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.

Find more posts tagged with

Comments

JustVine

It would be easy for the devs to come out and say it anew since if it is true it would quickly dispel widely spread misinformation on the forums that constantly derails conversations regarding cosmetics. If your fans have to dig 4 years deep in obscure logs/live streams to dispel misinformation you are doing your brand a disservice. The fact that you cannot readily provide me a link to why you think that is a testament to that. I will continue to believe this is just Steven being unclear causing needless arguements on yet another topic until proof is given.

All costumes come with a weapon skin and an armor appearance. It is an additional facet of the problem that is not currently addressed. Can I hide what my real weapon and armor is with a costume given it didn't require any items to wear?

Threat assessment is hardly a topic laid to rest nor does it have a clearly laid out plan relative to transmogs. Hence the recent dev discussion on the topic.

unknownsystemerror

The costumes do NOT come with a weapon skin. Read the *

Threat assessment due to cosmetics has been addressed with the mouseover being able to see the actual type and tier of armor worn as a indicator. Be happy, originally you got nothing. They have bowed to the REEE and now give you level, class, and relative power on mouseover.

Since new people come and go all the time. Them repeating every pet peeve someone has with nodes, corruption, flying mounts, or cosmetics is not worth the time. You don't have to like my answer for it to be correct. Spend the time going through the rich and varied history that is Ashes development. I gave you a hint where to look for something you wanted an answer on. I don't need to go back and find it for you, cause I know the answer, and cbfed.

JustVine

You are free to be offended for me rejecting your lazy hinting when I am more concerned with a broader pr issue.

You responded to me saying Margaret's attempt to make something clear did not answer the main points of debate. The fact that your response is basically 'nuh uh I know it to be true' isn't really dispelling the fact that it's unclear. It's a major piece of disinformation if you are right as it paints ashes cosmetics in a pay to win light when it isn't. Ashes promised to not be pay to win so of course this is more than a pet peeve from a pr stand point.

CROW3

Hexenkartothek wrote: »

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.

Mhmm. Brainwashed. Corporate stooge. You got me.

Jahlon

This isn't even a suggestion or a request they can follow through on, unless they want to give full refunds.

They sold items with a certain expectation in mind. To change it after the is textbook bait and switch.

Atama

JustVine wrote: »

It would be easy for the devs to come out and say it anew since if it is true it would quickly dispel widely spread misinformation on the forums that constantly derails conversations regarding cosmetics. If your fans have to dig 4 years deep in obscure logs/live streams to dispel misinformation you are doing your brand a disservice. The fact that you cannot readily provide me a link to why you think that is a testament to that. I will continue to believe this is just Steven being unclear causing needless arguements on yet another topic until proof is given.

We don’t need devs to repeat it, for years we’ve had @unknownsystemerror to give us answers including quotes for reference. He’s been the Google of the forums since the beginning.

JustVine

Your character reference is noted I guess? Take it up with @Noaani who frequently says things to the contrary.

Either way, it's still a pr issue.

Vhaeyne

Atama wrote: »

We don’t need devs to repeat it, for years we’ve had @unknownsystemerror to give us answers including quotes for reference. He’s been the Google of the forums since the beginning.

I like how we are getting all of our answers from an "Unknown System Error".

Child Item