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Pre-Order Bundle Cosmetics Question

What are the odds of converting early access bundle cosmetics to embers?

For example I jumped on the last train to alpha and the bloody bone cosmetics, as impressive as they are, aren't my vibe. Very likely they'll gather the dust of ages never to be touched. If I was able to cash them in as a one time deal to spend on other cosmetics though, I'd get that much more mileage out of the bundle.

I understand this is pretty low hanging fruit and as a non-dev I don't know how much effort this ask actually involves, but thought it'd be worth asking.

Comments

  • Odd's are usually against you. (math joke)
  • Taleof2CitiesTaleof2Cities Member, Alpha Two
    edited January 10
    If the cosmetics aren't your "vibe" don't make the purchase, Hydromance ... ?

    $250 USD is a lot of money to spend on something you'll never use.

    Not sure what the refund policy is, but it doesn't hurt to ask.

    I'm sure there will be other opportunities to get into Alpha 2 between now and Q3 (e.g. giveaways).
  • unknownsystemerrorunknownsystemerror Member, Phoenix Initiative, Royalty, Kickstarter, Alpha One, Alpha Two, Early Alpha Two



    Not sure what the refund policy is, but it doesn't hurt to ask.


    It is on their main site. 90 days.
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  • ThokanThokan Member, Alpha Two
    If the cosmetics aren't your "vibe" don't make the purchase, Hydromance ... ?

    $250 USD is a lot of money to spend on something you'll never use.

    Not sure what the refund policy is, but it doesn't hurt to ask.

    I'm sure there will be other opportunities to get into Alpha 2 between now and Q3 (e.g. giveaways).

    You dont exactly buy the bundle just for the cosmetics now do you? Also, it's not like you got a choice, except earlier when you could wait a month and hope the next random cosmetics looks better.

    That being said, there will be plenty of cosmetics down the line for scraps. The cosmetics feel important because there is nothing else and are attached to a huge price tag. Personally I dont even remember what cosmetics I got with the bundle, nor do I care. It's not why I got the bundle.
  • VandarVandar Member, Alpha Two
    edited January 10
    have the same idea
  • HydromanceHydromance Member, Alpha Two
    If the cosmetics aren't your "vibe" don't make the purchase, Hydromance ... ?

    $250 USD is a lot of money to spend on something you'll never use.

    Not sure what the refund policy is, but it doesn't hurt to ask.

    I'm sure there will be other opportunities to get into Alpha 2 between now and Q3 (e.g. giveaways).

    Well obviously the cosmetics aren't $250. To that point they didn't even factor into my cost\benefit assessment. No one is about to lose out on the last opportunity for A2 access over the cosmetics, and I'm certainly not suggesting that either.

    Being able to cash them in for cosmetic only currency would be a simple quality of life adjustment, one that I understand they've already implemented for crossbow skins. Again I recognize this is low hanging fruit, but it would be appreciated nonetheless.
  • chibibreechibibree Member, Phoenix Initiative, Royalty, Kickstarter, Alpha One, Alpha Two, Early Alpha Two
    I'm sure there will be other opportunities to get into Alpha 2 between now and Q3 (e.g. giveaways).

    In part this is true, in regards to buying a package vs. getting a giveaway.

    Key differences though, are while you get access to A2 either way
    Buying a pack:
    • Gives you A2 + B1 +B2 + 6 months game time.
    • Cosmetics + Cosmetic Currency

    Getting a key:
    • Access to the current phase.

    So If people want to buy in and knowing this is the last pack, and it has been since Oct/Nov, That's 3-4 months of not having the ability to look at a different skin unlike the rest of us who have been here a while.

    I do think it would be a great quality of life thing to offer those who just recently joined our community, who wanted to participate A2 and beyond, but who just genuinely don't like the cosmetic style they ended up getting.

    Also, this applies to other people who maybe had to get it at a time they could afford it but if they had waited, they may not have been able to use that money towards that anymore.

    All in all, great idea @Hydromance
  • @chibibree the key is still the better deal.
  • chibibreechibibree Member, Phoenix Initiative, Royalty, Kickstarter, Alpha One, Alpha Two, Early Alpha Two
  • HydromanceHydromance Member, Alpha Two
    Odd's are usually against you. (math joke)

    Never tell me the odds!
    @chibibree the key is still the better deal.

    If it was possible to just buy an alpha key, people would. As it stands, its a non-starter.
  • edited January 11
    chibibree wrote: »
    @chibibree the key is still the better deal.

    I think that is subjective

    I suppose? :smile:

    free vs an expense is the obvious.

    Could probably get 6 months game time and not give them money for in-store credits which saves you money.
    Better cosmetics in live version of the game.
    Probably wont use your skins for caravans and freeholds as often due to the restrictions in-game.
    Beta phases quite short supposedly.
    Risk of getting bored/disappointed of the game before launch as things change during development especially since there is no box price.
    Not to forget that these are just the end of the FOMO packs. They have hinted at possible other things.

