Discussion: Two Ways to Get Going Rogue
By
Acemace,
Posted on: 2010-02-18 17:09 in News, Events and Announcement Discussion
Quote:
Really, the only three questions one has to ask are:|
Originally Posted by Carnifax
This is the sound decision, but Marketing, bless their shrivelled little black hearts, know there's plenty of people who won't be able to resist the "Play it now" allure of Pistols and Demons.
I'm not one of them though, no particular interest in playing either at the mo so I'll wait ta. |
Do I want Going Rogue?
Do I want the "De-lux Package" with all the goodies?
Do I mind paying for a temporary perk that will get me access to two powersets a few months early?
If you say yes to all three, Pre-purchase and upgrade later. You pay a premium for that temporary perk, but that's fine.
If you answer "no" to the first question, you don't give a flip about either edition.
If you answer "no" to the second question, pre-purchase. You can always upgrade later if you want so long as supplies last and you save the 10 bucks.
If you answer "no" to the last question, wait it out and buy it retail (or digital) in the complete form. You'll pay about the same and get a free month so you save money in the end (paying less than those who just bought the basic edition and didn't upgrade, in fact).
It's really that simple but I think that's where people are having trouble wrapping their heads around it. Buying just the expansion (and not upgrading) is actually more expensive than buying the complete edition which has the full game, the expansion and the extras and that background math is causing some head scratching.
In a way, they've created a "no win" for themselves and the players with this one, but it's a fairly mild one. If you make the sound money decision, you lose out on the "pre-play" bonus. If you make the "fun" decision, you miss out on the money. If they offered the "pre-play" bonus as a "pay this and you can play it early" booster, people would think it was a bit silly to pay 10 or 15 bucks for a temporary perk and some would call it a slap in the face or nickel and dimeing us (or compare it to CO). There is no "sound and fun" option since having one would end up with them making less money since offering the "pre-purchase" on the digital version of the complete edition would end up with it being $5 cheaper than the expansion only version in the end (although, that might be offset slightly by people not buying it retail, meaning they get the full retail purchase price without having to pay for packaging, distribution and only charging the wholesale price).
As I said earlier, this decision doesn't make much sense to us on the consumer side, but the bean counters crunched the numbers and made some estimations on sales. This is the system their figures showed would make the most cash and a moment's thought shows why the wanted the expansion prepurchase to be more appealing than the Complete Collection at this point in time: expansion + 1 Month's play time = $45 VS expansion + upgrade + 1 Months play time= $50-$55[and up] VS Complete Collection - Free Month = $25 minus whatever they "lost" having to sell it wholesale to retail outlets plus the cost of packaging and production of the disks. Therefore, it makes sense on the seller's side. I suspect that closer to the July release or shortly after, well after they have all us crazed fanbois and fangirls sewn up, they'll shift the focus from the Expansion Alone to the Complete Collection to bring in more buyers ("It's really only $25 since you get the first month FREE!") and mention the Expansion Alone far less frequently if at all (remember, it only makes good sense to buy it IF you want the preplay powersets perk, without that, it's the bad decision).
Displeased >=( but what can you do? I only hope because of the all money the company will make because of this path, that they can finally start releasing more of the millions of costume ideas we've posted and mentioned all over City of Heroes over the years.
*idea*
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Hmmm...
My path is clear now...
Pre-ordering/Pre-purchasing the GR as soon as it is available (and i can reach my friend buyer to bypass the stupid regional ip block on the store). And getting the items as soon as its available (and my buyer is online).
I only wish I could buy directly... 34 months and I still have to call my friend on Houston to buy it...
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Perhaps the no-EU-box means they may finally merge the server lists? We've all been waiting for GR to bring a new surge of players to the EU servers - this simply is not going to happen now.
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Quote:
really displeased...|
Originally Posted by trendee
If I read that right, the complete collection isn't available for preorder o.O
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and no box for the EU. This won`t help fill the servers
Quote:
You mean like they did with CoV? |
Originally Posted by Psyte
You know, it could be worse. They could have pre-order goodies from 50 different stores that are all different and only 3 of which are available in Europe, but there's no way anybody could get all of them.
"Pre-order Going Rogue from Kentucky Fried Chicken and get the Colonel Sanders costume set!" |
I'm lovin' this! Digital prepurchase means I don't have to import a US copy to Europe and item pack upgrade means I can get my pistols and eat them, too.
...
Wait, that came out wrong.
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Arcanaville
Samuel_Tow is the only poster that makes me want to punch him in the head more often when I'm agreeing with him than when I'm disagreeing with him.
|
Basically, pre-purchasing the "regular" Going Rogue edition is the only way to get early access to the new powersets, but the Complete Collection edition will be the one that's financially advantageous (for the players) if you're willing to wait until July.
