Since it seems broken up at the start: it was 'cause I was PMed this:
...wherein I asked how I was trolling/flaming in the Shoutbox, and then was responded to via PM.
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : When somebody was asking about item rarity (14:02:07)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : And you said something along the lines of (14:02:11)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : "items stay rare until Aeria needs money" (14:02:20)
[Tell]Pearz>>: how is that trolling? I provided example of it occuring too (14:03:24)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : It's hardly a productive contribution to a conversation. (14:03:48)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : I've read your blog, and I know you're smart enough to understand that. (14:03:55)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : We tried in good faith to answer some of those difficult questions as best as (14:04:18)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : we can (14:04:18)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : Things about the economy and such. (14:04:22)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : Most game companies would just ignore questions like that. :P (14:04:33)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : It's funny how certain people say we don't respond to serious issues. (14:05:53)
[Tell]Pearz>>: tho all I answered was the truth, that GMs can't say themselves cuz it looks bad (14:05:57)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : I'm quite happy to answer serious questions to the best of my ability. (14:06:01)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : But it needs to be in good faith. (14:06:05)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : If we just get trolled, we're going to stop answering. (14:06:11)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : If people want to have a real conversation, I'm happy to do so. (14:06:16)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : That wasn't a truthful answer, though. (14:06:25)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : You don't work at Aeria, and don't know the decision-making process (14:06:33)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : That goes into deciding what items go in to the game. (14:06:39)
[Tell]Pearz>>: I dont need to. Aeria is a business. As a business its job is to make money (14:07:28)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : If that's what you want to think, you're free to do so. (14:07:48)
[Tell]Pearz>>: Those Items will bring in fast cash, it what happens eventually (14:07:51)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : But saying things like that in a conversation isn't productive. (14:08:00)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : It's not helpful to the conversation, it's just insulting. (14:08:06)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : And thus, trolling. (14:08:08)
[Tell]Pearz>>: Not realli trolling when i got examples too of it occuring (14:10:16)
[Tell]Pearz>>: not unbased thoery (14:10:24)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : Well (14:13:12)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : Just because we may have made a mistake in the past doesn't mean that's our (14:13:22)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : official policy. :) (14:13:25)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : Like everybody, we try to learn from our mistakes and improve. (14:13:32)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : i.e. the Alice promo (14:13:37)
[Tell]Pearz>>: so By that, does it mean you won't try and drop rare items again in item mall (14:14:19)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : Not necessarily. (14:15:09)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : It means that balancing an in-game economy is a very tricky task. (14:15:15)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : Because there are multiple demographics that play the game (14:15:21)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : And we have to try and treat them all fairly. (14:15:26)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : Most rare items, throughout the history of the game, have remained rare. (14:16:15)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : But as new rare items come out, some of the older rare items become more common (14:16:23)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : If we keep *everything* rare, the more casual players don't have much incentive (14:16:49)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : to play the game. (14:16:50)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : So, we need to balance things. (14:17:03)
[Tell]Pearz>>: older rares dont become more common until its re released in FC (14:17:38)
[Tell]Pearz>>: or it is re added into Item mall (14:17:44)
[Tell]Pearz>>: and the FCs you say you have no control over, already re adds old rares (14:18:16)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : Right. (14:18:27)
[Tell]Pearz>>: but the rates still stayt decently low for them (14:18:30)
[Tell]Pearz>>: where as if you add it in IM directly, it destroys the (14:18:51)
[Tell]Pearz>>: price of an item (14:18:55)
[Tell]Pearz>>: that you have full control over (14:19:04)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : Are you talking about just the IM directly, or other promotions? (14:19:08)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : i.e. the tiered spending package for the Seven Sisters (14:19:14)
[Tell]Pearz>>: IM or the Promos (14:19:23)
[Tell]Pearz>>: but tiered promo i didnt care about cuz 7 sisters (14:19:35)
