)</p><p>But, where is the line between 'pay to convenience' and 'pay to win'?</p><p>It could be argued (and is by those who decided to add these items) that the "Hero's Edge" items are 'time-saving convenience items' just like the research reducers, the travel potions, the tracking potions, etc. The claim is made that they don't influence the game i general specifically since they can only be used by a solo/molo player and thus only affect that players game by giving him/her a convenience. (Frankly the example of a contested heroic being soloed is pretty weak as a reason these are game altering.)</p><p>On EQ2X, there were mastercrafted items (not made by any crafter), common and rare harvests, and a few other items on the Marketplace. Again, each of those was touted as being simply 'time-saving convenience items' and, in the eyes of the producer and/or the solo player they are as well.</p><p>Note: I am not now and neve have been a proponet of "pay to win" or even "pay to convenience".</p><p>This addition to EQ2 is hitting my 'edge', but I've been riding that 'edge' for a long time, wondering if the next addition will be enough for me to say "that's it, I'm done" based solely on the Marketplace. I kinda feel like a plastic bag that has built in flex. Each time something gets shoved in, it bulges out a bit more but doesn't quite pierce the bag.</p><p>But.. in another game I have seen something that's -way- over the edge and something I hope never comes to any SOE game, but I have to wonder how long before it does: <a href="http://www.startrekonline.com/node/2864" target="_blank">http://www.startrekonline.com/node/2864</a>. Drop item boxes that require a cash shop purchased key to open them.</p><p>But, the biggest loss to the game play, the biggest way the items in the "Hero's Edge" category affect the game is in the player-to-player market. The craftable potions and items which have similar effects to those newly added to the Marketplace aren't even a shadow as good. There is no game play obtainable item which is as good as any of them. They're not a convenient alternate way to obtain similar items, they're the only way.</p>

[Lempo]

<p><cite>Crillus@Antonia Bayle wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>I guess what I think of when I think about this is well, from one point of view - aren't there already XP potions you can buy using SC? So there is already something on the marketplace that impacts the game mechanics.</p><p><span style="color: #ff6600;">Yes, there are and it is apples and oranges, you get XP potions in Veteran Rewards as well. XP pots have no signifigant impact on game mechanics.</span></p><p>Really, from one point of view anything that 'impacts' the game comes down to really just the XP (leveling) to time ratio.</p><p><span style="color: #ff6600;">So a little less 'work' needs to be done. Popping an XP booster potion is not going to give you an edge on an individual fight. Additionally it will not allow someone to kill a mob that they are simply too bad of a player to kill, yet still get the same reward that someone who did it without buying an "I win button" gets.</span></p><p>Healing potions, Power Potions, Rez Potions in the end impact the Time vs. XP ratio. Same with XP potions - those are just more direct.</p><p><span style="color: #ff6600;">No they don't they allow you to defeat a mechanic that was placed in the game for a reason, part of the challenge of some content is derived from being able to deal with health and power issues. The XP potions are not going to be what makes or breaks a fight for you, the healing and power potions can and will. </span></p><p><span style="color: #ff6600;">I'm a warlock when soloing I can deal with my own power and heals. Where is my potion that gives me UT with +3 ticks? I mean that would only save me a little time, it isn't like there is ANY DIFFERENCE WHATSOEVER it is taking something that a SPECIFIC class or archetype provides and putting in a bottle so those that choose to PAY TO WIN can do so. It would also be stronger than anything any one of any class could do in the game. </span></p><p>However; when I think about that some... maybe not so much - and this is why I would side with the 'it's a bad idea' camp on this...</p></blockquote>

[Yimway]

<p><cite>Leko@Nagafen wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>I do not see a single issue with these items.  They can only be used for solo play and not in groups, raids, or PvP.  Once again I go back to my views on the SOE store.  IMO there are two buckets that gamers pick from time and money.  Some gamers have more time, some more money, and same a balance of the two.  Gamers with more time can grind out better gear, run in well equiped groups, and have strong raiding guild.  Gamers with more money can pick up items like these and other things from the store and enjoy the game at their pace and style.  </p><p>Having someone run around with these items does not efect your game play.  Once you get past the intinal OMG how dare SOE add these items in game I think you will come to see that they are not a big deal and it will all be OK.</p></blockquote><p>Leko,</p><p>I don't have an issue with these items either.  The issue I have is 35% of players strongly disagreed with them being in game.  We already have HUGE retention issues as a result of the content and itemization, we simply can ill afford any other contributing forces on the current attrition rate of players.</p><p>For this reason, and this alone, I think introducing these items now was an EPIC FAIL by SoE.  If they atleast had a dialogue going on the other issues, perhaps my opinion would be different.</p>

