Not very happy with the Isle of Dread ultimate fan bundle

[Chacka_DDO]

Most likely not many care but I do NOT like the idea of Otto's Boxes as a part of a DDO expansion.
Even if I bought the Ultimate Fan bundle in principle because I consider myself a DDO fan/supporter I don't like the idea of Otto's Boxes as a part of it, I don't want free experience points for money, I want to play DDO and enjoy it.
I hope the SSG team has better ideas for the next expansion than that.
Of course, I would like it even more if you could claim something else instead of Otto's Boxes from the Isle of Dread ultimate fan bundle but I doubt SSG will add something else.

[Glorious]

Most likely not many care but I do NOT like the idea of Otto's Boxes as a part of a DDO expansion.
Even if I bought the Ultimate Fan bundle in principle because I consider myself a DDO fan/supporter I don't like the idea of Otto's Boxes as a part of it, I don't want free experience points for money, I want to play DDO and enjoy it.
I hope the SSG team has better ideas for the next expansion than that.
Of course, I would like it even more if you could claim something else instead of Otto's Boxes from the Isle of Dread ultimate fan bundle but I doubt SSG will add something else.

All Otto's boxes realistically cost money - the number of DDO points needed to buy Otto's boxes would typically be bought and paid for - so I can't see what the difference is. Honestly the Otto's boxes were what put me and other friends over the edge to actually buy the ultimate fan bundle. if you don't want the boxes - then don't buy the bundle. But my guess is that the pick up for that fan bundle was higher for SSG and one of the main reasons was because of the inclusion of the boxes. They have to put something in there that's really valuable to get people to drop that kind of money on an expansion.

so DDO/SSG, Lynnabel, Cordovan - anyone - I am not aligned - keep the boxes please :)

[EinarMal]

All Otto's boxes realistically cost money - the number of DDO points needed to buy Otto's boxes would typically be bought and paid for - so I can't see what the difference is. Honestly the Otto's boxes were what put me and other friends over the edge to actually buy the ultimate fan bundle. if you don't want the boxes - then don't buy the bundle. But my guess is that the pick up for that fan bundle was higher for SSG and one of the main reasons was because of the inclusion of the boxes. They have to put something in there that's really valuable to get people to drop that kind of money on an expansion.

so DDO/SSG, Lynnabel, Cordovan - anyone - I am not aligned - keep the boxes please :)

Agree keep the boxes.

[Carpone]

Historically, newer expansions have been bundled with universal trees:

Ravenloft - Vistani Knife Fighter
Sharn - Inquisitive
Feywild - Feydark Illusionist

Even Saltmarsh (a "mini" expansion) had Horizon Walker.

New universal trees are content. Otto's boxes are not content, and are a lazy bundle option.

[user110000]

It's the only time i've bought the ultimate fan bundle and it was because the otto's boxes came with it.

[Chacka_DDO]

All Otto's boxes realistically cost money - the number of DDO points needed to buy Otto's boxes would typically be bought and paid for - so I can't see what the difference is. Honestly the Otto's boxes were what put me and other friends over the edge to actually buy the ultimate fan bundle. if you don't want the boxes - then don't buy the bundle. But my guess is that the pick up for that fan bundle was higher for SSG and one of the main reasons was because of the inclusion of the boxes. They have to put something in there that's really valuable to get people to drop that kind of money on an expansion.

so DDO/SSG, Lynnabel, Cordovan - anyone - I am not aligned - keep the boxes please :)

The point is if you want to buy the ultimate fan bundle for other reasons (the cosmetics and the instant teleport item) then you HAVE to buy it with Otto's Boxes.
Of course, if you are a pay to win guy and you want to buy such Otto's Boxes anyway it is a very good deal for you because you basically get the expansion as an almost free gift in addition to two Otto's boxes and I can understand that you are happy with that, but for me, it is a bad deal and I would rather have something else and more creative than that kind of pay to win stuff.

[cru121]

What's the binding on boxes or stones? Tradable?

[Arkat]

What's the binding on boxes or stones? Tradable?

