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The Joy Of Plex

Author
Specctor
Garoun Investment Bank
Gallente Federation
#1 - 2012-01-26 11:42:50 UTC
This isn't the first post related to plex prices, nor dare I say will it be the last rather than the usual blah blah about cashing in I would like to address the potential game breaking issue attached to the increasing plex forecast.

Imagine the very possible 1bill per plex scenario where the estimated two thirds of players whom pay by plex can no longer afford plexes from their monthly grin, now add the fact that for £22:00you can buy your self 2 billion isk from an etc miners think why bother mining, inflation driven by too few subscribers producing base matierials and a new breed of buy your self rich players mean that Joe shmoe who buys eve for the first time quits after a week because he can buy his first t1 frigit....

End result mass loss of player base mass inflation and no new influx of fresh players.....

Possible fix CCP cap plex prices before its to late...
Jarnis McPieksu
Aliastra
Gallente Federation
#2 - 2012-01-26 11:55:57 UTC
Plex prices follow the market.

RL money is in short supply -> less PLEXes sold for ISK

Ingame money supply is increased due to lolincursions -> More PLEXes bought with ISK

= PLEX price rises

CCP doesn't set the price and they really can't fix it in the short-term except by selling PLEXes at a deep discount (which would probably be bad for their business in the long term) or by cutting down the ISK faucets in the game.
Specctor
Garoun Investment Bank
Gallente Federation
#3 - 2012-01-26 12:02:52 UTC
Still you can pay for 2 plexes and get yourself a bill from your paper round if one were so inclined....
Ruvin
Amarr Empire
#4 - 2012-01-26 12:51:58 UTC  |  Edited by: Ruvin
having plexes prices capped is a bad idea when ingame volume of isk is growing and everything has higher prices .

1 b is worth less then a few years ago (imo) .
more isk ingame make prices rise so its normal to have plexes follow same path

inflation is caoused by to much income of isk , or/and to less sinks . Plexes arent the cause of any of this 2 scenarios . they dont make isk from thin air .

Opportunities multiply as they are seized.

Dane El
Negative Density
#5 - 2012-01-26 12:58:48 UTC
Specctor wrote:

Imagine the very possible 1bill per plex scenario where the estimated two thirds of players whom pay by plex can no longer afford plexes...


You really answered your own question right there. When the PLEX prices start getting to the point that pilots can no longer afford them, demand will start to decrease and the price rise will stall.
Specctor
Garoun Investment Bank
Gallente Federation
#6 - 2012-01-26 13:38:35 UTC
I think I perhaps failed to convay my point, I'm speaking mainly about the vast majority of subscribers who pay for there account via acquiring in game plexes via self generated isk.

These are your incursion runners, mission runners and miners "people who grind" people who can't pay for the subscription with real money for what ever reason.

The Csm recently discussed incursion vanguards being re balanced but would the decrease in cash made from them affect the possibility of large scale alliances manipulating plex prices with sinister and dark intentions.

They also mentioned a vast number of eve players who soely pay for their time in new Eden with plexes.

I think you could cap the plex because a plex in its self as a commodity operates outside of normal commodity parameters, it doesn't build anything nor can it make you fight better.

Yet it is a necessity for some and a commodity for others an isk sink but at the same time it is an isk generator.



Derath Ellecon
ATRAX.
Shadow Cartel
#7 - 2012-01-26 14:41:13 UTC
Specctor wrote:
I think I perhaps failed to convay my point, I'm speaking mainly about the vast majority of subscribers who pay for there account via acquiring in game plexes via self generated isk.

These are your incursion runners, mission runners and miners "people who grind" people who can't pay for the subscription with real money for what ever reason.

The Csm recently discussed incursion vanguards being re balanced but would the decrease in cash made from them affect the possibility of large scale alliances manipulating plex prices with sinister and dark intentions.

They also mentioned a vast number of eve players who soely pay for their time in new Eden with plexes.


No you conveyed your point fine. It is fairly obvious that the vast number of plex purchasers buy them for game time. Considering they are only really good for three things.