[Koleg]

<p><cite>Lempo@Everfrost wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Crillus@Antonia Bayle wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>I guess what I think of when I think about this is well, from one point of view - aren't there already XP potions you can buy using SC? So there is already something on the marketplace that impacts the game mechanics.</p><p><span style="color: #ff6600;">Yes, there are and it is apples and oranges, you get XP potions in Veteran Rewards as well. XP pots have no signifigant impact on game mechanics.</span></p><p>Really, from one point of view anything that 'impacts' the game comes down to really just the XP (leveling) to time ratio.</p><p><span style="color: #ff6600;">So a little less 'work' needs to be done. Popping an XP booster potion is not going to give you an edge on an individual fight. Additionally it will not allow someone to kill a mob that they are simply too bad of a player to kill, yet still get the same reward that someone who did it without buying an "I win button" gets.</span></p><p>Healing potions, Power Potions, Rez Potions in the end impact the Time vs. XP ratio. Same with XP potions - those are just more direct.</p><p><span style="color: #ff6600;">No they don't they allow you to defeat a mechanic that was placed in the game for a reason, part of the challenge of some content is derived from being able to deal with health and power issues. The XP potions are not going to be what makes or breaks a fight for you, the healing and power potions can and will. </span></p><p><span style="color: #ff6600;">I'm a warlock when soloing I can deal with my own power and heals. Where is my potion that gives me UT with +3 ticks? I mean that would only save me a little time, it isn't like there is ANY DIFFERENCE WHATSOEVER it is taking something that a SPECIFIC class or archetype provides and putting in a bottle so those that choose to PAY TO WIN can do so. It would also be stronger than anything any one of any class could do in the game. </span></p><p>However; when I think about that some... maybe not so much - and this is why I would side with the 'it's a bad idea' camp on this...</p></blockquote></blockquote><p>Believe it or not, some people actually think that gaining XP is part of the game and struggle the same as when they are fighting a mob they do not have the DPS to burn down in record time.  To those people there is NO difference between Station Cash XP potions, Vitality poition or Health / Power pots.  Everything is NOT driven off of the max capped raid geared player.  Comparing XP or Vitality pots, which you do not value, to health or power pots, which you do not value either, is not apples and oranges.  The apples and oranges are the players that place value on those items.</p><p>I do however agree with Atan, the pole numbers didn't illustrate that there was 65% of the people either in favor or of limited opinion; it showed that there were 35% of the people that fully disagreed.  Now the issue isn't that the simple majority wins, but that a great deal of the active population does not agree with the course and direction of the Dev team.  I have no doubt that the "Not in Group" tag line was a result of that contention, but for some, it was too little, too late.</p>

[feldon30]

<p><cite>Cyliena wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>feldon30 wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Starbuck1771 wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>It is the way of the future even if people don't like it. The fact is the companys make more money from microtransactions then from actual subscriptions. People are just going to have to live with it or stop playing mmo's. So far this year GW2 and the secret world are bothe supposed to launch with stores already implemented not sure of others right now.</p></blockquote><p><span style="color: #ff0000;"><strong> Citation needed.</strong></span></p><p>The problem with pay-to-win items is, some day soon, items will be added that your group/raid/guild will EXPECT you to have.</p></blockquote><p>Your google not working? <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" /> I'll help you with one, was released a couple of months ago: <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.arena.net/blog/mike-obrien-on-microtransactions-in-guild-wars-2'" target="_blank">http://www.arena.net/blog/mike-obri...in-guild-wars-2</a> <em>(of course, depends what you wanted a citation for anyways)</em></p></blockquote> <p><cite>Mike O'Brien wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>We believe in microtransactions because they fund ongoing development of the game in a very straightforward and open way. You, the customer, get to decide how much money you spend on the game after launch, based on how compelling it is to you. You get a complete and playable game no matter what, but we think we can provide additional content and services that you’d be happy to pay for. And when you pay for them, you help fund our support of <em>Guild Wars 2</em> in a way that benefits all players of the game.</p></blockquote><p>Tell me where to swipe my credit card to get more group/raid content, fixed itemization, and bugfixes and I will be on that like white on rice. Right now SC's choices are pretty much pink unicorns, houses, and weapon/armor appearances.</p><p>The poll did not contain a question asking how strongly players feel about the issue. The 35% Atan speaks of may be ready to quit the game, may have already quit the game, or may just find this an annoyance that they will wave at but keep playing.</p>

