NEWS: An interesting discussion and proposal was started on the Forums about fixed for the HESS system, even paid events in general. Fixing the HESS system with lessons fro Mobile Gaming. Add your thoughts!
PTOLEMY
Fixing the HESS system with lessons from Mobile Gaming
on 02/19/2022 07:51 AM
from Play.Net Forum Link
in Paid Events: Adventures, Quests, and SimuCoins ~ Duskruin Arena
Let’s take a lesson from mobile gaming.
*THE SPARK SYSTEM*
HESS’ limited item distribution is a regular and constant source of player anger, frustration and dissapointment. This suggestion ASSUMES that Staff are unwilling to move to a completely unlimited model.
*What’s a Spark?*
In mobile gaming, the term Spark often refers to a system where after a certain amount of spending, the game guarantees your chance of winning rare and desirable things. This is done by granting you a ‘spark’, which is a generic term for the ability to choose a rare thing and obtain it. No matter normal limits on rarity, these sparks can still obtain what you want.
*How would this work?*
For every X amount of DR vouchers used, a player would generate a Spark. Sparks could be saved from event to event. It would be an alternate currency that couldn’t be bought or traded.
Players participate in DR as normal including normal HESS distribution. However, ALL items in the Limited HESS offerings can be bought with Sparks instead of BS. Spark purchases are not subject to quantity limits at HESS. If you want an item and you have enough sparks to afford it, its yours.
*How much would a spark be worth?*
Sparks would generate for a player after a certain amount of redeemed vouchers at DR. For example, you could have 500k HESS cert that might sell instead for 10 sparks. If a spark generates after 50 runs, you could say that a spark has 50 (runs) x 300(bs) = 15k bs value.
*What are the limitations?*
In mobile gaming, sparks can only be spent in a limited window. While we would let players accumulate sparks to their content/ability, if we limited spark redemption to once per DR, that would mean that players wouldn’t be able to sweep the entire inventory of HESS in one go. Multiaccounts would likely be a concern, but you could/should at least make it so sparks can only generate for paid accounts. You could also make spark generation account wide.
*Player Benefits?*
Players get what they want. It may take time and expense, but they can guarantee an outcome.
Player frustration falls. You are no longer shooting a moving target.
Players reduce their anger at other players, who have been encourage to try to game the system as much as possible.
Secondary sales for HESS wins decline
*Staff benefits?*
Less frustrated players
Less players expressing that frustration at staff.
More average spending by mainstream players (just go look at how this increases bottom tier spending by mobile gamers)
HESS model remains, and can go forward with minimal changes. It still rewards the things GS has always rewarded (for good or ill): MA, luck, persistence.
Does not apply to OTS purchases at DR. Does not apply to Mania. BS still drains there.
System can expand (Spark Attunement discounts, Spark raffles, sparks at other events, Using sparks AS currency in raffles, selling sparks directly for BS/Silver, etc)
Pick apart, flame or critique to your whim.
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