Discussion: NCsoft Expands with New Game Cards
By
American_Valor,
Posted on: 2008-07-29 14:19 in News, Events and Announcement Discussion
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I was posting on Massively.com in an attempt to win the freakshow costume. I am one of the "lost players" that live on the "forgotten" East Coast, USA.
I found this very interesting post there...
"Johnny_Velocity said...
This and other customer relations-oriented idiocy on NCSoft's part was the catalyst for me quitting the game last month after being on since the start.
Let me get this straight - a permanent goody is given in limited numbers to existing customers only who, with only a few exceptions, necessarily needed to already have plans to go to the convention. Net advantage: zero new customers, few, if any, new con attendees, a few hundred happy people. Net disadvantage: several thousand angry customers.
Meanwhile, in an effort to promote a new time card campaign, a 30-day real time temporary power is attached to time cards going on sale at retailers like Target, readily located just about everywhere in the U.S. Rather than make the power a permanent one, thereby assuring themselves of some nice early sales to veteran players and thereby impressing said retailers, the power is made a temp one with a real time expiration, virtually assuring little veteran player participation.
If COH still has more than 100,000 subscribers when Champions Online and DCU Online hit, I'll be shocked. It's a good game with a great community, but they continue to alienate people* like we are completely disposable - which is exactly how they will then be treated when the competition hits.
* the term "people" does not include forum lackeys "
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Here is the thing, Johnny there calls it "a new time card campaign". It's not, it's a game card. They are not trying to sell vets these cards, but NEW players.
Would there be this much upset if it was a box with the same stuff? I doubt it.
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Wow I like the jetpack, very disappointed I only get to keep it for 30 days. I guess I should have read all the really small print.
Great gimic 
worked for my main account. I will not be upgrading my other accounts like I preiviously thought. It made for a nice gift to a friend but she will be disappointed also when I tell her its only good for 30 days, like the jingle jet pack.
Looks like I will have to delete the two new character I made since after 30 days they no longer match there names of Jetpack and JetPack Envy At least my friend won't waste a character slot on our main server.
Valor
Slightly disappointed about the jetpack
Quote:
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by Star Ranger 4 WIN LOSE OR DRAW, WE WILL FIGHT. WE ARE HEROES This is what we DO! |
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Keep in mind that the game card revenue is getting shared to some degree with the retailer. So NCSoft is losing locked in revolving subscription revenue when veteran players switch to buying game cards. So a temp power is not really inappropriate as a perk. If the power were permanent, then it would have to be a value add, at added cost, just like the Special edition DVD (slide sprint power) or the wedding pack.
While the idea of walking into target and buying in-game powers and costume pieces has some appeal, NCSoft would have to offset the retailers markup. That would mean that they would have to charge more like 25$ or more per one month play card to break even. At that level it makes more sense for them to give away bonus powers to members who are on autopay.
As and alternate they could roll out something like NC Coins in CoX and keep all of that 10$ difference for themselves, to put back into game development. I know which gets my vote.
That is not to say the idea of promoting the game card sales by inflating the initial uptake is without merit, it just may cost NCSoft more than some of you anticipated. And you don't grow a church by preaching to the choir, you do it by converting new followers.
Lights, do you know if the NCSoft/CoX store is going to sell any other items for us to add to the game? We had the wedding pack (and I guess some updates to the game). I don't want to buy this card and pay $5 just for the temp power but would love to add stuff to further customize my toons.
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Well, if you have a credit card to purchase something on the store, why not just use that to buy game time?
See, the problem is, there is rampant (or well something like that) use of stolen or otherwise fraudulent credit cards with game time. That's unfortunately why we have such stringent credit card usage practices and why we don't make the actual codes available on the website. It's a bummer that it has to be that way, but it is what it is.
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Why purchase a game time card online rather than paying for a subscription?
The answer, Lighthouse, is contained in the words "Cash flow".
If I have money *now* to pay for time, that doesn't mean I will still have that money in the future. Since there's no way to set the payment date in the NCSoft store, I cannot pay *now*. I have to wait for the time to expire and my card to be charged.