[Juravael]

<p><cite>Rijacki wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>*clipped* ...</p><p>But, the biggest loss to the game play, the biggest way the items in the "Hero's Edge" category affect the game is in the player-to-player market. The craftable potions and items which have similar effects to those newly added to the Marketplace aren't even a shadow as good. There is no game play obtainable item which is as good as any of them. They're not a convenient alternate way to obtain similar items, they're the only way.</p></blockquote><p>This, for me personally, is the core reason that I voted against them in the first place.</p>

[Lempo]

<p><cite>Koleg@Unrest_old wrote:</cite></p><blockquote>Believe it or not, some people actually think that gaining XP is part of the game and struggle the same as when they are fighting a mob they do not have the DPS to burn down in record time.  To those people there is NO difference between Station Cash XP potions, Vitality poition or Health / Power pots.  Everything is NOT driven off of the max capped raid geared player.  Comparing XP or Vitality pots, which you do not value, to health or power pots, which you do not value either, is not apples and oranges.  The apples and oranges are the players that place value on those items.<p>I do however agree with Atan, the pole numbers didn't illustrate that there was 65% of the people either in favor or of limited opinion; it showed that there were 35% of the people that fully disagreed.  Now the issue isn't that the simple majority wins, but that a great deal of the active population does not agree with the course and direction of the Dev team.  I have no doubt that the "Not in Group" tag line was a result of that contention, but for some, it was too little, too late.</p></blockquote><p>I have been here since the beginning so I really don't need to hear any stories of peoples 'struggles' with XP.</p><p>When we have problems fighting a mob that we do not have the DPS then we go somewhere else, get better upgrades and come back and try. We do not go to the store and buy an "I win" potion. The XP potions only give some acceleration at the rate you gain EXP, not make something possible for you that was not possible otherwise, come on Koleg you are smarter than that. This isn't about a max capped raid geared player and it most certainly is apples and oranges, this is about an item that you can only purchase with cash that makes something possible for one that could not do it otherwise vs something that give a little extra experience for a legit kill.</p><p>Just as described in here before 2 groups are fighting their way through an overland zone to get to a contested mob, one group quickly disbands all members and they use their full health restore and then the full power restore potions because the road to get there was so hard (yeah I know) the other group was limited to what they had available to them in game, through their own means and abilities and lost out getting the pull. Yeah that is the nature of contested zones I am not arguing that, I don't have to argue though that the group that got the pull PAID TO WIN and you can not with a straight face attempt to argue otherwise.</p><p>On a final note yeah Atan is right about the 35%, what percentage selected the default option (I do not even remember what was the default, probably 'YES YES YES, PLEASE YES'<img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> Then the scientifically proven method where those that simply do not care at all will just select the first option to get past it.</p>

[Lempo]

<p><cite>Glenedhel@Antonia Bayle wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Rijacki wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>*clipped* ...</p><p>But, the biggest loss to the game play, the biggest way the items in the "Hero's Edge" category affect the game is in the player-to-player market.<strong> The craftable potions and items which have similar effects to those newly added to the Marketplace aren't even a shadow as good</strong>. There is no game play obtainable item which is as good as any of them. They're not a convenient alternate way to obtain similar items, they're the only way.</p></blockquote><p>This, for me personally, is the core reason that I voted against them in the first place.</p></blockquote><p>I would also like to add that I doubt they share a recast/reuse timer like the alchemist ones do in addition to totally trivializing the ones that we can make, power and health which the last I checked did share a reuse timer.</p>

[Yimway]

