Please Extend the Character Tansfer Sale

[Knorlac]

$10 per character is ridiculous for two reasons. 1.) This is an automated process. A stored procedure runs somewhere for like 3 seconds. That's NOT worth $10. 2.) People are stuck on DEAD servers. This is because they have done a terrible job promoting the game and keeping players. If they WANT people to return and SUBSCRIBE they should offer incentives like, "We noticed you haven't subscribed for 6 months. Come back now and transfer all of your characters for FREE."

 

I completely agree when it comes to dead servers, but all other transfers should stay as they are imo. I know of no other MMO that does free transfers for each and everyone and most charge double the fee SWTOR does.

[Anzel]

I completely agree when it comes to dead servers, but all other transfers should stay as they are imo. I know of no other MMO that does free transfers for each and everyone and most charge double the fee SWTOR does.

 

This type of fee was originally meant to deter people from moving around frivolously. It's an automated process but it *does take up server resources. I get that, but asking someone on a dead server to pay $10 per character is crazy and deluded.

 

The fact that there's no option to move the entire legacy shows you that this more of a punitive fee than anything else.

[Knorlac]

This type of fee was originally meant to deter people from moving around frivolously. It's an automated process but it *does take up server resources. I get that, but asking someone on a dead server to pay $10 per character is crazy and deluded.

 

The fact that there's no option to move the entire legacy shows you that this more of a punitive fee than anything else.

 

And that's why I'm in favour of free transfers off dead servers:D Sorry if that didn't come out clearly in my last post.

[Andryah]

This type of fee was originally meant to deter people from moving around frivolously. It's an automated process but it *does take up server resources. I get that, but asking someone on a dead server to pay $10 per character is crazy and deluded.

 

This is the kind of harsh bashing of a studio that I will simply never agree with. It unnecessary and does nothing to promote rational discussion.

 

Now... as for the former PvP servers.. which were willfully abandoned by their residents.. yeah.. something ultimately needs to be done to address them. But as players, we need to wait and see on that. Could be they put in incentives to help repopulate them (since they are no longer PvP servers per se) OR could be they decide to end of life them.. in which case I expect that revised web UI we saw recently where server transfers were briefly "free" will come into play. My guess.. is they will wait until they see what happens after the next expac releases... given that active players have had 10+ months to move off of them at 90cc.

 

The fact that there's no option to move the entire legacy shows you that this more of a punitive fee than anything else.

 

If you cannot see that this would require some precise and unique coding that does not yet exist... then there is no point in discussing it further.

 

Maybe we get a full legacy transfer ability in the future... but probably not. why? It would be ripe for all manner of abuse.... beginning with free-rolling a huge stack of characters just to get the free decorations from prior awards.. an stacking them.... to any number of other silly things clever players might do to take advantage of a legacy wide transfer. Thing is.. if they end of life a server.. and allow free transfers off... no legacy wide transfer is required. The legacy transfer argument is simply a different form of discount transfer request.

 

Note: I'm in no way against the idea of full legacy transfer... I just understand that it requires an ROI for the extra effort and it may open up unintended behaviors by players.

 

Bottom line in all of this......

 

A) When the studio wants you moved off of a server (so they can close it) it's on them to provide free transfer service.

 

B)When the server remains open (busy or not) there is absolutely no reason for them to offer free transfers after offering them for 90cc for 10 months + one last 10 day sale for those that sat on the fence.

 

The studio decides when to end of life a server, not the players. We don't have to like it.. but that is the way it is.

Edited June 8, 2016 by Andryah

[Anzel]

This is the kind of harsh bashing of a studio that I will simply never agree with. It unnecessary and does nothing to promote rational discussion.

 

Ohhhhhh Andryah, I'm not bashing the studio. We both know that the developers have very little say when it comes to pricing items and services. And I stand by my statement. Asking a player to come back after say, more than 6 months to a dead server and pay $10 per character is a.) crazy and b.) deluded.

 

If you cannot see that this would require some precise and unique coding that does not yet exist... then there is no point in discussing it further.

 

I *know that you know this is an automated process. We *both know how SQL works. The level of effort here is trivial. The fact that they don't offer something like this in a game where you are encouraged to create alt after alt after alt truly says something about how it is managed.

