The Gaming Industry: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

[Mike S]

This is the power we have.
https://www.cnbc.com/2017/11/15/wal...e-over-eas-star-wars-game-may-hurt-sales.html

Never give in, never surrender. Rip and tear, until it is done.

 

[Master Yoda]

There’s other gaming options besides AAA games from EA, Activision, Ubisoft, Take Two, and WB (the biggest offenders) you know. They’re not the be all end all of video games. Even within those companies there’s the occasional game that doesn’t have most or any of this junk with Crash Bandicoot for Activision being a great example.

What did you expect? Game Freak’s A Team is likely working on the already confirmed Pokémon for Switch.

The bottom line is the cost to make and market AAA games has steadily risen over the the last decade while the price of them has remained flat. We are rapidly reaching a point where AAA games are going to be a break even or very low profit investment.

 

[Mike S]

The bottom line is the cost to make and market AAA games has steadily risen over the the last decade while the price of them has remained flat. We are rapidly reaching a point where AAA games are going to be a break even or very low profit investment.

Then maybe they should change their model to be more sustainable. Do we really need things to still look amazing in a game if you zoom in real close?

 

[Master Yoda]

Then maybe they should change their model to be more sustainable. Do we really need things to still look amazing in a game if you zoom in real close?

They are and that change is called micro-transactions.

 

[LieutLaww]

Do we really need things to still look amazing in a game if you zoom in real close?

If playing on the PC damn right we do, if playing on console meh most don't have that kind of power to display that kind of quality but for a AAA title on PC anything less is just shoddy programming and laziness, we have enough of those kind of ports already we don't need the big studios to start phoning it in.

 

[Mike S]

They are and that change is called micro-transactions.

Wrong change imo and there’s about 700,000 angry gamers that agree with me, possibly more

 

[Mike S]

If playing on the PC damn right we do, if playing on console meh most don't have that kind of power to display that kind of quality but for a AAA title on PC anything less is just shoddy programming and laziness, we have enough of those kind of ports already we don't need the big studios to start phoning it in.

If given the choice between microtransactions/lootboxes and a little less graphical quality which do you choose?

 

[Mike S]

So you are in this thread @AEfx. Anything to contribute?

I see that like you gave

 

[Jimmy Thick]

Dip into your savings account if you want to play Battlefront 2:

http://www.swtorstrategies.com/2017...-or-2100-to-unlock-all-base-game-content.html


It will take 4,528 hours of gameplay (or $2100) to unlock all base-game content in star Wars: Battlefront 2

Just a heads up. With the system implemented in Star Wars: Battlefront 2, it will take you quite a big wallet, or tons of free gaming time on your hand, to unlock the whole game.

Here is the break down:

Notes

I’m assuming that all cards are already possessed, are at level 3, and that the player has 0 credits and crafting parts left over. I’m also assuming that all one time rewards (challenges and level rewards) were used while getting the cards to level 3, so they are not factored in.

Cards from loot crates are assumed to be level 1 55% of the time, level 2 40% of the time, and level 3 5% of the time. Duplicate credit values are assumed to be 200 for a level 1, 400 for a level 2, and 600 for a level 3, this makes the average card level 1.5 and makes the average duplicate worth 300 credits. Loot crates are assumed to provide an average of 2 cards. Crafting parts are assumed to average 50. This makes the value of a crate (once you have every card in the game) worth 600 credits and 50 crafting parts. The credits are accounted for by reducing the cost of hero crates from 2,200 to 1,600.

The cost of upgrading a level 3 card to a level 4 card is 480 crafting parts. Only hero crates are bought because they are the cheapest source of crafting parts.

Players earn credits at a rate of 1,100 credits per hour.

Loot crates required are rounded up. All totals for gameplay hours are rounded to the nearest whole number.

This estimate ignores the time required to get all cards to level 3, the time required to unlock all heroes, and daily crates.

Troopers

There are 17 cards for each of the 4 base troopers. This totals 68 cards and will require 32,640 crafting parts. This will require opening 653 loot crates which will require 950 hours of gameplay (238 hours for a single base trooper class).

Enforcers

The enforcer class type has 5 cards. Upgrading these requires 2,400 crafting parts. This will require opening 48 loot crates which will require 70 hours of gameplay.

Aerial

The aerial class type has 5 cards. Upgrading these requires 2,400 crafting parts. This will require opening 48 loot crates which will require 70 hours of gameplay.

Armor

The armor class type has 6 cards. Upgrading these will require 2,880 crafting parts. This will require opening 58 loot crates which will require 84 hours of gameplay.

Speeder

The speeder class 6 cards. Upgrading these will require 2,880 crafting parts. This will require opening 58 loot crates which will require 84 hours of gameplay.

Starfighters

Each of the three starfighter classes has 9 cards. This totals 27 cards which requires 12,960 crafting parts. This will require opening 260 loot crates which will require 378 hours of gameplay (126 hours for a single starfighter class).