<p><cite>feldon30 wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>The poll did not contain a question asking how strongly players feel about the issue. The 35% Atan speaks of may be ready to quit the game, may have already quit the game, or may just find this an annoyance that they will wave at but keep playing.</p></blockquote><p>All I know is I have a half dozen more players who quit citing this issue.  That being said I'm sure they were already frustrated by the numerous other issues with the game and this was simply what it took to push them over the edge.</p><p>In guild management, you're always dealing with attrition, you always have a percent of your players reaching burn out, and you do what you can to make the game more enjoyable for them to maximize their time left.  Atleast, thats how I approach guild management.</p><p>The issue is, the % of players discontent right now is higher than I've ever seen it.  So high, its beyond my ability to 'manage it', and unless we can start getting some communication from SoE on the problems in the game, its not going to get better. </p><p>I really don't need announcements like this one coming out with no progress made elsewhere.  I can not afford the % of the players that are very unhappy with the game to grow anymore, as its already at a level beyond managing.</p>

[Finora]

<p><cite>Rijacki wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>But.. in another game I have seen something that's -way- over the edge and something I hope never comes to any SOE game, but I have to wonder how long before it does: <a href="http://www.startrekonline.com/node/2864" target="_blank">http://www.startrekonline.com/node/2864</a>. Drop item boxes that require a cash shop purchased key to open them.</p><p>But, the biggest loss to the game play, the biggest way the items in the "Hero's Edge" category affect the game is in the player-to-player market. The craftable potions and items which have similar effects to those newly added to the Marketplace aren't even a shadow as good. There is no game play obtainable item which is as good as any of them. They're not a convenient alternate way to obtain similar items, they're the only way.</p></blockquote><p>Funny you should mention the dropped boxes that requires a cash shop key... they already have that in FreeRealms and have had for a while. You don't even know what's in the box until you buy the key and use it. Either you pay your money & risk getting a piece of junk instead of something you'd actually want or just have the chest taking up space.</p><p>And as I said in my earlier post, my biggest issue with the items is the quality of similar in game items we had been told in the past couldn't be made better because they'd be 'overpowered'. The availble in game items would only be more underpowered if they weren't there at all.</p>

[Gravy]

<p><cite>Finora@Everfrost wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Rijacki wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>But.. in another game I have seen something that's -way- over the edge and something I hope never comes to any SOE game, but I have to wonder how long before it does: <a href="http://www.startrekonline.com/node/2864" target="_blank">http://www.startrekonline.com/node/2864</a>. Drop item boxes that require a cash shop purchased key to open them.</p><p>But, the biggest loss to the game play, the biggest way the items in the "Hero's Edge" category affect the game is in the player-to-player market. The craftable potions and items which have similar effects to those newly added to the Marketplace aren't even a shadow as good. There is no game play obtainable item which is as good as any of them. They're not a convenient alternate way to obtain similar items, they're the only way.</p></blockquote><p>Funny you should mention the dropped boxes that requires a cash shop key... they already have that in FreeRealms and have had for a while. You don't even know what's in the box until you buy the key and use it. Either you pay your money & risk getting a piece of junk instead of something you'd actually want or just have the chest taking up space.</p><p>And as I said in my earlier post, my biggest issue with the items is the quality of similar in game items we had been told in the past couldn't be made better because they'd be 'overpowered'. The availble in game items would only be more underpowered if they weren't there at all.</p></blockquote><p>What's interesting is the South Korean courts have ruled that selling boxes is the same as gambling and they've outlawed them in their games:</p><p><a href="http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/36908/Koreas_Game_Rating_Board_Publishers_Clash_Over_Jac kpot_Items.php" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/...ckpot_Items.php</a></p><p style="padding-left: 30px;">The South Korean government's Game Rating Board (GRB) says MMO publishers aren't cooperating with its investigation on whether "jackpot items" -- in-game purchases for random virtual goods -- classify as gambling.</p><p>What the thinking seems to be is that if a developer sells an item that gives a chance to get an item - where no skill is required at all - that is gambling. It seems that SoE has worked around that issue by making getting the box require skill but you pay for the key. I'm not sure if that difference is nuanced enough however.</p>

[Moldylocks]

