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What can be done about mail costs?


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#1 Irradiated

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Posted 11 May 2015 - 18:26

I was going to post this in the patch notes thread.  But decided perhaps this deserves its own topic.

 

The issue with mail in any f2p game is balance.  If mail is (essentially) free, it invites spammers to join and spam until caught.  So what is a good cost for non-subs?

 

Five EP will certainly discourage spam, but is obviously excessive.  So looking for alternatives.

 

It's possible the game is still small enough that it won't be an issue, but I wouldn't count on that.  Here's a few ideas to get the discussion started.  I'm sure there are more.

 

1) Would 1-3 EP work, especially after we have more gold sinks (driving down the price of EP)?

2) Would gold alone discourage spammers?  And then how much gold?

3) Perhaps players should only receive mail until level ???.  I'm assuming most spammers won't want to take the time to actually level a character.

4) Base it on time played or time since joining.

5) Give the subscriber discount to anyone who has earned a minimum amount of EP over time (purchased, subscription, free offers, or bought from other players).

 

I'm curious as to why the EP cost for the mail wasnt in the early patch notes, or these. Its kind of a big deal and should have merited a discussion.

None of the effects me directly, as my sub is still active (I keep thinking I'll be back in just another week or two).  But I have to fully agree with this.


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#2 TreeFrog

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Posted 11 May 2015 - 18:51

I was  considering starting the same topic. You bring up some excellent alternatives to the 5 ep cost, but I dont think it should be restricted by time played or character level. I agree that subscribers deserve incentives but maybe make their mail free? And then non supporters could pay a gold cost or 1-2 ep. I think, that if priced around 50 silver - 1 gold would be enough to discourage spamming, but not impossible to afford. Just give non-supporters a option that doesnt recquire premium currency.



#3 KeS

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Posted 11 May 2015 - 20:56

People can still spam via whispers.......the mailing system is a nice feature but for it to cost ep to talk to friends across servers is just ignorant (and that's putting it lightly). People been asking for a gold sink and the mailing system could have done that well...in regards to send items....smells like the beginning of a small market place to me in regards of a fee to pay for send/selling items.......

 

Overall, I can just do things the old way (going to servers to talk to friends and trading items).......really wonder what's gonna happen to this new system and such


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#4 cyrus7

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Posted 11 May 2015 - 22:06

3) Perhaps players should only receive mail until level ???.  I'm assuming most spammers won't want to take the time to actually level a character.

4) Base it on time played or time since joining.

5) Give the subscriber discount to anyone who has earned a minimum amount of EP over time (purchased, subscription, free offers, or bought from other players).

I like these 3 suggestions. Mail would cost a small fee (not 5 EP, maybe 1) until the level and time threshold is met, then no cost. Could even make it part of a quest, like with the bank stash/vault. The quest would be available to the player when their account is "x" days old and they reach level "y" on their main character.


Edited by cyrus7, 11 May 2015 - 22:07.


#5 Ood

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Posted 11 May 2015 - 22:20

As a 100% F2P player:

 

I could care less what mail costs. I will likely send things once every few months at most, if ever. 

 

I guess mail was necessary, but I would have rather had development time spent on guilds instead.



#6 minddrag

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Posted 11 May 2015 - 22:28

well just another thing to add to my already extremely long list of things to probably rant about when I come back..........


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#7 Irradiated

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Posted 11 May 2015 - 23:53

I guess mail was necessary, but I would have rather had development time spent on guilds instead.

As HCS tells it (in a previous post), almost all the work done for mail is required for guilds.  And mail is a pre-requisite to an auction house.  So very little, if any, time was lost.  Having done mail as a 'fall out' from guilds, rather then a specific project, also explains the rough edges.


Edited by Irradiated, 11 May 2015 - 23:54.

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#8 KeS

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Posted 12 May 2015 - 00:19

well just another thing to add to my already extremely long list of things to probably rant about when I come back..........

Not if I rant before you......


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#9 Ood

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Posted 12 May 2015 - 00:30

As HCS tells it (in a previous post), almost all the work done for mail is required for guilds.  And mail is a pre-requisite to an auction house.  So very little, if any, time was lost.  Having done mail as a 'fall out' from guilds, rather then a specific project, also explains the rough edges.