Heroes

There are 14 infantry heroes with 9 cards and 9 starfighter heroes with 9 cards. This totals 207 cards. Upgrading these will require 99,360 crafting parts. This will require opening 1,988 loot crates and will require 2,892 hours of gameplay (126 hours for a single hero).

Grand Total

There is a grand total of 324 cards. Upgrading these will require a total of 155,520 crafting parts. This requires opening a grand total of 3,111 loot crates which will require 4,528 hours of gameplay.

Final cost in crystals

The 600 credits received from a hero crate is worth 27% the cost of a hero crate. This is equivalent to 30 crystals. To account for this, I reduced the cost of a hero crate from 110 crystals to 80 crystals. 12,000 crystals can be bought for $100.

Opening the required 3,111 loot crates requires 248,880 crystals. If you only purchase $100 crystal packs, this will cost $2,100.


Well I'll be, looks like the link to that article is dead...

 

[Master Yoda]

Wrong change imo and there’s about 700,000 angry gamers that agree with me, possibly more

There are millions more that don't care and quite a few of them are opening their wallets. If I am not mistaken the current version of GTA has made more net profit from micro transactions than from the actual game. I shudder to think about the number of zeros that follow the net profit Valve made from hats alone.

 

[Mike S]

Dip into your savings account if you want to play Battlefront 2:

http://www.swtorstrategies.com/2017...-or-2100-to-unlock-all-base-game-content.html


It will take 4,528 hours of gameplay (or $2100) to unlock all base-game content in star Wars: Battlefront 2

Just a heads up. With the system implemented in Star Wars: Battlefront 2, it will take you quite a big wallet, or tons of free gaming time on your hand, to unlock the whole game.

Here is the break down:

Notes

I’m assuming that all cards are already possessed, are at level 3, and that the player has 0 credits and crafting parts left over. I’m also assuming that all one time rewards (challenges and level rewards) were used while getting the cards to level 3, so they are not factored in.

Cards from loot crates are assumed to be level 1 55% of the time, level 2 40% of the time, and level 3 5% of the time. Duplicate credit values are assumed to be 200 for a level 1, 400 for a level 2, and 600 for a level 3, this makes the average card level 1.5 and makes the average duplicate worth 300 credits. Loot crates are assumed to provide an average of 2 cards. Crafting parts are assumed to average 50. This makes the value of a crate (once you have every card in the game) worth 600 credits and 50 crafting parts. The credits are accounted for by reducing the cost of hero crates from 2,200 to 1,600.

The cost of upgrading a level 3 card to a level 4 card is 480 crafting parts. Only hero crates are bought because they are the cheapest source of crafting parts.

Players earn credits at a rate of 1,100 credits per hour.

Loot crates required are rounded up. All totals for gameplay hours are rounded to the nearest whole number.

This estimate ignores the time required to get all cards to level 3, the time required to unlock all heroes, and daily crates.

Troopers

There are 17 cards for each of the 4 base troopers. This totals 68 cards and will require 32,640 crafting parts. This will require opening 653 loot crates which will require 950 hours of gameplay (238 hours for a single base trooper class).

Enforcers

The enforcer class type has 5 cards. Upgrading these requires 2,400 crafting parts. This will require opening 48 loot crates which will require 70 hours of gameplay.

Aerial

The aerial class type has 5 cards. Upgrading these requires 2,400 crafting parts. This will require opening 48 loot crates which will require 70 hours of gameplay.

Armor

The armor class type has 6 cards. Upgrading these will require 2,880 crafting parts. This will require opening 58 loot crates which will require 84 hours of gameplay.

Speeder

The speeder class 6 cards. Upgrading these will require 2,880 crafting parts. This will require opening 58 loot crates which will require 84 hours of gameplay.

Starfighters

Each of the three starfighter classes has 9 cards. This totals 27 cards which requires 12,960 crafting parts. This will require opening 260 loot crates which will require 378 hours of gameplay (126 hours for a single starfighter class).

Heroes

There are 14 infantry heroes with 9 cards and 9 starfighter heroes with 9 cards. This totals 207 cards. Upgrading these will require 99,360 crafting parts. This will require opening 1,988 loot crates and will require 2,892 hours of gameplay (126 hours for a single hero).

Grand Total

There is a grand total of 324 cards. Upgrading these will require a total of 155,520 crafting parts. This requires opening a grand total of 3,111 loot crates which will require 4,528 hours of gameplay.

Final cost in crystals

The 600 credits received from a hero crate is worth 27% the cost of a hero crate. This is equivalent to 30 crystals. To account for this, I reduced the cost of a hero crate from 110 crystals to 80 crystals. 12,000 crystals can be bought for $100.

Opening the required 3,111 loot crates requires 248,880 crystals. If you only purchase $100 crystal packs, this will cost $2,100.

Disgusting. Especially this bit.

Well I'll be, looks like the link to that article is dead...

Trying to hide your scumminess EA?

