Why does *but there are worse things in the industry so why complain!* keep upcoming up? Yes there are worst things there are also worse things going on in the world then video games, doesn't excuse the hand waving of the bullshit excuse people keep repeating. What blizzard is doing is pretty terrible in terms of exploiting its consumer base, yes not the worst but doesn't mean we shouldn't talk about it and doesn't excuse the behaviour.
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Why Overwatch's Summer Games Are A Problem
- Thread starter Exploratory
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Nah it's just about the monetization and how trading would cost them millions in lost sales.
Ha ha ha ha ha. This is hilarious because Blizzard was the company which had no issues at all launching Diablo 3 with a REAL MONEY AUCTION HOUSE for items, something even Valve is really squeamish about. And then they tried to sell that idea to fans that it was for the good of the community and the game, and that it wasn't about greed. They sure backtracked on that big time when reality exposed the fact that it was in fact bad for the community and the game, and only served to profit them. Lolz.
Visualante2
Member
Wasn't legislation in South Korea also part of it though? It was some how classified as gambling if I remember correctly.
Maybe? Sure, let's go with that. The point is, Blizzard has shown that their primary concern first and foremost is to figure out how to make the most money with a feature, even if going with that is not the best for a game. If they think a gifting system would make them more money, they would go with it regardless of any "hassle". They would remove it later if it proved too troublesome, but they would try first if they think there's money there.
Cut the attitude. Sure, the used games thing was bad and worth the backlash, but losing things like proper game sharing was not cool.
At least recognise that people are making a mountain out of a molehill. Because this really is far from the shittiest thing happening in video games, you can effectively step away from it and never give Blizzard a dime but still 100% enjoy the game since nothing gameplay related is behind a wall.
I would love to be able to buy the skins I want but this gambling system is clearly the best way for them to make money. In the end they are only cosmetics and you only buy boxes and support this system if you want to. A system like Dota would be great but it isn't happening. I just enjoy my box when I level up and that's it.
And at least recognise that some people aren't, and that the compliments are legitimate. I haven't bought a single Loot Box and still enjoyed the game, I thought the loot box system was manipulative before the Season Event and now its even worse. Why does this strange mantra of *Its not the worst thing in the industry* get said in regards to Overwatch, does it give me permission to shit up other threads about people complaining about a certain Game or Developer with the same statement?
My problem is with people who don't understand why its manipulative in its RNG gambling/emotional elements and then tell others it isn't a problem. Its fine if someone says *I understand why IT IS a shitty practice but I personally don't care" Hey that is fine at least they understand, however the other half is coming across either ignorant or blindly ignoring the facts over the practice. Other people clearly understand why it is and clearly the practice works as many in overwatch threads on this forum and others have put down $60+ to participate in a random machine roll for something they want.
A complaint over a molehill is still a legitimate complaint, but it is not the end of the game as we know it like some people here are saying. Heck, people are acting like it's the scummiest thing in gaming. You need to face that it isn't. You also need to accept that not everyone thinks it is a shitty practice. People understand your complaint, but don't agree with it. It's not your way or the highway.
I give this thing like two weeks after the Summer games ends for everyone to have basically forgotten about the event and most of the skins.
If you don't give single care sure, you will forget about it in no time. Those who have issue with this will remember, they remember on day when Spooky Halloween rolls around with new set of timed exclusives.
Azure Phoenix
Member
The one and only problem I have with the Summer Games loot system is that there was literally no way to guarantee you can get an item you want. No matter how many loot boxes you buy you still may never get what you want (Seagull bought like 150 lootboxes to get the Bastion emote and didn't get it, Mendo bought a ton for a player icon and never got it etc.), which is contrary to the gold system in OW as that ensures you can always get something you want even if your luck is atrocious.
I don't really understand why Blizzard decided to take this path, having a Summer Games currency would have negated almost all criticism towards the update and probably led to more lootbox sales as a result.
I don't really understand why Blizzard decided to take this path, having a Summer Games currency would have negated almost all criticism towards the update and probably led to more lootbox sales as a result.
To maximize profits.
But in the coming weeks we've got a new map, character changes, more regular cosmetics, probably a new character, and a revamped competitive mode launching. That's a lot of damn things.
And what is your point? That all those things somehow makes me forget about Gambling Games that have been taking place over past few weeks? Same ones that somewhat burned me out on OW because I felt that I had to grind, grind and grind as much as possible in given timeframe in order to get skins I want.
P.S. ~40 levels later I still have no skins I want
They're big things that effect how the game plays.
And I keep noticing that you and others here and in the last thread mentioning how you haven't got the skins you want yet. Would you be less angry if you did? Because that's the implication I get from you even bothering to mention such a thing.
I was like so close to just buying some loot boxes but then I got the GBR Tracer I wanted. Still want the American McCree.and the Nihon Genji but I at least got some thing I wanted so I'm satiated.
I'm glad the Skinner box method only works on me enough to just make me want to level up.
But yeah hopefully they have a less shitty method of getting the event items in the future.
Just let us buy what we want or make it so that all items in a themed box are from that years theme and there are no duplicates. Or give us a special event currency. Point is it shouldn't take someone 10 boxes to just get 1 of the events rare skins.