 

Also we aren't "players", we are "customers". As in, we are the ones paying them and not the other way around. We paid to purchase the game (some of us did at least), we paid for Xpacs, we pay for subscriptions, we pay for gambling packs. Expecting a certain level of quality and expecting to be treated as valued customers isn't some sort of crime.

[PorsaLindahl]

Also we aren't "players", we are "customers". As in, we are the ones paying them and not the other way around. We paid to purchase the game (some of us did at least), we paid for Xpacs, we pay for subscriptions, we pay for gambling packs. Expecting a certain level of quality and expecting to be treated as valued customers isn't some sort of crime.

 

We are both customers and players. But we did not purchase the game. Purchasing implies ownership. What we pay for is access to play the game. You may have purchased the CD ROM, in whatever pack, or stand-alone, but even those came with a 30 day subscription (access to the game) along with whatever "toys", memorabilia, etc., virtual or otherwise, were in the pack.

 

The rest I agree with. That's why I was one of those voices raising so much hell back in December when nothing was working properly.

[Andryah]

I *know that you know this is an automated process. We *both know how SQL works. The level of effort here is trivial. The fact that they don't offer something like this in a game where you are encouraged to create alt after alt after alt truly says something about how it is managed.

 

Of course.. but you completely missed, or ignored my point. They have to code a routine or script and UI to provide for multi-character (legacy) transfers. It's not there now..... we can agree, yes? ... hence it needs to be created.. and that requires resources to implement and debuged before going live... for a feature that is frankly just a different form of player "ask" for a discount. Hence.. there IS an ROI here to be addressed.. and I'm not sure the ROI is there.. regardless of what players may claim. Nothing is truly trivial when it comes to query and making changes to a very large database.... until the coding to do it is actually done, debugged, and released.

 

As for us being players vs customers... please...... the "customer" meme is way over used by internet gamers as pretext for making demands or justifying said demands. Reality: we are granted a limited license to access and ply their game. Certain rights as a customer are conveyed to us via ToS/EULA. That's it. no more, no less.

Edited June 8, 2016 by Andryah

[HoloTweed]

Most of those other games also have things like cross-realm play or the willingness to consolidate dead servers. $10 per toon will simply drive returning and new players away.

 

Why would $10 per toon drive NEW players away? They'll be starting new characters and can do so on any server they want without needing to transfer them. So that bit of your counter argument is invalid.

 

Sorry, but the snooze=lose motto has to come into play here. There was WAY more than enough time for this guy's friend to come back to the game for cheap transfers. Then they extended the sale with PLENTY of notice. If he chose not to take advantage of that sale, then oopsie. He can still EASILY create a new character on whatever server he chooses. These days, especially with XP boosts, he can max out a character in almost no time. There really is no excuse here.

[lightSaberAddiCt]

I could not agree more Anzel. Bioware killed the servers, not the players.

 

These people have ALREADY demonstrated their willingness to walk away from SWTOR. Asking them to fork out $10 per character and $15 for a sub is just stupid. This will cost them customers.

 

Then they can wave bye bye on their way out. Honestly man, your new customer argument makes no sense. I mean lets take it a bit further, how about I took a break, and when I did, I was full Rakata gear, ready for OPs. I invested alot of TIME to do that, and now it is worthless.

 

If you want me for a customer, then give me a full set of 220 unassembled, or I am leaving. My time is valuable, and I am a customer. Your job is to GIVE ME WHATEVER I DEMAND!

 

I mean I know how much you like to jump in as the white knight, defending anything and everything that people are saying the opposite, but nowadays it is just to predictable.

[lightSaberAddiCt]

Why would $10 per toon drive NEW players away? They'll be starting new characters and can do so on any server they want without needing to transfer them. So that bit of your counter argument is invalid.

 

Sorry, but the snooze=lose motto has to come into play here. There was WAY more than enough time for this guy's friend to come back to the game for cheap transfers. Then they extended the sale with PLENTY of notice. If he chose not to take advantage of that sale, then oopsie. He can still EASILY create a new character on whatever server he chooses. These days, especially with XP boosts, he can max out a character in almost no time. There really is no excuse here.

