ALL COSMETICS should be locked behind something ingame

Visual progression is a vital factor for an MMO. Especially during it's early stages and release.

There is something magical when you create a new character in a new or old MMO. You literally see your character evolve visually as you progress. It is also amazing, seeing your fellow players around you grow visually as well. This will never be a thing in AoC. Because everyone will very early use their cosmetics on their armor and weapons.

Is there something we could do instead? Where we value the cosmetics while still retaining the amazing visual progression an MMO can offer at the start of an adventure? Yes.

Lore friendly and fun gameplay solution

In the world of Verra, magically transforming your items and mounts into different beings and items while retaining their properties requires a skilled and knowledgeable individual. A Transmogrifier.

These are rare in the world of Verra, and they don't come cheap. And they may not offer their services to everyone.

Once our character ascends at level 25 (aka, unlocks their secondary archtype) a quest chain could be unlocked. A Transmogrifier is in need of help with an epic task.

Helping the Transmogrifier out, will unlock the ability to freely use your cosmetics, maybe for a small fee, or completly free on the go. He might also teach you how to use this magic on your own, so you can use cosmetics on the fly.

The quest could technically be unlocked at any level, but the later the better in my opinion. I would even prefer level 60, but 25 is a nice compromise for people who want cosmetics early.

What benefits does this bring?

Well, it offers us an amazing lore friendly, potentially epic quest to unlock our cosmetics. I believe a quest chain like this, will make our cosmetics feel more valuable and appreciated. It might also motivate people to stay a bit longer at release to unlock this feature and actually try out the game.

In addition to this, the system will make it so we don't lose that magical early game visual progression. I believe this is vital for the health of the game during release.

What do you think? Share your thoughts!

*Disclaimer: I am aware some cosmetics are already locked. For example, flying mount cosmetics require you to own a tier 3 mount. Gliding mount cosmetics require you to own a tier 2 mount. But, costumes, armor, weapons, tier 1 mounts, will all most likely be avaible very, very early.

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Comments

CROW3

Marzzo wrote: »

I am fairly certain that most people that bought cosmetics would not have anything against doing a small quest chain to unlock the ability to use them lol

I’m pretty certain your certainty isn’t as certain as you certainly assert.

Marzzo

CROW3 wrote: »

Marzzo wrote: »

I am fairly certain that most people that bought cosmetics would not have anything against doing a small quest chain to unlock the ability to use them lol

I’m pretty certain your certainty isn’t as certain as you certainly assert.

Could be, guess modern gamers really, really need to equip all those store cosmetics ASAP

daveywavey

Well, you already have to unlock the ability to use most of the cosmetics. If you've bought a cosmetic mount, you don't start the game with it. You're only able to use that cosmetic once your character has an actual mount to re-fit the cosmetic skin onto. It's pretty much just a way to re-skin something you didn't much like the look of.

Marzzo

daveywavey wrote: »

Well, you already have to unlock the ability to use most of the cosmetics. If you've bought a cosmetic mount, you don't start the game with it. You're only able to use that cosmetic once your character has an actual mount to re-fit the cosmetic skin onto. It's pretty much just a way to re-skin something you didn't much like the look of.

Most skins for mounts are tier 1 skins (excluding gliding and flying skins)

you will get a tier 1 mount very, very early. During the first day in fact, maybe even first hours, if they cost as much as in the alpha.

The problem is not mounts though, its the armor. You literally start the game with armor and weapons.

Vhaeyne

Marzzo wrote: »

What the hell are you talking about? In my system, the cash shop is still there. All the planned cosmetics are still there. Everyone can use all cosmetics. They just need to do a quest a bit later (lvl 25) before they can use them?

Your system devalues the cosmetics. No one is going to want to deal with that. With a time to cap being an estimated 45 days.

Intrepid is worst off waiting 45 days to sale you a cosmetic. A lot of noobs log in, don't like the way they look, buy a cosmetic, and then play. A lot of people are not going to make it to cap. You are missing out on all off the sales of people who don't make it far.

