Interesting bit.
The gold-gems transaction sounds good in theory, let's see how it plays out.
Good write up here:
So how exactly, does the cash-shop currency work?
Players will be able to purchase gems, for real life money, in the microtransaction shop. They can then; either use these gems to purchase items from the cash shop or choose to sell them to other players in-game, for gold.
Doesn't this system allow players to sell a ton of gems and become rich - very fast?
To put it simply, no. As anyone with any knowledge about economies knows, there is something called supply and demand. Basically, if people rush out and buy a ton of gems and try to sell them as soon as possible - it will flood the market. Consequently, the price of gems will go down, as the market is saturated with gems and sellers will have to lower their prices - to compete with other sellers.
Does this system allow players to purchase armor and weapons fast and become stronger than other players?
Again, to put it simply, no. Where Guild Wars 2 differs from other MMORPG's, is the fact it doesn't feature a gear treadmill. This is when gear progressively gets better and better, the more raids you do. In Guild Wars 2, all level 80 armor will be equal in stats and power. Max level armor will be fairly easy to obtain and will be very similiar in power, no matter where you obtained it from. The only bonuses other players will receive, is the cosmetic upgrade. Sure there will be certain armors that look better than others, but it won't make you perform any better or have a power advantage over other players.
What will this mean for the in-game economy?
To put it simply, it will make the in-game economy - much more interesting. Players themselves, will have control over the market. Sure people will buy tons of gems and flood the market, but that means other people will have to undercut their prices and effectively lower the average prices of gems. Rather than having a set gold to gem price, this allows players to control the economy.
Ofcourse, there will be times when the prices of gems are sky high. However, this won't last very long and will balance out quickly as buyers will refuse to pay the hefty prices. There will also be times, when the prices of gems are rock bottom and sellers will be out of pocket. Although, this is easily reversed, as the gems will sell fast and a new benchmark price will be set - when sellers re-list their gems. Overal, this is what makes economies interesting and exciting.
Surely, this encourages gold farmers and websites selling gems and gold?
Quite the opposite. Gold sellers, that have plagued us for so long, will no longer have the power they once had. We all have the power now. We can all sell gems for gold and vice versa. Gold sellers, would usually horde mass amounts of gold and then sell it for real-life currency. However, with this system - players wouldn't need to purchase gold from gold sellers. They can either, purchase some gems will real-life money and then sell them for some gold or they can save some gold and buy some gems.
Isn't this effectively, pay2win?
Pay2win by definition, is when players can purchase items or consumables for real life currency - that give them a direct advantage over other players. The tradeable gem system, is the complete inverse of this. It allows every single player, access to the microtransaction shop - through in-game gold or real life currency. Even if there is an consumable in the microtransaction shop, that gives players a +10% boost to all damage, everyone can purchase it. If you don't want to purchase the said item through real life currency, you can save a little gold and purchase it that way. The ability to trade gems, creates a level playing field and doesn't alienate certain players if they choose not to purchase items through real life currency.
What direct effect does this have on the playerbase, as a whole?
As stated above, it basically creates equality. People who are completely against microtransactions, can still have access to the microtransaction shop, by purchasing gems for in-game gold. It also allows players, who have very limited free time, to purchase in-game items with gold. As they can spend a small sum of real life currency to buy gems and sell them for in-game gold.
I sort of understand, but until I see the system in place - i'll stay pessimistic.
That's fine and until you see this sort of system in place, it's hard to understand the concept. However, this system can be compared to what Eve Online does with their Plexes. As Eve Online is a subscription based game, players have to purchase Plexes with real life currency - that give them a set amount of game time. You can either use these Plexes to extend your own game time, or sell them for the in-game currency, ISK. This gives other members of the community, who perhaps don't have acess to a credit card or real life currency, a way to continue playing the game they love. The economy will scale accordingly, to supply and demand.
How will this affect structured PVP?
It won't. Players earn a different currency in structured PVP, called Glory. We can then use this currency, to purchase cosmetic upgrades. All players are boosted to level 80 in structured PVP and are also have all their skills, utility skills and traits unlocked. Therefore, it will be a completely balance playing field. In no way, shape or form, will gems affect structured PVP.
How will this affect World vs World PVP?
There has been speculation on many forums, that are saying the gem system will allow players to purchase seige weapons in WvW PVP and gain an advantage. This is completely wrong. Players purchase the 'blue prints' for seige weapons for a small gold fee. Players then have to collect something called 'supply' from around the world and use these funds to build the seige weapons. Everyone will earn gold, from playing Guild Wars 2 regardless and this will be more than enough - to pay for the small costs of 'blue prints'. So again, let me state, gems will in no way affect WvW PVP.
The verdict
Rest assured, that the tradeable gem system in Guild Wars 2, will have no direct advantage to players. People will not be able to get rich super fast, for the reasons stated above. Players will not have a direct advantage over other players. It is quite the opposite. Through the tradeable gem system, all players will have access to the microtransaction shop. There really is no negatives to the gem system and if you have read all of this article, you will agree.
We hope this article helps you to understand the reasonings behind the gem system and that it is not pay2win at all.
Lastly, remember that Guild Wars 2 does not require a subscription and therefore purchasing a few items from the cash shop - is much cheaper than a set monthly fee.
So how exactly, does the cash-shop currency work?
Players will be able to purchase gems, for real life money, in the microtransaction shop. They can then; either use these gems to purchase items from the cash shop or choose to sell them to other players in-game, for gold.