I can understand this decision. It may not be your only reason, but this allows you to extract more money from the I-want-it-now crowd.
I would however like to offer some potential benefits from giving people the option of also pre-purchasing the Complete Collection edition (and thus giving them early access to the new powersets).
Even if there are of course people who want-it-now, there *will* be people who do not want to pay a premium for it. For this group (and some others as mentioned below), you'll see the following benefits:
First of all, it would make players happy. That's kinda obvious, since people tend to like both "having it cheap" and "having it now". Happy players tends to be something you want.
Money now is better than money later. You'd rather have our money now, instead of having to wait until July to get it.
Further, you'd much rather have our money now than *probably* have it later. Things change. People who want Going Rogue now might not want it in July. During the coming four months, people might lose interest in the game, find something else that interests them more, have their personal/social circumstances change, or have their economical situations change. If they've pre-purchased, you'll have their money regardless.
Related to this, having more people pre-purchase Going Rogue (which will be the result of allowing people to also pre-purchase the Complete Collection edition) will at least to a degree help increase player retention. People tend to be less likely to leave if they're waiting to receive something they've already paid for. If nothing else, there's a good chance that they'd be back in July to check out what they paid for. Maybe more importantly, players will also have more toys (powersets) to play with in the meantime, and are thus also less likely to leave. Having the powersets available early should also reduce the risk of people going on breaks until Going Rogue is released. Thus, you'd both reduce the risk of people leaving permanently, and people leaving temporarily.
There's also a good chance that you'd increase your chances of luring old players back to the game (and also to gain new players). Going Rogue is probably expected to be a big attractor, but i17 (with Ultra Mode) is also a significant opportunity for this. Essentially having two new powersets available with i17 should increase the chances of bringing old players back, and also help keep them once they're here.
I also believe that allowing the pre-purchase of the Complete Collection edition will increase the total number of copies of Going Rogue that are sold.
Last but not least, changing a previously made decision in order to improve the situation for your players will definitely be a goodwill win.
To me, there's no question that allowing the pre-purchase of the Complete Collection edition will result in a happier player base (something that's usually a good thing).
In addition to this, I'm certain that there will be (as described above) financial benefits (for NCSoft/Paragon Studios) of doing this. I'm not sure if these benefits would outweigh the extra money you'd otherwise be able to extract from the I-want-it-now crowd, but it would at least help offset it, and I believe that there's at least a decent chance that allowing the pre-purchase of the Complete Collection edition would be the most financially advantageous option in the long term.
So... was that a no on releasing the pre-order before the double XP weekend?
Early March is not sounding early enough
We'll wait until July then and won't pre-order.
Gives us more time to Beta the expansion without having to plunk money down.
We will wait till July,also more bang for the buck in this economy.
DP is a meh set.
I can play demon summoning in beta.
I17 is coming out.
Yea I can wait it's a better deal to wait anyways.
Just remember folks, regardless of whether you preorder now, or download later, either way:
Praetorian Clockwork is PEOPLE!
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Just point me to where I have to pay and tell me how much money you want, cause no matter how much I hem and haw over which would be the better deal I will end up paying for all of it anyway 
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Logic tells me if it was not stated, then it must not be.
So riddle me this my fellow nerdlings: will those of us who choose to pre-purchase the digital version of GR only have access to the power sets or are we able to explore the whole GR experience, which would mean access to the new zones on Praetoria (but not the item pack)?
Again, logic tells me since the redname only mentioned "access to powersets", I should take that as the ability to create new Pistol & demon alts in march & april respectively but still play in either Paragon or Rogue.
My confusion comes from the title of this thread: Two ways to get going rogue.
What it should have been instead is: Only one way to get early access to new powersets, live on the servers, before the official GR release date.
When the title says "get going rogue" early, my initial thought is "yay. Not only do I get early access to Pistols then Demon but Praetoria as well."
Any thoughts frenz?
And this topic seems kinda important....one initial post from a redname....then no follow up from anyone???......not even the our friendly-neighborhood BABs???
Quote:
Blatant sucky marketing ploy is blatant... and sucky. |
Originally Posted by Avatea
...The separate City of Heroes Going Rogue expansion costs $29.99 (19.99 / £17.99) and requires you to already have City of Heroes. The separate expansion doesnt include game time,... The City of Heroes Going Rogue: Complete Collection costs $39.99 (29.99 / £26.99) and includes City of Heroes Going Rogue as well as City of Heroes, City of Villains, 30 days of game time, and the Complete Collection Item Pack. With the game time ... The Complete Collection will be available both digitally and at retail (in North America) starting in July and cannot be prepurchased (only the separate expansion can be prepurchased). ...The upgrade will include the Complete Collection Item Pack, but it wont include any game time. |
I'll wait.
