Update 7.23 preview

[Navigata07]

I don't have a problem with purchasing a planetarium, but these game developers make it a lottery. Spend (49)(65)(99) greens and you have a 1 in 9 opportunity to win a planetarium. Does anyone buy MSB2 for a chance to win a Arboretum? This turns my gaming fun into nothing better than (Las Vegas) Slots. As things stand, I have not received a Training Centre from my free MSB1 boxes (every 25 days) for 18 months (that is three games too) - is this lottery really a fair idea? Or just a cynical attempt to grab money from people who genuinely enjoy playing games?

Always thought that it was a bit of highway robbery to do it this way. If theyre going to make it a lottery, put in 8 buildings that they know we want. That way, the purchase would actually mean something. Get rid of all but maybe 3 of the mystery buildings and fill them with buildings that we want based on classification (space items, item drops per day, passenger bonus, coin bonus, etc). That way, even if you dont get the exact building you want, you still get one that meets the goal that you have of purchasing in the first place

 

[cazmillon]

There is a big difference to paying for help to speed up event completion and getting a different reward for achieving the same goal. Not looking forward to this change at all.

 

[jpm-wv]

There is a big difference to paying for help to speed up event completion and getting a different reward for achieving the same goal. Not looking forward to this change at all.

I'm not sure what to think myself. I get that development is costly and games have to be monetized. But by the same token, I am getting a bit wary because sometimes, developers can easily get greedy and that can drive users away (it might be wise to take a hit now rather than take a larger hit later). I actually quit one game because I felt that the developers were getting too aggressive with their monetization and even if those developers had a "come to Jesus" moment, I still would not trust them. This can especially be so as users will talk about this stuff and they have.

I think the "loot box" system of monetization will become less popular as users get in an uproar about it They could easily get .legislatures to classify the system as gambling and their may be a good argument for that legal classification. The legal classification "gambling" can have it's own consequence such as outright prohibition, age restrictions, or licensing requirements. Note that I'm not a lawyer.

 

[cazmillon]

I wonder if the tasks are still only for first time event players or if we get to complete them in subsequent years.

 

[Harcourt]

I wonder if the tasks are still only for first time event players or if we get to complete them in subsequent years.

That is for @Ur-quan to know, and us to find out !!

Regards
Harcourt

 

[Cap'n Eddie]

I suspected it would come to this - the last 2 events were a harbinger. Now, if you want to complete the event it's gonna cost big bucks.

 

[Bob69bob]

There are many people worrying about what others are getting or have already got. One of the great things about this game is that it's all about building YOUR city. It's not a competition (although some alliance features have pushed things in that direction). The game states "in app purchases" when you first download it. The game is terrific, even without spending money. Sure, it might be a little slower, but it's never been promoted as a free ride.

As for the price being covered in the images, I suspect that it was not only done for platform variances, but also the fact that it's a global game and we all operate in different currencies. The $ symbol is widely used across many different currencies and would have raised just as many questions when the update came out and the numbers were different to those seen in this forum.

 

[Pilot Keith R]

Out of interest is the currency conversation rate between USD and GBP 1:1 ie does my £9.99 equate to $9.99 for say 34 greenies? Surely if 34 greenies cost $9.99 then us Brits should pay say £6.99.

 

[Arggers]

...

• Hiding the price makes sense - all the platforms charge quite different rates. Windows are currently 15% cheaper than IOS for ingame purchases.

...

What annoys me more is that if it's $4.99, it'll also be €4.99 and thus £4.99, which is currently $6.50ish.
This penalises those in the UK, as there's no benefit for paying 30% more than someone who pays in dollars.

 

[Pilot Keith R]

What annoys me more is that if it's $4.99, it'll also be €4.99 and thus £4.99, which is currently $6.50ish.
This penalises those in the UK, as there's no benefit for paying 30% more than someone who pays in dollars.

See my earlier post..... I totally agree with you

 

[Spaceydk]

Out of interest is the currency conversation rate between USD and GBP 1:1 ie does my £9.99 equate to $9.99 for say 34 greenies? Surely if 34 greenies cost $9.99 then us Brits should pay say £6.99.

I pay 89 DKK for 34 greenies £10.80 or $14.19
Its the same for most games when not paying in USD in my experience.

 

[Junior Sis]

There are many people worrying about what others are getting or have already got. One of the great things about this game is that it's all about building YOUR city. It's not a competition (although some alliance features have pushed things in that direction). The game states "in app purchases" when you first download it. The game is terrific, even without spending money. Sure, it might be a little slower, but it's never been promoted as a free ride.

As for the price being covered in the images, I suspect that it was not only done for platform variances, but also the fact that it's a global game and we all operate in different currencies. The $ symbol is widely used across many different currencies and would have raised just as many questions when the update came out and the numbers were different to those seen in this forum.

"In-app purchases" come in many flavors. If they had been more forthright and said, "pay-to-win" I suspect that fewer people would have downloaded AC. Microtransactions for convenience or cosmetics/aesthetics is one thing. Having a system that ranks you based on your disposable income is another. I do not see the value in telling some of your customers that they are second class players, especially since they are the ones who are likely driving the very lucrative ad revenue. Further, it's cold to tell people that they should be appreciative to have anything at all when they point out the disparity. Though, I think that it is important to note that GI!, itself, considers AC to be a service.

I do agree with you that AC is fun, and with your reasoning regarding the price blurring.

 

[Franswan]

Looking forward to this event as it appears to be something different. Will not be buying anything to help move on as the fun is competing regardless whether I finish or not. Hope it starts soon. I do have a silver subscription but that my limit and I’m happy with this.

 

[jpm-wv]

"In-app purchases" come in many flavors. If they had been more forthright and said, "pay-to-win" I suspect that fewer people would have downloaded AC. Microtransactions for convenience or cosmetics/aesthetics is one thing. Having a system that ranks you based on your disposable income is another. I do not see the value in telling some of your customers that they are second class players, especially since they are the ones who are likely driving the very lucrative ad revenue. Further, it's cold to tell people that they should be appreciative to have anything at all when they point out the disparity. Though, I think that it is important to note that GI!, itself, considers AC to be a service.

I do agree with you that AC is fun, and with your reasoning regarding the price blurring.

I agree with you. I read "references to gambling" as akin to mentioning things like casinos and race tracks, not actually to where you actually gamble for certain high-end buildings. I also think GI does disservice by not mentioning that this is a social game as opposed to something solo like HyperBowl.

In this game, there has to be a balance because you need the spenders and you also need non-spenders for the spenders to play against or with. In other words, you can't drive those away.

 

[Ken Kyu Air]

Update 7.23 is out on Android and iOS!

...with a new event system!

 

[mo elbo]

still nothing on android

 

[Nit Nit]

Out on Android now...

 

[mo elbo]

Premium class is 4.99 euro

 

[Ken Kyu Air]

After having a look around with this event for a while...
The more I look, the more I hate it.

No more free spyglasses will be effecting me a lot.

But let's be honest: G! tactics are working though, making people play & pay. Yes, it's free to play, but also pay to win. Of course, this whole thing is business anyway...

Edit: Founded something more - the league system have changed. No more platinum, titanium or gold - you end up with level 80, level 70 and level 60 leagues instead. This way, everyone in your league will be around the same level as you.

One more question: what will qualify for us to get a event forum badge? Do we need to complete all the tasks or all the progress?
@Dave

 

[jalseth]

Price for advanced rewards is really fair...

But you removed spy glass and FA from event store... This is a really bad thing. You should correct that.