143 réponses à ce sujet

[GoldenusG]

F-C wrote...

well im going to head out and enjoy the evening, i better go buy a 100$ "life point" package because you know noone in real life actually accepts cash money for their products. you need points or you are SOL.

laters.

Oh?  You're off to the cash point then?  After all, you don't seriously believe a scrap of paper has any real value do you?  After all, all a bank-note is, is an IOU from the government/bank to you.  Thats why UK notes state 'I promise to pay the bearer on demand the sum of XX

[LSDS]

Severian75 wrote...

... By the way, doesn't it take more time and effort to come to the forum, log in, search or browse, type out a post, read the replies, create an arguement to refute (we'll just say that they do refute it), rinse, repeat... than it does to buy points and download content? Just saying, if your argument is that there is one extra step (ok, break it into microscopic parts and call it 2 additional since you have to compare price of item to points package), is it really that big of a deal?

My point isn't that the extra step takes more time. I was a FFXI player for years, I'm used to time consuming inconveniences.     It 's just that it doesn't seem at all necessary when they could simply take our money directly.  Why have you buy points and then use those points to buy the content when they could just have you buy the content? 

[purplesunset]

kevinwastaken wrote...

BioWare's marketing department must have been taken over by the brain slugs at EA.

"By the way if anyone here is in advertising or marketing... kill yourself." - Bill Hicks

And to think that the situation is even worse today than when Bill Hicks was alive. What would he say now?

Anyway, EA is a necessary evil. Without the financial backing from a wealthy powerhouse like EA, they might not have been able to afford to release Dragon Age.

As long as Dragon Age doesn't become like the Sims 2 with overpriced expansion after expansion after expansion after expansion after expansion....to milk the Sims for all they're worth

Edit: To clarify, I meant to say that I would prefer one big, meaty expansion for DA as opposed to tons of little micro-addon packs a la Sims 2.

Sims 2: Pets

Sims 2: Hot Date

Sims 2: Livin' large

Sims 2: This cash cow keeps on giving

etc.

Modifié par purplesunset, 29 novembre 2009 - 01:03 .

[Severian75]

LSDS wrote...

Severian75 wrote...

... By the way, doesn't it take more time and effort to come to the forum, log in, search or browse, type out a post, read the replies, create an arguement to refute (we'll just say that they do refute it), rinse, repeat... than it does to buy points and download content? Just saying, if your argument is that there is one extra step (ok, break it into microscopic parts and call it 2 additional since you have to compare price of item to points package), is it really that big of a deal?

My point isn't that the extra step takes more time. I was a FFXI player for years, I'm used to time consuming inconveniences.     It 's just that it doesn't seem at all necessary when they could simply take our money directly.  Why have you buy points and then use those points to buy the content when they could just have you buy the content? 

Don't get me wrong, I would prefer a direct $$ purchase over a points system. I do, however see why they would choose a points system and feel that this one isn't "evil" like most others out there.

I mentioned Champions points earlier for Champions Online. I enjoy that game. I like the extra content that they release for it. I haven't bought any of it, though. They require specific batches of points, but haven't released a single download that utilizes the batch size in any way, even if you mix n match the downloads to try creating a shopping cart that comes out to an even points batch ammount. (I can't say I have actually tried the algebra to create the combination package that would come out to the batch size, but I have browsed and added up the items I was most interested in and did some quick math to make trying to add an additional item or two to make it an even transaction with no success.)

It's sad really, Cryptic was an outfit I respected before mommy and daddy Cryptic had a falling out and went to live with their mistresses NC and Atari. But that is outside the scope of this discussion.

Back on topic, the very likely benefits from the operating/programming side combined with the way it is done in even batch ammounts for the DLC and the simplicity of the in-game interface is why I don't have an issue with this system.

[Eurypterid]

F-C wrote...

its not about simple math, its about being inconvenienced and forced to jump through hoops when you are the customer.

it was nice discussing it with you though, when you ignore the rest and just make a troll reply i think we are done.

