As the title of that implies, I'm not thrilled. I'm not even mildy happy. Nor does this mean I'm upset/angry. Frankly, the primary feeling of this post is disappointment. KingsIsle, a company many of us have looked to with respect for quite some time now, is slowly irritating a large segment of the player population. I write this now a few days after the announcement as it has given me time to cool down to some degree, because I have a tendency to fly off the handle and was a bit furious when I first heard about it.
A few weeks ago, Open Chat was revoked for crowns players that had subbed at one point and got to keep the privilege. Yes, a privilege. Wizard101Central absolutely exploded when the post came across the newswire from Professor Greyrose and some of it is in the nature that I do not desire to link to. There were personal attacks eight ways to Sunday. A few Centralites, including myself, posted calmly in an attempt to a) assuage the crowds and b) search for solutions. KingsIsle reversed what had been done with a letter from Professor Ambrose indicating that they DO care every bit as much about their pay-as-you-go population as their subscribers.
Now, the new members benefits are coming through. This isn't really something that bothers me, I understand that members need something to keep them as members as an incentive to keep paying rather than jumping ship to crowns to save in the long run. Energy will replenish faster, crafting slots will cool down faster, friends list will expand by 20, and backpack space will increase. That underlined portion is something that we've been asking for for quite some time. Now, it's a members only benefit. Add to that list unlimited Ranked PvP and Derby to that list to see the full set of benefits.
It almost seems like we [crowns population] are trying to be phased out. Also, it is my understanding that only credit card subscriptions will get the new perks. It was previously noted that gift card based subscriptions could get you the same benefits as a credit card subscription. When issues arose with Open Chat the gift-card-members-as-equals issue sprung up, too. I know that gift cards are not a valid way to validate age, so Open Chat should not have been available via gift card. But now alienation from members only perks because they opt to get a pet with their purchase? What happens to the person that subscribes for a few months on credit, gets a gift card for Christmas, and uses it absentmindedly for a subscription in the middle of his recurring one? Does s/he lose 20 friend list spaces and backpack slots until the subscription from the card lapses and it's all back on credit? Somehow that doesn't seem quite right.
I realize they need subscriptions rather than crowns players, generally, because they are a more steady supply of income. Consider this case, though:
Person A is a subscriber on a recurring monthly membership, he does not purchase a year long special.
Person B is a crowns player who buys $80 in crowns (while not on special) to play the game.
Person A plays for 2 months and then reality gets in the way, he cancels the subscription to not waste money. Person B plays for the same amount of time, reality gets in the way, and she leaves as well. Which person did KI benefit from the most?
Just some food for thought, friends.
Your [disappointed] Friend Always,
John Lifeglen
A few weeks ago, Open Chat was revoked for crowns players that had subbed at one point and got to keep the privilege. Yes, a privilege. Wizard101Central absolutely exploded when the post came across the newswire from Professor Greyrose and some of it is in the nature that I do not desire to link to. There were personal attacks eight ways to Sunday. A few Centralites, including myself, posted calmly in an attempt to a) assuage the crowds and b) search for solutions. KingsIsle reversed what had been done with a letter from Professor Ambrose indicating that they DO care every bit as much about their pay-as-you-go population as their subscribers.
Now, the new members benefits are coming through. This isn't really something that bothers me, I understand that members need something to keep them as members as an incentive to keep paying rather than jumping ship to crowns to save in the long run. Energy will replenish faster, crafting slots will cool down faster, friends list will expand by 20, and backpack space will increase. That underlined portion is something that we've been asking for for quite some time. Now, it's a members only benefit. Add to that list unlimited Ranked PvP and Derby to that list to see the full set of benefits.
It almost seems like we [crowns population] are trying to be phased out. Also, it is my understanding that only credit card subscriptions will get the new perks. It was previously noted that gift card based subscriptions could get you the same benefits as a credit card subscription. When issues arose with Open Chat the gift-card-members-as-equals issue sprung up, too. I know that gift cards are not a valid way to validate age, so Open Chat should not have been available via gift card. But now alienation from members only perks because they opt to get a pet with their purchase? What happens to the person that subscribes for a few months on credit, gets a gift card for Christmas, and uses it absentmindedly for a subscription in the middle of his recurring one? Does s/he lose 20 friend list spaces and backpack slots until the subscription from the card lapses and it's all back on credit? Somehow that doesn't seem quite right.
I realize they need subscriptions rather than crowns players, generally, because they are a more steady supply of income. Consider this case, though:
Person A is a subscriber on a recurring monthly membership, he does not purchase a year long special.
Person B is a crowns player who buys $80 in crowns (while not on special) to play the game.
Person A plays for 2 months and then reality gets in the way, he cancels the subscription to not waste money. Person B plays for the same amount of time, reality gets in the way, and she leaves as well. Which person did KI benefit from the most?
Just some food for thought, friends.
Your [disappointed] Friend Always,
John Lifeglen