 

I can see it as a pre-req for auction house for sure, thought I'm still disappointed that they are going that route instead of player-shops. Though that's a discussion for a different post.

 

How mail pertains to guilds, *shrug* I'll take HC word for it.

 

Regardless of whether it was a by-product or not. I'm not likely to use it but very infrequently.



#10 Spirit

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Posted 12 May 2015 - 04:25

I like these 3 suggestions. Mail would cost a small fee (not 5 EP, maybe 1) until the level and time threshold is met, then no cost. Could even make it part of a quest, like with the bank stash/vault. The quest would be available to the player when their account is "x" days old and they reach level "y" on their main character.

 

Yeah this. But if HCS wanted mail to be included as part of supporter benefits, then it'd probably be free for them rather than all accounts. Non-supporters would just get a reduced fee I bet after that certain level. 

 

Subscribers of course would have the same rate regardless of level. 


Edited by Spirit, 12 May 2015 - 04:26.

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#11 redsmokeboy

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Posted 12 May 2015 - 04:44

As a 100% F2P player:

 

I could care less what mail costs. I will likely send things once every few months at most, if ever. 

 

I guess mail was necessary, but I would have rather had development time spent on guilds instead.

stated: 100% = no EP so in way can you use mail. Answered this bye fact of not having EP.

As free player mean's not using payed curncery and usly in game means EP is not Free player means

 

So never be able send any mail.

 

To use EP not 100% free to play.


Edited by redsmokeboy, 12 May 2015 - 04:46.

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#12 Auron FFX

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Posted 12 May 2015 - 05:10

in another game i play the mail system says you can only send 10 messages per day. each costs gold (obtainable in game)  but you may reply to a sent message as many times as you want. Messages are auto deleted after 30 days. You can also block senders (separate from ignore).

 

I think this system would be ideal for Eldevin as well.

 

Edit: This game doesn't have a "Supporter" option (owned by a large company) but I do not think it should be any different for subscribers.

 

All I know is as long as they charge EP for it I will not be using the mail.


Edited by Auron FFX, 12 May 2015 - 05:14.

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#13 Removed18058

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Posted 12 May 2015 - 05:58

as long as you don't add attachments the mail is free and doesn't charge you ep to send mail :x


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#14 PeasantJoe

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Posted 12 May 2015 - 13:04

i dont care if mail would be even free, if i need somethink summon people and done



#15 Irradiated

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Posted 12 May 2015 - 13:11

as long as you don't add attachments the mail is free and doesn't charge you ep to send mail :x

That bug has been fixed.  Current costs here

https://forums.hunte...e-3#entry931992


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#16 KeS

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Posted 12 May 2015 - 14:43

in another game i play the mail system says you can only send 10 messages per day. each costs gold (obtainable in game)  but you may reply to a sent message as many times as you want. Messages are auto deleted after 30 days. You can also block senders (separate from ignore).

 

I think this system would be ideal for Eldevin as well.

 

Edit: This game doesn't have a "Supporter" option (owned by a large company) but I do not think it should be any different for subscribers.

 

All I know is as long as they charge EP for it I will not be using the mail.

They had the chance to make a gold sink....a fun one at that but now its gonna rot unless they change it....


Edited by Endarken, 12 May 2015 - 14:43.

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#17 Mojawk

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Posted 12 May 2015 - 16:51

Thanks for the feedback and suggestions on this, we'll consider making a change next update and if we do we'll mail out the new costs to keep you all informed :)


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#18 TreeFrog

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Posted 12 May 2015 - 17:08

Please, please, please seriously consider changing it to a gold cost, or you've wasted time on a system that no non-sub will use.



#19 KeS

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Posted 12 May 2015 - 17:13

Please, please, please seriously consider changing it to a gold cost, or you've wasted time


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#20 davidutz

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Posted 12 May 2015 - 18:05

Please, please, please seriously consider changing it to a gold cost, or you've wasted time on a system that no non-sub will use.

 

 

 

+1

 

 

P.S.

 

Make it like Fallen Sword  - Secure Trade -  in which you send items and ask in return EP/Gold 


Edited by davidutz, 12 May 2015 - 18:11.



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