A controversial topic: is it time to make all items free?

[tidge]

1 hour ago, tidge said:

 

To quote Stuttering John to Ringo Starr: "What did you do with the money?"

 

26 minutes ago, battlewraith said:

Used it for new builds, as it says in the part you quoted,

 

And the builds still don't satisfy you?

[battlewraith]

1 hour ago, tidge said:

 

 

And the builds still don't satisfy you?

How many builds do you have?

 

I explained this. I like making characters. I typically play when I get an idea for one. I run content on existing builds I like in order to grind the enhancements. And then I'll run content on the new character until I get an idea for something else or just do something else entirely.

 

You have tons of inf, racks full of salvage and thousands of merits. Why are you not satisfied?

[tidge]

[Powderwisp]

I've been playing on and off for the past year, but recently picked up the game again and got my main character to level 30. I've had a lot of fun trying to scrabble together some cash on the auction house so I can get my set enhancements, it gives me something to work toward. I'd feel my experience had been cheapened and a part of the game's progression would be lost if it were all just given to me for free. I really don't mind being poor (at least not in a videogame), so please, let me struggle.

[skoryy]

4 hours ago, tidge said:

 

 

[battlewraith]

[The Trouble]

Well guys, the meme clearly shows who the badguys are, so battlewraith has apparently won.  🤷‍♂️

 

My condolences to those that defended the notion that loot drops are rewards for playing the game, and for anyone that incorrectly believes that playing the market is fun.

 

Anyway, I'm going to watch the end credits of my gaming backlog on YouTube so I can feel the exact same satisfaction as beating them.

[GM_GooglyMoogly]

Are we there yet?

[skoryy]

2 hours ago, GM_GooglyMoogly said:

Are we there yet?

 

 

 

Edited yesterday at 12:34 AM by skoryy

[Zombra]

Next: all characters should start at level 50 with all badges already awarded.

[Troo]

54 minutes ago, Zombra said:

Next: all characters should start at level 50 with all badges already awarded.

 

Is that a PvP reference?

 

4 hours ago, GM_GooglyMoogly said:

Are we there yet?

 

It looks like there is still a good point or two offered with each page of the discussion if one is willing to comb through the trolling, sniping, passive aggressiveness, gas lighting, and cat memes.

 

If this topic was closed a page earlier, the Powderwisp perspective (which I found interesting and applicable) would not have been added.

 

[battlewraith]

34 minutes ago, Zombra said:

Next: all characters should start at level 50 with all badges already awarded.

 

You realize that this is already an option right? For the purposes of pvp you can instantly make a lvl 50 and just pick up the accolades that are relevant to pvp.

This is implemented in a way that supports the minigame without inflicting pvp concerns on to non-pvpers. 

 

People have pointed out that that the reward structure for the game is content. And there is a basic incredulity in response to the idea of making something freely available.

But the fact that it's content doesn't make it a good thing, any more than content on the internet is inherently a good thing.

The activities under scrutiny are compulsion loops: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compulsion_loop

Obviously these loops are a feature of most rpgs, to the extent that somebody's going to say (again) just go do something else. 

 

The reason to stay is the game as a platform for creativity, problem solving, community, nostalgia, and so on.

These are the things that set the game apart for me, not killing stuff and getting rewarded for it. I suspect I'm not alone in this. 

So it's not unreasonable to advocate for some way to diminish that aspect while still following your passion, whatever it is.

Is that solution making everything free--most likely no. But you have to plant a flag somewhere to start things off.

Even if you know there will be a stampede to rip it out of the ground.

 

[Zombra]

1 hour ago, Troo said:

Is that a PvP reference?

 

Just sending up the premise of the thread:
It's easy to earn rewards but a lot of people just don't want to. Therefore, let's give everyone infinite rewards and everyone will be happy.

 

PS @battlewraith thanks for your thoughtful and interesting reply.  Gives me some things to think about.  Looks like the thread may be locked soon but I'll sleep on it and maybe we can explore more later.

 

Edited yesterday at 05:02 AM by Zombra

[Zombra]

OK, I couldn't stop thinking about it and I read some of the arguments upthread.

 

Boiled down, I see two basic arguments:

1) Some people enjoy the game as it is.

2) Some people would like to see the game evolve so they can continue to enjoy it.

 

Yes, that's very simplistic but I think it cuts to the heart of it.

 

Since the apparent purpose of Homecoming is to keep the game alive for those who enjoyed it in the day and who continue to enjoy it now (Am I wrong?), I believe that while both arguments have merit, argument #1 has more merit.  Dismantling (parts of) the existing game to make it more palatable to those who have played it to death, at the expense of those who appreciate it as is, is, I believe, counter to the spirit of the project.

 

Since shutting down the market would take away something that people are enjoying today, that would be more damaging than not giving new bypass options to players who are getting bored.

 

I don't believe the conclusion is true in every aspect of life, but in this case, to err in favor of preservation is better than to err in favor of innovation.

[Intrinsic]

On 7/14/2025 at 11:32 AM, tidge said:

Nobody is laughing at anyone's PLed level 50s because they have neither backstories nor enhancements.

*Starts to raise his hand, then quickly puts it back down*