 

Its doesn't but Tux likes to take stances opposite of whatever anyone else says, so...here we are. I mean when the extended special idea was going around, all he was saying was that would be great, and that gives people the time they need. Now he is trying to push it further, and say that server transfers should just all be free since, you know, we are customers and we pay for the game.

 

But hey, how about everything on CM should be free too? Or how about you are given unlimited free credits. I am sure EVERYONE would like that.

[HoloTweed]

Ohhhhhh Andryah, I'm not bashing the studio. We both know that the developers have very little say when it comes to pricing items and services. And I stand by my statement. Asking a player to come back after say, more than 6 months to a dead server and pay $10 per character is a.) crazy and b.) deluded.

 

And yet - a player who has been gone more than 6 months and comes back and expect FREE services for anything is equally 1) crazy and 2) deluded. Bioware didn't "ask him to come back" any more than they "asked him to leave." Those were HIS choices, and he should pay for them respectively if he wants to come back and play.

 

The player can quickly level a NEW character without having to pay additional fees. It's so fast and easy now that asking for special privilege reduced or free fees is just not warranted, especially for someone who stopped contributing financially to the game. Hey, maybe they should get free credits and triple the cargo hold space too, just for coming back?

[Andryah]

Its doesn't but Tux likes to take stances opposite of whatever anyone else says, so...here we are.

 

Yep. He's pretty free and easy with slathering on the "weak sauce" on some of these positions he takes as well.

 

Then again.. I keep forgetting there are at least two sides to TUXs... the fair and objective side and the hyperbolic specialist side. Kind of like a box of chocolates.. you never know what you are going to get.

[Andryah]

And yet - a player who has been gone more than 6 months and comes back and expect FREE services for anything is equally 1) crazy and 2) deluded. Bioware didn't "ask him to come back" any more than they "asked him to leave." Those were HIS choices, and he should pay for them respectively if he wants to come back and play.

 

The player can quickly level a NEW character without having to pay additional fees. It's so fast and easy now that asking for special privilege reduced or free fees is just not warranted, especially for someone who stopped contributing financially to the game. Hey, maybe they should get free credits and triple the cargo hold space too, just for coming back?

 

/Agree.

[watermelonfan]

Its doesn't but Tux likes to take stances opposite of whatever anyone else says, so...here we are. I mean when the extended special idea was going around, all he was saying was that would be great, and that gives people the time they need. Now he is trying to push it further, and say that server transfers should just all be free since, you know, we are customers and we pay for the game.

 

But hey, how about everything on CM should be free too? Or how about you are given unlimited free credits. I am sure EVERYONE would like that.

 

There is nothing wrong with expecting bioware to do stuff that Is reasonable. It is reasonable to expect to be able to leave a dead server for free. Expecting the CM and unlimted credits to be free is not within reason.

[MadDutchman]

There is nothing wrong with expecting bioware to do stuff that Is reasonable. It is reasonable to expect to be able to leave a dead server for free. Expecting the CM and unlimted credits to be free is not within reason.

 

And of course, you are the one to decide what is "reasonable?"

[lightSaberAddiCt]

There is nothing wrong with expecting bioware to do stuff that Is reasonable. It is reasonable to expect to be able to leave a dead server for free. Expecting the CM and unlimted credits to be free is not within reason.

 

If you are a sub (which obviously you are since you are posting here) you are granted a monthly minimum of 500cc included with your sub price. That is enough to move 4 toons for free.

[MadDutchman]

If you are a sub (which obviously you are since you are posting here) you are granted a monthly minimum of 500cc included with your sub price. That is enough to move 4 toons for free.

 

transfers are 1000CC

[AlienEyeTX]

There is nothing wrong with expecting bioware to do stuff that Is reasonable. It is reasonable to expect to be able to leave a dead server for free. Expecting the CM and unlimted credits to be free is not within reason.

 

Whose definition of "dead?"

[Knorlac]

And yet - a player who has been gone more than 6 months and comes back and expect FREE services for anything is equally 1) crazy and 2) deluded. Bioware didn't "ask him to come back" any more than they "asked him to leave." Those were HIS choices, and he should pay for them respectively if he wants to come back and play.

