Custom Properties and Elans at Summit Academy

<Can we get some idea of how much these upgrades are going to run?

Property renaming – 5,000 elans
Additional storage (100 lbs) – 5,000 elans
Key Transporter – 10,000 elans
Single room additional – 25,000 elans
Permanent ownership (removal of rent) – 50,000 elans

~~GM Kynlee~~
Elanthian Architect
Breaker of Things
GS4-Kynlee@play.net
3/50

To be clear on the mechanics:
– Do we just buy the SimuCoin item (which goes on sale at 9:00pm)?
– Or do we buy the SimuCoin enabler item (like the Enhancive gizmo back in January), and then–while in-game, having taken delivery of that item–be at the storefront at 9:00pm when we can (both) use that item?

Basically, are we shelling out SimuCoins (and the first two, get them), or are we shelling out SimuCoins to get our (equivalent of) PlayerShop deed and then have to beat the clock (and other deed-holders) to claim a property in-game?

…and elans = how much in simucoins?

~Issalya

Liia: Blame Issalya
Omrii: Wait, we have official staff approval on blaming Issalya? Excellent.
Kormis: She seems to be to blame for everything around here!

<Basically, are we shelling out SimuCoins (and the first two, get them), or are we shelling out SimuCoins to get our (equivalent of) PlayerShop deed and then have to beat the clock (and other deed-holders) to claim a property in-game?

Ok, here’s a rundown of how this should work. You’ll purchase SimuCoins through the SimuCoin Store. If you want one of the full blown custom build properties, of which there will be two available Friday night, those will be sold directly through the SimuCoin Store. If you want to buy something that is being sold in the upgrade store at Summit, you’ll use SimuCoins to purchase the new elans. In game, you’ll deliver and then REDEEM your elans and you’ll see them when you type TICKET. You’ll use those elans to purchase the room additions, property permanence, storage, etc.

~~GM Kynlee~~
Elanthian Architect
Breaker of Things
GS4-Kynlee@play.net
3/50

<…and elans = how much in simucoins?

They’re in the SimuCoin Store already, but you can’t actually purchase them until Friday night. They’re 5,000 SimuCoins for a batch of 5,000 elans.

~~GM Kynlee~~
Elanthian Architect
Breaker of Things
GS4-Kynlee@play.net
3/50

>Single room additional

What all is included in the single additional room? I know that private properties were originally posed as having the potential to expand rooms to include one of each “special” type, between a fishing area, workshop, summoning chamber, and Akrati-aligned shrine. Is this included in the potential addition, for a property that does not currently have one? I’m assuming the previous room-creation requirements apply here, too. Thanks!

– Overlord EK

>You now regard Eorgina with a warm demeanor.

What all is included in the single additional room?

A room addition is the room description with day and night description, if appropriate. You also get:
ambient messaging with 4-6 messages
1 portal to/from new room
4-6 props
trash can

We’re looking at offering the more special rooms (fishing, workshops, etc) at future runs, but it’s still in discussion.

As for the items that will be limited in quantity, here are the actual numbers so those of you who want to prepare, can. There will be five (5) permanence (removal of rent) and ten (10) room additions in each instance.

~~GM Kynlee~~
Elanthian Architect
Breaker of Things
GS4-Kynlee@play.net
3/50

That’s exactly what I was trying to establish, Kynlee, thanks!

And if you already purchased a simustore property that came with 250 lbs storage, can you add 100 lbs?

If so, is there a cap at how many lbs you can store in a private property Kind of like the cap of 10 rooms.

Thanks, Kynlee!

– Overlord EK

>You now regard Eorgina with a warm demeanor.

Maybe a silly question, but if 1 simucoin = 1 elan and they are spent at an event with no barrier to entry… why have elans? Why make yet another currency when there is zero functional difference between it and a simucoin?

Sweet is the sound of the pouring rain,
And the stream that falls from the hill to plain.
Better than rain or rippling brook,
Is a mug of beer inside this Took.

Have to agree with Menos.

I don’t understand why another in game currency was needed instead of just selling the private property enhancements through the simucoin store directly.

This game already has a pretty steep learning curve when it comes to mechanics, but I think the multiple currencies are quickly overshadowing them.

As I gaze over the horizon, the wind tugs at my cloak and whispers, “Adventure” in my ear.