There is also the sunk cost fallacy with new players that bought cosmetics. Sometimes people will buy cosmetics early on. And reach a point where they would have otherwise quit, but keep going for longer because they feel more invested. This potentially is missing the opportunity to create a long term player.

YOU WANT NOOBS BUYING COSMETICS. ITS FREE REALESTATE!

Marzzo

Vhaeyne wrote: »

Marzzo wrote: »

What the hell are you talking about? In my system, the cash shop is still there. All the planned cosmetics are still there. Everyone can use all cosmetics. They just need to do a quest a bit later (lvl 25) before they can use them?

Your system devalues the cosmetics. No one is going to want to deal with that. With a time to cap being an estimated 45 days.

Intrepid is worst off waiting 45 days to sale you a cosmetic. A lot of noobs log in, don't like the way they look, buy a cosmetic, and then play. A lot of people are not going to make it to cap. You are missing out on all off the sales of people who don't make it far.

There is also the sunk cost fallacy with new players that bought cosmetics. Sometimes people will buy cosmetics early on. And reach a point where they would have otherwise quit, but keep going for longer because they feel more invested. This potentially is missing the opportunity to create a long term player.

YOU WANT NOOBS BUYING COSMETICS. ITS FREE REALESTATE!

The cap was not the only option, but I see your point and you make a good one. I guess I am just interested in different things than others

TrUSivraj

Marzzo wrote: »

daveywavey wrote: »

Well, you already have to unlock the ability to use most of the cosmetics. If you've bought a cosmetic mount, you don't start the game with it. You're only able to use that cosmetic once your character has an actual mount to re-fit the cosmetic skin onto. It's pretty much just a way to re-skin something you didn't much like the look of.

Most skins for mounts are tier 1 skins (excluding gliding and flying skins)

you will get a tier 1 mount very, very early. During the first day in fact, maybe even first hours, if they cost as much as in the alpha.

The problem is not mounts though, its the armor. You literally start the game with armor and weapons.

A counter argument I have made a few times with those that dislike cash shops is this.. The more options you have in an MMO, the higher chances you have of having a look that no one else has, or that at least no one else uses as much as you do, which adds individuality (one of human beings biggest covets IRL) and creates longevity to that player's game life.

Many high-end cosmetics will be achievement-only at that, though high-end will always be subjective to the individual seeing the set. I make a great example, as I prefer more subtle and native looks (vine vestment bundle) rather than shiny plated armor.
A high end piece for me would be a complete reversal of what most players I know would want (edgy).

Ontop of that point, the amount of gear a team of artists could create will always overshadow the amount of content an MMO could throw out to fit every single piece in "naturally", so why let that creative piece go unnoticed, when you could simply add it to the cash shop, which again adds even more variety and visual discoverability within the game.

Everdark

Taleof2Cities wrote: »

Vhaeyne wrote: »

We are being compensated for the cash shop and cosmetics existing. There is no box price.

Cosmetics are a major component of their business model, and it's not going to change.

^This.^

Taking away cash shop cosmetics means you're asking Steven and the Team to essentially survive on subscription only.

That's not sustainable for the cadence of content that Ashes wants to deliver.

Fortunately, Steven has said a number of times that "comparable" in-game cosmetics can be found in lieu of the cash shop version, @Marzzo.

I agree with everything above, however there is probably some middle ground with the original post however. Introduction of some "currency" required in order to apply any given cosmetic to an item, whereby that "currency" is earned through playing the game (and is not available to purchase for real cash).

There are plenty of games that use a similar system, and often by the time you hit max level you've got more of the currency than you'll ever need. It does however tend to create progression feeling during the leveling experience where you have to be choosy with applying a cosmetic, and you don't see level 5s running around decked out with cosmetics that make them look like a max level raid boss.

Kenpachi

Well, you're in luck! Steven confirmed that cosmetics will be locked until you get the proper materials to make them/use them.

unknownsystemerror

Kenpachi wrote: »

Well, you're in luck! Steven confirmed that cosmetics will be locked until you get the proper materials to make them/use them.