Doesn't this system allow players to sell a ton of gems and become rich - very fast?
To put it simply, no. As anyone with any knowledge about economies knows, there is something called supply and demand. Basically, if people rush out and buy a ton of gems and try to sell them as soon as possible - it will flood the market. Consequently, the price of gems will go down, as the market is saturated with gems and sellers will have to lower their prices - to compete with other sellers.
Does this system allow players to purchase armor and weapons fast and become stronger than other players?
Again, to put it simply, no. Where Guild Wars 2 differs from other MMORPG's, is the fact it doesn't feature a gear treadmill. This is when gear progressively gets better and better, the more raids you do. In Guild Wars 2, all level 80 armor will be equal in stats and power. Max level armor will be fairly easy to obtain and will be very similiar in power, no matter where you obtained it from. The only bonuses other players will receive, is the cosmetic upgrade. Sure there will be certain armors that look better than others, but it won't make you perform any better or have a power advantage over other players.
What will this mean for the in-game economy?
To put it simply, it will make the in-game economy - much more interesting. Players themselves, will have control over the market. Sure people will buy tons of gems and flood the market, but that means other people will have to undercut their prices and effectively lower the average prices of gems. Rather than having a set gold to gem price, this allows players to control the economy.
Ofcourse, there will be times when the prices of gems are sky high. However, this won't last very long and will balance out quickly as buyers will refuse to pay the hefty prices. There will also be times, when the prices of gems are rock bottom and sellers will be out of pocket. Although, this is easily reversed, as the gems will sell fast and a new benchmark price will be set - when sellers re-list their gems. Overal, this is what makes economies interesting and exciting.
Surely, this encourages gold farmers and websites selling gems and gold?
Quite the opposite. Gold sellers, that have plagued us for so long, will no longer have the power they once had. We all have the power now. We can all sell gems for gold and vice versa. Gold sellers, would usually horde mass amounts of gold and then sell it for real-life currency. However, with this system - players wouldn't need to purchase gold from gold sellers. They can either, purchase some gems will real-life money and then sell them for some gold or they can save some gold and buy some gems.
Isn't this effectively, pay2win?
Pay2win by definition, is when players can purchase items or consumables for real life currency - that give them a direct advantage over other players. The tradeable gem system, is the complete inverse of this. It allows every single player, access to the microtransaction shop - through in-game gold or real life currency. Even if there is an consumable in the microtransaction shop, that gives players a +10% boost to all damage, everyone can purchase it. If you don't want to purchase the said item through real life currency, you can save a little gold and purchase it that way. The ability to trade gems, creates a level playing field and doesn't alienate certain players if they choose not to purchase items through real life currency.
What direct effect does this have on the playerbase, as a whole?
As stated above, it basically creates equality. People who are completely against microtransactions, can still have access to the microtransaction shop, by purchasing gems for in-game gold. It also allows players, who have very limited free time, to purchase in-game items with gold. As they can spend a small sum of real life currency to buy gems and sell them for in-game gold.
I sort of understand, but until I see the system in place - i'll stay pessimistic.
That's fine and until you see this sort of system in place, it's hard to understand the concept. However, this system can be compared to what Eve Online does with their Plexes. As Eve Online is a subscription based game, players have to purchase Plexes with real life currency - that give them a set amount of game time. You can either use these Plexes to extend your own game time, or sell them for the in-game currency, ISK. This gives other members of the community, who perhaps don't have acess to a credit card or real life currency, a way to continue playing the game they love. The economy will scale accordingly, to supply and demand.
How will this affect structured PVP?
It won't. Players earn a different currency in structured PVP, called Glory. We can then use this currency, to purchase cosmetic upgrades. All players are boosted to level 80 in structured PVP and are also have all their skills, utility skills and traits unlocked. Therefore, it will be a completely balance playing field. In no way, shape or form, will gems affect structured PVP.
How will this affect World vs World PVP?
There has been speculation on many forums, that are saying the gem system will allow players to purchase seige weapons in WvW PVP and gain an advantage. This is completely wrong. Players purchase the 'blue prints' for seige weapons for a small gold fee. Players then have to collect something called 'supply' from around the world and use these funds to build the seige weapons. Everyone will earn gold, from playing Guild Wars 2 regardless and this will be more than enough - to pay for the small costs of 'blue prints'. So again, let me state, gems will in no way affect WvW PVP.
The verdict
Rest assured, that the tradeable gem system in Guild Wars 2, will have no direct advantage to players. People will not be able to get rich super fast, for the reasons stated above. Players will not have a direct advantage over other players. It is quite the opposite. Through the tradeable gem system, all players will have access to the microtransaction shop. There really is no negatives to the gem system and if you have read all of this article, you will agree.
We hope this article helps you to understand the reasonings behind the gem system and that it is not pay2win at all.
Lastly, remember that Guild Wars 2 does not require a subscription and therefore purchasing a few items from the cash shop - is much cheaper than a set monthly fee.
Defiledwraith Inactive member replied
717 weeks ago
Well the boosts only last for one hour, only come from mob kills (not events where the bulk of exp comes from) and they still have to be playing to at least use them. Also, there's absolutely no benefit for leveling fast in the game except for maybe a slight advantage in WvW for like a week until other people catch up. Even with the exp boosts, I think most of the people that will even buy them will be people without much free time, in which case even the hardcore players are still going to out level them.
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Proximo Admin replied
717 weeks ago