[Tell]Pearz>>: was never rare (14:19:39)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : Right (14:19:45)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : And I agree, putting an item in the item mall definitely makes it more accessibl (14:20:03)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : And thus more common. (14:20:08)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : And that's basically what I was saying...that's all part of trying to find that (14:20:32)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : balance (14:20:33)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : I'm sure you can agree that we need to have some items that are very rare (14:21:11)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : For top players/spenders (14:21:14)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : And also items that are more common, for the more casual player. (14:21:21)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : Right? (14:21:22)
[Tell]Pearz>>: I agree, for top spenders im nvr had a problem (14:21:25)
[Tell]Pearz>>: problem was when that line is crossed (14:21:35)
[Tell]Pearz>>: Like White fang was a prime example (14:21:52)
[Tell]Pearz>>: another was those servant and master rings (14:22:01)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : I wasn't here for that, so I'm not familiar with the situation. (14:22:01)
[Tell]Pearz>>: they were momentarily added to Web item mall (14:22:14)
[Tell]Pearz>>: for a low price to flood a chunk into server (14:22:26)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : Right (14:22:40)
[Tell]Pearz>>: all items worth a couple times more then the web IM price (14:22:49)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : Well, I'm not saying we've always been perfect in finding that balance. (14:22:55)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : As I said, it's a tricky thing to manage a game economy. (14:23:51)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : But, we try to learn from our mistakes and get better at it. (14:24:04)
[Tell]Pearz>>: not realli, as a business like you said keep rare stuff up there (14:24:12)
[Tell]Pearz>>: so top spenders are angre with their items losing value overnight (14:24:25)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : Well, like I said, we do have to have items available to the casual players as w (14:24:48)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : well (14:24:49)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : We need to cater to all of our demographics that play the game. (14:24:57)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : So, look at it this way. (14:25:02)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : Some items need to be very rare, and some need to be more common. (14:25:09)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : Would you prefer that, as new items are added to the game... (14:25:15)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : That we make old items more common, and then the new stuff starts out rare? (14:25:25)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : Or that, in order to keep all of the old stuff as rare as it was (14:25:31)
[Tell]Pearz>>: like i said im fine with stuff being rare and common (14:25:34)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : That we just make all of the new items more common? (14:25:37)
[Tell]Pearz>>: as long as the lined isnt randomly ju (14:25:45)
[Tell]Pearz>>: *jumped (14:25:48)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : Well, we try not to do so randomly. (14:26:02)
[Tell]Pearz>>: cuz when a rare item suddenly becomes common, every player runs off to buy it (14:26:14)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : And the idea is...well, let's say that you have a set of gear that's very rare (14:26:14)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : And very good (14:26:15)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : Like, let's say a weapon. Just for the sake of example. (14:26:36)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : Now, let's say a new weapon is introduced that's better than the one you have. (14:26:43)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : You would probably want that new weapon to be rare. (14:26:50)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : Because it would be frustrating if a better weapon was very common. (14:26:58)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : Right? (14:26:59)
[Tell]Pearz>>: thats the thing (14:27:08)
[Tell]Pearz>>: it wouldnt matter (14:27:14)
[Tell]Pearz>>: because of the player base values looks over functionality (14:27:31)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : I'm not sure all of the players feel that way (14:27:42)
[Tell]Pearz>>: having the old item stay rare matters more then new item being common (14:27:44)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : Based on the feedback we get. (14:27:46)
[Tell]Pearz>>: best example is Zero blade (14:27:51)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : Obviously, everybody's opinion is different. (14:27:59)
[Tell]Pearz>>: its extremely rare, maybe 5-6 on server (14:28:01)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : But from the feedback we've heard (14:28:02)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : If we introduced a new weapon that was very good and made it common (14:28:08)
[Tell]Pearz>>: there is like 3 differnt counterparts that are better then it (14:28:17)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : People who had previously had the next-best rare weapon (14:28:20)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : Would be angry (14:28:22)
[Tell]Pearz>>: angry, doesnt mean in game value drop (14:28:40)
[Tell]Pearz>>: they can still resell it at a high price (14:28:53)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : Okay, so it sounds like what you're saying (14:29:05)
[Tell]Pearz>>: as long as Aeria doesnt drop it in IM cuzits inferior now (14:29:08)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : Is that an in-game value drop is a very bad thing. (14:29:12)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : Is that right? (14:29:14)
[Tell]Pearz>>: yes (14:29:16)
[Tell]Pearz>>: espeicaly 1 that was extremely rare (14:29:24)
[Tell]Pearz>>: that was only ment for top spenders (14:29:40)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : Well, I can understand that opinion. (14:30:55)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : But, recognize that there are players with other opinions, too. (14:31:12)