F-C, I don't see how this is such a big inconvenience. My understanding (and I could well be wrong), is the security concerns of a credit card transaction would preclude that being an option within the game itself. So implementing the points system allows the player to purchase within in the game without having to shut down and go elsewhere to get the content. Granted, you still must at some point pay for the points for the DLC with your card, but if you're going to log out of your game and go to a website to use your credit card, what's the big deal about buying points? This allows you to DL the content within the game instead of going through the procedure of DLing it separately and either manually installing it, or double clicking on an .exe installer and have it install automatically.

I understand you think it's onerous for the consumer to have to calculate the conversion of points to dollars for the DLC, but I don't agree with your assessment on this. If you know the DLC costs 560 points and 560 points costs 7 bucks, then you know the DLC costs 7 bucks. It's really not that big a deal. If it were ever the case that the DLC cost is different than a points package you can buy, then I'll whole-heartedly agree with you. But while it's still the same cost per points package as it is for the DLC in points, I can't.

What this system does do though, is cut out a bit of the installation procedure, because you just have to click to buy in game and install it right then and there. It streamlines it to a good degree.

[Statue]

Eurypterid wrote...

F-C wrote...

its not about simple math, its about being inconvenienced and forced to jump through hoops when you are the customer.

it was nice discussing it with you though, when you ignore the rest and just make a troll reply i think we are done.

F-C, I don't see how this is such a big inconvenience. My understanding (and I could well be wrong), is the security concerns of a credit card transaction would preclude that being an option within the game itself. So implementing the points system allows the player to purchase within in the game without having to shut down and go elsewhere to get the content. Granted, you still must at some point pay for the points for the DLC with your card, but if you're going to log out of your game and go to a website to use your credit card, what's the big deal about buying points? This allows you to DL the content within the game instead of going through the procedure of DLing it separately and either manually installing it, or double clicking on an .exe installer and have it install automatically.

I understand you think it's onerous for the consumer to have to calculate the conversion of points to dollars for the DLC, but I don't agree with your assessment on this. If you know the DLC costs 560 points and 560 points costs 7 bucks, then you know the DLC costs 7 bucks. It's really not that big a deal. If it were ever the case that the DLC cost is different than a points package you can buy, then I'll whole-heartedly agree with you. But while it's still the same cost per points package as it is for the DLC in points, I can't.

What this system does do though, is cut out a bit of the installation procedure, because you just have to click to buy in game and install it right then and there. It streamlines it to a good degree.

As I posted earlier in the thread, it only cuts out on some download and installation procedure if you assume a certain type of download and installation procedure with a direct purchase compared to the points system (i.e. now, you log in and the points you've purchased are read from your account; that account could just as easily send DLC authorizations as it does your number of points - that would mean the exact same download and install procedure could function with direct purchasing as with points purchasing).

Modifié par Statue, 29 novembre 2009 - 01:16 .

[triggerhippy]

I totally agree with the thread starter.  MS points and Bioware points are bs.  Stop with the stupid "fun money" so you can end up milking more money from me. Just charge my card the exact amount. 

EDIT: Yes I know with Bioware you can buy exact points. But will this always be the case?  I don't trust the system at all. Look at how bad MS is with it.

Modifié par triggerhippy, 29 novembre 2009 - 01:27 .

[LSDS]

Severian75 wrote...

Back on topic, the very likely benefits from the operating/programming side combined with the way it is done in even batch ammounts for the DLC and the simplicity of the in-game interface is why I don't have an issue with this system.

 
Yeah, I could see it being used based on the programming standpoint.  But I wonder if the prices in regions outside of NA actually change at all?  If the prices aren't rising and falling in other regions based on the constant fluctuations of currency exchange then what is there to program?  Don't they just set the price in other regions much the same way they set the price in NA and leave it there?

On the other hand, if the prices aren't constant in other regions then  the point system makes a bit more sense as they'd just have to set a constant "price" in Bioware points and then they handle currency fluctuations whenever the players outside of NA purchase their points.  The point cost of the DLC wouldn't change in this case but the value of the points themselves would.  For regions outside of NA that is. 

