Seems like beginning to be a pay to win

[HSmobileunit1171]

It seems that this game is becoming just another pay to win game. The XP that you do get isn't really worth the effort. If I didn't enjoy playing so much, I would have quit 2 updates ago. They want to force you to play what they want you to play to earn anything, not reward you for your efforts in what YOU want to do. Bull s**t! I've only been on here for about 2 1\2 months, some of you have been here for years. Say what you want, make what ever snide comments you want, but the game has changed drastically in just two months. Not as fun anymore. No, I'm nowhere near the best, and not claiming to be. Just be fair. I have bought several items on here. Not expecting to awarded for it, but it would be nice to earn a little more for spending a lot of time an effort. I just hope the administrators don't decide to do what a lot of other game administrators have done and make it a play to win game. It's just too much fun. Ya'll have fun!

[Wulfgarn]

Many feel the way that you do..

[Ronin_ICOP]

There have been some changes. That's a fact. And I feel safe in assuming that you are not happy with the changes. But the game has, does, and will continue changing. Though as you said, it is still great fun. Without an ounce of rancor I suggest that you just play the ships you have fun with, not worry too much (though I am guilty about it myself at times, too) about the changes and how they do or might affect your game experience, and focus on having some fun playing shooty-botes when you are in the mood.

 

As you mentioned, spending money here doesn't entitle us to anything. And I don't think your number of battles is necessarily an indicator of the validity of your feelings. But I think if you stick around a while, no matter how many games you play, you will see that change is not always bad, and does not always impact you negatively.

 

IMO, if you are playing consistently and paying attention, you can get a free day of premium every week (missions), earn lots of flags and such (containers), participate in fun activities outside the usual scope of the game (Corgi hunt, contests, etc.) and still have a great time despite whatever changes may happen.

 

Respects,

 

Am

[saru_richard]

it was starting to enter that territory half a year ago with Belfast, and while i would still not call the game P2W its getting really close

[hellzbelz]

i completely agree.  The game used to be fun, but now it seems that you have to empty your wallet just to be competitive.  I have been in battles where my squadrons (all 3) were destroyed in approximately 6 seconds...all 3 of them!  That is simply impossible and not at all realistic.  Who was the enemy?  It was the Kaga, a ship you need to purchase.  A prime example of needing to pay to win.  Good luck finding a way to complain to someone who will listen, they are busy counting money.

[BaronVonTom]

I think you may be confusing pay to play with pay to win.  Every gaming site needs to make money to stay in business or there is NO GAME.  So is there pay to play?  Absolutely....more credits, more commander xp, more free exerience, etc.  Is there pay to win?  I don't believe there is a single premium ship that allows you to win every battle.  Therefore, I don;t believe we have reached pay to win yet.  I could be wrong, but I don't see it.  Most people that have premium ships play them probably more than their free ships.  That means they get damn good in them for all those extra economy rewards.  It may seem like pay 2 win, but it's more pay 2 play.

 

Finally, If it is pay to play you don't like, consider this:  Without all of the people here that pay to play, there is no game.  The folks that invest money into the game give those of you that don't want to pay the opportunity to play at the same levels for free.

[Umikami]

pay to win started with premium consumables, which were already in the game when it was first released; everything else since then has just been more of the same

[HSmobileunit1171]

I have paid several times. I don't consider that pay to win. I was buying  a ship, and time on the game. If they have to be a pay to win game, I don't need to play it, no matter how I enjoy playing it. If it does become a pay to win, I can drop it like a hot rock! There are other games out there that I can play without paying to win. You shouldn't have to pay to win. I can see supporting the game. No problem. I have done that, and I will continue to do that. No pay to win. Period. And a little better payoff to the people who are working their way up. Stop the grind to level your way up. I understand the process. But don't penalize people who want to play co-op, and not random. You are forcing people to play levels that they can't handle just to get a reward. That is not fair. To level your ship up, your are being forced to play random. A lot of people prefer to play co-op. Don't penalize them for this. I do play some random, but I am not experienced enough, even though I am level 15, to compete in random. I can see not earning as much as random or ranked battles. If you are going to have ranked, don't make them just for a certain couple of levels. Have several ranked levels. And pitting a level 5 ship against a level 7 or 8 just isn't fair. You get wiped out pretty quick. There are many things that can be fixed on this game. I am just trying to point out a few. If you don't like my comments, I don't really care. Get over it. If you do, please, support me, and try and make the game something that is enjoyable for all!