    Free definitely seems like the better end of the deal in my opinion :wink:
  • chibibreechibibree Member, Phoenix Initiative, Royalty, Kickstarter, Alpha One, Alpha Two, Early Alpha Two
    I suppose? :smile:

    free vs an expense is the obvious.

    Could probably get 6 months game time and not give them money for in-store credits which saves you money.
    Better cosmetics in live version of the game.
    Probably wont use your skins for caravans and freeholds as often due to the restrictions in-game.
    Beta phases quite short supposedly.
    Risk of getting bored/disappointed of the game before launch as things change during development especially since there is no box price.
    Not to forget that these are just the end of the FOMO packs. They have hinted at possible other things.

    Free definitely seems like the better end of the deal in my opinion :wink:

    I see where you are coming from, which is why I said it was subjective haha.

    For you, that is a better option, but maybe for someone else, they will want guaranteed access.

    Both are valid for the person who is considering, but either way, if you are looking for a person to go in-game achievable cosmetic hunting, I'm your girl!
  • HydromanceHydromance Member, Alpha Two
    chibibree wrote: »
    @chibibree the key is still the better deal.

    I think that is subjective

    I suppose? :smile:

    free vs an expense is the obvious.

    Could probably get 6 months game time and not give them money for in-store credits which saves you money.
    Better cosmetics in live version of the game.
    Probably wont use your skins for caravans and freeholds as often due to the restrictions in-game.
    Beta phases quite short supposedly.
    Risk of getting bored/disappointed of the game before launch as things change during development especially since there is no box price.
    Not to forget that these are just the end of the FOMO packs. They have hinted at possible other things.

    Free definitely seems like the better end of the deal in my opinion :wink:

    Low odds of free vs paying for a sure thing. Regardless, getting away from the point.
  • edited January 11
    Hydromance wrote: »
    Odd's are usually against you. (math joke)

    Never tell me the odds!
    @chibibree the key is still the better deal.

    If it was possible to just buy an alpha key, people would. As it stands, its a non-starter.

    haha

    Assuming the key is a fair price, I bet most would have just bought that. So many better ways they would've crowd funded through these packs.

    Referral program is kind of scummy. No point helping someone else play for free when you have to pay full price :smile:

    https://ashesofcreation.wiki/Referral_program
  • edited January 11
    @Hydromance they wont allow to exchange for store credit last I checked. There have been threads like these that pop up quite often. There is no exchange, If you bought earlier packs it allowed you to buy cosmetics from the following FOMO packs though.
  • ChaffyJayChaffyJay Member, Alpha Two
    Look at the bright side, Hydro. If you can't turn them in, at least you have this piece of cosmetic that no one else will if you continue to play ten years later. That's worth something at least. Maybe we will have mannequins in housing we can stuff them in.
  • ChaffyJay wrote: »
    Look at the bright side, Hydro. If you can't turn them in, at least you have this piece of cosmetic that no one else will if you continue to play ten years later. That's worth something at least. Maybe we will have mannequins in housing we can stuff them in.

    lol.
    They got 90 days from date of purchase to refund assuming the cosmetic doesn't mean more to them haha
  • VirtekVirtek Member, Phoenix Initiative, Royalty, Kickstarter, Alpha One, Alpha Two, Early Alpha Two
    @chibibree the key is still the better deal.

    You are right, in one single aspect: Free is better than paying. Very true! ^.^

    Not so true when hoping for future access to test and provide feedback in future testing phases.
  • VirtekVirtek Member, Phoenix Initiative, Royalty, Kickstarter, Alpha One, Alpha Two, Early Alpha Two
    Referral program is kind of scummy. No point helping someone else play for free when you have to pay full price :smile:

    I'd have to hard disagree on this point though. Nothing scummy about giving someone a bit of bonus for bringing you into a game you like. You don't even have to pay full price if you invite a friend or three.
    It's like the "Friend Codes" in other games, except you get to choose how the bonus is spent. When compared with "you both get this one specific mount/pet/gadget that everyone else in the world gets," I think it's far superior.
  • VirtekVirtek Member, Phoenix Initiative, Royalty, Kickstarter, Alpha One, Alpha Two, Early Alpha Two
    ChaffyJay wrote: »
    Look at the bright side, Hydro. If you can't turn them in, at least you have this piece of cosmetic that no one else will if you continue to play ten years later. That's worth something at least. Maybe we will have mannequins in housing we can stuff them in.

    Halloween Costume, if nothing else. Amirite?!?
  • VirtekVirtek Member, Phoenix Initiative, Royalty, Kickstarter, Alpha One, Alpha Two, Early Alpha Two
    Hydromance wrote: »
    What are the odds of converting early access bundle cosmetics to embers?

    For example I jumped on the last train to alpha and the bloody bone cosmetics, as impressive as they are, aren't my vibe. Very likely they'll gather the dust of ages never to be touched. If I was able to cash them in as a one time deal to spend on other cosmetics though, I'd get that much more mileage out of the bundle.

    I understand this is pretty low hanging fruit and as a non-dev I don't know how much effort this ask actually involves, but thought it'd be worth asking.

