Do tell. No harm in attempting to wrench the conversation back in line.
In World of Warships, we have week long events and week-end events.
Usually themed after real life naval battle and events of the 20th century. So we have themed missions and rewards. Problem is, the EU cluster is notorious for having super shitty events, incredibly hard or/and restrictive completion requirements and super shitty rewards, compared to NA, RU or Asian clusters.
When I say hard requierements and shitty reward, I mean it. Sometimes it's about having to gain XP in matchs or deal damage in matchs, but the different is by a factor of 10 times between EU and RU... WG EU justify this saying
" its not meant for every player, but only for the more experience, skilled and dedicated player " but when you look at it, some event required to play for about 8 hours a day for a week to be award a Premium ship worth... 15$
So of course we look at NA or Asian and RU clusters and we wish we have their events. Earlier this month, V Day celebration happened. EU cluster got 20 super fancy Camo (with actually great XP Boost perks) so it was free and nice gift. RU clusters got these + repeatable missions + XP boost + free premium ship.
We just wish all clusters had the same events and reward. We don't understand why some of us are treated so poorly (actually we know why, it's because Europe and NA are spending more money than RU and Asia so they don't need free shit because they buy shit anyway) and prices from RU to EU are going to double or triple depending what you want to buy...
Now let's talk about their Premium Ships. You can buy unique Premium Ships in the game like in World of Tanks and they come with several perks. People love these as they represent historical value with legendary ships and the associated perks are very nice if you are a serious player : they represent good investement in the long run.
Now the problem : Wargaming absolutely knows how dedicated and crazy about historical and famous ship, its fanbase is. So when a very famous ship comes out as Premium, they usually offer different pack : ship alone for a high price, or bundled with Premium time, doubloons (gold) and other consummables for a very high price.
Now the fuck up part : (that I will argue that can be considered as experiements about these kinds of economic models in games) for the release of Prinz Eugen last year, they ONLY release for 150€ bundle first, to push the hardcore fan of german ships to pay upfront. A week later they release the alternative 80€ bundle and after that, the ship alone for 30€ (I think). Again, you didn't HAD to buy it and you COULD wait 3 weeks if you wanted the ship alone.
Now this week was released
HMS Hood, the most legendary ship in the Royal Navy and the UK being sadly under-represented in the game, people are so HYPED about a British Battleship, about Hood especially. The Royal Navy, being one of the biggest navy in the world during the 20th century and still not being properly in WoWs is a joke and a meme at this point in the community. But WG prefer to put in the game Soviet paper ships (designs, ships never layed down) because of stronk soviet ships and to pander to their russian fanbase (WG is russian)
Ok, so HUGE Royal Navy hype, for years now. Hood comes out. Right on time during a (actually very amazingly well, balanced, not too hard, not too grindy, well rewarded) Event called Hunt for Bismarck (Bismarck being the biggest ship germany layed down in WW2 and famously sunk Hood, the pride of Royal Navy, in a SINGLE shot.) This event is based around missions you have to do but some of them are possible ONLY if you posses Hood, a premium ship, you have to pay with REAL money.
Now, it's okay, if you bought the ship, you can earn the right to have a easier time in the event. Why not : it's a reward based system for player who put more money in. It's not breaking the game balance it's not Pay 2 Win its all good.
What's not good is that Hood is NOT available to buy alone as long as the event is live. If you want Hood during the Event,
you have to pay for the super expensive 100€ bundle
So this is what I wanted to say.
There's another big debate growing slowly in WoWs community : the power creeping of premium ships compared to their " free " main line counter parts. This is a very technical debate and I won't go because it requires a lot of understand and knowledge of the game mechanics but WG refuse to nerf Premium ships. Sometimes they test them and nerf / buff them before release but once its released : a premium ship is NEVER, EVER nerfed in any way. They sometimes buff other ships to raise the overall balance but some ships are in... questionable places, balancing wise.