[Tell]Pearz>>: players value items that are super rare and look unique over the stats (14:31:17)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : Newer players, or more casual players, who would like to have *some* (14:31:20)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : rare items accessible to them. (14:31:27)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : And that's what I mean about the balancing act. (14:31:32)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : It's not so easy to just say "this is rare, this is common, we're done" (14:31:40)
[Tell]Pearz>>: I think it is that easy (14:32:37)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : Unfortunately, it's not, and I say this with years of experience in MMORPGs. (14:33:10)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : From your perspective, it may seem easy. (14:33:22)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : But we need to take ALL players perspectives into account. (14:33:28)
[Tell]Pearz>>: if the lines are set, its the Aerias teams choice if they cross it (14:33:30)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : Which becomes a much more difficult thing. (14:33:32)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : Much like a real-world economy, an in-game economy is healthier (14:34:10)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : If it moves and evolves. (14:34:21)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : Now, we don't just randomly make ALL rare items super-common at the drop of a ha (14:34:34)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : *hat (14:34:35)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : Most items that are very rare will remain so. (14:35:05)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : But if you figure the game has, say, 100 rare items. (14:35:13)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : Just for example. (14:35:15)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : And every month we make 1 of those rare items more common. (14:35:21)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : That still leaves an awful lot of rare items for the top players. (14:35:30)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : Because we will also continue introducing new rare items. (14:35:40)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : But it also means that the more casual players gradually gain access to (14:35:47)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : those rare, desirable items as well. (14:35:51)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : Thus, balance. :) (14:35:54)
[Tell]Pearz>>: because of the fact you get continuos new items (14:35:55)
[Tell]Pearz>>: you can keep things balanced (14:36:01)
[Tell]Pearz>>: evety time you get a new item you around with those t determine if it is (14:36:17)
[Tell]Pearz>>: bleh every time you get a new item, you have choice on if its rare or not (14:37:00)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : Right, I see what you're saying. (14:37:09)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : I've seen many games try to be run that way. (14:37:28)
[Tell]Pearz>>: and you can keep getting new items to cater to the differnt type of players (14:37:32)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : And their economies end up very broken. (14:37:34)
[Tell]Pearz>>: its not set that you only have so many items to play around price with (14:37:49)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : We believe that rather than saying "this is rare, this is common" and having it (14:37:50)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : always be that way (14:37:52)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : It's better to have some change. (14:37:58)
[Tell]Pearz>>: problem with that is when you introduce rares to common players (14:39:26)
[Tell]Pearz>>: it doesnt stay rare anymore, it IS rare cause casual players dont have it (14:39:41)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : Right, I agree. (14:39:54)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : But we don't necessarily see that as a problem. (14:40:36)
[Tell]Pearz>>: So in essence your not realli helping casual players your hurting pros (14:40:37)
[Tell]Pearz>>: or top spenders (14:40:40)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : But we are helping the casual players as well. (14:40:49)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : They don't always just want that item because it's rare. (14:40:56)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : They want it because they like it. Because it's good (14:41:01)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : Or because it looks cool. (14:41:03)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : I'm sorry, but I have to go. >< (14:41:30) [Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : This has been an interesting conversation, and I wouldn't mind continuing it. (14:41:36)
[Tell]Pearz>>: okay (14:41:36)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : But I have some other work I need to do right now. (14:41:45)
[Tell]Pearz>>: okay thanks for chat (14:41:52)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : I'm happy to talk about this sort of thing, though. :) (14:41:56)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : And you may not necessarily agree with us. (14:42:06)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : But I think it's important to at least explain where we're coming from. (14:42:12)
[Tell]Pearz>>: sure (14:42:17)
[Tell][GM]Xandamere>> : Take care. :) (14:42:21)
[Tell]Pearz>>: you too (14:42:26)
If you want the short version: He is new, so he doesn't know about the old promos that were done. It's too hard to balance the in-game economy, and cater to both casual and hardcore gamers. (Even though they, the GMs, are the only huge changing force to in-game economy, they can't control it...)
Take the chat however you want; I wasn't able to finish conveying my ideas. Comments/thoughts appreciated.
Oh, yeah - I'll post FC review in two days, since I don't want this post as 2nd from top right away. XD
~Pearz