And that money might not be there by then.
*THAT* is why having the option to prepay for time when I want to and can afford to would be nice to have in the online store. As it is, I have to go and find a physical card, which is *not* easy to do as most stores around here simply do not carry them at all, or have at most one on hand and don't restock, or I have to trust an online vendor of CD-keys to give me one.
I'd rather have the option to prepay on the spot in the online store. Currently, I don't have that option, it is not available.
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You can do that using a credit card, you pay for your month, or 3 months or 6 months or whatever, after your account is activated, cancel the automatic billing. When your time expires, you will not be charged until YOU put your credit card details in again to re-activate your account
CHAMPION!
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Here's a picture of the Jet Pack you get 30 days of use from with these cards.
Click here to see the Jet Pack.
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That's a very patriotic looking Goldbricker pack...
Too bad it expires in 30 days or I'd be all over this puppy.
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I may still be all over it... *glee!*
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I was posting on Massively.com in an attempt to win the freakshow costume. I am one of the "lost players" that live on the "forgotten" East Coast, USA.
I found this very interesting post there...
"Johnny_Velocity said...
This and other customer relations-oriented idiocy on NCSoft's part was the catalyst for me quitting the game last month after being on since the start.
Let me get this straight - a permanent goody is given in limited numbers to existing customers only who, with only a few exceptions, necessarily needed to already have plans to go to the convention. Net advantage: zero new customers, few, if any, new con attendees, a few hundred happy people. Net disadvantage: several thousand angry customers.
Meanwhile, in an effort to promote a new time card campaign, a 30-day real time temporary power is attached to time cards going on sale at retailers like Target, readily located just about everywhere in the U.S. Rather than make the power a permanent one, thereby assuring themselves of some nice early sales to veteran players and thereby impressing said retailers, the power is made a temp one with a real time expiration, virtually assuring little veteran player participation.
If COH still has more than 100,000 subscribers when Champions Online and DCU Online hit, I'll be shocked. It's a good game with a great community, but they continue to alienate people* like we are completely disposable - which is exactly how they will then be treated when the competition hits.
* the term "people" does not include forum lackeys "
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I doubt that anyone but us "forum lackeys" know anything about the reward given to the attendees of the San Diego Comic Con, so your argument that "people" will be upset is weak. I think it is fairly silly to get upset about an insignificant bonus given to a small group of people who were able to make it out to the SDCC. Since I am on the East Coast, that wasn't an option for me. Would I like some kind of little exclusive perk? Sure, but it is nothing to get upset about. "Why so serious?"
And as said in other posts, these new cards are to sell the game to new customers, not for current subscribers. I think the temp Jet Pack is a great idea, to give new players a chance to experience one of the early "oh, cool!" aspects of the game, flying. By the end of 30 days, if the new customer is really enjoying the game, he or she should have gotten at least one character up to level 14 and gotten a travel power.
Would I like one of these new jet packs? Sure! But the game was designed that you have to EARN a travel power at or after level 14 (if you choose to). That is why this Jet Pack is temporary, same as the packs you get from the bank missions. Even the GvE jet pack, which I love, does not change the fact that you need to eventually earn a travel power.
This is clearly NOT in NC Soft's best interest to use as a "game time card." Retailers take a share of the revenue, so NC Soft has to provide the same service for less income. (Of course, this is also true of "game time cards" that people buy from retailers -- NC Soft encourages its customers to subscribe with a credit card because then it doesn't have to pay a huge share to the retailer.) The intent is to get more people into the game, paying monthly subscriptions.
Personally, since I'm paying the same amount whether I get a time card or pay directly, I'd rather pay directly and have more of my money pay those nice folks trying to make the game more fun.
To those folks who want time cards, why not purchase those Visa Gift Cards instead of game cards, since you can use them to buy game time? And you can use them for just about anything else, too.
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The last Visa Gift card I bought, for my neice's Sweet 16 gift, the register girl from Rite Aid didnt know how to activate it properly. But she knew how to take my money for it. I even asked her, "Is this thing activated properly?" Luckily I kept the receipt.
