[Solace]

Defiant Trait desc. updated. This is a MUST have trait.

[Wallis]

Defiant Trait desc. updated. This is a MUST have trait.

Oh, very nice indeed. You know, I was a little gutted that the legendary Galaxy class was not that much different to the T6 Fleet variant, but looking at some of these new traits, the traits alone may make up for her stats/loadout.

[Arno12]

The NX trait intrigues me, a solid alternative to the Xindi Primate Dreadnought trait, would save a lot of EC not having to re-buy that ship whenever I start a new toon and use this new trait instead.

[Petrarch]

yea my guess it that the new Crossfield will be called the Glenn class Attachment 12133

Have a closer look at the Saucer - see what the ship is called?

Defiant Trait desc. updated. This is a MUST have trait.

The Defiant really is shaping up to the be the one must have at all costs (figurately speaking) ship from the pack as it's showing itself to be a completely different beast to the regular version.

[Solace]

The NX trait intrigues me, a solid alternative to the Xindi Primate Dreadnought trait, would save a lot of EC not having to re-buy that ship whenever I start a new toon and use this new trait instead.

Thats not entirely true, the trait from the Xindi primate ship increases the duration of BO to 15seconds. Much like Go for the Kill does from the T6 Bug Ship does for Rapid Fire.

[Arno12]

Thats not entirely true, the trait from the Xindi primate ship increases the duration of BO to 15seconds. Much like Go for the Kill does from the T6 Bug Ship does for Rapid Fire.

True, still a tempting trait though

[aceman67]

I never saw a problem with lootboxes in f2p games...

I'm going to get real here for a moment.

There's a reason I don't have any of the really nice stuff from the loot boxes, promo packs and the like.

It's also the same reason why I don't drink, why even when I'm prescribed opioid medication (like after my surgery a few years ago), I don't take it until I'm in unbearable pain.

All for one reason: I have a predisposition for addiction. My biological family on my father's side are all hardcore alcoholics, and a lot of them have gambling issues and struggle with prescription drug abuse.

I know I am because I've seen myself exhibit that kind of behaviour in the past. I haven't played Overwatch for any meaningful amount of time since Christmas 2018 because, I, without thinking, dropped $175 on loot boxes so I could get a skin for one of the characters (can't even remember which one). Because of that, I was short on a car payment, that lead to a payday loan, a loan that I didn't wind up paying off till October 2019.

Lootboxes, specifically how they are displayed in-game (the flashy colours and sounds, causing that 'just one more' feeling you get when the dopamine rushes through your system) are scientifically engineered to be as addictive as they are to get more money.

That's why they are a problem, that's why they are sinister, that's why the EU and many other places are planning on banning them, and for good reason.

That is also why I am so Effing pissed that these ships are not being sold individually because buying them outright is literally the only way I can get them without doing something that is harmful to myself instead of just being harmful to my wallet.

[Heyallo]

I was interested in these ships until I heard they're not being sold separately.

I cannot afford or justify spending between 4-600AUD just for the basic ship pack (at full cost). That's basically about 1/2 of what I get to live on each month. Now if I could buy one ship, that would be ok, would be my monthly "yay tasties or game or something" monies but still a lot more tolerable than 1/2 my gorram "you need to live" monies =/

[Sorotia]

I'm going to get real here for a moment.

There's a reason I don't have any of the really nice stuff from the loot boxes, promo packs and the like.

It's also the same reason why I don't drink, why even when I'm prescribed opioid medication (like after my surgery a few years ago), I don't take it until I'm in unbearable pain.

All for one reason: I have a predisposition for addiction. My biological family on my father's side are all hardcore alcoholics, and a lot of them have gambling issues and struggle with prescription drug abuse.

I know I am because I've seen myself exhibit that kind of behaviour in the past. I haven't played Overwatch for any meaningful amount of time since Christmas 2018 because, I, without thinking, dropped $175 on loot boxes so I could get a skin for one of the characters (can't even remember which one). Because of that, I was short on a car payment, that lead to a payday loan, a loan that I didn't wind up paying off till October 2019.