1. Game time
2. Aurum
3. Market investment

Specctor wrote:
I think you could cap the plex because a plex in its self as a commodity operates outside of normal commodity parameters, it doesn't build anything nor can it make you fight better.

Yet it is a necessity for some and a commodity for others an isk sink but at the same time it is an isk generator.


This is where you miss the point. PLEX is a commidity that operates within the normal parameters. When introduced they create isk, the same isk created by incursions, missions, etc. This isk is used to fund the economy (buying ships mods etc).

Like everything else in EVE it will balance with the market. If PLEX hits a billion it will be because enough players can still afford it at those prices. Otherwise demand will drop. Some players may unsub. Some players may drop from multiple accounts to fewer. Some players will simply pay with $$$ in the short term hoping to ride out the PLEX price increase.

When that starts happening PLEX demand will drop. Eventually the market will drop as well. Players that unsubbed will bring back those accounts and the great EVE market circle of life will continue.
Specctor
Garoun Investment Bank
Gallente Federation
#8 - 2012-01-26 15:10:30 UTC
So erm yea.... Lots of people unsubscribing for a while is concidered a good thing if it's only untill plex prices drop to normal parameters.... Then it starts over again....

Not really dealing with the issue is it Derath it's more like the burry your head and accept it crap politicians have fed the world for years...

Remove the issue so the masses can play the game without being incursion slaves or mass wealth gain through plex exploitation and you have your self an even keel.....

If the price was at a more achievable level through standard professions like mining you would see mineral prices lower and a more stable eve economy not the credit crunchh esq rollercoaster we are headed towards.
Sevastian Liao
DreamWeaver Inc.
#9 - 2012-01-26 15:31:16 UTC
Specctor wrote:


I think you could cap the plex because a plex in its self as a commodity operates outside of normal commodity parameters, it doesn't build anything nor can it make you fight better.




This is a non-sequitur. The nature of a PLEX that you stated doesn't make sense as a reason your proposed cap on PLEX prices. It doesn't matter what a good does or does not do, the fact is that it provides a perceived benefit to players who choose to buy it, so as long as they're willing to pay what others are selling it for, there's value created in the process for both parties. A monocle doesn't build anything, doesn't help you fight better either ( unless you count on making your opponents lul at your wasted money ), but that isn't a reason for putting a cap on the price of monocles now is it?

I'm a new player to the game who chose to specialize in mining because of the nice option to semi-afk while getting some work done, and in all honesty I don't see what all the fuss is about high PLEX prices. Just by speccing in mining, supposedly one of the worst paying professions there is in EVE, I'm currently making more than enough for my own PLEX needs as well as providing for another friend new to the game. I didn't choose to PLEX because I can't pay for it IRL, I chose it because it sounded like one heck of an interesting challenge earning money by playing smart in-game to continue your pilot career. That's part of what drew me into EVE in the first place - And to be honest, I think PLEX prices are still undervalued at the moment.

I think that what a unique game like EVE needs is not to make itself more accessible to more subscribers - If they're not willing to pay a monthly subscription or learn to play smart financially in-game, then too bad and so long. Rather, what the game needs is to ensure that it keeps with the winning formula it's been using of having a harsh, tough universe that - In general - attracts a more intelligent, long-term planning type of demographic. There's little value in catering to the lowest common denominator in a market already oversaturated with MMOs fighting for that same slice of pie. EVE has its own niche of players looking for real challenges in an MMO, so if they did arbitrarily put in checks and controls that make the game easier, they're headed in the opposite direction of where their winning formula has brought them - Never a good idea for any business.
Derath Ellecon
ATRAX.
Shadow Cartel
#10 - 2012-01-26 15:38:06 UTC
Specctor wrote:
So erm yea.... Lots of people unsubscribing for a while is concidered a good thing if it's only untill plex prices drop to normal parameters.... Then it starts over again....

Not really dealing with the issue is it Derath it's more like the burry your head and accept it crap politicians have fed the world for years...


Good one Chicken Little.