Quote:
|
Don�t say things. What you are stands over you the while, and thunders so that I cannot hear what you say to the contrary. - R.W. Emerson |
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Quote:
Totally agreed...|
Originally Posted by Techbot Alpha
Thinking about it, I'm not so mad about it. Angry wise, that is. Hell's, I'm still buying early and getting DP and DS unlocked
 It just kind of stinks that the box wont be in the UK/EU at all. I'm tired of never seeing CityOf on the shelves. I know they say marketting does do stuff, but I've never seen it. Nothing advertises a game better than having it sat on the shelf saying '6+ years and still kicking a$$ and taking names. And we STILL have bubblegum left.' |
- Again if people but the box they will be directed to the US side. Meaning no new players on EU.
- If we want the box who are already EU side we can. But we can't use it as a new install.. as it will be the US version. Only an upgrade will work.
This kind of think makes me wonder why not just move the servers of EU as a whole to the us. and let me play there. Only need to rename my global. And were all in one happy place in one list. If the EU is getting shafted like this all the time anyway.
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I am a bit at a loss
There is a basic expansion you can buy for $30, then you can buy an upgrade to a deluxe set up.
Can someone tell me exactly what this upgrade consist of? Is the deluxe going to have content that the basic expansion will not have, is it content above and beyond the contents purchased thru booster packs? What do I get, that is so special? I am not that concerned with using new powers ahead of schedule.
Hugs
Sue
Ok, for those too lazy to go back and read the original announcement about the complete edition the item pack as of righ tnow has:
• Alpha- and Omega-themed auras
• Alpha and Omega themed costumed sets
• Four stance emotes
• The Shadowy Presence invisibility power
Now to those complaining about the pricing and how you get an extra $15 value from the Complete edition, While this is true, you are paying in full and a little bit more for EARLY ACCESS to the NEW POWERSETS on live. If you want to start working on the new powersets you will be able to weell in advance of Going Rogue coming out.
You are paying a premium to get early content.
Now I understand you all are never satisfied with the way things get done, but this is a completely fair way of doing it, and has been done in different industries over the years.
The fact that you can Upgrade to the complete edition is a nice addition to the scenario. the upgrade contains all the in game items from the complete edition but does not include the 1 month free.
So lets break this down for those in the back row...
Prepurchase Going Rogue digitally $30
Purchase Upgrade $10 (estimated)
Total $40
Perk - Early Access to new powersets
---------------------------------------
Purchase Complete $40
Comes with the items from the upgrade
Perk - Comes with 1 month of game time ($15 value)
---------------------------------------
So basically if you go with option 1 the "free" $15 that you don't get is the charge to get early access.
Honestly, if they were not offering the free game time card, would you stop playing? The free month to me is a great way to get new player's hooked on the game.
I know the economy is tight, but really, its not the end of the world. Do what you all want, but cut them a break. They are trying to do special things for both current and new players with this.
[/soapbox][/rant]
I"ll pay the little extra as the money goes straight to NCSoft/PAragon Studios so they can have money to pay the devs and come up with more new shiney stuff.
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In all seriousness not allowing the complete pack early is going to hurt their pre-orders a ton. Its a good marketing ploy to hook us in with the free powersets early but like many of us we are thrifty due to the economy. I dont play CoX enough these days so pre-ordering for the sets now does nothing for me because I know I wont be playing till GR comes out.
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by je_saist
wait. If I read that right...
if you pre-order the Complete Collection... you will not receive Dual Pistols in March and Demon Summoning in April? |
Quote:
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Originally Posted by trendee
If I read that right, the complete collection isn't available for preorder o.O
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Pre-ordering the add-on/expansion version grants early access to Dual Pistols in March and Demon Summoning in April.
Once Going Rogue has gone live in July, you will be able to purchase the complete collection goodies pack online to get the extras (auras, costumes, etc.)for an as yet undetermined price (think booster pack).
Hope that clears it up.
Quote:
I must side with TA. Why isn't the rest of the world that isn't NA not getting a chance at a retail box?|
Originally Posted by Techbot Alpha
Sorry, but that is really, really...Stupid.
Why not allow the complete edition for pre-order? And why in seven hells is Europe getting the shaft AGAIN when it comes to retail? It sucked when it came to Architect edition, and it sucks again now! What the heck, man? Not amused. Not amused at all. |
Is there a kind NA fellow who can buy it and ship it out to me* come July? Will this be the only way for me to get my paws on it?