    This would be a nice feature, for sure!

    Talking about trading current cosmetics with old or simply buying old cosmetics you missed would definitely trigger the explanation: "Intrepid won't want to go back on their 'exclusive monthly cosmetics never to be available again' statements," but this wouldn't really contradict that. It would simply allow you to sell the cosmetics back to the shop so you can buy future cosmetics.

    In a way, you would be kinda giving up your fancy exclusive purchase.
  • edited January 11
    Virtek wrote: »
    Referral program is kind of scummy. No point helping someone else play for free when you have to pay full price :smile:

    I'd have to hard disagree on this point though. Nothing scummy about giving someone a bit of bonus for bringing you into a game you like. You don't even have to pay full price if you invite a friend or three.
    It's like the "Friend Codes" in other games, except you get to choose how the bonus is spent. When compared with "you both get this one specific mount/pet/gadget that everyone else in the world gets," I think it's far superior.

    and I hard disagree and say it is scummy lol. It's great for the person who publicly drop their referral code so they dont have to pay for the game and essentially get free cosmetics as the currency is amalgamated over time.

    It even displays that the USD $15 monthly sub fee could just essentially be lower considering time and time again the cosmetics and monthly sub being announced as how the game is funded. lol. Contradictive marketing fomo tactics.
  • VirtekVirtek Member, Phoenix Initiative, Royalty, Kickstarter, Alpha One, Alpha Two, Early Alpha Two
    It even displays that the USD $15 monthly sub fee could just essentially be lower

    No clue what you're referring to with this statement here. Can you explain a bit? Where does it display what?

    . Contradictive marketing fomo tactics.

    Insert obligatory "I do not think that word means what you think it means" movie quote.

    Fair enough that we're all allowed to have an opinion, but it's the facts that you have incorrect. IF I'm interpreting what you mean correctly.

    You pay $15 per month with no referrals. Game earns $15.
    You pay $12.75 with one referral. Referral pays $15. Game earns $27.75.
    You pay $0 with 7 referrals. Referrals pay $15 each. Game earns $105.

    Contradiction where? FOMO where? What are you "missing out" on? What's the fear driver?
    You're simply bringing in people to play the game, making the community bigger, and continuing to ensure the game you're playing has life.

    Maybe I just don't grasp what you're referring to, so please correct me if I missed it.
  • edited January 11
    Virtek wrote: »
    It even displays that the USD $15 monthly sub fee could just essentially be lower

    No clue what you're referring to with this statement here. Can you explain a bit? Where does it display what?

    . Contradictive marketing fomo tactics.

    Insert obligatory "I do not think that word means what you think it means" movie quote.

    Fair enough that we're all allowed to have an opinion, but it's the facts that you have incorrect. IF I'm interpreting what you mean correctly.

    You pay $15 per month with no referrals. Game earns $15.
    You pay $12.75 with one referral. Referral pays $15. Game earns $27.75.
    You pay $0 with 7 referrals. Referrals pay $15 each. Game earns $105.

    Contradiction where? FOMO where? What are you "missing out" on? What's the fear driver?
    You're simply bringing in people to play the game, making the community bigger, and continuing to ensure the game you're playing has life.

    Maybe I just don't grasp what you're referring to, so please correct me if I missed it.

    it's pretty straight forward. If they can afford to hypothetically have that many not paying a monthly subscription because others have to pay full price, then the monthly subscription could just be cheaper for everyone overall instead. Even with the amalgamated intrepid bucks bonus for cosmetics through the in-game shop through this referral program, seems like they can afford to give away free cosmetics too which brings up the question why not just have a cheaper monthly subscription for everyone with a few cosmetic sales either one free or discounted through the referrals. Seems like a backwards marketing to encourage more FOMO sales. Unless further details are specified, there could hypothetically be a big loop hole in this with "genuine" referrals. It doesn't add up ethically and comes off as manipulative for consumerism.
  • GrimshawGrimshaw Member, Alpha Two
    edited January 11
    To confirm the current (I agree with the OP, not my style) pack is available for purchase till the 17th of January yeah? I didn't miss-hear the December Developer Update did I?
  • Grimshaw wrote: »
    To confirm the current (I agree with the OP, not my style) pack is available for purchase till the 17th of January yeah? I didn't miss-hear the monthly update did I?

    Sounds Correct. Obvious 90 refund policy and alpha 2 doesn't start until Q3.
  • chibibreechibibree Member, Phoenix Initiative, Royalty, Kickstarter, Alpha One, Alpha Two, Early Alpha Two
    Grimshaw wrote: »
    To confirm the current (I agree with the OP, not my style) pack is available for purchase till the 17th of January yeah? I didn't miss-hear the December Developer Update did I?

    Yes, this is correct ^-^
  • VaknarVaknar Member, Staff
    We haven't announced any plans to give users the ability to turn their pre-order package cosmetics into Embers.

    There will be other cosmetic items available for purchase in the future :) There will also be many different in-game items you can acquire! <3
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