Will micro transactions kill Sea of Theives?

  • norloc
    Marauder
    Insider

    sea of thieves is primarily a cosmetic purchase game for the moment, that's currently all you can buy for gold. however, doubloons are making their way into the game, along with rep purchases.

    you cant by upgrades at all, but who knows what will come of the cursed cannon balls.

    one would hope there will be a system in place to ensure that the fundamentals of the game are in place, but personally i feel it would change the dynamic of this beautiful game. there would be no pay to win scenario but there wont be the effort or sense of loss that i feel is a key element. no more not having enough gold and working for the skins just a simple $5 bucks for the set or something.

    i dunno, i think,i would rather buy a season pass to keep the dlc coming rather than micro transactions if that's the case.

    what do you think?

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  • Mad Jack Ketch
    Lord
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    No. Because it will be all cosmetics and pets.

    Edit Less Pirate and more sense.

  • Vaca Hombre
    Champion
    Founder

    @norloc

    I can't site any actual facts, but I thought they said that doubloons would not be purchasable via microtransactions. Also, in-game cosmetics would be seperate from microtransaction cosmetics.

    Again, can't show actual proof, but I thought I remembered hearing that.

  • KattTruewalker
    Vanguard
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    Founder
    Deckhand

    @norloc

    Ahoy there, I'm going to link in here a thread (at the very bottom) where the first discussions around microtransactions surfaced via a lot of articles posted in February when the press were allowed to publish the information they received from Rare when they were fortunate enough to visit the studios.

    These few are specifically discussing the thoughts around how and what microtransactions might look like in Sea of Thieves. They're very well worth reading as this topic hasn't really featured since February.

    Feb 13, 2018  /  Xbox

    Sea of Thieves and the future: Ditching loot crates for pirate pet pals, DLC plans, and more

    Sea of Thieves and the future: Ditching loot crates for pirate pet pals, DLC plans, and more

    Sea of Thieves seems like the perfect game to fit into the dreaded loot crate model, but Rare has other plans.

    Feb 13, 2018  /  News

    The Sea of Thieves premium shop will sell pets

    The Sea of Thieves premium shop will sell pets

    Earlier this month a Sea of Thieves datamine unearthed word of a premium shop. As you'd expect, the revelation sparked …

    David Jenkins  /  Feb 13, 2018  /  Entertainment

    Why Sea Of Thieves does not have loot boxes - Rare interview with Joe Neate

    Why Sea Of Thieves does not have loot boxes - Rare interview with Joe Neate

    GameCentral talks to one of the leads behind Rare’s new online adventure, about microtransactions and pet parrots.

    https://www.seaofthieves.com/forum/topic/30834/list-of-news-articles-february-press-embargo-lifted

  • norloc
    Marauder
    Insider

    @v**a-hombre

    yea its a lot of speculation at this point really, haven't seen much concrete stuff aboutityet from devs, but its curious how the community feels

  • Mad Jack Ketch
    Lord
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    Founder

    @katttruewalker Oh my Pirate.... I forgot about them articles! Great find.

  • KattTruewalker
    Vanguard
    Insider
    Founder
    Deckhand

    @v**a-hombre said in Will micro transactions kill Sea of Theives?:

    @norloc

    I can't site any actual facts, but I thought they said that doubloons would not be purchasable via microtransactions. Also, in-game cosmetics would be seperate from microtransaction cosmetics.

    Again, can't show actual proof, but I thought I remembered hearing that.

    You're absolutely right -

    Jun 20, 2018  /  Xbox

    Sea of Thieves won't take your real money for virtual 'dubloons'

    Sea of Thieves won't take your real money for virtual 'dubloons'

    Sea of Thieves will get some much-needed tweaks soon.

  • John Hatter
    Marauder

    I think it will be hard to say until it happens.

    I have seen games that are fine with stores and others that are ruined by stores. The ruining can be scaled from too many speed boost items that take the point out of playing the game to being filled with borderline 'can't live without' type items at an insane price.

    The trick here is, as said, the game is about cosmetics so how they go about balancing in game cosmetics versus in shop cosmetics will be a big factor. If they want to offer the limited time event stuff(or similar in order to keep the event unique) at a price I'm not against it. Will be nice for those who miss an event but like the style of cosmetic offered during. A few cool shop limited outfits is fine but the second the in game currency cosmetics start looking like trash in comparison to get people to spend the money I will take issue. So long as the good stuff isn't ALL behind the counter I won't mind shopping from time to time.

    In a nutshell it's hard to say. The various tidbits I have seen here and there on the upcoming microtransactions don't have me worried. I think there heads are in a good place moving forward with it. Will that last long term? Time will tell.

  • Dragonsire2016
    Seafarer

    @john-hatter I think the issue is more will Micro transactions replace the need to play the game. As the only goals are cosmetic, and if you can buy the look of the ship you want, and the clothes you want etc...what's left in the game for you to want to earn... why do pve content at all at that point. I am not a fan. At least not with the game in it's current form.