The original unlockables are not a problem for me because you have unlimited time to acquire them and you get coins over time which make duplicates at least slightly ok.
I'm glad the Skinner box method only works on me enough to just make me want to level up.
But yeah hopefully they have a less shitty method of getting the event items in the future.
Just let us buy what we want or make it so that all items in a themed box are from that years theme and there are no duplicates. Or give us a special event currency. Point is it shouldn't take someone 10 boxes to just get 1 of the events rare skins.
The original unlockables are not a problem for me because you have unlimited time to acquire them and you get coins over time which make duplicates at least slightly ok.
Azure Phoenix
Member
The question is if it worked. The sheer amount of criticism towards this loot system must have had an impact on sales, and I honestly believe that if you earned event currency from the summer boxes people who normally don't buy boxes would have been more willing to do so.
Just from a personal perspective I would have been willing to buy a few boxes if I knew that regardless of how bad my luck was I'd still be a step closer towards the Zarya skin. But as it stands I didn't buy any and will continue not buying future limited boxes unless there is a ceiling to how much I'd need to play/spend to guarantee I get the unlock I want by the end of the event.
Angry? Quite strong word to use there.
If I was luckier with RNG and dodged massive amount of dupes sure, I would be less annoyed with OW's loot system in general. Would I be less judgmental about practice Blizz decided to apply into Summer Games? No. I do think and would still think that practice is greedy and even abusive towards certain types of personalities or wealth.
Actually trading would almost certainly make them more money. People would buy more loot boxes to try and get rare skins.
Straight Edge
Member
Blizzard is entitled to make money off their years in development game. You are entitled to decide whether to participate. Neither party has any obligation to the other.
The only problem I have is the RNG system in this. Time and time again I get nothing but voice clips that I have zero interest in. Maybe a guarantee when you reach a certain level of something you want would eliminate this issue.
With regards to the Summer games thing, it's all on the user if they are that desperate to get a cosmetic. I like the idea that something special can be got by only one way. I read on here earlier someone's down on the whole thing because they couldn't get a cosmetic that wanted, I mean c'mon....
With regards to the Summer games thing, it's all on the user if they are that desperate to get a cosmetic. I like the idea that something special can be got by only one way. I read on here earlier someone's down on the whole thing because they couldn't get a cosmetic that wanted, I mean c'mon....
Bolded bit, kinda surprised they haven't done anykind "Hero mastery" thing where you gain hero specific...rank of some sorts. Would reward with some cool shit like toptier sprays and skin or two. Would give e.g. Mei mainers way to show off that they know their shit with that hero.
Each hero has 2 sprays linked to achievements. They already have a system in place to reward players with something for pulling off feats as a hero. Just not for skins.
ScaryShark
Banned
For a game that does so many things extremely well and has listened to so much feedback the way they've handled this event sticks out like a sore thumb.
They have a more caustic in-game currency/reward system than their own actual f2p game Hearthstone.
I thought people had stopped caring about this because there are so many good and exciting things happening around the game with S1 ending/new map/new short but I'm glad to see there are those who are still making noise about it.
Don't have duplicate summer items if you can't use the currency you get from those duplicates on the items.
They have a more caustic in-game currency/reward system than their own actual f2p game Hearthstone.
I thought people had stopped caring about this because there are so many good and exciting things happening around the game with S1 ending/new map/new short but I'm glad to see there are those who are still making noise about it.
Don't have duplicate summer items if you can't use the currency you get from those duplicates on the items.
Of course not. They would more easily get the ones they wanted. That would decrease the sales, not increase it.
ScaryShark
Banned
Wait is this real?Why would I want Hearthstone cards when I can use my coins to buy this instead?
Just wish it would go little further and deeper than "Did you press Q? Here, take this spray". Like HS gives golden hero portraits for certain amount of wins when playing that hero, they could do something similar in OW with played time.
Yes, they're adding laughing and sitting emotes for all characters, but Dva's sitting emote is a special legendary (gold) one. First and only legendary emote so far.
The majority of the achievements for heroes are NOT "did you press Q". Some are pretty damn tricky to get. I agree though, they could do more and tie more items to it.
ScaryShark
Banned
omg. Awesome. Definitely getting that ASAP.
Well no one WANTS Hearthstone cards. You need them.Why would I want Hearthstone cards when I can use my coins to buy this instead?
They could also open up a store just for limited time events. Like for the Olympic update, each day they sell a new skin and ONLY for that day. Or maybe even flash sales. "Olympic Tracer, 9.99 for the next five hours ONLY!" Hire me Blizzard.
Yes Blizzard, hire him, so I too can buy the skins I want like I did for all the costumes in Dissidia012 and FFXIII-2, instead of buying your stupid lootboxes instead!
YuriLowell
Member
I am glad I don't give a shit about cosmetics and therefore don't let that kind of stuff bother me.
Personally, it does not bother me. I love the gameplay. I spent maybe $5-$10 on crates when the game first released and realized it was a bad path. I haven't spent money since. I do not care enough to spend $100 to have a character wear a different pair of pants. It's a choice we all can make.
