ArenaNet, I am not of the player population that typically posts on forums or social media. However I felt strongly enough about this topic that I felt I needed to share my perspective. You have a beautiful game and it has been my source of entertainment for the last 5 years. I typically spend $10-15 a month on the gem store, and I always feel like my purchase is meaningful and adds to my enjoyment of the game. When mounts were introduced with Path of Fire I became very enthusiastic about the potential mount skins would provide to the game. Aside from the limit to dye channels, the mounts were a huge hit and it helped me bring several new and old players into the game. Those players have likewise began to spend money on gems for convenience and aesthetic items. Many of us have been anxiously awaiting mount skins and have saved money and gems awaiting their arrival. The current mount adoption system is disappointing, to a longtime fan and advocate of Guild Wars 2. And it is not because of the skins, they are truly awe inspiring and exciting. It is because of their acquisition and limited availability outside of a "chance" to receive the skin. I am aware this option provides a large revenue generation for your company and I support that, these are after all a cosmetic option and in no way increase the abilities of anyone who possesses these skins. But in its current form there is a feeling of disdain from players who have limited discretionary income and this section of your player base feels ignored. WE WOULD LOVE TO BUY MOUNT SKINS. But for me to tell a friend that in order to obtain the new mount skins he could end up getting 5 skimmer skins before he gets a skin for another mount is unacceptable. And for myself I would gladly pay over the 400 gem price for any of these skins if I could select which one. So I do not believe in pointing out a problem without also providing a solution. 1) Keep the Adoption license as is, there was clearly a lot of work put into this so I won't say abandon your decision, and I am sure many players have already purchased many mounts from this system. 2) Add the adoption license to the black lion chest as a rare drop, the black lion chest has always been a part of the game and accepted by the community, this is where RNG has an acceptable platform. Since there are already random wardrobe unlocks that feel like a bonus anyway, the random mount unlock fits here. 3) Tier the mounts, Reskins for 600-800 gems, Reskins with physical alteration for 1000-1400 gems, and particle effects added skins for 1600-2000. THIS allows players to select the exact skin, while still giving players value from the 400 gem "discount" on the adoption license. You have now appealed to your player base, created value in the adoption license, and have not had to retroactively compensate the players who have already purchased the adoption license. As an additional note, tossing in a skin for each mount, with 2-4 dye channels, as rewards to grind for in Path of Fire would add an end game goal many players are searching for in Path of Fire. Those maps are gorgeous, please give us a reason to spend more time there. Whatever you decide to do, thank you very much for your hard work, please continue to be the company we all believe you are and your community will continue to support you.
ArenaNet, I am not of the player population that typically posts on forums or social media. However I felt strongly enough about this topic that I felt I needed to share my perspective. You have a beautiful game and it has been my source of entertainment for the last 5 years. I typically spend $10-15 a month on the gem store, and I always feel like my purchase is meaningful and adds to my enjoyment of the game. When mounts were introduced with Path of Fire I became very enthusiastic about the potential mount skins would provide to the game. Aside from the limit to dye channels, the mounts were a huge hit and it helped me bring several new and old players into the game. Those players have likewise began to spend money on gems for convenience and aesthetic items. Many of us have been anxiously awaiting mount skins and have saved money and gems awaiting their arrival. The current mount adoption system is disappointing, to a longtime fan and advocate of Guild Wars 2. And it is not because of the skins, they are truly awe inspiring and exciting. It is because of their acquisition and limited availability outside of a "chance" to receive the skin. I am aware this option provides a large revenue generation for your company and I support that, these are after all a cosmetic option and in no way increase the abilities of anyone who possesses these skins. But in its current form there is a feeling of disdain from players who have limited discretionary income and this section of your player base feels ignored. WE WOULD LOVE TO BUY MOUNT SKINS. But for me to tell a friend that in order to obtain the new mount skins he could end up getting 5 skimmer skins before he gets a skin for another mount is unacceptable. And for myself I would gladly pay over the 400 gem price for any of these skins if I could select which one. So I do not believe in pointing out a problem without also providing a solution. 1) Keep the Adoption license as is, there was clearly a lot of work put into this so I won't say abandon your decision, and I am sure many players have already purchased many mounts from this system. 2) Add the adoption license to the black lion chest as a rare drop, the black lion chest has always been a part of the game and accepted by the community, this is where RNG has an acceptable platform. Since there are already random wardrobe unlocks that feel like a bonus anyway, the random mount unlock fits here. 3) Tier the mounts, Reskins for 600-800 gems, Reskins with physical alteration for 1000-1400 gems, and particle effects added skins for 1600-2000. THIS allows players to select the exact skin, while still giving players value from the 400 gem "discount" on the adoption license. You have now appealed to your player base, created value in the adoption license, and have not had to retroactively compensate the players who have already purchased the adoption license. As an additional note, tossing in a skin for each mount, with 2-4 dye channels, as rewards to grind for in Path of Fire would add an end game goal many players are searching for in Path of Fire. Those maps are gorgeous, please give us a reason to spend more time there. Whatever you decide to do, thank you very much for your hard work, please continue to be the company we all believe you are and your community will continue to support you.