    Pets, okay.

  • John Hatter
    Marauder

    @dragonsire2016
    Very good point but the reality would vary from person to person. I personally am pretty simple and will sail around just to sail around so a cosmetic geared shop wouldn't break much for me in the long run.

    As a whole though I imagine more people, even those in a similar stance as myself, would lean more towards a more 'common' gameplay approach(content/goals/etc) and would therefor find a shop destructive to the gameplay value as you have described.

    It goes to show how much of a precarious position Rare has put themselves in with this game. The balance in creating content items is tricky enough without trying to come up with a healthy microtransaction formula that is also fair and balanced without throwing off the balance of their own game. Another area where I do not envy the dance they are attempting.

  • DrunkPunk138
    Master
    Founder

    Do microtransactions ever really "kill" games? Maybe public opinion, but more often than not the game continues to maintain a playerbase. Even Archeage died a slow, drawn out death with their terrible, terrible microtransactions. But that took years (and for all I know it still has a playerbase of some sort).

    I suppose it really depends on what you mean by "kill" the game. Do you mean kill the playerbase? Do you mean kill your appreciation of it, or desire to play? Or do you mean kill the public perception and general sentiment of the game? If it's the first one, then no, I don't think even a really shady cosmetic system will do that, as it would be optional. As for the other two, entirely possible, but it'll largely depend on how it is done, which we can only speculate with the little info we have.

    I think things like season passes do more to kill games than anything else. Anything that splits a playerbase or community is generally going to do more harm than good.

  • John Hatter
    Marauder

    @drunkpunk138
    Really good point I hadn't really thought of. I know of a few games with TERRIBLE reputation for their cash shop greed and yet people still play the game and spend real money, they just do it more angrily vocal.

    Perspective is a big key to this conversation I had overlooked. Though given the stylistic choices in this games content I feel no matter the definition a poor cash shop has the potential to hit Sea of Thieves harder than other existing titles.

  • Ghostpaw
    Legend

    If they sell items like upgraded cannonballs, special potions/poisons, or anything else that grants an advantage only for real money then it would be a problem. I have seen nothing to indicate they are considering something like that. If they offer exclusive cosmetic items and pets then I do not see it becoming an issue for most players. Yes, some players will demand access to everything for free, but I do not think they are a significant proportion of the whole community.

  • norloc
    Marauder
    Insider

    @drunkpunk138 said in Will micro transactions kill Sea of Theives?:

    Do microtransactions ever really "kill" games? Maybe public opinion, but more often than not the game continues to maintain a playerbase. Even Archeage died a slow, drawn out death with their terrible, terrible microtransactions. But that took years (and for all I know it still has a playerbase of some sort).

    I suppose it really depends on what you mean by "kill" the game. Do you mean kill the playerbase? Do you mean kill your appreciation of it, or desire to play? Or do you mean kill the public perception and general sentiment of the game? If it's the first one, then no, I don't think even a really shady cosmetic system will do that, as it would be optional. As for the other two, entirely possible, but it'll largely depend on how it is done, which we can only speculate with the little info we have.

    I think things like season passes do more to kill games than anything else. Anything that splits a playerbase or community is generally going to do more harm than good.

    I'm thinking appreciation and desire to play. what is there to work for if you could just buy it, but its a good point about splitting player base

  • WarOnPants2664
    Master
    Insider

    @mad-jack-ketch Oh gosh lol I knew there would be someone. "it's just cosmetic" is a silly argument to begin with, but sea of thieves is a game with NOTHING BUT cosmetics...

  • Mad Jack Ketch
    Lord
    Insider
    Founder

    @betsill so why are you arguing a point that is already valid and answered yet still try and cause a fuss over what the facts are?

  • WarOnPants2664
    Master
    Insider

    @mad-jack-ketch Your gonna need to explain yourself. Either you misunderstood me or you need to rephrase cause idk what you're saying here.

  • Mad Jack Ketch
    Lord
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    Founder

    @betsill Good ;) Job done. Now let this thread run its course.

  • WarOnPants2664
    Master
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    @mad-jack-ketch You're glad that you are incoherent and added nothing to the conversation? lol

  • Murkrage
    Commander
    Insider
    Founder

    @ghostpaw said in Will micro transactions kill Sea of Theives?:

    If they sell items like upgraded cannonballs, special potions/poisons, or anything else that grants an advantage only for real money then it would be a problem. I have seen nothing to indicate they are considering something like that. If they offer exclusive cosmetic items and pets then I do not see it becoming an issue for most players. Yes, some players will demand access to everything for free, but I do not think they are a significant proportion of the whole community.

    It probably won't be an issue. There's tons of games where micro transactions are merely cosmetic and are still alive and well. One of the biggest being League of Legends. You can become the greatest ever of that game without ever paying a dime. Skins are purely cosmetic and are there to make you look cool.