<p><cite>Gravy wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Finora@Everfrost wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Rijacki wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>But.. in another game I have seen something that's -way- over the edge and something I hope never comes to any SOE game, but I have to wonder how long before it does: <a href="http://www.startrekonline.com/node/2864" target="_blank">http://www.startrekonline.com/node/2864</a>. Drop item boxes that require a cash shop purchased key to open them.</p><p>But, the biggest loss to the game play, the biggest way the items in the "Hero's Edge" category affect the game is in the player-to-player market. The craftable potions and items which have similar effects to those newly added to the Marketplace aren't even a shadow as good. There is no game play obtainable item which is as good as any of them. They're not a convenient alternate way to obtain similar items, they're the only way.</p></blockquote><p>Funny you should mention the dropped boxes that requires a cash shop key... they already have that in FreeRealms and have had for a while. You don't even know what's in the box until you buy the key and use it. Either you pay your money & risk getting a piece of junk instead of something you'd actually want or just have the chest taking up space.</p><p>And as I said in my earlier post, my biggest issue with the items is the quality of similar in game items we had been told in the past couldn't be made better because they'd be 'overpowered'. The availble in game items would only be more underpowered if they weren't there at all.</p></blockquote><p>What's interesting is the South Korean courts have ruled that selling boxes is the same as gambling and they've outlawed them in their games:</p><p><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/36908/Koreas_Game_Rating_Board_Publishers_Clash_Over_Jac kpot_Items.php" target="_blank">http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/...ckpot_Items.php</a></p><p style="padding-left: 30px;">The South Korean government's Game Rating Board (GRB) says MMO publishers aren't cooperating with its investigation on whether "jackpot items" -- in-game purchases for random virtual goods -- classify as gambling.</p><p>What the thinking seems to be is that if a developer sells an item that gives a chance to get an item - where no skill is required at all - that is gambling. It seems that SoE has worked around that issue by making getting the box require skill but you pay for the key. I'm not sure if that difference is nuanced enough however.</p></blockquote><p>Dave is all about <a href="http://www.mmorpg.com/gamelist.cfm/game/2/feature/6037/The-F2P-Success-Interview.html/page/1" target="_blank">running this game like a casino</a>, so nothing surprises me anymore.</p>

[Flidias]

<p>I'm perfectly happy to have these items back, when I started this particular account it was on the F2P Freeport server. I was fine with the marketplace then and there are items that I hope to see return. Do I want raid gear, instant 90 pots in the store, No, of course not, but slippery slope aside they asked and of those that answered the majority ruled.</p><p>My original account was started back when you had to do sub combines and didn't dare places like FG without a full group. I'm sorry if the "hard-core, I'm a veteran player and you can't do this to MY game" aren't happy with it.  And before the flaming starts, I'm legally considered of sound mind and my students seem to think I'm reasonably intelligent.</p><p>flame away!</p><p>/hugs to everyone <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/283a16da79f3aa23fe1025c96295f04f.gif" border="0" /> </p>

[NightGod473]

<p><cite>Gravy wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Ahlana wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>On the scroll of ressurection...</p><p>What stops me from leaving group after I died.. rezzing and then recovering the group?</p></blockquote><p>I assume you're talking about a raid because if its just a heroic dungeon then the worst that happens is you rez and run back.</p><p>So in a raid, what stops you from camping an alt in the zone outside of group and doing the same thing?</p></blockquote><p>Shhh-this is easier to complain about.</p>

[Raknid]

<p><cite>Burningice@Guk wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Gravy wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Ahlana wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>On the scroll of ressurection...</p><p>What stops me from leaving group after I died.. rezzing and then recovering the group?</p></blockquote><p>I assume you're talking about a raid because if its just a heroic dungeon then the worst that happens is you rez and run back.</p><p>So in a raid, what stops you from camping an alt in the zone outside of group and doing the same thing?</p></blockquote><p>Shhh-this is easier to complain about.</p></blockquote><p>Do you know what difference in revival from spells vs the potions are? If not, you are just making an uninformed statement.</p>

[SisterTheresa]

<p>I'm going to come out and say, personally I think having the OPTION to get and use these potions is a good idea.</p><p>See what I wrote .. OPTION.</p><p>It doesn't ruin my gameplay if some player wants to spend $$ to buy a healing potion.</p><p>But what does affect me and is starting to get at me is the AMOUNT of SC items coming out.</p><p>Dude, guys .. Holly ... Piestro ... someone ... get working and fix broken stuff.  How hard is it to put stats on items you guys broke months ago in your re-itemizations?  (I still have the broken items in my bags).</p><p>I'm taking a semi break from teh game now because of college, but I'm still coming on here and reading what is going on.  My 91 Guard already finished the solo content of WL in a WEEK.  Dude ... really?  Guess it's all about the groups and raids there?  Pity.  Guess I'll go do old content .. oh wait .. alot of that is broken and hasn't been looked at for a while.  (Kinda sad when there are quests listed on Zam that haven't been in game for 2 years that even the GMs have no clue if they are there or not)</p>

