Night Revels 'Expiring' Ingredients: Bane for Casual Players

[ComicRelief]

There were a lot of complaints when the Night Revels' new 'expiring ingredients' mechanic was introduced with the new event last year. Well, I've finally ran some of the numbers and for casual players, such as myself, the results do not look good. You can see my results here (shameless, self-plug there).

Even though one of the reasons stated was to "encourage" running of the content, from my perspective, it is actually a discouragement. Since the non-chocolates are BtA anyway, why add the additional burden of having them "expire"? It never made sense to me.

Makes me feel like all of my effort this year will be wasted, simply because I do not have the time required to get some of the higher level items; I work for a living.

[dunklezhan]

You are not wrong. Many others have observed this exact same thing. I can tell you for a 100% certainty that I know of 2 players who haven't even set foot in the graveyard this year because they're casuals. They started just before revels last year, thought it was fun, but couldn't finish anything. When they realised the ingredients did not act like cove (which in the year since they started playing I think has been up 3 times and they've wanted to play each and every time)... they decided that this year, with our limited play time, that there was simply no point, and that they'd rather run quests thanks.

[JOTMON]

It is unfortunate that there is no carry over of ingredients. I am guessing they want to have each event be the grind instead of allowing collection of ingredients to span over years.. possibly a paranoid reactionary effect of duping.
This current mechanic punishes long term players and rewards the burst play during the small window of opportunity the event is active.
its a get what you can if you can, otherwise screwit go do something else since you cannot carryover.


Old Mabar items are expensive to craft/upgrade while still being BTC and have not been updated to current standards but being stuck partway through crafting leaves them with a drive to finish..
.. many players eventually realize too late that these items just dont measure up anymore.



unfortunately they did not limit old ingredients from being able to be sold via the AH/ASAH which allowed unscrupulous players to dump expired ingredients to unknowing newbies who get screwed purchasing invalid expired ingredients.
While there may be an element of 'caveat emptor - buyer beware'.. ultimately.. its just wrong...


Hopefully Dev's will come away after this event with some positive opportunity changes..

[Hafeal]

There were a lot of complaints when the Night Revels' new 'expiring ingredients' mechanic was introduced with the new event last year. Well, I've finally ran some of the numbers and for casual players, such as myself, the results do not look good. You can see my results here (shameless, self-plug there).

Even though one of the reasons stated was to "encourage" running of the content, from my perspective, it is actually a discouragement. Since the non-chocolates are BtA anyway, why add the additional burden of having them "expire"? It never made sense to me.

Makes me feel like all of my effort this year will be wasted, simply because I do not have the time required to get some of the higher level items; I work for a living.

I hear you. The old Mabar was worse in almost every aspect that the current event, except in this mechanic.

That being said, I just mark it to different events being meant for different player types. The xp is still nice even if you don't grind for the loot.

[FranOhmsford]

You are not wrong. Many others have observed this exact same thing. I can tell you for a 100% certainty that I know of 2 players who haven't even set foot in the graveyard this year because they're casuals. They started just before revels last year, thought it was fun, but couldn't finish anything. When they realised the ingredients did not act like cove (which in the year since they started playing I think has been up 3 times and they've wanted to play each and every time)... they decided that this year, with our limited play time, that there was simply no point, and that they'd rather run quests thanks.

I also haven't set foot in the Graveyard this last week BUT I also didn't set foot in the Cove the last 2x it's been up!

And not because I don't want anything from there either - If Crystal Cove was up year round I'd be in there regularly {and not just for the xp either!}.


No - The reason I can't be bothered with these events is that I have 50+ Characters - 30 ON ONE SERVER!
Events like this are fine for those with 1-4 main characters {not counting Mules, Dualbox Openers and characters created specifically to farm} but once you get past that they become a major chore!

Even Cove gear being BtA only helps so much - Going searching through 30 alts for that one specific item isn't fun!

[dunklezhan]

I also haven't set foot in the Graveyard this last week BUT I also didn't set foot in the Cove the last 2x it's been up!

And not because I don't want anything from there either - If Crystal Cove was up year round I'd be in there regularly {and not just for the xp either!}.


No - The reason I can't be bothered with these events is that I have 50+ Characters - 30 ON ONE SERVER!
Events like this are fine for those with 1-4 main characters {not counting Mules, Dualbox Openers and characters created specifically to farm} but once you get past that they become a major chore!

Even Cove gear being BtA only helps so much - Going searching through 30 alts for that one specific item isn't fun!

I have 17, fortunately all on one server. However I tend to only play maybe two in any given period of a few months. Which two varies about that often, maybe one of those gets played for a more extended period, but probably not for more than about 6 months before I get bored and play something else. Any alt might get pulled out at any point if a guildies needs help and I've something in range, and that sometimes precipitates a change for a while. I just don't have enough play time to do anything else. So when the festivals roll around, if I am able to play them and there is any point given the amount of playtime I can put in on that festival or whether I just plain am no good at it (lookin' at you, Risia), I just go for stuff for whichever alts I've been playing most recently.

