So it looks like the Station Store, in-game, with the Station Cash feature and the in-game microtransactions, was implemented sometime at the end of 2008. (patch notes) (wiki) It's not been 6 years with in-game microtransactions, currency purchasable with real money in exchange for digital EQ-only money, and a plethora of vanity items.
So what is your opinion of it now, 6 years later? I remember railing against it when it first came out, saying I wouldn't buy anything on it, it's a waste of money, yadda yadda yadda... But over the last few years, I've thoroughly enjoyed what I've purchased from the in-game shop. I really like the player made creations, I enjoy personalizing my characters further, and it's definitely become a fun little addition to the game. I'm also pleased that SOE (DBG now I suppose) never really implemented P2W items, unless you can call heroic characters pay2win, that's a debate of its own. I think the worst items on the shop are the tradeskill potions, and that really just cuts down on time spent click-click-clicking.
On a related note, I was very anti-mercenary when they were released, but they eventually became part of my play style, and now they are a key part of the game. This game sure has history!
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What is your opinion of the in-game Station Store?Follow
xlitin wrote:
I think the worst items on the shop are the tradeskill potions, and that really just cuts down on time spent click-click-clicking.
LOL, other than when they sold expansions for SC, and they had double/triple SC weekends, that's the ONLY item I've bought from the store.
Tradeskills are ridiculous for casuals, the sheer amount of mats that would have to be gathered, if you can even gather them if you're well behind max level. It has NOTHING to do with saving clicks. It's about getting to 300 without having to gather an unreasonable amount of mats. I got 300 in all of the trades the old fashioned way, but for tailoring and smithing, I used the DotC potion, and I'm glad it was available.
Oh, I did once buy a 40 slot tradeskill bag, and in EQ2, I've bought some of the features that were split out from the AoD "Feature Pack" (LOL) on a few accounts.
Tat
Tatanka Wolfdancer, 115 Wood Elf Druid, 9 x 300+ Master Artisan, 7 maxed trophies (dang research! :)
Michone, 115 Troll Shadowknight
Anaceup Mysleeves, 115 Erudite Mage, 2 x 300 Master Artisan
Snookims Whinslow, 112 Erudite Enchanter, 2 x 300 Master Artisan
<Inisfree>, Tunare (Seventh Hammer!)
Michone, 115 Troll Shadowknight
Anaceup Mysleeves, 115 Erudite Mage, 2 x 300 Master Artisan
Snookims Whinslow, 112 Erudite Enchanter, 2 x 300 Master Artisan
<Inisfree>, Tunare (Seventh Hammer!)
Only things I ever bought were gametime/expansions (when you could) and when I was subbed I bought exp potions. Some of that stuff just seems like a complete waste. Things like the titles, player made items for your house, mounts, etc.
Hi
fronglo wrote:
Some of that stuff just seems like a complete waste. Things like the titles, player made items for your house, mounts, etc.
You can definitely split MMO players into two groups: Those who care about appearance items, titles, things like that, and those who don't. Neither group is "right", it's just different strokes for different folks.
You and I are definitely in the latter group. But I'm grateful for those in the former group, as their purchases keep the game open.
Tat
Tatanka Wolfdancer, 115 Wood Elf Druid, 9 x 300+ Master Artisan, 7 maxed trophies (dang research! :)
Michone, 115 Troll Shadowknight
Anaceup Mysleeves, 115 Erudite Mage, 2 x 300 Master Artisan
Snookims Whinslow, 112 Erudite Enchanter, 2 x 300 Master Artisan
<Inisfree>, Tunare (Seventh Hammer!)
Michone, 115 Troll Shadowknight
Anaceup Mysleeves, 115 Erudite Mage, 2 x 300 Master Artisan
Snookims Whinslow, 112 Erudite Enchanter, 2 x 300 Master Artisan
<Inisfree>, Tunare (Seventh Hammer!)
All I ever bought were XP Pots and toon slots.