Not tradeable. BtA.

[Epicsoul]

It's the only time i've bought the ultimate fan bundle and it was because the otto's boxes came with it.

All this tells me is boxes are too expenses regularly, and more players would purchase them if they were cheaper. Conversely, this is the first time I haven't purchased the ultimate fan bundle for an expansion because of the lack of actual content. The inclusion of boxes to increase value is a cheap charade to hide the fact that the players are getting less content.

[Jeromio]

I purchased mainly for the instant teleport item. I would rather have seen something else than the boxes... maybe another hireling or something more useful... at least it would have been nice to choose to get something else or if it was possible to trade the boxes.

[EinarMal]

The point is if you want to buy the ultimate fan bundle for other reasons (the cosmetics and the instant teleport item) then you HAVE to buy it with Otto's Boxes.
Of course, if you are a pay to win guy and you want to buy such Otto's Boxes anyway it is a very good deal for you because you basically get the expansion as an almost free gift in addition to two Otto's boxes and I can understand that you are happy with that, but for me, it is a bad deal and I would rather have something else and more creative than that kind of pay to wind stuff.

Or you can look at it like a free get out of jail free card. The next time you have a character that gets nerfed to oblivion, which will eventually happen, you can re-roll essentially to something else.

[superevbully]

All this tells me is boxes are too expenses regularly, and more players would purchase them if they were cheaper. Conversely, this is the first time I haven't purchased the ultimate fan bundle for an expansion because of the lack of actual content. The inclusion of boxes to increase value is a cheap charade to hide the fact that the players are getting less content.

While in the past we havent seen eye to eye .......this post is bang on and to the point ty

[Oxarhamar]

While in the past we havent seen eye to eye .......this post is bang on and to the point ty

While I agree with that I can see boxes as being something that they throw in for added value as those are hot stone items to some

I’d rather have content also and feel like this one is as filled in with fluff


As far as purchasing it without the boxes I’d rather not have to pay for the cosmetics in every expansion bundle but then if you want any of the goodies you’ve got to get everything we don’t get to pick and choose

I would never purchase Otto box that defeats the purpose of playing the game to me

[Caarb]

All Otto's boxes realistically cost money - the number of DDO points needed to buy Otto's boxes would typically be bought and paid for - so I can't see what the difference is. Honestly the Otto's boxes were what put me and other friends over the edge to actually buy the ultimate fan bundle. if you don't want the boxes - then don't buy the bundle. But my guess is that the pick up for that fan bundle was higher for SSG and one of the main reasons was because of the inclusion of the boxes. They have to put something in there that's really valuable to get people to drop that kind of money on an expansion.

so DDO/SSG, Lynnabel, Cordovan - anyone - I am not aligned - keep the boxes please :)

For some of us a box probably saves us 10-15 hours of play time so is not worth what they charge in the store - I think DDO points would have been the better option as people value digital goods differently - I would prefer xp potions (for reaper points not regular xp) and raid timers to Ottos boxes which are practically worthless to me.

[Carpone]

The inclusion of boxes to increase value is a cheap charade to hide the fact that the players are getting less content.
^ This.

[Assassination]

It's difficult to not notice the dwindling of substance in this expansion.

We've lost the typical universal tree, and gone from 2 raids to basically zero. Yes they are saying a raid is included, but really that raid is part of the following update....

Seems as though they are headed in the wrong direction, unfortunate. At least there customer service is top notch.

[GramercyRiff]

Agreed with those saying that the boxes aren't content and Dread lacks content of previous expansions. I was ok with the boxes and still am, but not getting a universal tree is pretty lame. I'm interested to see how items are handled though. There could be enough there personally for me, that it makes up for lack of an enhancement tree. I haven't bought any bundle yet. I can't know the value of what I'm buying as I see it until I have more information.

[Mindos]

Seeing lots of agreeing that the Isle Of Dread expansion is lacking. Is Saltmarsh to blame? Was the new way of doing things by SSG, the desire for more consistent revenue over the year instead of once, that has reduced Isle of Dread?