Nothing has changed. This cycle will exist regardless of the current PLEX price. When the prices went from 250 to 350 it became too rich for some. Same when it went from 350-450. At some point it will hit an equilibrium and at another it will likely drop. That is of course assuming a change to the current isk faucets.

At none of these levels has there been a massive un-sub. So to say suddenly "lots of people" will unsubscribe is just unsubstantiated "sky is falling" thinking.

It's not burying my head in the sand. It's keeping the open and free EVE market open and free.


Specctor wrote:
Remove the issue so the masses can play the game without being incursion slaves or mass wealth gain through plex exploitation and you have your self an even keel.....

If the price was at a more achievable level through standard professions like mining you would see mineral prices lower and a more stable eve economy not the credit crunchh esq rollercoaster we are headed towards.


Playing the game for "free" via PLEX is not an entitlement. Not to mention there are other ramifications of artificially forcing a lower PLEX price. For one, it would lower demand for those who actually buy them for isk. Which lowers PLEX supply. Low supply and low price could cause the issue where there simply are not any more isk to buy (all bought up).

In this case you then likely have all the PLEX held by some of the richest players, who will hoard them for years of free gameplay. And that helps everyone else how?
Specctor
Garoun Investment Bank
Gallente Federation
#11 - 2012-01-26 16:21:03 UTC
Ok Yogi Bear But what's to say plexes have to be limited...

Plexes are entitlement clearly they enable people to play the game with in game funds if they wernt then you wouldn't be able to renew your subscription with them....."this item extends your game time by 30 days when activated" not "this item extends your game time for 30 days you cheap punk your not entitled to say you play eve if anyone asks"

Unfortunetly the facts remain a F*** load of people play via plex and suggesting they should go away untill they can afford it is ludicrous...


Specctor
Garoun Investment Bank
Gallente Federation
#12 - 2012-01-26 16:29:47 UTC
Right at the begining I remember saying "possible fix"


Vaerah Vahrokha
Vahrokh Consulting
#13 - 2012-01-26 16:33:38 UTC
You do understand that there's no "fair" price on PLEX right?

You do understand that if prices are high it's because people have enough money to pay them?

Of course those who now can buy PLEX at 1B are not miners, there are activities that let people earn enough to afford those prices => demand goes up => offer adjusts prices upwards.
Specctor
Garoun Investment Bank
Gallente Federation
#14 - 2012-01-26 16:51:54 UTC
Thankyou for yet another economics for dummies lesson.


There are players in this game whom can afford to pay high prices for plexes due to high isk income lots of people at the moment due to incursions and the 150+ million an hour you can make from that if they rebalance vanguard sites people won't be able to afford the high prices and demand along with the price go down infact probably significantly and sharply due to people buying plexes for real money to cash in I belive this sums it up.

The above describes a "bubble burst" scenario and can only happen when the demand falls,

I.E players dropping accounts because they can't pay for the game which affects the game in general.

Specctor
Garoun Investment Bank
Gallente Federation
#15 - 2012-01-26 17:04:30 UTC
What about more plex variants ie 15 day versions or 7 day versions that are inherently cheaper and could act as middle ground when the **** hits the fan and help regulate prices via more mobile plex competition. Or even 50/50 plexes wher 15days is isk 15 days real cash....
Derath Ellecon
ATRAX.
Shadow Cartel
#16 - 2012-01-26 17:20:20 UTC
Specctor wrote:
Ok Yogi Bear But what's to say plexes have to be limited...


Really? You do realize that a PLEX on the market is only there because someone paid real $$ to purchase it outside of the game?

People buy them because they want quick and easy isk right? Right now people look and see for $30ish they can get almost a billion isk. Pretty good deal, so people who can afford it are doing so for a nice chunk of isk.

Now lets say CCP comes in and puts an artificial ceiling on PLEX. Say for argument $375 (about what it was maybe around september if I recall?) What do you think will happen?

Demand for PLEX will rise. I know I would gobble more up. Many people holding onto PLEX may hoard them, rather than sell for a huge loss over current prices, which will happen anytime you decide to artifically set a limit on a previously open market item.