Guess you missed the later clarification after the stream where that only applies to single, individual pieces and not full paperdoll costumes or cosmetic pets. (which can be summoned from level 1). Ship, building, and mount cosmetics still require you to have the item to skin them.

Kenpachi

unknownsystemerror wrote: »

Kenpachi wrote: »

Well, you're in luck! Steven confirmed that cosmetics will be locked until you get the proper materials to make them/use them.

Guess you missed the later clarification after the stream where that only applies to single, individual pieces and not full paperdoll costumes or cosmetic pets. (which can be summoned from level 1). Ship, building, and mount cosmetics still require you to have the item to skin them.

Seem's I missed that and that honestly makes 0 sense. Not sure how individual pieces are any different than a full paper doll costume which IMO should require more time to be able to use it.

unknownsystemerror

Kenpachi wrote: »

Seem's I missed that and that honestly makes 0 sense. Not sure how individual pieces are any different than a full paper doll costume which IMO should require more time to be able to use it.

JustVine

I know Margret really tried to clarify it better but unfortunately it was just too unclear since there is a lot of nuance to the topic that has to be addressed directly.

RazThemun

There is no box price... meaning monthly subs would be the only income... I see 0 issue of them offering cosmetics that do not give advantages in stats and such. Steven also has stated many times the most appealing looking cosmetics will be earned in game. So what is the issue.... if the content offers better looking gear from a dungeon or Raid, then why be bothered someone bought a mid avg looking gear set. It funds the game and those that are hardcore still can get better looking gear from the content. It is not like they are saying their store cosmetics will look better than those that come from Raid... if they were.... this would be a completely different discussion.

Marzzo

RazThemun wrote: »

There is no box price... meaning monthly subs would be the only income... I see 0 issue of them offering cosmetics that do not give advantages in stats and such. Steven also has stated many times the most appealing looking cosmetics will be earned in game. So what is the issue.... if the content offers better looking gear from a dungeon or Raid, then why be bothered someone bought a mid avg looking gear set. It funds the game and those that are hardcore still can get better looking gear from the content. It is not like they are saying their store cosmetics will look better than those that come from Raid... if they were.... this would be a completely different discussion.

The issue is that you have not even read the post

Hexenkartothek

RazThemun wrote: »

There is no box price... meaning monthly subs would be the only income... I see 0 issue of them offering cosmetics that do not give advantages in stats and such. Steven also has stated many times the most appealing looking cosmetics will be earned in game. So what is the issue.... if the content offers better looking gear from a dungeon or Raid, then why be bothered someone bought a mid avg looking gear set. It funds the game and those that are hardcore still can get better looking gear from the content. It is not like they are saying their store cosmetics will look better than those that come from Raid... if they were.... this would be a completely different discussion.

I would kill for a box price and sub fee in exchange for NO MTX. Wow did it very successfully for a long time. Cosmetic MTX Will ruin this game and already have for many.

Hexenkartothek

CROW3 wrote: »

Marzzo wrote: »

What do you even mean?

The majority of games do not use a fixed visual progression system. Xmog and cosmetics are the new established norm.

Sorry but if you think ANY new and established norm in the current games industry is good, you have completely forgotten what a good game is, what being a real gamer is about, and are completely brainwashed by corporations.

unknownsystemerror

JustVine wrote: »

I know Margret really tried to clarify it better but unfortunately it was just too unclear since there is a lot of nuance to the topic that has to be addressed directly.

Nice and clear here.

JustVine

Things this does not clarify: 'Can I make a sword look like a hammer with transmogs?' 'Can I buy those in shop?' 'Same for transmoging full plate to look like cloth?' 'What is Intrepids plan for being able to buy cash shop items that obstruct visual information such as the previously stated examples about an opponents gear so that transmogs are not mandatory items for having an information edge in combat?'

unknownsystemerror

Can I make a sword look like a hammer? No. Answer is out there. Think it was around APOC time. Happy hunting.
Can I buy those in the shop? You will be able to buy many cosmetic types in the shop. Weapons were only sold so far during APOC.
What is Intrepid's plan for......
Look up threat assessment on the wiki. Your answer is there.

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