tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20292755.post5790360816630124566..comments2024-01-04T02:49:23.470-08:00Comments on Blessing of Kings: Gambling and LockboxesRohanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09090769681887119989noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20292755.post-68030157882425469402013-06-26T21:35:37.043-07:002013-06-26T21:35:37.043-07:00Rohan: I get what you're saying, but it's ...Rohan: I get what you're saying, but it's also just as easy to turn it around on the other side; just because the prize of a lockbox is potentially a max level ship, and those tend to cost 25$, does that mean the 125 Zen key is really worth 2500 since that's what people are buying it for? You'd think that's what a key is worth given what they tend to go on the open market, from what I've seen in both STO and NW. Neither game has players posting keys for a cost consummate with a price of 125 Zen.<br /><br />Because of this, it's probably best to just assume value based on posted prices. That's what the price of the keys and the loot inside them seems to be partially based on, at least.<br /><br />Regardless, it doesn't really matter too much. That's just why I am actually in favour of that method. Certainly there's other games that don't even bother to try and calculate value in such a way, which is why lockboxes tend to feel pretty sleazy overall.RJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10492971146589461692noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20292755.post-53432755464237681572013-06-26T13:29:15.985-07:002013-06-26T13:29:15.985-07:00@RJ, I agree with you with one caveat. The worth o...@RJ, I agree with you with one caveat. The worth of an item is not what the company sells it for. It's what people buy it for.<br /><br />For example, if Cryptic sells 7 DOffs for 275 zen, but no one buys them, then the DOffs are not worth 275 zen, and the expected value of the lockbox can go negative. This could happen in a situation where the lockbox DOffs flood the market, making them very easy to come by.<br /><br />This specific case might not be real, but I'm illustrating the idea that the "paper" value of the contents might not match the "market" value.Rohanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09090769681887119989noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20292755.post-10063996001678676812013-06-26T10:42:16.032-07:002013-06-26T10:42:16.032-07:00I wonder if this might be a Canadian thing in some...I wonder if this might be a Canadian thing in some way -- we tend to be a little more protective than the US and in many cases Europe over things that could exploit people. In any case, I agree completely with this post.<br /><br />I got a lockbox key in my daily RIFT subscriber "loot box" the other day, and no box to go with it. Like.. really?<br /><br />(Also, casinos here are so much worse than casinos in Vegas. There, everything is just part of a party atmosphere. Here I have the exact same reaction as you. <br /><br />Plus by law our video poker machines will always automatically select the best hand, so it is literally just hitting the button over and over. At least in Vegas you can apply some logic and statistics and get a little GAME out of your game.<br /><br />... Sorry, casino rant.)Liorehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16576208014734221084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20292755.post-83202918635412360632013-06-26T10:41:49.770-07:002013-06-26T10:41:49.770-07:00As I mentioned in the previous post, STO (or, actu...As I mentioned in the previous post, STO (or, actually, all of Cryptic's games now, I guess) actually make use of both, but I feel it is fair in both cases.<br /><br />Cryptic makes use of both a straight up lockbox, as well as selling packs for their side mechanics (Duty Officer packs for STO, crafting packs for Neverwinter, ??? for Champs?). The lockboxes give you 2 items, one ranging from common to the grand prize with the other being a currency to spend on side items, while the packs are basically CCG packs (chance for rare, uncommon, and common whatevers).<br /><br />The reason I feel that Cryptic's lockboxes are fair even if they're random is that even the most common item in the pack is equal, if not higher, in value to the cost of a key.<br /><br />For example, the most common item in a lockbox is probably the Duty Officer mini-packs. These packs contain 3 random DOffs. The regular version of these packs costs 275 Zen and gives 7, while a key costs 125 Zen. The full pack is more cost-effective, but the mini-pack is pretty close in worth to the key, with the extra currency making up any difference.<br /><br /><br />That's what I think is important for offering random boxes. It's not as exploitative if you're still getting your money's worth on each pull. It's when the common result in the box is less then the cost of entry that it starts to get sleezy.RJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10492971146589461692noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20292755.post-55976045877866131062013-06-26T09:11:19.517-07:002013-06-26T09:11:19.517-07:00I absolutely loathe the GW2 model. Getting locked...I absolutely loathe the GW2 model. Getting locked boxes as loot and then being told to buy the keys for the chance to receive.... a "bear tongue?" Yeah thanks but no thanks. The SW:TOR system, while still unpalatable, is at least a bit more transparent. You may not get THE rare you want, but you will always get at least SOME value for your money. It's still gambling... but with a sort of guaranteed "pay out."<br /><br />A lot of people bash the SW:TOR monetization scheme, but frankly I don't find it that offensive. The fact that practically everything from the Cartel Market can be found on the GTN for in-game currency goes a long way to "level" the playing field.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20292755.post-47945174310225240112013-06-26T02:56:15.995-07:002013-06-26T02:56:15.995-07:00It’s simply amazing that Shintar has hit the nail ...It’s simply amazing that <i>Shintar</i> has hit the nail on the head once again as I totally agree with her statement. The only – albeit very minor difference – is that I haven’t bought any lockboxes and have no intention of ever doing so. I have way too many credits on my Legacy and can afford anything I need (or rather want) with the in-game currency.Maldwizhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02726258842496198525noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20292755.post-51281036027085125802013-06-25T23:20:15.699-07:002013-06-25T23:20:15.699-07:00I don't mind the way SWTOR does it because the...I don't mind the way SWTOR does it because the packs are completely restricted to the shop (they don't try to "lure you in" by dropping locked boxes without keys in the world or anything) and because like you said you always get <i>something</i> out of them. It might not be exactly what you wanted, but it's never a complete loss and you can trade the contents to someone who would actually like them.<br /><br />Mind you, I've still only ever bought a handful of boxes myself; I prefer to spend my subscriber stipend on other things. But I do like all the items they add to the economy and which I can then buy from other people for credits. :PShintarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16758343475446510635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20292755.post-31508655162293432902013-06-25T23:14:17.113-07:002013-06-25T23:14:17.113-07:00But the first type makes more money for the MMO co...But the first type makes more money for the MMO companies! Just goes to show people like losing money. >.<<br /><br />Personally, I feel that some rare pixels are never worth my hard earned cash so I don't play what would otherwise be a painful lesson in probability and mathematics.Joseph Skyrimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08734014925489857811noreply@blogger.com