I would be genuinely surprised if after the Summer Games they don't make the loot items available through coin purchase.
I like what they are doing (i.e. neat themed events with special loot), but there's no reason to lock it behind some arbitrary wall forever.
I've also only bought 1 set of crates ($5 with leftover PSN wallet cash I wasn't using), and I call it quits there. The RNG thing is always irritating, but I liked the way Black Ops 3 does it- if you get duplicates, you can cash those in based on their level for a varying amount of points, then use those for another try at a crate(s).
Overwatch feels really limited in that aspect.
I like what they are doing (i.e. neat themed events with special loot), but there's no reason to lock it behind some arbitrary wall forever.
I've also only bought 1 set of crates ($5 with leftover PSN wallet cash I wasn't using), and I call it quits there. The RNG thing is always irritating, but I liked the way Black Ops 3 does it- if you get duplicates, you can cash those in based on their level for a varying amount of points, then use those for another try at a crate(s).
Overwatch feels really limited in that aspect.
You're right. I wish they would just put out 10 new heroes and 10 new maps without any balancing or play testing or quality testing.
So basically what they are doing with Ana, but at larger scale? They are literally throwing shit to walls and hoping it sticks enough so pros start playing her in meta. Only reason why they had buff Mercy's healing, so Ana wouldn't take Mercy's niche as most powerful single target healer.
Well, it's quite a shitfest for people who are only annoyed then.
Why would I want Hearthstone cards when I can use my coins to buy this instead?
The successor to the Dancing DVA emote, may we see this in spawn rooms forever more.
Even 'just' having a less dubious range of summer games content or a more generous guarantee for each loot box would help. At the moment your 'summer games' guaranteed drop could be a 100x100 pixel player icon of a national flag that took a maximum of 5 minutes in paint to make.
IgotElbows
Member
I don't know if it would be too hard to ask.
But I think each box (not just summer boxes) should guarantee a voice line, skin, highlight, or emote.
No one really cares about the sprays and player icons.
Taking an hour to level up, and end up with 2 player icons and 2 sprays is the worst feeling. Even moreso if they are dups...
Frankly, I'm confused by everything in this response.
I'm someone upset about this and I am concerned with people with gambling addictions being taken advantage of. So your baseless assumptions about other people engaged in the discussion are incorrect and some of us have in fact formed opinions based on concerns for others as well, not solely self-serving vanity. Let's admit that.
And clearly I am not referring to people who refuse to pay any money or suggesting that those people have a gambling addiction. That would be absurd. Obviously I am talking about the people who are spending, who feel compelled to spend, who otherwise enjoy this game as a fun thing to do but find that the clear manipulations designed to make the game less fun -- the very intentional feeling of disappointment when you get another crappy loot box after an hour and a half of play -- can easily be alleviated, just as long as they spend. Creating artificial scarcity and limiting the means of obtaining the newest items only deliberately amplifies this feeling, creating a sense of urgency and a heightened disappointment alongside the temptation to negate said disappointment with another round of slots.
Again, this is by design. You dismissing it as somehow insignificant does not negate Blizzard's choices.
Ivellios
Member
I agree with everything you said
You'd be the exception then, because most people here, in the previous thread, and on the Overwatch forums seem to be more concerned about missing out or not being able to use coins than how this effects those with gambling addictions.
However, don't be silly and assume that just because someone is willing to spend money or simply makes a bad financial descision that they're addicted to whatever they're spending that money on. It's not a given.
I brought up the refusers and the avoiders because that seem to be the sort who typically respond to this loot box situation.
And seriously, a "manipulation"? Blizzard does not shove buying loot boxes in your face. When you level up there's no explicit messaging there telling you to buy more. There's a shop link but that's about it. Loot boxes are not shoved in your face all the time, there's no "tips" on loading screens suggesting you buy more boxes, and there certainly isn't any mention of buying more loot boxes to get cosmetics in the Hero Gallery. The most that Blizzard actively advertises the boxes is simply the thumbnail within the Battle.net client informing everyone of Summer Loot Boxes being available at this point.
If Blizzard was shoving loot box advertisements in your face, coaxing you to buy more boxes after a free one when you level up, and dangling it in front of you on any screen you saw cosmetics then I would understand where you're coming from. But they're not. They don't do that. So don't act like they do.
Pilgrimzero
Member
Spent $50 on boxes and got everything I want except for the blue track Tracer skin, got the orange though.
Plus I have about 3k coins now so I can buy new legendary emotes/skins in the next big update.
So can't really complain.
Plus I have about 3k coins now so I can buy new legendary emotes/skins in the next big update.
So can't really complain.
Lol I can't believe this is such a big deal. Am I crazy? I noticed the summer games stuff would be gone soon, so I looked through the content thinking I'd maybe buy a couple boxes but really the exclusive stuff is just like 3 skins (one if which is kind of cool) a few generic voice lines and victory poses with characters holding gold medals. This is what upsets people? Enough so that they refuse to buy the game? After about 50 hrs of playing I have most of the skins I want out of the game for free, can someone explain the outrage to me?