Edited, Feb 27th 2015 10:57pm by Bijou
Edited, Feb 27th 2015 10:57pm by Bijou
remorajunbao wrote:
One day I'm going to fly to Canada and open the curtains in your office.
I've bought a variety of things through the Station Store. While I haven't dumped a boatload of money into it, I try to take advantage of the double/triple Station Cash deals, including this past Frostfell. I have a F2P account in addition to my Gold account. (I mean, you have to do something while your paid character is stuck waiting for someone to buy your stuff in the Bazaar.) So, I've bought some of the things which make a free account more like a paid account (character slots, fast mounts, etc.). I've bought both the practical (tradeskill potion, experience potion) and the whimsical (house items, cheap novelties). I'm also one of those select few who actually enjoys Legends of Norrath, so I buy booster packs, too. And just before they disallowed it, I paid for a whole year's worth of Gold status with SC.
Truth be told, I don't really like the "freemium" business model, but I like the game, and I believe that it doesn't hurt to toss a little extra coin over to the developer. Also, since the start of the Player Studio program, whenever I spent a little money to get SC, I always buy a Player Studio item, even though I don't "need" it. Aside from the aesthetic benefit, I look at it as a way to support the community.
Truth be told, I don't really like the "freemium" business model, but I like the game, and I believe that it doesn't hurt to toss a little extra coin over to the developer. Also, since the start of the Player Studio program, whenever I spent a little money to get SC, I always buy a Player Studio item, even though I don't "need" it. Aside from the aesthetic benefit, I look at it as a way to support the community.
I ungraded six or seven free accounts to silver and bought two mounts from station account bonus awards.
It's fine. I've bought Draughts of the Craftsman, which save you a ton of pp on failed combines, especially if you got Station Cash during triple promotions. (Was really quadruple, effectively, if you use Walmart bonus cards.) I buy "big bags" when on sale because otherwise they're a major rip-off. I like to re-name pets and mercs so I can tell them apart when I box. As someone posted earlier, I'm one of those people who could care less about appearances so you won't find me buying ornaments, altho I'll use some I get thru drops. I did the druid epic ornament quest and I proudly use the original leaf-blower graphic on any weapon I equip. Amazingly, I never see anyone else doing that.
Sippin 115 DRU **** Firiona Vie ****Agnarr
FV: 115 WAR ENC CLE MAG WIZ SHD SHM Master Alchemist ROG Master Tinkerer & Poison-Maker
Master Artisan (300+) * Baker * Brewer * Fletcher * Jeweler * Potter * Researcher * Smith * Tailor
Agnarr: 65 DRU ENC SHD MAG CLE ROG WIZ BRD WAR
FV: 115 WAR ENC CLE MAG WIZ SHD SHM Master Alchemist ROG Master Tinkerer & Poison-Maker
Master Artisan (300+) * Baker * Brewer * Fletcher * Jeweler * Potter * Researcher * Smith * Tailor
Agnarr: 65 DRU ENC SHD MAG CLE ROG WIZ BRD WAR
I did remember, I have bought the rank 2 spell unlocker for 3 chars that are on accounts that are often F2P. That's one of the better items on the SC store, as far as usefulness. Can't imagine having a higher level char on a F2P account and NOT buying that :)
Tat
Tat
Tatanka Wolfdancer, 115 Wood Elf Druid, 9 x 300+ Master Artisan, 7 maxed trophies (dang research! :)
Michone, 115 Troll Shadowknight
Anaceup Mysleeves, 115 Erudite Mage, 2 x 300 Master Artisan
Snookims Whinslow, 112 Erudite Enchanter, 2 x 300 Master Artisan
<Inisfree>, Tunare (Seventh Hammer!)
Michone, 115 Troll Shadowknight
Anaceup Mysleeves, 115 Erudite Mage, 2 x 300 Master Artisan
Snookims Whinslow, 112 Erudite Enchanter, 2 x 300 Master Artisan
<Inisfree>, Tunare (Seventh Hammer!)