If the new expansion was the size it is PLUS the size of Saltmarsh, would that be better?

[Matuse]

Historically, newer expansions have been bundled with universal trees:

Ravenloft - Vistani Knife Fighter
Sharn - Inquisitive
Feywild - Feydark Illusionist

Even Saltmarsh (a "mini" expansion) had Horizon Walker.

New universal trees are content. Otto's boxes are not content, and are a lazy bundle option.

Historically, the universal tree has been a disgusting waste of money on the ultimate pack, because you can just run the content and get the universal tree anyway.

What an utterly pointless benefit to actually spend cash on. It's why I haven't gotten the ultimate packs, because they contain so much completely worthless stuff. This one doesn't.

[adamkatt]

Not tradeable. BtA.

I see ottos boxes on the shard exchange all the time. SO the ones in this bundle are btc or bta?

[Oxarhamar]

I see ottos boxes on the shard exchange all the time. SO the ones in this bundle are btc or bta?

items.

* One Heroic Otto’s Irresistible Box per account. This Otto's Box, and all items within it, are Bound to Account. Your Heroic Otto’s Box will be delivered to the character who speaks with NPC Zalnathe in game in Stormreach Harbor. If you are logged in at the time of purchase, you may need to log out of the game and back in before Zalnathe will speak with you.

** One Improved Epic Otto’s Irresistible Box per account. This Improved Epic Otto's Box, and all items within it, are Bound to Account. Your Improved Epic Otto’s Box will be delivered to the character who speaks with NPC Zalnathe in game in Stormreach Harbor. If you are logged in at the time of purchase, you may need to log out of the game and back in before Zalnathe will speak with you.


Otto in the DDO store is tradable

[Mofus]

I prefer the Otto's boxes over too many cosmetics. I would also like to see a wish of inheritance in a bundle.

[mikarddo]

Most likely not many care but I do NOT like the idea of Otto's Boxes as a part of a DDO expansion.
Even if I bought the Ultimate Fan bundle in principle because I consider myself a DDO fan/supporter I don't like the idea of Otto's Boxes as a part of it, I don't want free experience points for money, I want to play DDO and enjoy it.
I hope the SSG team has better ideas for the next expansion than that.
Of course, I would like it even more if you could claim something else instead of Otto's Boxes from the Isle of Dread ultimate fan bundle but I doubt SSG will add something else.

Bundles are there for a reason. Not so most people will like everything but so most people will like something.

I dont like the cosmetics, the pets, the hirelings, the character slot, barely like the iconic nor the mounts. I do put some value into the Ottos boxes, far from the printed value but still. I very much like the teleport item and most the tome.

So, your dislike of the Ottos is no different from my dislike of some of the other stuff in the bundle - but its a *bundle* for a reason and wanting to cherry pick stuff indicates a lack of understanding of that concept.

[adamkatt]

According to Vooduspyce the ottos boxes value alone make this a worthwhile bundle. But hey if youre not happy with it dont buy it.

[mikarddo]

The point is if you want to buy the ultimate fan bundle for other reasons (the cosmetics and the instant teleport item) then you HAVE to buy it with Otto's Boxes.
Of course, if you are a pay to win guy and you want to buy such Otto's Boxes anyway it is a very good deal for you because you basically get the expansion as an almost free gift in addition to two Otto's boxes and I can understand that you are happy with that, but for me, it is a bad deal and I would rather have something else and more creative than that kind of pay to win stuff.

That argument goes both ways. If you want the tp item and the tomes you HAVE to buy the ultimate bundle even it means getting cosmetics, pets, hirelings, character slot, iconics and mounts that matter not at all or very little to you. Ofcourse, if you are a fluff guy with plenty of money that would have bought the cosmetics item anyway thats fine with you! See how that goes both ways?

Thats what bundling is about though.

[Chacka_DDO]

That argument goes both ways. If you want the tp item and the tomes you HAVE to buy the ultimate bundle even it means getting cosmetics, pets, hirelings, character slot, iconics and mounts that matter not at all or very little to you. Ofcourse, if you are a fluff guy with plenty of money that would have bought the cosmetics item anyway thats fine with you! See how that goes both ways?