[HSmobileunit1171]

BTW, I have noticed that the containers have become a waste of time unless you choose consumables 100% of the time. If you do choose chance, you will only receive a few signal flags. I have tried this over a long period of time, and have only received signal flags. Nothing else. Consumables is basically the ONLY choice you have for containers, no matter what you are doing, Public server or Free server. Give people a chance.

[Ronin_ICOP]

19 hours ago, HSmobileunit1171 said:

But don't penalize people who want to play co-op, and not random. You are forcing people to play levels that they can't handle just to get a reward. That is not fair. To level your ship up, your are being forced to play random. A lot of people prefer to play co-op. Don't penalize them for this. I do play some random, but I am not experienced enough, even though I am level 15, to compete in random. I can see not earning as much as random or ranked battles. If you are going to have ranked, don't make them just for a certain couple of levels. Have several ranked levels. And pitting a level 5 ship against a level 7 or 8 just isn't fair. You get wiped out pretty quick. There are many things that can be fixed on this game. I am just trying to point out a few.

 

Taking those one at a time and offering my own thoughts:

 

Yes, you do not get the same rewards in co-op games. There is no denying that. And I can see how, for anyone who only likes playing co-op, that might seem unfair. In my opinion, there are a couple significant differences between co-op and random matches. Without meaning any disrespect, I look at co-op matches as training games. I see co-op as a way to learn the ins and outs of a ship, or for the newer player, a way to learn the key commands, how to make use of the various tools in the user interface, and the use of the F-key options to communicate with teammates. I acknowledge that there is perhaps a friendlier atmosphere in co-op, and that can be very nice. And I played my share of co-op games. But the enemy always does the same thing, more or less. Personally, I believe this is to make this mode easier by design, to allow players to get a feel for the game in a less competitive environment. But the game is, I believe, first and foremost a player vs. player game. Though some may argue (with good reason, actually) that this is changing a bit since the introduction of weekly missions, where teamwork is critical and the opponent is always AI. Now, having shared my impressions on those issues, I will say that I do not see the smaller rewards of co-op as punishment. Instead, I see the increased rewards of random as incentive to get better at the game and to join in what the game was originally designed to be: a player vs. player platform.

 

With regard to your feeling that you are not experienced enough to compete in random matches, I understand. Actual players are much more difficult a challenge than the AI, not only because some of them are very experienced players, but because the human element adds the possibility of unexpected things to happen. But, in my own opinion, once a player has the basic game mechanics mastered, facing the challenge of random matches is required to get better at the game. And facing that challenge should, in my opinion, be rewarded above and beyond what is available in co-op, where the opponent is, for many of us, wearily predictable.

 

Your suggestion of ways to prevent a two-tier difference in ship strength are also understandable. And seen from where you are, likely seem quite logical. Please allow me to offer counterpoint to that line of reasoning. Generally, barring someone at a lower tier being dragged in due to being in a division, there will be up to a three tier spread of ships in any match from Tier V on up. That means you might see 5-6-7, or 6-7-8, or 7-8-9, or 8-9-10. And yes, when your ship is the lowest tier in the match, you will often be targeted by players seeking easy prey. And that can be quite daunting. But that is further reason for increased reward, I think, touching on the earlier point. And most of us, if we are trying, will get better at the game. We will learn how to angle our ship to avoid citadel shots as much as possible, how to make use of islands and smoke, how to avoid being sunk in the first couple minutes of the game. And learning those things under fire is difficult. I suggest making use of the many Youtube videos available to learn some advanced tactics that can be carried into the game.

 

I guess what I am saying is that I can understand where you are coming from, but want you to know there is another side to the coin here. And that higher rewards for random matches are justifiable if one considers the increased level of challenge and expectation. Allow me to offer one more opinion to you. It is my belief that there is only so much you can learn about the game in co-op. The predictability creates a skill-ceiling of sorts. And, in my view, can cripple a player who comes to rely on that predictability, making random matches even more difficult. So, I encourage you to consider jumping wholeheartedly into playing random matches. Yes, there will be humiliating defeat, frustration, and probably even some cries of "potato!" from other players. But there will also be advancement of your understanding of the game, increased confidence in your ability to compete in the random setting, and a sense of accomplishment at having accepted a new challenge.

 

Whatever your future choices, I wish you fun with the game.

 

Respects,

 

Am