    I'd imagine that the same would go for micro transactions in this game :)

  • DaveyJay1984
    Master
    Insider
    Founder

    They have said no loot box gambling. The idea from my understanding is that someone spends $5 to get gold and purchase a set of stuff they want and as a result I don't have to pay a subscription to continue to play and receive free content updates.

  • xxBRYTExx
    Founder

    @norloc
    Adding in micro transactions wont affect the game play or culture at all. Zero impact. Cosmetics are easily gotten. The cost are not extravagant. The game itself isnt progressed in anyway through cosmetics so you wont feel pressure to buy to keep up.

  • hammy hamstar
    Commander
    Insider
    Founder

    @norloc nope

  • WarOnPants2664
    Master
    Insider

    @ant-heuser-kush Sea of thieves is a completely different beast though. Other games with cosmetic micro transactions are either free-to-play and/or they have mastery/progression systems that are the main focus of the game. In other games, cosmetics are just a supplement to the game-play(like monster hunter, LOL, etc.). In Sea of thieves cosmetics are EVERYTHING. Cosmetics are the only real reward that you get for doing anything in game. If your favorite cosmetic is something you can't get in game or you just pay for it, then it instantly devalues the already weak AF incentive you have to "progress" in this game.

  • Dekeita
    Legend
    Insider
    Founder

    It'll have zero negative impact unless Rare does something unbelievably stupid with it.

    But....some sorta Season Pass could be an interesting idea. Like Fortnite esque seasons with extra challenges and cosmetics. There'd be a backlash against this in it's current state, and given the full price of the game and all. But maybe, after a few years of development and improvment they'll just make the game FTP and go this route or something. I dunno it's a possibility.

  • Barnacle Blake
    Captain
    Insider
    Founder

    Ask elder scrolls online. I think if it's good enough to sell me on spending 5-20$ it is going to make me happy.

  • WarOnPants2664
    Master
    Insider

    @ant-heuser-kush I think that is a horrible mindset to have for the future of the game(or any game for that matter), but I understand where you're coming from.

  • Ve111a
    Ship Mate

    I think MT's are only going to grow the playerbase, Give Rare more play money to keep making us new free content, and enrich and make everyone more individual. All these are great things!

  • Sir spishush
    Lord
    Insider
    Founder

    i cant wait to buy me a pet. i have had more than my moneys worth of fun from this game already so personally im happy to support the game by purchasing a pet, i wonder what else might appear for sale after the pets? exciting

  • Ve111a
    Ship Mate

    @mad-jack-ketch said in Will micro transactions kill Sea of Theives?:

    @betsill so why are you arguing a point that is already valid and answered yet still try and cause a fuss over what the facts are?

    He is the one that made a massive post saying the ebon flintlock and mercenary pistols are considered pay to win.

  • WarOnPants2664
    Master
    Insider

    @ant-heuser-kush The way I see it, is that if people like you will pay these companies money with little to no questions asked: They will charge us for it. I'ts not about being jealous of your ingame character, it's about me getting less for my money because Rare(or some other company) knows they can get away with it. It's why EA got away with their horrible lootbox system for so long. Companies will almost always follow the money and if you wave your $ outside the game then they will go get it instead of keeping the content in game.

  • Ve111a
    Ship Mate

    @ant-heuser-kush said in Will micro transactions kill Sea of Theives?:

    @ve111a said in Will micro transactions kill Sea of Theives?:

    I think MT's are only going to grow the playerbase, Give Rare more play money to keep making us new free content, and enrich and make everyone more individual. All these are great things!

    I still want a robot monkey, a golden monkey, or one that looks like Diddy. I'd happily pay for that.

    Which diddy?

    P Diddy
    alt text
    Or Diddy Kong?
    alt text

  • Ve111a
    Ship Mate

    @betsill said in Will micro transactions kill Sea of Theives?:

    @ant-heuser-kush The way I see it, is that if people like you will pay these companies money with little to no questions asked: They will charge us for it. I'ts not about being jealous of your ingame character, it's about me getting less for my money because Rare(or some other company) knows they can get away with it. It's why EA got away with their horrible lootbox system for so long. Companies will almost always follow the money and if you wave your $ outside the game then they will go get it instead of keeping the content in game.

    Companies will follow the money Lol. Rare is in the works for 3 solid FREE DLCS. I personally would have been ok paying money for all of them. If Rare is doing the cash shop to help fund future content I am, And always will be on board.

  • Sir spishush
    Lord
    Insider
    Founder

    @ant-heuser-kush i want a ship hull with barnacles and gouges ripped into it and harpoons embedded into its side like the sharks have lol a proper scummy battle and time worn look yaaar.

  • Sir spishush
    Lord
    Insider
    Founder

    @ant-heuser-kush thats what im talking about 👍

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