[Lempo]

<p><cite>Ridolain@Antonia Bayle wrote:</cite></p><blockquote>My 91 Guard already finished the solo content of WL in a WEEK.  Dude ... really?  Guess it's all about the groups and raids there? </blockquote><p>I guess you really have been on a break. The main raid zone of this expansion was cleared by a handful of guilds within hours of the expansion going live. Within 3 days easily upwards of 20 guilds had cleared the zone, then several had cleared the first 2 HM mobs in it.</p><p>This expansion, the content be it solo or heroic is so pathetically, no so anemically easy it is downright sickening.</p>

[Zepor]

<p>Does anyone at SoE even play this game?  Why would they even make the self-rez scroll not useable in a group/raid?</p><p>Oh no, raid wipes.  /disband, /rez self, /reinvite, /rez raid.</p><p>They have no knowledge of how their game works, obviously.</p>

[Yimway]

<p><cite>Zepor wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Does anyone at SoE even play this game?  Why would they even make the self-rez scroll not useable in a group/raid?</p><p>Oh no, raid wipes.  /disband, /rez self, /reinvite, /rez raid.</p><p>They have no knowledge of how their game works, obviously.</p></blockquote><p>Actually I'm quite sure they did understand this.</p><p>They labeled the item as solo only to get it under the 'player blessed' solo only power items.</p><p>But they fully understood it can and will work for group and raid content as an out of combat rez.</p><p>I don't really care that much about it, as your just saving time to run back to your corpse, but if this item existed when Deathtoll was meaningful, I would be furious.  So, if you will, if content changes again and you had respawning trash in raid zones, then I would be far more irritated about SC items that let you recover from a raid wipe without having to re-clear. (and yes I know there are several other ways to do this).</p>

[Raknid]

<p><cite>Atan@Unrest wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Zepor wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Does anyone at SoE even play this game?  Why would they even make the self-rez scroll not useable in a group/raid?</p><p>Oh no, raid wipes.  /disband, /rez self, /reinvite, /rez raid.</p><p>They have no knowledge of how their game works, obviously.</p></blockquote><p>Actually I'm quite sure they did understand this.</p><p>They labeled the item as solo only to get it under the 'player blessed' solo only power items.</p><p>But they fully understood it can and will work for group and raid content as an out of combat rez.</p><p>I don't really care that much about it, as your just saving time to run back to your corpse, but if this item existed when Deathtoll was meaningful, I would be furious.  So, if you will, if content changes again and you had respawning trash in raid zones, then I would be far more irritated about SC items that let you recover from a raid wipe without having to re-clear. (and yes I know there are several other ways to do this).</p></blockquote><p>Same with the "not in PvP combat" blurb on them. You're dead....duhh...therefore you aren't in combat anymore lol. (disclaimer: have not tried them myself)</p>

[ErelasAlcarinque]

<p>Well, last break from EQ2 was roughly six years.  Things have changed a lot since launch, a lot of good, some not so good.</p><p>The release of these "Heroe's Edge" items, what an appropriate name, tipped the balance of not so good to, "Oh hey, now we're like the majority of cash shop featuring games".</p><p>I read thru a lot of comments here, not all, and I saw some of what I feel, that this move pushes the games challenge level down a few more notches is apparent, even from using the word "Edge" in the name.</p><p>Of course, game development and evolution are economically driven, entirely understandable, I'll be the first to defend the fact that someone has to pay the power bill or servers don't run.  Sadly, the addition of "Heroe's Edge" items will probably benefit SOE so much we'll see more of the same.  I miss the days of patience (lot's of patience), aggressive teamwork, and friendship in game being the defining trademark of a good player.  Some really good work has been put into items, especially that last black / gold armor set, yow that is gorgeous, that are exclusively available in the marketplace.  I prefer that when another player see's "me" in game and asks <span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif;">"That is an awesome looking (random item)!  How'd you get that?"</span>, that I respond not with, <span style="font-family: helvetica;">"Marketplace, spend a little"</span>, but with, <span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif;">"Oh, epic fight, really awesome, starts in so and so and leads to such and such and you've gotta have a good team of guildies to help, tricky bit of work!"</span></p><p>Do not misunderstand, those new golems look great, if I was going to continue subscribing for now, I'd drop my SC on one.  "Heroe's Edge" though is just plain not gonna work for me, probably ever, and so, it's probably a good time to come up for air.  You need subscribers, residual income, longevity leading to continued return on initial investment, "Edge" items are not going to do that.  Encourage subscribing, not by limiting what player's have already paid for, restricting access, etc., but by being the absolute best. (Exit stage account controls)</p>