At the same time, that same person looking for easy isk now see's that $30 will only get him 750mil isk. So you will have fewer people willing to spend $$ to create plex.

Demand goes up, supply goes down. But since you now have capped PLEX prices the market cannot adjust properly, so supply keeps getting bought up until a time comes that PLEX could run out completely.

Specctor wrote:
Plexes are entitlement clearly they enable people to play the game with in game funds if they wernt then you wouldn't be able to renew your subscription with them....."this item extends your game time by 30 days when activated" not "this item extends your game time for 30 days you cheap punk your not entitled to say you play eve if anyone asks"


Dude, you really need to look up the definition of entitlement. You are using it wrong.

Specctor wrote:
Unfortunetly the facts remain a F*** load of people play via plex and suggesting they should go away untill they can afford it is ludicrous...


Why? Again playing the game via PLEX (for free) is not an entitlement (look it up).


Specctor
Garoun Investment Bank
Gallente Federation
#17 - 2012-01-26 17:32:18 UTC
Derath you need to look up the word possible because it was a possible soloution......Although you have now enlightened me and I now see your point capping them is probably a bad idea sure yea your right..


PLAYERS LEAVING THE GAME DUE TO NOT BEING ABLE TO AFFORD PLEXES IS STILL A BAD THING GIVEN THE AMMOUNT OF PEOPLE WHO USE THEM FOR GAME TIME THOUGH!

do you think everyone will come back after they have had the break from the game or do you think they will find some other mmo?

Ruvin
Amarr Empire
#18 - 2012-01-26 17:40:09 UTC  |  Edited by: Ruvin
PLAYERS LEAVING THE GAME DUE TO NOT BEING ABLE TO AFFORD PLEXES IS STILL A BAD THING GIVEN THE AMMOUNT OF PEOPLE WHO USE THEM FOR GAME TIME THOUGH!


EVE is a sub based game , you need to pay to play . That quite simple , if you cant afford you cant play , simple too .
Then if youre rich enough and wealthy and can afford to buy them grats to you . But thats not something everyone should afford .

If having plex would be easy n1 would sell them and all would want to buy .
so there would be almost no no plex for sell and not many but almost everyone would need to leave not becaouse he CANT AFFORD , but becaouse there is NO PLEX FOR SELL


there MUST be someone who sells , and someone who buys . The balance between the two makes the prices , its actually perfect .

p.s will repeat myself , EVE is a p2p game .

Opportunities multiply as they are seized.

Vaerah Vahrokha
Vahrokh Consulting
#19 - 2012-01-26 17:59:52 UTC  |  Edited by: Vaerah Vahrokha
Specctor wrote:
Thankyou for yet another economics for dummies lesson.


There are players in this game whom can afford to pay high prices for plexes due to high isk income lots of people at the moment due to incursions and the 150+ million an hour you can make from that if they rebalance vanguard sites people won't be able to afford the high prices and demand along with the price go down infact probably significantly and sharply due to people buying plexes for real money to cash in I belive this sums it up.



Apparently you needed it.

You seem one of those pseudo-socialists who feel entitled for everyone being handed everything out for free or "welfare political price".

Sorry you EITHER pay a sub like in every other sub-based MMO

or

figure out how to be profitable enough to afford a PLEX

or

Good bye.


PLEXes need to be able to freely rise to be able to consume the immense amounts of ISK introduced in the game.

If you don't like the price, run incursions till CCP nerfs them or go disrupt incursions like other players are doing.
Bad Bobby
Bring Me Sunshine
In Tea We Trust
#20 - 2012-01-26 18:42:20 UTC
Quote:
PLAYERS LEAVING THE GAME DUE TO NOT BEING ABLE TO AFFORD PLEXES

I'm curious about this demographic.

These are people who could afford PLEX six months ago at 370m, but cannot now afford PLEX at 495m. They also cannot afford to pay real world currency for their subscription.

How big a group of players is that?

How come they can't make an extra 125m a month? What is capping their earning potential so severely?
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