 

The player can quickly level a NEW character without having to pay additional fees. It's so fast and easy now that asking for special privilege reduced or free fees is just not warranted, especially for someone who stopped contributing financially to the game. Hey, maybe they should get free credits and triple the cargo hold space too, just for coming back?

 

I don't know if BW does it as I have never quit, but Blizzard for example sure asks players to return to the game. I bet BW would want the same or at least they should.

 

Some players might do as you propose, but I doubt that the majority of them would. I can only tell you that when faced with the decision of either playing on a dead server or paying $10 per char in addition to my sub just to gain access to all of the services that require a certain level of population, I'd choose neither and just be on my way again.

 

I get the feeling that some of you only want to punish those players for *snoozing* or leaving in the first place, when it should be in everyones interest, at least if you're invested into this game and want to keep playing indefinitely, to have as many of them as possible return to keep the game on EA's scope when it comes to deciding on their budget.

[peter_plankskull]

Whose definition of "dead?"

 

TORstatus, Biowares.

[peter_plankskull]

Then they can wave bye bye on their way out. Honestly man, your new customer argument makes no sense. I mean lets take it a bit further, how about I took a break, and when I did, I was full Rakata gear, ready for OPs. I invested alot of TIME to do that, and now it is worthless.

 

If you want me for a customer, then give me a full set of 220 unassembled, or I am leaving. My time is valuable, and I am a customer. Your job is to GIVE ME WHATEVER I DEMAND!

 

I mean I know how much you like to jump in as the white knight, defending anything and everything that people are saying the opposite, but nowadays it is just to predictable.

 

That's.... different... I was hoping TUX would get around to this because im probably not going to refute this one well... or at all.

 

As we know, MMOs grow, adapt, and change, and in doing so levels get increased, and during those times gear does as well. All MMOs have some sort of progression as the game advances, and while at one time Rakata may of been the second best? (I wasn't even playing at the time with this gear meta and didn't start operations till 3.0) its different as their not deterred from playing the game by anyone but themselves. The only thing stopping them from picking up were they left off, getting some new gear and then doing the whole raid meta is only revolving around them, not to mention this isn't unique to MMOs in terms of gear getting outdated. However, with transfers, its not because of lack of understanding on how MMOs work, people who are returning players stuck on dead servers are stopped because of literally everything but themselves without shelling out cash.

 

What im trying to say is getting raid gear outdated isn't abnormal in MMOs and revolves around only their own selves fighting the will to continue and move on and get more, while people stuck on dead servers are their because of Biowares accord, not their own.

 

Meh... I hope you can get what im trying to say, is that the main reason preventing those examples from stopping a player is different, unless of course they decide to shell out cash...

 

On a side note, I'm finding you INCREASINGLY toxic as of late LSA, its one thing to state your opinion, but to constantly bring insults toward one or another is not necessary at all and only makes the situation antagonistic. You already seem have a odd way of wording you point which makes it seem smug I suppose... I can live with that I guess, but that last segment where it was a straight out bash against TUX is simply wrong.

[peter_plankskull]

And yet - a player who has been gone more than 6 months and comes back and expect FREE services for anything is equally 1) crazy and 2) deluded. Bioware didn't "ask him to come back" any more than they "asked him to leave." Those were HIS choices, and he should pay for them respectively if he wants to come back and play.

 

The player can quickly level a NEW character without having to pay additional fees. It's so fast and easy now that asking for special privilege reduced or free fees is just not warranted, especially for someone who stopped contributing financially to the game. Hey, maybe they should get free credits and triple the cargo hold space too, just for coming back?

 

So starting COMPLETELY over is the right way to go about it? I know if I had to start over in world of tanks knowing upon when I returned I would immediately leave. What about people with a fully decked out stronghold? Who has a plethora of characters from all classes? People who have loads of 224 gear? Millions of credits? People who spent tons of cash on the CM getting all those fancy outfits? You see where im going here? People invest A LOT in games, and simply to tell them to re roll is NOT a answer as people tend to feel very attached to what they have accomplished in game.