AIM: Kaight (Matt) GS4

“If you go for a property and buy the SimuCoins, but the properties sell out, we’ll figure something out for you, as we have done in the past.” — Wyrom

How about EITHER an hourly post, starting at noon on Friday, OR an informational tag on the ‘property’ item in the SimuCoin store?
But whichever gets decided upon, it gives the same two (2) pieces of information: “number already sold”, and “number of accounts with >=150000 SimuCoins held”.

That would serve to tell both the company, AND the customers, how much of what needs to go on.
If the info is “0 sold” (of 2 available) at 6:00pm, then the customer knows that they need not scramble (at that time).
Whereas if the info is “17 sold” (of 2 available) the company knows that there’s going to be a whole big heap of “figuring of something out” going on.

>>Maybe a silly question, but if 1 simucoin = 1 elan and they are spent at an event with no barrier to entry… why have elans? Why make yet another currency when there is zero functional difference between it and a simucoin?

Because we can’t put these items in the SimuCoin Store. This is not a currency that will have any value outside private properties. It’s not going to be something you earn anywhere. We have no mechanics to let you spend SimuCoins in game currently, and this also helps explain what they are with a barrier.

The amount you can buy are directly related to the values of these items for sale, so you will not have any leftovers unless you choose to buy more than you need. As I said in my post, this is a delivery mechanic, and nothing more. Outside this, there were no options for us to offer private property additions at this time.

Wyrom, PM

>>This game already has a pretty steep learning curve when it comes to mechanics, but I think the multiple currencies are quickly overshadowing them.

I agree, GemStone IV has a high level of discovery required to play. But this currency isn’t something for the majority of players. There are only 39 players in Prime who this is for (plus possibly 2 more). We hope those 39 players ask all the questions they need. We staggered this to Friday for a reason.

Wyrom, PM

I’m guessing the deal with Elans is more of a mechanical necessity than “they just wanted to create another currency”. Basically, you don’t “redeem” Simucoins in game, as that is the “out of character” object that you buy in order to redeem for in IC object. They could have made a bunch of redeemable certificates for each of the things that you can buy, but instead they went some in-game ordering route, probably for some specific reason tied to an archaic housing system. So they created a new in-game currency that some new shop or NPC will engage with in order to facilitate your order/upgrade. They couldn’t use silvers or other currently existing currency because then other people could purchase stuff from the NPC/Store, and Simucoins aren’t a currency accepted by any in-game mechanics anyway.

That’s my guess. They had to build a process around a system, and it had to use in-game currency to make an in-game change to an in-game housing mechanic. Or something like that.

Just to be clear, I was composing my post while Wyrom posted his. I didn’t know any of that stuff when I wrote mine.

<And if you already purchased a simustore property that came with 250 lbs storage, can you add 100 lbs?

Yes.

<is there a cap at how many lbs you can store in a private property Kind of like the cap of 10 rooms.

Not at this time, but there is a redemption limit of 1 storage addition per account this run. Any extras you buy will only expire, so just buy the 1 and use it!

~~GM Kynlee~~
Elanthian Architect
Breaker of Things
GS4-Kynlee@play.net
3/50

>>Just to be clear, I was composing my post while Wyrom posted his. I didn’t know any of that stuff when I wrote mine.

Psh, lies!

Wyrom, PM

For further clarification…
– 250 pounds means there is no item count limit per se, right? (So we could use this for storing ‘lebenty squillion gems, for example.)
– Is there any sort of locker-type mechanism that lets sorting/inventory be seen & managed, or is it One Big Box (like the old-style non-Premium lockers used to be)?

I have multiple containers in my property, which assist with item management. Some have storage in (trunk, cabinet), some have storage on (mantle), and some have multiple storage locations (desk is in and on). You can also have storage set to behind or under. It is for the total weight, not total number, of items stored.

That said, if I get a storage upgrade, can I split it between multiple containers again, including split between existing and a new container? I’m guessing yes but want to be fully certain before buying one of these.

– Overlord EK

>You now regard Eorgina with a warm demeanor.

*Property Renaming

Could this be described just so we’re clear on what it is?

>>Could this be described just so we’re clear on what it is?

The names at the top of the room descriptions for each area.

Wyrom, PM

*Transportation Key

Can you give range use of this item? Gold ring range?

Cross realm, one way to your house. Unlimited use.

You must turn your key from within a town, in an outside room (that does not block teleportation). At least that is how mine works.

<storage>

Thanks Kynlee.