There are millions more that don't care and quite a few of them are opening their wallets. If I am not mistaken the current version of GTA has made more net profit from micro transactions than from the actual game. I shudder to think about the number of zeros that follow the net profit Valve made from hats alone.

The fact that there’s a sucker born every minute doesn’t change that it sucks. Yes, if you buy this game you’re a sucker.

Either way there’s no doubt that this has turned into a PR nightmare otherwise EA wouldn’t have changed anything. The people have spoken and keep speaking.
http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-4/star-wars-battlefront-ii?ref=hp

 

[The_Jobu]

Then maybe they should change their model to be more sustainable.

10 points to Hufflepuff, you've hit the bullseye.

There is a grand total of 324 cards. Upgrading these will require a total of 155,520 crafting parts. This requires opening a grand total of 3,111 loot crates which will require 4,528 hours of gameplay.

Thanks for collecting all that. I've never had an interest in BF2 but it's easy to see why fans are upset, and rightfully so.

Valve made from hats alone.

Valve's welcome to all the hat-money it can grab, so long as gameplay isn't affected, or enjoyment of things in the game.

 

[Master Yoda]

Valve's welcome to all the hat-money it can grab, so long as gameplay isn't affected, or enjoyment of things in the game.

Which has been my opinion of micro transactions and DLC in AAA games all along. If the additions are cosmetic, extra levels and the like I am fine with it. Pay to win, I can look the other way in single player, but it is a big fat hell no in multiplayer.

 

[The_Jobu]

If the additions are cosmetic, extra levels and the like I am fine with it.

10 points to Ravenclaw.

If you're going to try for microTX, at least be creative and design cosmetic things that are so cool people feel like throwing money at them.

Going pay-to-win on a MP game, or putting actual features/characters behind the pay wall, or gambling for loot boxes, is as greedy as it is lazy.

 

[Master Yoda]

10 points to Ravenclaw.

If you're going to try for microTX, at least be creative and design cosmetic things that are so cool people feel like throwing money at them.

Going pay-to-win on a MP game, or putting actual features/characters behind the pay wall, or gambling for loot boxes, is as greedy as it is lazy.

Agreed.

 

[Jimmy Thick]

There are millions more that don't care and quite a few of them are opening their wallets. If I am not mistaken the current version of GTA has made more net profit from micro transactions than from the actual game. I shudder to think about the number of zeros that follow the net profit Valve made from hats alone.

Blizzard made over a billion dollars from Overwatch before it was even a year old and we still get new free content pretty regularly. Loot boxes/DLC purchases do work if you really want to look for benefits, but not all publishers are as generous.

Speaking of Valve, notice once a game they make gets to 3 they forget about them.....?

Thanks for collecting all that. I've never had an interest in BF2 but it's easy to see why fans are upset, and rightfully so.

Here is the kicker.

People are going to buy BF2, they will even with all the warts. The people who buy the game day one will have a huge advantage in multi player because they will be earning credits and learning the mechanics. When the other people come around and eventually buy the game, and they will, they will be getting pwned left and right because they will be behind the curve and forced to buy the loot crates for the star cards which carry absurd power. EA will come out ok on this, even with all the crying they will sustain the model, it will make them huge profits.

I agree with @Master Yoda, Im renting this just for the single player on my PS4. Im not wasting my time on the multiplayer.

If given the choice between microtransactions/lootboxes and a little less graphical quality which do you choose?

I have a GTX 1080 ti, I didn't waste the $700 bucks to skimp on graphics, PC gamers will never accept anything less than the best graphics possible.

 

[AEfx]

So you are in this thread @AEfx. Anything to contribute?

I see that like you gave

Not at the moment. I'm having wayyyyy too much fun playing the actual game. Oh, and also shifting some of my holdings over to EA stock, which is going to continue it's meteoric rise in spite of the 1% of gamers having a circle jerk fit right now, LOL. This is easily going to end up the bestselling game of the year.

 

[The_Jobu]

When the other people come around and eventually buy the game, and they will, they will be getting pwned left and right because they will be behind the curve and forced to buy the loot crates

Uncharted 4 had a similar issue. I stepped away from the MP for several months and by the time I got back, the only people left playing were teams of people who played it non-stop and got all the best gear. Huge disadvantage and I quickly put the game back down.

For all the issues with Andromeda, I still play the MP from time to time, but if it were PvP I probably be more upset.

 

[Master Yoda]

Blizzard made over a billion dollars from Overwatch before it was even a year old and we still get new free content pretty regularly. Loot boxes/DLC purchases do work if you really want to look for benefits, but not all publishers are as generous.

Speaking of Valve, notice once a game they make gets to 3 they forget about them.....?

It would not surprise me one bit if Valve never made a AAA game again. When you look at it objectively, what is the point in investing the time and resources needed to make a Half Life or Portal 3 when Steam is essentially printing money and you can make low effort high reward games like Artifact.

 

[The_Jobu]

low effort high reward games like Artifact.

That market is big and still growing. Probably see a lot more of that in the future too.