Gaia isn't being money hungry...Updated 12/16/08

Is the thread title accurate?

Yes	67.9%	[ 1187 ]
No, It should be Gaia isn't being greedy	32.1%	[ 560 ]
Total Votes:			[ 1747 ]

[M3WTW0]

Caden Blue

And I'm gonna say it again: people who have more real-life money have ALWAYS had an advantage, because they're the people who could plunk $200 down on MCs every month and sell them later.

Yep, and those of us who are too lazy to send money in the mail are also at a high disadvantage.

[Leena no Majo]

Hugs of Spice

The people with money get to set the prices now. I might think an item from a shop is worth about 500 gold, but that's not going to matter if the majority of people who buy the item think it's worth 5,000 gold.

Actually that isn't 100% true, look at the Casino items.

Their prices are set by how many tickets it takes to buy them and how much tickets cost.

It usually takes one token to get one ticket, but since this is not always true, tickets if I remember right run about 1.5 to 2g.

The items of Prize and joy reflect this and have stayed pretty stable since they came out.

I mean, Gaia Cash items will follow much the same conversion.

Now, I am not going to deny AI. I dislike and I dislike the people who do it, but it's been a problem Gaia has always had and we still don't have a solution for it.

So yes, I agree that AI is a big thing to worry about when buying these items VIA the market place.

[Leena no Majo]

OffSide7

Leena_Rasui

Because no one is denying the fact that people who have the money to blow have the advantage, they always have since MCs came out.

However, this for me, when it came for the few items I really did want, made that item much more precious to me because I took the time and effort to work for it.

I understand that items and your avatar mean that much to you, however I just don't agree with it being unfair because you will still be able to buy the items in the marketplace.

If you couldn't, then I would be completely agree that the cash shop isn't fair.

Personally, working for items doesn't affect me at all, especially since "work" to me often translates as "time wasted" but I understand why it means something to others.

I don't think it's unfair. I think it's totally fair- the people who own and run this site are entitled to make a living off of it. Well, ok, I'm a little annoyed they got me addicted and then made the site more and more in favor of those who spend cash while claiming it was a "free site"- but I understand why they do it.

I just think, as I said, it should no longer claim to be a free site. That's all.

I understand your point but this argument really comes down to a matter of opinion.

You feel it's unfair because of certain opinions and I feel it is, because of mine.

All I can offer is a fact and that fact is that items in no way affect how you play the game, so Gaia is still free.

*shrugs slightly* I really don't know what else to say about it.

[Hugs of Spice]

Leena_Rasui

I understand that items and your avatar mean that much to you, however I just don't agree with it being unfair because you will still be able to buy the items in the marketplace.

If you couldn't, then I would be completely agree that the cash shop isn't fair.

The thing it, they don't mean that much to me. I've had this same av for a long time. I change it for events, but this it my default, and new items rarely change it.

The truth is, Gaia is slowly dropping on my favorite forums. I keep having to find new ways to get a kick out of it. So whatever it doesn, it really doesn't have too much of an effect on me. I just wanna waste some time on the most active of the forums I like. The new cash shop is just something that rubs me the wrong way.

You don't have to luv your av, be concerned with the separation of class (though it's a little sad), or dissagree with the admins' descision to make this shop to be a little put off by it. It's off putting. That's it.

[OffSide7]

Leena_Rasui

I understand your point but this argument really comes down to a matter of opinion.

You feel it's unfair because of certain opinions and I feel it is, because of mine.

All I can offer is a fact and that fact is that items in no way affect how you play the game, so Gaia is still free.

*shrugs slightly* I really don't know what else to say about it.

I'm normally very happy to agree with someone that an argument comes down to a matter of opinion, but I'm not convinced that's the case here.

Also, like I said- I don't think it's unfair.

Even if avatars meant next to nothing to you, it does affect how many people interact with the site (and for many people, the part affected is the main part that matters), and it is an absolute fact that spending money gives you an advantage.

We can disagree about how much of an advantage. If you don't care much about avatars, it's not much of an advantage. But the fact is, someone who spent 25 dollars in Target can get an item I'd have to spend weeks upon weeks saving up for. Now they're releasing items with brand new properties- those are bound to be popular. In fact, I think it's possible that some of the new items that are limited will inflate faster than I can earn gold. That makes them impossible to get without spending money.