Also, you mentioned via email to me yesterday about 10 rooms but maybe I misunderstood you. Did you mean 10 rooms was the total for sale (as has since been posted), or did you mean (as I understood it) that 10 rooms is the max that any property can eventually cap out at?

Of course 1 at a time since these sales are 1 per account. So if I grab one tomorrow maybe 3 more years if the event is once a year 😉

Where on the Summit Academy grounds will the shop be located? Will it be open prior to the ELANS going on sale or only after?

Speaking in Faendryl, Jahosk says, “You will now be known as Blade Durakar, the Palestra.”

<250 pounds means there is no item count limit per se, right? (So we could use this for storing ‘lebenty squillion gems, for example.)

There is no item limit, but it is HIGHLY discouraged that you use the storage for individual items that weigh under a pound (like most gems). Having this many items can easily cause issues and break things in an area, and potentially corrupt the entire property (and anything you have stored inside).

<Is there any sort of locker-type mechanism that lets sorting/inventory be seen & managed, or is it One Big Box (like the old-style non-Premium lockers used to be)?

One big box, or it can be broken down into smaller ones adding up to the full amount.

<if I get a storage upgrade, can I split it between multiple containers again

Sure, if that’s how you’d like it done!

<*Transportation Key – Can you give range use of this item? Gold ring range?

You need to be in a safe area (in town and not in a hunting area), but you can travel between realms with no cool down. You could travel from Ta’Vaalor to Teras, for example, if your home were on Teras. However, if your home is on Four Winds, these won’t work, and this is entirely intentional so they don’t bork your FW transporters.

~~GM Kynlee~~
Elanthian Architect
Breaker of Things
GS4-Kynlee@play.net
3/50

I own Stone Manor. So I can’t buy one of the teleporting keys for my property as it’s part of FWI? Have to say the boats are the biggest pain in arse part of my property.

Aside from not paying rent, will permifying my property allow me to keep it while canceling my account for awhile?

Also I know it’s not an option this time but I would like to see an option to modify an existing room. I really want to change the food options in my banquet hall.

>>I own Stone Manor. So I can’t buy one of the teleporting keys for my property as it’s part of FWI? Have to say the boats are the biggest pain in arse part of my property.

You could likely use it on FWI.

>>Aside from not paying rent, will permifying my property allow me to keep it while canceling my account for awhile?

This makes the property totally yours. If you leave the game for some time or cancel your account, it will continue to be your property. This is what we believe is the biggest appeal for this service. Not having rent is just the icing.

>>Also I know it’s not an option this time but I would like to see an option to modify an existing room. I really want to change the food options in my banquet hall.

Building, editing, and creating rooms is a lengthy process. We’d love to offer more, just hard to manage it due to how much time it can take.

Wyrom, PM

>> Having this many items can easily cause issues and break things in an area, and potentially corrupt the entire property

Oh I am sure Krakii knows ALL about breaking things by having too many items in one container… 😉

(Recalls repeated game crashes one night, all preceded by Krakki typing “look in my bag” or similar.)

Wasn’t me! (I just refer to it from time to time.)

It was some RANGER up there skinning in kiska raax/myklians.

.

Although I think I may have been the one who kept doing a “look ravenstorm” to see his all-new & expanded look when the 500-item inventory limit rolled around, and broke it that time. <cough>

The question has been asked if we could refund a SimuCoin purchase if the properties sell out before they are able to purchase one. I spoke with billing yesterday, and the answer to that question is no. While I understand the way the store is set up doesn’t allow for a seamless transaction, this is how we’ve been selling them. We also realize they won’t last more than a few seconds in the store. We recognize there is a lot of demand for them. So GM Kynlee and I had a powwow this morning and we feel we came up with a solution that will meet the demand and not leave people holding the bag.

We are going to change the sale to unlimited (the store will likely say 100 because it’s set up as quantity item), but for 5 minutes. They will go on sale at precisely 9pm ET. The sale will last until 9:05pm ET. The deed that you will have delivered will have some time frames on the turnaround, but due to this sale, there may be some delays. We will communicate that once we know how many sell. This may be the last time these go on sale for a bit. We will not sell any more until all of these homes are complete.

Good luck to everyone. The only thing you need to make sure of is that you are punctual.

Wyrom, PM

I think that’s an excellent solution; thanks!

(And it looks like it took me 8 minutes to respond, so… if that post had been the sale, I’d have been out of luck. 🙂