Scholar
20 posts
Sippin wrote:
It's fine. I've bought Draughts of the Craftsman, which save you a ton of pp on failed combines, especially if you got Station Cash during triple promotions. (Was really quadruple, effectively, if you use Walmart bonus cards.) I buy "big bags" when on sale because otherwise they're a major rip-off. I like to re-name pets and mercs so I can tell them apart when I box. As someone posted earlier, I'm one of those people who could care less about appearances so you won't find me buying ornaments, altho I'll use some I get thru drops. I did the druid epic ornament quest and I proudly use the original leaf-blower graphic on any weapon I equip. Amazingly, I never see anyone else doing that.
I did that!! :) My cleric got her epics back when it was current content. Always loved the sprinkler and the shield, they were so pretty. I was very happy when the Epic Request became available...she did it and now she always, always wears her Epic Ornamentations proudly. My Druid also has her leaf blower ornament, and my Shaman has her spear ornament. My toons worked hard for those epics and now will always wear those ornaments with pride.
I also agree with you on the "big bags" I always get them on sale. Way to much at regular price!
I am a big fan of the triple and double station cash. It's been so long since I have seen double SC. I don't think they are gonna do that anymore...all I ever see nowadays is a few items on sale for a week or so.
I did the same, I am dual wielding Ragebringers at the moment. Big bags and DotC are probably the only other things I would buy off the market.
Cool that others remember the sense of accomplish from obtaining the original epic 1.0, especially "way back when" when it was a major accomplishment.
Sippin 115 DRU **** Firiona Vie ****Agnarr
FV: 115 WAR ENC CLE MAG WIZ SHD SHM Master Alchemist ROG Master Tinkerer & Poison-Maker
Master Artisan (300+) * Baker * Brewer * Fletcher * Jeweler * Potter * Researcher * Smith * Tailor
Agnarr: 65 DRU ENC SHD MAG CLE ROG WIZ BRD WAR
FV: 115 WAR ENC CLE MAG WIZ SHD SHM Master Alchemist ROG Master Tinkerer & Poison-Maker
Master Artisan (300+) * Baker * Brewer * Fletcher * Jeweler * Potter * Researcher * Smith * Tailor
Agnarr: 65 DRU ENC SHD MAG CLE ROG WIZ BRD WAR
Wow, I didn't know about the epic ornaments. I also did my 1.0 Leafblower back in the day! I might consider this item in the store, depending how much it is.
I suppose you'd also have to turn on Hero's Forge to equip the ornament? 1200 SC just to turn that feature on always seemed way too steep to me.
Also, once you use an ornamentation, can it be removed and applied to other items, when you upgrade?
Tat
I suppose you'd also have to turn on Hero's Forge to equip the ornament? 1200 SC just to turn that feature on always seemed way too steep to me.
Also, once you use an ornamentation, can it be removed and applied to other items, when you upgrade?
Tat
Tatanka Wolfdancer, 115 Wood Elf Druid, 9 x 300+ Master Artisan, 7 maxed trophies (dang research! :)
Michone, 115 Troll Shadowknight
Anaceup Mysleeves, 115 Erudite Mage, 2 x 300 Master Artisan
Snookims Whinslow, 112 Erudite Enchanter, 2 x 300 Master Artisan
<Inisfree>, Tunare (Seventh Hammer!)
Michone, 115 Troll Shadowknight
Anaceup Mysleeves, 115 Erudite Mage, 2 x 300 Master Artisan
Snookims Whinslow, 112 Erudite Enchanter, 2 x 300 Master Artisan
<Inisfree>, Tunare (Seventh Hammer!)
The epic ornament is not obtained through the store, it's a quest. I believe it's call An Epic Request if I remember right. But yeah, it was such a badge of honor and sense of accomplishment to have one back then. I love that they put in this quest. Every alt I make, as soon as he is able, I do the 1.0 and most of the time the 2.0.