[Gustuv Wynd]

<p>I don't get it...if you are making it pretty much insta-win for player to solo group content that is higher than they can already do with a Merc by purchasing items...why not just put the items up for purchase themselves? I mean, right now it will just be head to the named and press your hot keys...once you are are low on health/power you pop the potion. If you die, then you rez after you've killed some of the adds and have an easier go at it. You could just as well add a goblin that offers a minigame where you spend SC for a chance to win good level appropriate gear. (but maybe not for your class...just like the random roll they will get if they are taking these extra lives into a dungon to be garanted a good item) Also...instead of a rez scroll, how about adding an item that grants the feign death skill? Same thing really, but a FD will at least leave a little chance in there. Plus add a skill would be accepted more readily I think.</p>

[SisterTheresa]

<p><cite>Lempo@Everfrost wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Ridolain@Antonia Bayle wrote:</cite></p><blockquote>My 91 Guard already finished the solo content of WL in a WEEK.  Dude ... really?  Guess it's all about the groups and raids there? </blockquote><p>I guess you really have been on a break. The main raid zone of this expansion was cleared by a handful of guilds within hours of the expansion going live. Within 3 days easily upwards of 20 guilds had cleared the zone, then several had cleared the first 2 HM mobs in it.</p><p>This expansion, the content be it solo or heroic is so pathetically, no so anemically easy it is downright sickening.</p></blockquote><p>Yup.  College and Rl along with surgeries and other things ... have cut into my playtime.  No big deal to me.  I'm not here for a contest on who can clear a zone the fastest.  I am just dissapointed that all that new content was cleared so fast.  Makes one go .... "what a waste" at least for me.</p>

[Jeepned2]

<p>Someday some of you will finally have a lightbulb turn on over your head and finally realize how Sony works.</p><p>The poll was totally fake. Sony has a perception problem that they don't listen to the player base. So they invent these polls. You get to feel like you have some input into the game while Sony already has the patches ready to install this stuff no matter the outcome of the poll. The poll results are totally ignored, they accomplished their mission and people sit there and think "oh well, at least they put it to a vote this time". Really? Do you seriously believe that? This is all about money and that is the sole purpose of the SC, make money. Of course they were going to put those items out, even if the poll said 99.9% were oposed to it. Of course you and I will never know what the poll said. I'm in three guilds, one raiding, one alt and one "fun" guild and I don't know one person who voted for adding these items. Wake up folks, your opinion is neither wanted nor does it influence anything that Sony does. This stuff is planned out months in advance and your opinion this close to release means nothing.</p>

[Avianna]

<p>hmmm... 9 pages of this item stinks sounds to  me like your poll is a bit off..... SOE please listen to your players, lay off the smedbucks and concentrate on the stuff in game. Please and thank you.</p>

[Terayon]

<p>Let me start by saying that I've been an on and off player since launch. I took an extended break about two years ago and recently decided to give it another shot. I never solo'ed because I could, rather because I didn't have much choice. At the time it was near impossible for me to find a group. What peaked my intrest again was the mercenary addition. Now (for a pretty coin!) I can quest with less downtime and see more accomplishment.</p><p>The items being sold now are part of why I began loosing interest before. When the market first came out I was one of those who ADAMANTLY opposed it. The -ONLY- time I support RL money for in-game items is when you can earn those items in-game as well as with cash. The cash being a "speed up" button so to speak. Maybe coming back was a mistake I don't know yet but this coming month will tell whether I wasted money or it was well spent.</p><p>I personally wish though there was LESS of a focus on "station" cash period.</p>