*assuming, that is, the NA version code can be applied to an EU account which at present, can't.
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Quote:
Wow. Just woke up. Kinda makes sense to me now, however, thanks for dealing with me :P|
Originally Posted by Chad Gulzow-Man
I think you're confused to the point where you've confused me, too. ^_^;
I'm going to try and deconstruct your NyQuil-driven post here... 1) You pay $30 directly to NCSoft as the pre-purchase amount. This entitles you to the Going Rogue expansion when it is released. You do not have to pay anything else. 2) You get Dual Pistols as early as March, and Demon Summoning as early as April (depending on when you do your pre-purchase transaction). .....a) Ultra Mode is now coming for free with Issue 17. 3) When Going Rogue is released in July, then you get the new Praetorian zones, the ability to switch sides with your characters, and presumably the new end-game content. If you do NOT pre-purchase, you do not get Dual Pistols or Demon Summoning early. They are only for people who purchase the Going Rogue expansion. (If you buy the expansion after it is released, you get access to the powersets then.) Did that hopefully clear it up a bit for you? Paying $30 to the NCSoft store will get you Dual Pistols almost immediately*, Demon Summoning sometime the following month*, and full access to Praetoria and all the other content and features of Going Rogue in July. *Assuming you preorder when the option is first made available. If you want the special bonus costumes, stance emotes, stealth power and whatever other goodies are in the "Complete Collection," then yes, you'll have to pay an additional fee once the expansion is actually released. |
Now..where do I throw my money! :P
-C.A.
I don't think I've seen this question, and I'm expecting to get a reply in the negative, but...
... are we going to get more (free) character slots with Going Rogue?
Post +1
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Pheonyx
Now, if they had offered the Complete Collection as a prepurchase online with the caveat that the free month would not be credited to the account until it released in retail stores in July, I would be more inclined to prepurchase.
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Aggelakis
$30 Expansion (pre-purchasable)
early access to new powersets $10 Item Pack (basing price on previous item pack costs, subject to change) $15 month of gameplay = $55 $40 Complete Edition (not pre-purchasable) no early powerset access free item pack free month = $40 They're looking to seriously cash in on the pre-purchasable perk of early powerset access. It's kinda disgusting. |
I've been playing since the day after launch, have purchased every boxed set (CoH, CoH Collector's Edition, CoV Collector's Edition, Good vs. Evil, Architect), every booster back, the Mac Special (digital) Edition, and have purchased several time cards to supplement friends who went through some hard times. All of these were pre-purchased, or bought the day they released. I've never had my sub lapse.
I'm not stating this to say "my opinion should count more because I've given you all this money". I'm stating this to show that I don't have any problems spending money on this game.
I COMPLETELY DISAGREE WITH THIS PRICING MODEL.
There is no reason that the complete edition should not be pre-purchasable online and grant the early access.
I can only voice my opinion here, and vote with my wallet. If I had not just re-upped for 6 or 12 months (I forget which), I would probably be canceling my sub until GR hit and then getting the GR Complete Edition.
As it is, I will have to see which route I will go. But unless the Complete Edition becomes pre-purchasable and grants early access, I will not be a happy camper.
Quote:
Other than "because they said so?" |
Originally Posted by Hallowed
There is no reason that the complete edition should not be pre-purchasable online and grant the early access.
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Outside of that, yeah...I see no need to preorder here.
There are no words for what this community, and the friends I have made here mean to me. Please know that I care for all of you, yes, even you. If you Twitter, I'm MrThan. If you're Unleashed, I'm dumps. I'll try and get registered on the Titan Forums as well. Peace, and thanks for the best nine years anyone could ever ask for.
HOWEVER: Once again there is no retail box presence in the EU at all. That is ridiculous. It must be well over 3/4 years since I have seen a single City Of box in ANY shop in the UK at all. Mission Architect was a golden opportunity for you to get some presence back in the market but you said at the time that wasn't going to happen. I understand that some shops would question putting a 5 year old game on the shelves, but you got them to do it in North America so you should be able to do it in the EU. Now another fantastic opportunity to get more players back onto the EU end of things comes along and you're throwing it away?
Sorry guys, but from where I'm standing it seems you're turning away or deliberately digging your own grave in the EU.
I'm really hoping that in the next couple of months they'll bite the bullet and remove this ridiculous America / Europe divide once and for all. I'm sick of it.
Anyone who has tried to get a booster pack on day of release knows the pain of that. But it's going to be much much worse for this.
Does that strike anyone as a good plan?
(I can't believe I said that with a straight face).
Here's an actual, proper question though. Will the new Complete Collection be available on Release Day on Steam? That'd make a hell of a lot of sense.