Lootboxes, specifically how they are displayed in-game (the flashy colours and sounds, causing that 'just one more' feeling you get when the dopamine rushes through your system) are scientifically engineered to be as addictive as they are to get more money.

That's why they are a problem, that's why they are sinister, that's why the EU and many other places are planning on banning them, and for good reason.

That is also why I am so Effing pissed that these ships are not being sold individually because buying them outright is literally the only way I can get them without doing something that is harmful to myself instead of just being harmful to my wallet.

So instead of loot boxes we're going to get these outlandishly expensive packs...at least with loot boxes I have multiple ways of obtaining items including not specifically having to spend tons of dilithium when the market is pretty much sitting right below or at the cap.

With these huge ship packs will be saving up months or longer just to be able to buy one, and what if you don't want everything in it? Well by the looks of it it's tough luck all or nothing.

Should be a little something called self control...you can't sue the casino if you go in and blow all your money. But like I said, if this is the alternative I'm not a fan...

Only other thing I can see is them boosting prices...MWO sells single chasiss for like 50+ dollars...future for a single T6 ship could be 5-6k zen.

[aceman67]

-snip-

So not having expensive packs is somehow better than companies taking advantage of peoples gambling addictions in one of the most underhanded and dirty ways possible... good to know.

[Sorotia]

So not having expensive packs is somehow better than companies taking advantage of peoples gambling addictions in one of the most underhanded and dirty ways possible... good to know.

They do it to keep the game afloat, I'm sorry everything can't rainbows and sunshine where Cryptic is handed millions dollars to develop the game just because.

Last time I checked we're all adults, that is a problem with this world these days...no one wants to take any blame for their actions. Lets all blame someone else...Cryptic made them whip out the credit card...Cryptic made them blow money on virtual items that are literally worthless.

If they can't control their impulse to be keys what is to keep them from buying 300 dollar packs? We going to blame Cryptic for that too? Should Cryptic just start the shutdown on STO because people can't control themselves? Perhaps every free to play game should shut down because people would be tempted to buy, buy, and buy some more?

[Sul-Matuul]

Gambling addiction is definitely a real issue and too many games loot box mechanics to try and entice people in; many even targeting children.
It’s very easy to say that all you need is self control but if you’ve ever had to deal with mental health issues (which gambling addiction really is) then you will know how infuriating and insulting such hand waving treatment of these issues is.
The lockbox situation might make items cheaper for some people as you can save up the credits for them from the exchange in this game but for many others they get sucked in by the gambling side. There are definitely players who have serious issues with the amount they spend on the game and it is because of that random gambling aspect; items are being made artificially rare, prices are pushed up, there’s no guarantee of the item you want etc.

Getting rid of loot boxes might make things more expensive but at least you can see what you are getting without the uncertainty. You can save up, plan and budget for spending a set amount on your favourite game.
And to be perfectly honest if games think replacing loot boxes with Uber-expensive bundles is going to solve the issue they are out of touch with their customers and will find out the hard way. The overwhelming majority of players will be happy to buy a £30 ship every few months; not many will be willing to throw £300 at a game in one go.
If they think this type of bundle will keep their game afloat they are being naive to the point their game deserves to fail.

These new ships should be available individually. That allows the biggest number of players to access them for a reasonable price without being exploited by gambling mechanics.

I’m glad if some players feel happy enough with their finances to be able to afford this bundle but at the same time every person who does buy it is just another confirmation to cryptic that this is an acceptable pricing structure. They won’t after all have figures for the number of players who are NOT buying this bundle due to its price bring prohibitive.
And for the game overall I feel this is a bad direction to be going in.

[aceman67]

-snip-

Pretty much my view on it. You have no idea how much of a titanic force of will it is sometimes for me not to drop money on lockboxes to try and get the ships I've wanted for this game (Kelvin Connie, NX-Escort, Disco-Prise, etc) every payday, ESPECIALLY when it's an R&D Promo Pack event. Those days I intentially log my password manager out on my computer (that stores my CC info) and leave my wallet upstairs when it's Payday, it's that much of an issue.

[Jestersmith]

56s in is truly the ship porn shot

[Dylan Erikson]

I wonder what the chances of zen bonus charge sale happening with the bundle release? probably ZERO to NONE! LOL