If on the other hand Fran you are actively playing 30 different alts each week and are keen enough to progress them all to the point where you have to ignore subsets of the game just to keep your gear choices & effort within some semblance of sane parameters... well fair enough. I can understand that.

Talking of 'sane' though, it strikes me that perhaps if you are actively playing 30 different alts at once and have concluded that ignoring entire subsections of the game will on it's own keep you sane then... I think the boat may well have sailed!

;p




/back on main topic, which was the level of negativity around this event...

If I could just make sure I say this, actually, because I know I've mostly posted what probably largely will seem like criticism of the event - criticism wasn't the intent, constructive non-emotional explanation of things I didn't like and why was the intent. Nevertheless I think its important the devs hear me say this:

I really, really like the Night Revels as a concept. I really do.

Tweak the key or challenge access parameters somehow, especially with a view to minimising afk farming, and perhaps tweak the cost of items or ingredient drops some to make it a little more casual friendly (or leave them as they are and let ingredients and keys etc persist, quite honestly), and honestly I think it's full of win.

As a casual player with limited time, some of the above really spoil the experience, particularly the combination of highly variable access to actual challenges and ingredient expiry. But the event itself I think is built on solid foundations.

[Lonnbeimnech]

Only if you are so casual that you play for 1 hour every 3 weeks.

[Gljosh]

I like the "new" way of expiring ingredients, it fits with the theme.

They are candy!

I can remember a time when Mabar was run quite a bit, then less so, then less so, and then you could not get a full team for the dragon. Plus the glithciing.

This way we get some nice XP, the quests get run for a few days and the item prices are quite low.

If I had a complaint last year they had 4 keys (non-expiring) for the free store item.

That would have helped quite a few players get started.

Maybe next year have the "potions" timer turn off when not in a quest.

[Enoach]

While I'm not a fan of stuff expiring I do get it when the Company wants to try and start everyone on an even footing.

But one thing to keep in mind is that there are several of these types of items that are not bound and while the AH/ASAH people have used it to in game monetize them, I think many players forget they can simply trade them to each other to help get enough.

One good benefit of expiring event items is the fact that it forces people to spend them or risk getting no value out of them.

One key thing about currency of any form is that it has no real value until it is traded.

[ComicRelief]

While I'm not a fan of stuff expiring I do get it when the Company wants to try and start everyone on an even footing.

But one thing to keep in mind is that there are several of these types of items that are not bound and while the AH/ASAH people have used it to in game monetize them, I think many players forget they can simply trade them to each other to help get enough.

One good benefit of expiring event items is the fact that it forces people to spend them or risk getting no value out of them.

One key thing about currency of any form is that it has no real value until it is traded.

Respectfully, there are (6) main items used in crafting. Four of them (apples, cinnamon, caramels, and almonds) are BtA. Only the chocolates and keys are unbound. Want to have the chocolates 'expire'? That is probably least objectionable, 'cuz at least there is a draught to boost the number farmed. Keys? Well, when you need between 46 and 84, depending...

Of course, if they raised the key acquiring/drop rate...

[Saekee]

I have issues with the event & the old gear but I am ok with the stuff expiring. You can get the keys if you really want them; none of the gear is really required (even someone desperate for the augments can buy those too off of the Asah).

[Enderoc]

Keys and ingredients are easily acquired , and this event lasts some time. The cloak of night is only good to upgrade to about level 16 IMO. The Augments and festive solar are good of course. But really if you play 3 hours farming 3 hours questing a week... You can get a good variety of the treats offered. I have given away plenty of keys. I have already gotten a lot out of this event and don't play hardcore everyday.

Stop worrying , have fun and you will forget you ever posted this whiney thread. And when it's over your green bag will be full of goodies. In fact don't trade for anything until a couple of days before the event ends while checking the auction house or craft decent weapons with or without augment slots.
By that time you can pretty much get a lot of the things you want to get.

[Enoach]

Respectfully, there are (6) main items used in crafting. Four of them (apples, cinnamon, caramels, and almonds) are BtA. Only the chocolates and keys are unbound. Want to have the chocolates 'expire'? That is probably least objectionable, 'cuz at least there is a draught to boost the number farmed. Keys? Well, when you need between 46 and 84, depending...

Of course, if they raised the key acquiring/drop rate...

You are right 4 of the 6 are bound. But the Key is the key to getting the 4

Keys and ingredients are easily acquired , and this event lasts some time. The cloak of night is only good to upgrade to about level 16 IMO. The Augments and festive solar are good of course. But really if you play 3 hours farming 3 hours questing a week... You can get a good variety of the treats offered. I have given away plenty of keys. I have already gotten a lot out of this event and don't play hardcore everyday.

Stop worrying , have fun and you will forget you ever posted this whiney thread. And when it's over your green bag will be full of goodies. In fact don't trade for anything until a couple of days before the event ends while checking the auction house or craft decent weapons with or without augment slots.
By that time you can pretty much get a lot of the things you want to get.

I agree the event does last a few weeks. I personally have gotten to the point were I make a specific 1 or 2 item goal on an event. Get that goal and move on. The reason is so I don't feel like I'm doing the event non-stop thus ruining the fun for me. But at the same time giving myself a sense of accomplishment and a good memory of the event.