I wouldn't mind them If I knew I could get them reliably and they'd work. My experience so far is less than stellar.
-Largo
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man, finally. its so hard to find those time cards nowadays. gamestop is always out of stock and i have to really really look for one to find one. hopefully it'll be easier now.
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The last Visa Gift card I bought, for my neice's Sweet 16 gift, the register girl from Rite Aid didnt know how to activate it properly. But she knew how to take my money for it. I even asked her, "Is this thing activated properly?" Luckily I kept the receipt.
I wouldn't mind them If I knew I could get them reliably and they'd work. My experience so far is less than stellar.
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There might have been a glitch in the Rite Aid register system when you bought that VISA gift card. That's much more likely than the idea that someone might not know how to "activate the card properly" when all it takes is swiping the card through the register the same way you'd swipe a customer's credit card for payment.
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Here's a picture of the Jet Pack you get 30 days of use from with these cards.
Click here to see the Jet Pack.
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That's a very patriotic looking Goldbricker pack...
Too bad it expires in 30 days or I'd be all over this puppy.
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Brittania Forever or Vie la France?
Both of their flags have the same colours as the States.
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Here's a picture of the Jet Pack you get 30 days of use from with these cards.
Click here to see the Jet Pack.
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That's a very patriotic looking Goldbricker pack...
Too bad it expires in 30 days or I'd be all over this puppy.
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Brittania Forever or Vie la France?
Both of their flags have the same colours as the States.
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Isn't that supposed to be Rule, Britannia and Vive la France?
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Well, if you have a credit card to purchase something on the store, why not just use that to buy game time?
Well, I do use a credit card and buy in bundles its cheaper by far then the monthly card route. However to get this I have to pay more per month the the discounted package deals correct. So being a loyal customer 35 months straight and GvsE pack and wedding pack and arachnos helment code add ons why we can't just upgrade our accounts is kinda shocking.
I mean if its a new account or something I could see credit fraud that you speak of. But if I'm using my same card which I have used for almost 3 years now I don't see how you all would or could possible have any concerns.
I see you have brought this to others attentions and I guess I'll hang out and wait??? Do you think a response will be quick or is this something that will drag on a while???
Thanks for your info Lighthouse any thing else would really be keen.
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Keep in mind that the game card revenue is getting shared to some degree with the retailer. So NCSoft is losing locked in revolving subscription revenue when veteran players switch to buying game cards. So a temp power is not really inappropriate as a perk. If the power were permanent, then it would have to be a value add, at added cost, just like the Special edition DVD (slide sprint power) or the wedding pack.
While the idea of walking into target and buying in-game powers and costume pieces has some appeal, NCSoft would have to offset the retailers markup. That would mean that they would have to charge more like 25$ or more per one month play card to break even. At that level it makes more sense for them to give away bonus powers to members who are on autopay.
As and alternate they could roll out something like NC Coins in CoX and keep all of that 10$ difference for themselves, to put back into game development. I know which gets my vote.
That is not to say the idea of promoting the game card sales by inflating the initial uptake is without merit, it just may cost NCSoft more than some of you anticipated. And you don't grow a church by preaching to the choir, you do it by converting new followers.
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There is no loss of time and just because you use a time card doesn't remove you from autocredit pay it just extends your game play expire date by 30/60/90/180/ or yearly.
I have been doing a mix of both since game inception on mutipile accounts. I am geek enough to have all options and up grades on my accounts.
We as a community have been asking for Jetpacks for a long while. Where I agree and think it is a nice incentive to have it available to new players, As a long time Vet I like creating new characters. Paying for 30 days of time and getting a temp power which isn't actually properly described ingame as a 30 day temp power is very misleading. Not all players use and read the forum boards, and New players to an MMO may not even know they exist for some time especially if they go from trial period to paying costumer.
I would like to see the current player base be rewarded with a Jetpack receipe of sometype for those of us who would prefer that to rocket boots.
Just my two inf worth.