Thats what bundling is about though.

As everyone you and me each of us live in our own world and you most likely believe that everyone wants such Otto's boxes if they have enough money to afford them and you don't understand that this is for me not the case no matter how much money I have or how cheap such Otto's boxes are (I was not even interested if they were "for free" as we had this dupe exploit not too long ago).
My opinion about Otto's boxes is they sell you basically thin air.
For me, play-free-experience points from such Otto's boxes are basically less worth than nothing because I want to play DDO and have fun with it and such a easy-pay-to-win-button is very lame!

In my view, Otto's boxes are a bad idea for an expansion not only for most players, but also for SSG, but it is also just an easy way to add something to an expansion that appears to have some sort of value. Otto's Boxes are almost no work for game designers and artists and for this reason, it appears to be a smart idea for SSG to sell such things, I have to live with the fact that SSG sells such things but if they make them a part of an expansion I have to buy such things I strongly dislike!
And I also want to "vote" with my purchases and here I want foremost to point out that Otto's boxes in the Isle of Dread ultimate fan bundle are NOT a reason for me to buy this and even more they are a reason that makes me think I should NOT buy it because I DONT like this!

You can like these Otto's boxes all day long and you can also express your opinion that you don't like good content and art (cosmetics and mounts) in an expansion and you rather have cheap Otto's boxes but I doubt you would play DDO on the long run if all what you get are such Otto's Boxes for your money!

And by the way, I would not be surprised if game designers with self-respect also strongly dislike such Otto's boxes because something like that is simply very awful game design and the idea for such things comes most likely from marketing guys who think making money justifies everything.
But I also know that running an MMO and keeping it alive for years is not an easy task, maybe there is no other way for SSG than that, I believe there are better ways but I cannot prove it.

[mikarddo]

As everyone you and me each of us live in our own world and you most likely believe that everyone wants such Otto's boxes if they have enough money to afford them and you don't understand that this is for me not the case no matter how much money I have or how cheap such Otto's boxes are (I was not even interested if they were "for free" as we had this dupe exploit not too long ago).
My opinion about Otto's boxes is they sell you basically thin air.
For me, play-free-experience points from such Otto's boxes are basically less worth than nothing because I want to play DDO and have fun with it and such a easy-pay-to-win-button is very lame!


You need to reread mate. I am not really fond of the Ottos boxes. They add some value for me but not much mostly from the xp pots. Its the tome and tp item I like.

But, you seem to blatantly ignore that others put zero value in cosmetics etc and that adding Ottos boxes to the bundle is the same. Good for some people of no value for others. Bundles are expected to be like that...

Are you really so blind that you can ONLY see this from your own narrow point of view?

[Chacka_DDO]

You need to reread mate. I am not really fond of the Ottos boxes. They add some value for me but not much mostly from the xp pots. Its the tome and tp item I like.

But, you seem to blatantly ignore that others put zero value in cosmetics etc and that adding Ottos boxes to the bundle is the same. Good for some people of no value for others. Bundles are expected to be like that...

Are you really so blind that you can ONLY see this from your own narrow point of view?

You don't understand me and you also don't quote the point that shows what I mean.
I want to point out that I do not like Otto's boxes and I AM one who would rather not have such an Otto's Box in the bundle, actually, I would rather like the Otto's Boxes deleted from the bundle without any replacement for the same price (I'm not joking even if most ppl don't understand that).
The point is NOT that I cannot respect others' opinions, the point is I want to express MY opinion and there is nothing wrong with that!
If no one says anything about it there is a good chance that the SSG guys think everyone is happy with those Otto's Boxes as a part of an expansion bundle so I am here to tell them it is at last me who DO NOT like it!
Thanks for your attention and I respect your opinion but this changes not the fact that my opinion is different and maybe I'm not the only one who thinks Otto's boxes (and other things like Wish of Inheritence) are SUPER LAME! :rolleyes:

[EinarMal]