Again- we can disagree on how much of the site that effects, how much of an advantage spending money offers, but the fact remains that spending money does give you an advantage.

...I'm sorry I'm repeating myself.

[Leena no Majo]

But just because paying money for pixels gives you an advantage( which the only thing it does is make you richer on a virtual website) does not mean Gaia isn't free. The fact remains that you do not have to pay for anything that affects how the games here are played or the forums.

I'm at the point where I am repeating myself as well so again, I do not know what else to say on matter.

Edit: There is also the fact that Gaia needs a massive amount of money to keep running, if not through this store then how would you propose they do it?

[OffSide7]

Leena_Rasui

But just because paying money for pixels gives you an advantage( which the only thing it does is make you richer on a virtual website) does not mean Gaia isn't free. The fact remains that you do not have to pay for anything that affects how the games here are played or the forums.

I'm at the point where I am repeating myself as well so again, I do not know what else to say on matter.

Edit: There is also the fact that Gaia needs a massive amount of money to keep running, if not through this store then how would you propose they do it?

Offering this kind of advantage for money is like offering part of a video for free. You want to see the end and enjoy it to its fullest extent? OK, but you have to pay for the rest. It's like saying the bread at a restaurant and use of the bathroom is free. Well, it's different degrees, but the same idea. You could just not buy the rest of the video, but it's not as good. You could just eat some bread, then leave. but you haven't really enjoyed the restaurant. The site would be much more fun if I could just suddenly acquire tons of gold in a minute and buy whatever items I wanted. Having some amount of it free, but some of the best parts for gold isn't really free.

I don't know how they'd do it. I don't know why you're asking- I'm perfectly fine with Gaia earning money however they think will do it best. I'm not saying they shouldn't have this cash store. This site must cost a ton in order to run. I just don't think it should still be called a free site.

[Dr Kurt]

i think the site itself will stay free for viewers but they may add on certain featurs that you need to be a paying person to access. For instance MAYBE the battle arena may become pay to participate. Everyone can view battles but only paying players would be allowed to fight

I'm not saying this will happen but it is the easiest example i can think of right now.

But how many people actually get the MC's on a general regular basis... maybe they should come out and tell us how in general how much revenue they make through that and other 'cash' bought items then tell us whats they realistically honestly need so we know?

[Leena no Majo]

OffSide7

Offering this kind of advantage for money is like offering part of a video for free. You want to see the end and enjoy it to its fullest extent? OK, but you have to pay for the rest. It's like saying the bread at a restaurant and use of the bathroom is free. Well, it's different degrees, but the same idea. You could just not buy the rest of the video, but it's not as good. You could just eat some bread, then leave. but you haven't really enjoyed the restaurant. The site would be much more fun if I could just suddenly acquire tons of gold in a minute and buy whatever items I wanted. Having some amount of it free, but some of the best parts for gold isn't really free.

I don't know how they'd do it. I don't know why you're asking- I'm perfectly fine with Gaia earning money however they think will do it best. I'm not saying they shouldn't have this cash store. This site must cost a ton in order to run. I just don't think it should still be called a free site.

Again, I still don't agree. I'm sorry but I don't.

Gaia is still free.

It's not like Neopets, Wow or RO.

You don't have to pay to enjoy it. Sure you could enjoy it more if you had the money to spend but you don not need to pay to enjoy.

[OffSide7]

Leena_Rasui

Again, I still don't agree. I'm sorry but I don't.

Gaia is still free.

It's not like Neopets, Wow or RO.

You don't have to pay to enjoy it. Sure you could enjoy it more if you had the money to spend but you don not need to pay to enjoy.

Well, I guess that'll be true for a lot of people. I just know my enjoyment of it will diminish because items I want will be outside my reach, and other people's gold will shoot up by comparison to mine... inflation... etc.

...If they want to label it "a technically free to join site but much better if you pay" then I guess I could accept that, too.

[Leena no Majo]

OffSide7

Leena_Rasui

Again, I still don't agree. I'm sorry but I don't.

Gaia is still free.

It's not like Neopets, Wow or RO.

You don't have to pay to enjoy it. Sure you could enjoy it more if you had the money to spend but you don not need to pay to enjoy.

Well, I guess that'll be true for a lot of people. I just know my enjoyment of it will diminish because items I want will be outside my reach, and other people's gold will shoot up by comparison to mine... inflation... etc.