Valor
Quote:
|
by Star Ranger 4 WIN LOSE OR DRAW, WE WILL FIGHT. WE ARE HEROES This is what we DO! |
Decide that this will be another day in which you Walk The Talk.
MA #14724 Operation: Discredit @American Valor
Sentinel Of Liberty SG
Isn't both an option. I love rocket boots with the temp power raptor pack you get from bank mission.
At level 5 generally higher because of missions to get bank but you get idea. My toons are flying around glowing from jet pack and boots yes they work with jet pack 
.
To justify spending money in this ecomony why would one get this knowing its gone. I mean you can already create great looks in game just not that specific one.
So if I purchased this it would be for a specific toon right. Then at the end of 30 days the concept behind said created character would be removed...
Kinda like "fixing" the jump pack we got with VIP pass. Use to be able to click it even when it was recharging to still maintain toons look then for some reason and it surely isn't a good one, seeing how a recharging power adds no advantage to game play, they nerfed this ability.
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Well, if you have a credit card to purchase something on the store, why not just use that to buy game time?
Well, I do use a credit card and buy in bundles its cheaper by far then the monthly card route. However to get this I have to pay more per month the the discounted package deals correct. So being a loyal customer 35 months straight and GvsE pack and wedding pack and arachnos helment code add ons why we can't just upgrade our accounts is kinda shocking.
I mean if its a new account or something I could see credit fraud that you speak of. But if I'm using my same card which I have used for almost 3 years now I don't see how you all would or could possible have any concerns.
I see you have brought this to others attentions and I guess I'll hang out and wait??? Do you think a response will be quick or is this something that will drag on a while???
Thanks for your info Lighthouse any thing else would really be keen.
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I'm not exactly sure what you are asking. Someone asked about buying Time Cards from the NC Soft Store site because they are hard to find. Lighthouse responded that if a person has a credit card to buy stuff from the NC Soft Store, then that person should just pay the subscription rather than buy timecard codes. He indicated that credit card fraud is a problem. Why? Since I know something about credit card fraud, I'll make a guess.
When you purchase a code, such as a time card code, it is an instantaneous transaction -- enter the information on your credit card, and boom, you have a code. It often takes time for the credit card company (MC or VISA) to advise a vendor (like NC Soft) that a card number is fraudulent. Therefore, there is no way to get back that code . . . I don't know if NC Soft has a way to track the code back to the transaction, but it wouldn't surprise me if they didn't. Those codes are probably generated using some kind of algorithm and verified with some kind of check-sum system.
When you subscribe for game time, your credit card information is linked to your account. If someone commits credit card fraud, then the account can be shut down as soon as it is discovered, or there is a chance that there might be a way to track down the person committing the fraud.
Lighthouse made a valid point: Why use your credit card to purchase a game time code, when you could simply use the credit card to purchase game time directly? Maybe if you are buying the card as a gift, but that's just about the only good reason.
(I don't consider someone's inability to manage their finances to be a good reason why that person can't use a credit card unless he doesn't have one -- in which case he can use a purchased Visa gift card or try to find the NC Soft game time cards -- not these new Game Cards which are supposed to be for new players.)
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Guide Links: Earth/Rad Guide, Illusion/Rad Guide, Electric Control
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Here's a picture of the Jet Pack you get 30 days of use from with these cards.
Click here to see the Jet Pack.
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I have to say the jetpack looks very cool, and is fun. My friend American Valor got me the card for my birthday yesterday and I applied it to my account, so I get to play with the jetpack. VERY nifty for my tech heroes!
Now if I hadn't gone and prepaid for 6 months of game time I'd buy a stack of these and make it a permanent thing.....
Still might.
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Here is the thing, Johnny there calls it "a new time card campaign". It's not, it's a game card. They are not trying to sell vets these cards, but NEW players.
Would there be this much upset if it was a box with the same stuff? I doubt it.
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I just wanted to chime in and reiterate this point. These point of sale cards are intended for new players and to acquire new customers. We understand the interest in the jet pack and/or additional ways to pay for existing customers, but that aside, please keep in mind the intent with these new cards.