You don't understand me and you also don't quote the point that shows what I mean.
I want to point out that I do not like Otto's boxes and I AM one who would rather not have such an Otto's Box in the bundle, actually, I would rather like the Otto's Boxes deleted from the bundle without any replacement for the same price (I'm not joking even if most ppl don't understand that).
The point is NOT that I cannot respect others' opinions, the point is I want to express MY opinion and there is nothing wrong with that!
If no one says anything about it there is a good chance that the SSG guys think everyone is happy with those Otto's Boxes as a part of an expansion bundle so I am here to tell them it is at last me who DO NOT like it!
Thanks for your attention and I respect your opinion but this changes not the fact that my opinion is different and maybe I'm not the only one who thinks Otto's boxes (and other things like Wish of Inheritence) are SUPER LAME! :rolleyes:

Can't you just drag the thing out of your inventory and destroy it?

[Caarb]

Can't you just drag the thing out of your inventory and destroy it?

Dont even need to do that. You can leave it unclaimed.

[ShifterThePirate]

They could have just put 7000 DDO points (per box, or 7K and 1 box in Ultimate) in the bundle so everyone could choose how to spend it. Some could get an Otto's box and others could get other things they desire. Problem solved!

Would have made me buy Isle of Dread... now I'll wait for a sale.

[mikarddo]

You don't understand me and you also don't quote the point that shows what I mean.
I want to point out that I do not like Otto's boxes and I AM one who would rather not have such an Otto's Box in the bundle, actually, I would rather like the Otto's Boxes deleted from the bundle without any replacement for the same price (I'm not joking even if most ppl don't understand that).
The point is NOT that I cannot respect others' opinions, the point is I want to express MY opinion and there is nothing wrong with that!
If no one says anything about it there is a good chance that the SSG guys think everyone is happy with those Otto's Boxes as a part of an expansion bundle so I am here to tell them it is at last me who DO NOT like it!
Thanks for your attention and I respect your opinion but this changes not the fact that my opinion is different and maybe I'm not the only one who thinks Otto's boxes (and other things like Wish of Inheritence) are SUPER LAME! :rolleyes:

Fair enough.

[mikarddo]

They could have just put 7000 DDO points (per box, or 7K and 1 box in Ultimate) in the bundle so everyone could choose how to spend it. Some could get an Otto's box and others could get other things they desire. Problem solved!

Would have made me buy Isle of Dread... now I'll wait for a sale.

Thats not how bundling works though. By bundling you add more value total for someone that likes *everything* knowing that almost *noone* will be in that category. If you added points instead so *everyone* could get *exactly* what they wanted the total value would be significantly less as that would mean a greater loss of other sales.

[ShifterThePirate]

Thats not how bundling works though. By bundling you add more value total for someone that likes *everything* knowing that almost *noone* will be in that category. If you added points instead so *everyone* could get *exactly* what they wanted the total value would be significantly less as that would mean a greater loss of other sales.

I think selling more higher tier new expansion packs brings in a way more money than what they lose on other sales where players use those suggested DDO points.

[Oliphant]

Seems like all that universal tree content was fluff since you could just earn them by doing all the new favor. I like the boxes when I have a bs situation I want to skip past like wanting to redo a character but get back into epics so I can play with friends. Sounds like there will be no raid on release, sigh. Can't say Isle of Dread is lacking content until I play it though.

[Oxarhamar]

Seems like all that universal tree content was fluff since you could just earn them by doing all the new favor. I like the boxes when I have a bs situation I want to skip past like wanting to redo a character but get back into epics so I can play with friends. Sounds like there will be no raid on release, sigh. Can't say Isle of Dread is lacking content until I play it though.

Indeed running the content that was purchased unlocks the trees so it’s definitely redundant to sell in the bundle

There’s lots of fluff that players might not be ant some want different bits than others

Don’t like the bundle don’t buy it seams like the best solution

[Annex]

One idea floated in the past involved Expansion Tokens. Such tokens would redeem for Expansion specific items, allowing every purchaser to essentially create a custom bundle.