Edited, Mar 1st 2015 2:49pm by Rayder
Edited, Mar 1st 2015 2:49pm by Rayder
But do you have to buy the Hero's Forge in the SC store to use the epic ornamentation?
Tat
Tat
Tatanka Wolfdancer, 115 Wood Elf Druid, 9 x 300+ Master Artisan, 7 maxed trophies (dang research! :)
Michone, 115 Troll Shadowknight
Anaceup Mysleeves, 115 Erudite Mage, 2 x 300 Master Artisan
Snookims Whinslow, 112 Erudite Enchanter, 2 x 300 Master Artisan
<Inisfree>, Tunare (Seventh Hammer!)
Michone, 115 Troll Shadowknight
Anaceup Mysleeves, 115 Erudite Mage, 2 x 300 Master Artisan
Snookims Whinslow, 112 Erudite Enchanter, 2 x 300 Master Artisan
<Inisfree>, Tunare (Seventh Hammer!)
tatankaseventh wrote:
But do you have to buy the Hero's Forge in the SC store to use the epic ornamentation?
Tat
Tat
No. The epic ornamentation is for your weapon. Heros Forge is for armor. There are many weapon augments that are available in game (thru tradeskilling), the epic one thru questing and there are a ton from LoN.
I've only purchased a couple things through the store:
1. Big bags (when on sale), a few times. The size difference between what you can obtain in game and what you can buy (for free really if you have premium) is silly huge. It's just a no-brainer to buy big bags as often as you can afford them.
2. Merc slots. Another no-brainer. It's a one time expense per account. Bump the slots to 4 and you can have one of each kind of merc available all the time on every character without any hassle. Compared to the effort to gain extra slots in game, it's trivial.
I don't bother with exp potions. Again though, I've got veteran awards, so I get Lesson of the Devoted every day on every character. I usually am not playing in grind mode for long enough to use pots for this anyway, and it just seems like it would be a waste of money if I was. I guess part of it is that I know my own foibles and if I did spend money for exp pots, I'd be micromanaging the time when I'm using it. I'd feel like I've "got to get my money's worth", and frankly, I don't want to stress at all while playing (kinda want the opposite, in fact).
I'm also not huge into ornaments or appearance stuff. The most I do is dye armor slots to maintain some kind of consistent color scheme and call it a day. I do housing, but I don't buy all the extra goodies to put in them. Housing for me is mostly about a place to store all the extra stuff I have and don't want to sell or toss (yeah, I'm a hoarder).
The free SC I get each month is more than enough to provide for my needs.
1. Big bags (when on sale), a few times. The size difference between what you can obtain in game and what you can buy (for free really if you have premium) is silly huge. It's just a no-brainer to buy big bags as often as you can afford them.
2. Merc slots. Another no-brainer. It's a one time expense per account. Bump the slots to 4 and you can have one of each kind of merc available all the time on every character without any hassle. Compared to the effort to gain extra slots in game, it's trivial.
I don't bother with exp potions. Again though, I've got veteran awards, so I get Lesson of the Devoted every day on every character. I usually am not playing in grind mode for long enough to use pots for this anyway, and it just seems like it would be a waste of money if I was. I guess part of it is that I know my own foibles and if I did spend money for exp pots, I'd be micromanaging the time when I'm using it. I'd feel like I've "got to get my money's worth", and frankly, I don't want to stress at all while playing (kinda want the opposite, in fact).
I'm also not huge into ornaments or appearance stuff. The most I do is dye armor slots to maintain some kind of consistent color scheme and call it a day. I do housing, but I don't buy all the extra goodies to put in them. Housing for me is mostly about a place to store all the extra stuff I have and don't want to sell or toss (yeah, I'm a hoarder).
The free SC I get each month is more than enough to provide for my needs.
King Nobby wrote:
More words please
That is pretty much exactly what I do. My house is not overly furnished...just a drop spot for things I do not want cluttering my bank but will never delete. Big bags are solid buys, I likewise just use the free SC to cover everything I've ever bought.
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