Lighthouse
Community Relations Manager
If you have a specific in game, account, tech or billing problem please contact our Customer Support team via The Knowledge Base "Ask A Question" page.
Anyone know what the duration and recharge of the jet pack is? If it is like the jump pack the toggle auto drops after a short while and has a fairly long recharge.
LH
I believe we understand the intent to bring in new customers. On that same note "The Community" has been asking for JETPACKS for several years now. We were given the jingle jet for the holidays which is one of the most popular items, then we were given the Raptor Pack with the safeguards / mayhem missions.
Now you are offering JETPACKS but not to your current customer base it may be considered an incentive to bring in new customers. I find it mildly insulting for you to say "We understand the interest in the jetpack..." Thats an understatement.
I was modeling it last night in Atlas park and it generated alot more than an interest, and that wasn't even during peak game time.
I would once again ask you to continue looking into JETPACKS for your current customer base in some fashion.
Nuff said.
Valor
Quote:
|
by Star Ranger 4 WIN LOSE OR DRAW, WE WILL FIGHT. WE ARE HEROES This is what we DO! |
Decide that this will be another day in which you Walk The Talk.
MA #14724 Operation: Discredit @American Valor
Sentinel Of Liberty SG
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You can do that using a credit card, you pay for your month, or 3 months or 6 months or whatever, after your account is activated, cancel the automatic billing. When your time expires, you will not be charged until YOU put your credit card details in again to re-activate your account
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Ah, incorrect.
If I were to put in my credit card details now and try to reactivate my account, my card would not be charged *immediately.*
The system would wait until my current time was up and *then* charge my card, by which time, the money to pay for the account may or may not be available.
I want to pay *now* for additional time. That option isn't available, except...
They did not announce this. It's nowhere to be found in the list of things Lighthouse has posted this, but just now I went to the account management site and discovered that they accept Paypal for one-time purchases of additional game time.
And *that* is charged immediately.
Now I am satisfied. And I have another month of subscription time. 
Where did you find the ability to use Paypal to purchase game time? I'm looking, and not finding.
NVM, found it. You have to cancel your subscription (if you have one) to purchase time with Paypal.
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LH
I believe we understand the intent to bring in new customers. On that same note "The Community" has been asking for JETPACKS for several years now. We were given the jingle jet for the holidays which is one of the most popular items, then we were given the Raptor Pack with the safeguards / mayhem missions.
Now you are offering JETPACKS but not to your current customer base it may be considered an incentive to bring in new customers. I find it mildly insulting for you to say "We understand the interest in the jetpack..." Thats an understatement.
I was modeling it last night in Atlas park and it generated alot more than an interest, and that wasn't even during peak game time.
I would once again ask you to continue looking into JETPACKS for your current customer base in some fashion.
Nuff said.
Valor
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Get Fly.
Nuff said.
(And I'd love to see vets get a jinglejet at some point, just not with this degree of entitlement that I've been reading here.)
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Here is the thing, Johnny there calls it "a new time card campaign". It's not, it's a game card. They are not trying to sell vets these cards, but NEW players.
Would there be this much upset if it was a box with the same stuff? I doubt it.
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I just wanted to chime in and reiterate this point. These point of sale cards are intended for new players and to acquire new customers. We understand the interest in the jet pack and/or additional ways to pay for existing customers, but that aside, please keep in mind the intent with these new cards.
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We understand the intent. But as for the mechanism...can we keep applying the game cards (at a $5 premium over regular subscriptions) to have them?
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Well, anything that potentially generates more revenue is a good thing.
One thing I'd point out is, in Canada two of those three retailers do not exist. Best Buy is up here, the other two are not. You may want to think about getting these into Future Shop, which shouldn't be too hard since Best Buy owns them. I also hope you have some agreement about making sure that there is a supply of Game Time Cards to go with the Game Cards. A major advantage of these new cards is not needing a credit card to get started, which should make it more attractive to kids who don't have a credit card. In order for those folks to keep playing, they're going to need access to the game time cards.
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