...If they want to label it "a technically free to join site but much better if you pay" then I guess I could accept that, too.

*shrugs* I just don't see it as that much better if you pay.

I've always been able to save up and buy the new MCs and I really don't think that Inflation will hit them as bad as people are thinking it will.

The first week they might be insanely expensive but after they will probably drop down to a couple thousand gold, their prices will probably be a lot like the ones of the items in the MP from Prize and Joy.

[pooh_luvs_pooh]

i honestly dont care

[-Rabbit-Kun-]

Meh I know gaia needs money, but having items that only can be bought by cash kinda goes against one of the things gaia stood for: totaly free online community. Ited be one thing if it was more chash oreinted shur like something thats 30 cash = 3000 gold or something along those lines. Its still accsessble to gaians who dont have alot of cash to spare on gaia...but those who do get the advantage of it. Yeah i could eventually go on the market for those items but they'ed probably be uber pricey...

[OffSide7]

Leena_Rasui

*shrugs* I just don't see it as that much better if you pay.

Yes, I've gathered- just as I'm sure you've gathered that I do see it as much better if you pay. I guess if you don't enjoy the games and posting as much, earning gold is more of a pain, and therefore being able to earn it super easy by paying is more of a dramatic difference.

Quote:

I've always been able to save up and buy the new MCs and I really don't think that Inflation will hit them as bad as people are thinking it will.

The first week they might be insanely expensive but after they will probably drop down to a couple thousand gold, their prices will probably be a lot like the ones of the items in the MP from Prize and Joy.

I also buy the new MCs, mostly because I'm afraid some day I'll want them, but I won't want to pay hundreds of thousands of gold for them.

Unfortunately, they're the only thing I buy. It's all I can afford, and prices are still rising. (Not to mention when they make sets- then, in case I want to wear multiple monthly items at the same time- say, I want a suit of armor instead of one piece- then I have to buy 8 of them... ok, I'm rambling now, but my point is I spend everything I make on items people buy with money. That's why there's a huge difference for me. And lots of Gaians.)

I think the unlimited ones will probably be like the Prize and Joy items- they won't inflate uncontrollably, but they did say there would be limited items, which will inflate without end like MCs because they'll ... well, be limited. Especially if the limited ones turn out to have the new features, like skin changing (which is only quasi-new, what with the MCs) or the things that develop inside or whatever.

[Leena no Majo]

OffSide7

Leena_Rasui

*shrugs* I just don't see it as that much better if you pay.

Yes, I've gathered- just as I'm sure you've gathered that I do see it as much better if you pay. I guess if you don't enjoy the games and posting as much, earning gold is more of a pain, and therefore being able to earn it super easy by paying is more of a dramatic difference.

Quote:

I've always been able to save up and buy the new MCs and I really don't think that Inflation will hit them as bad as people are thinking it will.

The first week they might be insanely expensive but after they will probably drop down to a couple thousand gold, their prices will probably be a lot like the ones of the items in the MP from Prize and Joy.

I also buy the new MCs, mostly because I'm afraid some day I'll want them, but I won't want to pay hundreds of thousands of gold for them.

Unfortunately, they're the only thing I buy. It's all I can afford, and prices are still rising. (Not to mention when they make sets- then, in case I want to wear multiple monthly items at the same time- say, I want a suit of armor instead of one piece- then I have to buy 8 of them... ok, I'm rambling now, but my point is I spend everything I make on items people buy with money. That's why there's a huge difference for me. And lots of Gaians.)

I think the unlimited ones will probably be like the Prize and Joy items- they won't inflate uncontrollably, but they did say there would be limited items, which will inflate without end like MCs because they'll ... well, be limited. Especially if the limited ones turn out to have the new features, like skin changing (which is only quasi-new, what with the MCs) or the things that develop inside or whatever.

We don't know for sure if they will, 100% be going with the limited items because there has been ALOT of negative feedback about that one single feature.

I don't think these items are going to cost hundreds of thousands of gold, Again I think that part is being blown waaayyy out of proportion.

I really don't see the big deal in how an item is obtained. It's pixels, you get it one way or another and thats that.

Just because someone can buy it, why does it take away from it.

I mean, to me thats like saying "No I won't take this free item, I'd rather by it instead"

Because when you get down to it, items on here are free because we pay from them with virtual currency.