 

I may not completely accept the idea of having free services, but I don't agree with Bioware making us use our CC to get off a dead server which should be merged. At 90CC, yeah, it was fine I suppose, still a bit dirty having to pay your way to a good server, but at 10$ per toon when this game, which HEAVILY revolves around alternate characters to experience the full game? No way. Yes, other games have 25$ or 50$ transfers... which is outrageous imo, but simply because they do it doesn't automatically mean its acceptable or right, and not to mention theirs usually some form of cross server queues or play... or something to keep them their without the world feeling dead.

 

People stop contributing to the game for several reasons, some because of they simply moved on, others, work, life, jobs, etc. etc. you can't honestly blame people for stepping away from the game. Yes, they shouldn't be showered with gifts upon arrival, but something as simple as getting them to a server with a suitable population shouldn't be one they have to buy. I may not know anything about business, but surely you would want to attract old customers, or at the very least, not dissuade them from returning?

[peter_plankskull]

And of course, you are the one to decide what is "reasonable?"

 

Mind as well quad triple post at this point, kept forgetting to edit the last two times, someone call me Peter Menace I guess.

 

Who is one to simply decide what is "unreasonable" by that logic? Not to mention we all know that unlimited credits would cause massive game balance shifting and completely ruin the economy in this game, don't pull out that trope please, your better than this.

[JeKoCZ]

So starting COMPLETELY over is the right way to go about it? I know if I had to start over in world of tanks knowing upon when I returned I would immediately leave. What about people with a fully decked out stronghold? Who has a plethora of characters from all classes? People who have loads of 224 gear? Millions of credits? People who spent tons of cash on the CM getting all those fancy outfits? You see where im going here? People invest A LOT in games, and simply to tell them to re roll is NOT a answer as people tend to feel very attached to what they have accomplished in game.

 

I may not completely accept the idea of having free services, but I don't agree with Bioware making us use our CC to get off a dead server which should be merged. At 90CC, yeah, it was fine I suppose, still a bit dirty having to pay your way to a good server, but at 10$ per toon when this game, which HEAVILY revolves around alternate characters to experience the full game? No way. Yes, other games have 25$ or 50$ transfers... which is outrageous imo, but simply because they do it doesn't automatically mean its acceptable or right, and not to mention theirs usually some form of cross server queues or play... or something to keep them their without the world feeling dead.

 

People stop contributing to the game for several reasons, some because of they simply moved on, others, work, life, jobs, etc. etc. you can't honestly blame people for stepping away from the game. Yes, they shouldn't be showered with gifts upon arrival, but something as simple as getting them to a server with a suitable population shouldn't be one they have to buy. I may not know anything about business, but surely you would want to attract old customers, or at the very least, not dissuade them from returning?

 

Your argument goes down a drain the moment you assume that people should be entitled to have cheap or free transfers just because they are returning and the poor souls found themselves on dead servers. You can leave and you can come back as you may please, but you can't blame BioWare for your absence and for missing out any promotion. 90cc transfers have been available for 6 and a half months and it's over, period. If you really want to play, you suck it up and pay $10 per character. If you are not willing to, then you are not really that interested into coming back to this game.

Edited June 9, 2016 by JeKoCZ

[peter_plankskull]

Your argument goes down a drain the moment you assume that people should be entitled to have cheap or free transfers just because they are returning and the poor souls found themselves on dead servers. You can leave and you can come back as you may please, but you can't blame BioWare for your absence and for missing out any promotion. 90cc transfers have been available for 6 and a half months and it's over, period. If you really want to play, you suck it up and pay $10 per character. If you are not willing to, then you are not really that interested into coming back to this game.

 

Was just about to close this tab and resume zombie massacre...

 

All I want to know is...... is this sarcasm or something ?

 

Since when is it a players responsibility to find a way off a dead server? I guess I would budge a little bit if it was 10$ for a whole legacy, but simply PER TOON? What about people with 40 toons? That's literally 400$. What a nice attitude to treat returning players with a large legacy. "You aren't willing to cough up 400$? the price of 6 AAA games off the market brand new, then you weren't REALLY planning to return to SWTOR!"

 

I would be against the idea of someone walking into the game late and missing a sale for something cosmetic, but something as essential as playing the game with others or a activities in a MMO shouldn't even be required to buy your way out of.