There I was, logging onto EQ2, as you do, and then a popup appeared, with some nice shiny pictures to grab my attention. I clicked the link, and had a quick look at the website (Here) and dismissed it as something for the “ebayer” friendly station exchange servers.
Obviously this wasn’t the case, it happens to be on all the servers.
At this moment in time, the items range from the pointless (fluff pets) to the unfair (exp potions), so as it stands, not really affecting game balance all that much… but this is quite possibly the start of something else altogether.
Ignoring the fact that this is basicly what IGE and LonLoot are doing, possibly illegally, obviously i haven’t poured over the EULA to know if this is the case, but in such a way that Sony profits from their own game, by selling items that the aforementioned websites cannot access; this is exactly what a large proportion of those odd little free to play, but pay to advance asian developed MMOs offer, (and i use the term “MMO” loosely here) where you need to buy “tokens” or similar to “rent” items etc. for a period of time.
For example, Drift City, a driving MMO has you paying for “G Coins” to pay rent for items for a week, this includes cosmetic items such as new paint colours for your car, which begs the question: How can you rent paint?, to exp potions and afterburner type spoilers for your car, which obviously gives you an advantage. In the case of Drift City, you can forgive the developers for charging for “premium content” as the game itself is free to play, and you do not have to buy any “G Coins” to progress, although I assume it does make it far easier. This practice is copied by other several other MMOs, from basic appearance customisation, to the basis of the entire games’ economy, a la Project Entropia.
As for SOE, they charge a monthly subscription, they don’t allow access to features of eq2players unless you fork out for yet another monthly fee and now they want you to spend your hard earned cash, again, on this stationcash, you have to ask: where does their greed end? Not wanting to dwell too much on individual player wealth, but not everyone lives off a nice pile of cash, and not everyone is willing to make a larger financial comitment to a game they already pay a monthly subsctiption too, I for one am not.
Obviously this is not something the players want, take a gander here or here for some views on it, many of the posters/petitioners seem to be threatening to cancel their subscriptions, a bit drastic perhaps?
Only time will tell if SOE keep to their word on keeping it just to “fluff” that doesn’t harm balance…
Wodge Out.
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I won't be buying anything from station cash, I disagree with the idea of turning EQ2 into a game where those that can pay real money get nicer looking characters. MMO's should allow everyone the chance to be on an even playing field. If you pay your sub you should be able to do everything anyone else in game can do, if you work for it. Granted, casual gamers like myself often won't get the high end gear or even see some of the high end raid content, but I know that if I had the time or inclination I could do.
It's a slippery slope, i'm sure in time the items available on station cash will be expanded to items that do effect in game stats and abilities. Also I remember John Smedley saying (on EQ flames), we would never have real money trading on none exchange servers? So much for his promise.
With station cash it will be those that have funds in the real world that have fancy looking characters, creating a mirror of the real world in an MMO. The rich have the designer outfits, the not so rich don't.
The best options for me would be if they kept some servers free of station cash or gave us the option of buying these items with in game money. You could make them very expensive in game but at least there is the possibility of getting the items if you work at it.
I don't play EQ2, but this is quite likely the beginning of the end for all MMO's as a recipe for additional revenue streams. LOTRO already has premium services that at the moment are reserved to reversing certain decisions made by the player (e.g. choice of server etc.) but I can easily see them offering high-end and unique items before long.
Dark days may well be ahead for the MMO game genre.
//HoC
I won't use StationCash either, yet I don't see why everyone is getting all up in arms over the situation.
Much like EQ2Players website you pay for it or you don't, sure it will give some players an advantage and SOE will screw it for everything eventually, you may not get a pick-up group but so what. If you're enjoying the game and the in game adverts desist after a few weeks it's just another distraction like Legends of Norrath.
I'm firmly in the couldn't care less what that other guy has got that I don't corner (hell I don't even look at other peoples equipment unless it is linked in the guild window).
Equipment is only part of the package when it comes to being a good player, you have to have the skill and foresight to adjust your tactics to events that occur.