General Discussion

SWG now joins EQ1 and EQ2 as RMT sponsored MMOGs via online card game microtransactions. How low will Smedley go?

Celebrating the fifth anniversary of MMORPG Star Wars Galaxies, publishers Lucasarts and Sony Online Entertainment have announced the Star Wars Galaxies Trading Card Game.

The first release for the online trading card game, Champions of the Force, is scheduled to debut late summer 2008. The game will be available exclusively to users with valid and active subscriptions to Star Wars Galaxies.

Subscribers will receive five free booster packs per month and will be able to purchase starter decks and additional booster packs through Sony Online Entertainment's Station Store.

The trading card game offers decks for both the light and dark sides of the Force, enabling players to fight virtual matches for the Rebel or Imperial factions. Players will also be able to collect cards within the MMORPG to add to their collection. In addition, “loot cards” can be redeemed for virtual items usable in the Star Wars Galaxies game.

Beginning July 22nd, Lucasarts and SOE will throw virtual “Empire Day” festivities which will include appearances by Princess Leia, regularly scheduled Imperial parades, in-game fireworks, performances by the Max Rebo Band, and the debut of two new statues for the Emperor and Yoda.

Furthermore, Star Wars Galaxies subscribers will also be rewarded with in-game items, such as a Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back virtual poster and wearable goggles inscribed with a “V.”

Fail.

There is nothing low about CCG, micro transactions, item shops or non-subscription methods of supporting an online game.

Originally posted by bobfish

Fail.

There is nothing low about CCG, micro transactions, item shops or non-subscription methods of supporting an online game.

Utter Fail.

Try earning your way in a virtual world. Real money isn't supposed to exist or hold influence in a virtual world. Maybe the concept of a virtual world is above your reasoning?
 

Doesnt WoW do something like that as well already ?

I faintly remember reading about it somewhere. Something about some kind of crystal mount which was super expensive, and super expensive in REAL money.

Originally posted by RedwoodSap

Originally posted by bobfish

Fail.

There is nothing low about CCG, micro transactions, item shops or non-subscription methods of supporting an online game.

Utter Fail.

Real money isn't supposed to exist or hold influence in a virtual world.
 

Er, says who?  You?   Yes, this is one model, but more and more developers are responding to the demands of the consumer and providing games with micro transactions and other RMT options.

Sure, you're not happy, doesn't mean I'm not.  I play EVE, company supports RMT of a sorts, and I'm glad they do.  Should I decide I want to participate (haven't needed to yet) then I can.  I'm glad its part of the game.

Don't confuse your preferences for universal truths.

RMT are a reality in every MMO, sponsored or not.

At least this way the proceeds of the RMT support the developers, and not "entrepreneurs".  And on top of that, this is a far cry from simply allowing players to buy items.  It's part of a separate game that provides a unique service to players who wish to take part in the card game.

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Originally posted by Kyleran

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Originally posted by RedwoodSap

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Originally posted by bobfish

Fail.
There is nothing low about CCG, micro transactions, item shops or non-subscription methods of supporting an online game.

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Utter Fail.
Real money isn't supposed to exist or hold influence in a virtual world.
 

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Er, says who?  You?   Yes, this is one model, but more and more developers are responding to the demands of the consumer and providing games with micro transactions and other RMT options.
Sure, you're not happy, doesn't mean I'm not.  I play EVE, company supports RMT of a sorts, and I'm glad they do.  Should I decide I want to participate (haven't needed to yet) then I can.  I'm glad its part of the game.
Don't confuse your preferences for universal truths.
 

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if they would just prosecute the third party companies that sell gold and such alot of this wouldnt bother me. i mean i think it is just the direction games are going (to the pansies). people WANT and NEED to buy ingame advantages because their own play level is sub par (or they winge about not having as much time as full time gamers).

the industry in whole (much like the US government) needs to restructure. i bet given the chance 85+% of people playing mmo's would cheat if given the chance, i bet 45% DO. they need to have a vegas style blacklist and start attatching real world identities to the game accounts and credit card numbers. that way there is a real tool for actually punishing people who engage in it. spped hack in a game BOOM 1 year ban from ALL online games.

if the game developers decide to sell the items or $ that is their choice (any g-potato game or perfect world for example). but to sell $ via third party is just B/S and lessens the achievements of REAL players who actually put in the time and effort to get their shine. i would so LOVE to see 3-4 news items a day about 15 year old kids getting jail time for item duping. or people being deported over it (i love a good deportation all the time though).

i dont see or count these card games as cheating per-se, i think only a pansy would play a card game to begin with...but that doesnt make them cheaters. people need to think about that before they run out and get a deck. think to themselves "if i buy this everyone will know im a sissy, it may as well be a gay pride bumper sticker."

its getting to the point where the only online game i feel ANY level of achievement from are things like UNREAL, unreal is so totally not a game for the sissyboy gold buying, card game playing, paid power leveling, needy, limp wristed, "average" gamers i run into playing mmo's. and i hope it stays that way.

Originally posted by Adamantine

Doesnt WoW do something like that as well already ?

I faintly remember reading about it somewhere. Something about some kind of crystal mount which was super expensive, and super expensive in REAL money.

 

 

Yes their TCG has loot cards for the actual game as well.  But of course people don't attack Blizzard over it.  No instead they only attack SOE.  Pathetic.

I no longer play WoW but the loot cards back then just gave cosmetic items with no stat bonuses or maybe mounts or non-combat pets.   They didn't give you an advantage over other players except for fashion.    That said I have no use for loot cards but it wasn't a deal breaker for me.

Does the SoE cards have stats? 

Edit: minor corrections