Modifié par LSDS, 29 novembre 2009 - 01:30 .

[Severian75]

Statue wrote...

Eurypterid wrote...

F-C wrote...

its not about simple math, its about being inconvenienced and forced to jump through hoops when you are the customer.

it was nice discussing it with you though, when you ignore the rest and just make a troll reply i think we are done.

F-C, I don't see how this is such a big inconvenience. My understanding (and I could well be wrong), is the security concerns of a credit card transaction would preclude that being an option within the game itself. So implementing the points system allows the player to purchase within in the game without having to shut down and go elsewhere to get the content. Granted, you still must at some point pay for the points for the DLC with your card, but if you're going to log out of your game and go to a website to use your credit card, what's the big deal about buying points? This allows you to DL the content within the game instead of going through the procedure of DLing it separately and either manually installing it, or double clicking on an .exe installer and have it install automatically.

I understand you think it's onerous for the consumer to have to calculate the conversion of points to dollars for the DLC, but I don't agree with your assessment on this. If you know the DLC costs 560 points and 560 points costs 7 bucks, then you know the DLC costs 7 bucks. It's really not that big a deal. If it were ever the case that the DLC cost is different than a points package you can buy, then I'll whole-heartedly agree with you. But while it's still the same cost per points package as it is for the DLC in points, I can't.

What this system does do though, is cut out a bit of the installation procedure, because you just have to click to buy in game and install it right then and there. It streamlines it to a good degree.

As I posted earlier in the thread, it only cuts out on some download and installation procedure if you assume a certain type of download and installation procedure with a direct purchase compared to the points system (i.e. now, you log in and the points you've purchased are read from your account; that account could just as easily send DLC authorizations as it does your number of points - that would mean the exact same download and install procedure could function with direct purchasing as with points purchasing).

This is a good point, and while I don't personally have an issue with the BW points system (again, because they keep their points batches and DLC costs equal), I can see where this would be a nice way for the system to function.

But... the gaming industry has been moving to a point-buy system for quite a while. Can you honestly say you expect for BW to simply exclude themselves from the new industry standard? They are at least doing it in a way as to not "rip off" their customer. The same cannot be said for most game makers out there.

On the other hand, the point system does have some consumer benefits. Specifically in the case of a parent paying for content for a child or in the case of gifting. Neither case would apply in my situation, but I can see where it would help in those cases.

Modifié par Severian75, 29 novembre 2009 - 03:07 .

[drake546]

The points system is idiotic. Why can't I use real money?

[Severian75]

drake546 wrote...

The points system is idiotic.

This is such a well formed and logical argument, you must be right. How ever could we not have seen such an obviously logical point.

Why can't I use real money ?

There are 6 pages of discussion here that contain ideas, guesses, theories, and logical arguments in answer to this question.

Modifié par Eurypterid, 29 novembre 2009 - 03:34 .

[Vinditater]

Wait, can I use my unused Arcade and Chucky Cheese points for DLC?

[Severian75]

Gah! I had broken quotes and trying to fix it only made it worse... Bad, me.

[Eurypterid]

Severian75 wrote...

Gah! I had broken quotes and trying to fix it only made it worse... Bad, me.

Got it for you. You were closing the quotes incorrectly. Use the / in front of the word quote, not \\\\.

Modifié par Eurypterid, 29 novembre 2009 - 03:42 .

[Severian75]

Eurypterid wrote...

Severian75 wrote...

Gah! I had broken quotes and trying to fix it only made it worse... Bad, me.

Got it for you. You were closing the quotes incorrectly. Use the / in front of the word quote, not \\\\\\\\.

Thanks. That was the original direction I had them, but they were still funky. I thought it was maybe because I had gone the wrong way with the slashes so I switched it and made it worse.

[guru7892]

hey are bioware points openly traded on the market? I'm not liking the whole USD with the healthcare bill and such so I was hoping I could put it into bioware-points. are bioware points pegged to the canadian dollar?



(and honestly gold is oversaturated right now so Bioware-Points are looking pretty good to me)