Let us say the base edition contains 8 Expansion Tokens, the premium edition contains 16 tokens, and the ultimate edition contains 26 tokens. A trader might offer something like this:

Expansion Quests: 4
Raid: 2
Race: 2
Iconic Race: 2
Cosmetic Clothing #1: 1
Cosmetic Clothing #2: 1
Pet #1: 1
Pet #2: 1
Gold Seal Hire #1: 1
Gold Seal Hire #2: 2
...and so on.

We can quibble about the breakdown and costs but you get the idea.

Such a format allows each Expansion to include a much larger array of Expansion specific items, newly created or drawn from the existing stock of digital goods. It also opens the possibility of selling even larger quantities of Expansion Tokens to players.

If players can purchase Expansion Tokens in perpetuity, a given Expansion could generate sales through Expansion Tokens for the entire remaining existence of the game. The question is, would such a system generate more, equal, or less revenue than the current one?

If I were in charge and liked this idea, I would test it with another Saltmarsh sized Expansion, confining revenue risk to a fairly short period of development time.

[thunir]

Most likely not many care but I do NOT like the idea of Otto's Boxes as a part of a DDO expansion.
Even if I bought the Ultimate Fan bundle in principle because I consider myself a DDO fan/supporter I don't like the idea of Otto's Boxes as a part of it, I don't want free experience points for money, I want to play DDO and enjoy it.
I hope the SSG team has better ideas for the next expansion than that.
Of course, I would like it even more if you could claim something else instead of Otto's Boxes from the Isle of Dread ultimate fan bundle but I doubt SSG will add something else.

I like the boxes, literally the only reason I bought the ultimate bundle.

[Firepants]

I like the boxes, literally the only reason I bought the ultimate bundle.
Same.

[SoVeryBelgian]

Historically, newer expansions have been bundled with universal trees:

Ravenloft - Vistani Knife Fighter
Sharn - Inquisitive
Feywild - Feydark Illusionist

Even Saltmarsh (a "mini" expansion) had Horizon Walker.

New universal trees are content. Otto's boxes are not content, and are a lazy bundle option.

Shoulda added Mystic Theurge! Universal Tree.


That or new weapon types, peeps r still waiting on Scythes...

[Talon_Moonshadow]

While one can always argue that digital in-game benefits are not worth (much) money; the Otto's Boxes are what really makes the ultimate bundle worth it! (so to speak).

it also is a great value to Standing Stones.
They already exist, so almost no expenditures on their part, to sell a high demand product and make some dough.

Win/Win situation IMO.

I used to be against selling XP. But that ship sailed a long time ago.
And once I finally got on the TR train, and realized just how long it takes to get all those lives I want, I am overjoyed to give my money for the ultimate pack.

[Ganak]

Buying the ultimate bundle for $130, my thought process went like this.

I need to buy the standard for $40 anyway.

So what am I getting for the other $90?

I've got 2 characters and I would be buying the Tome of Destiny when available down the road anyway, so worth let's say $50, plus I get them now instead of waiting.

So that leaves $40, what am I getting from that? It was the 2 otto boxes and the teleport item that held value. The iconic, extra character space a tiny value. I didn't need, nor want to spend money on the ottos boxes, but I'll use them. I was pleasantly surprised that I enjoy the cosmetic mounts as cosmetics don't really move the needle for me. When I added all this up, the icing on the cake was that I would be supporting this game I love, so it was an easy decision.

Everyone's circumstances and what they value is different though. If I really couldnt use or just really didnt want the ottos boxes, then the value wouldn't be there, so I get that feedback, but I would still argue the overall value and offer is good for most of the base.

[Jerevth]

I haven't seen the quests to know if they are lacking.
I don't value Otto's because I prefer to play rather than buy a few cycles on the hamster wheel.

I'd prefer to gain things that have a degree of permanence for the account. Gold seal hires (preferably without a lobotomy), enhancement trees, a bonus character slot, time savers (i.e. Portal keys).
The boxes are just use it and then it's gone.

I'm not much for cosmetics, but there are some nifty ones every once in a while.