by Bigcat Daddy-o » Fri Mar 13, 2009 10:11 pm
Well, now that we have somewhat cleared that up I will add that some people enjoy the social aspect of the game BUT NOT the teamwork (grouping) aspect of the game. I think that is hardest for a lot of folks to realize. It isn't just the mercs. I actually group more now then I did before there were mercs.
Prior to mercs I ran five boxes instead of grouping. It isn't that I didn't want to group it was more that I didn't have the patience to do the things that you do when you stand around /LFG for hours on end. So I ended up just adding boxes till I could do whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted. That unfortunately though was a two edged sword. Once I had the five boxes running, I was hungry for all the loots as each of my boxes was a mouth to feed, and I couldn't advance unless I fed them all. For example, it is a well known practice that if you are boxing, you only get to roll for one of the 'alts' etc. and that a 'main' that was there always had priority over your 'alts'. So I'd be paying for each individual box as much as they were, 15 bucks a month, but they had more rights than me due to being this 'main' thing. It's a culture that built up, and pushed boxers like me out of grouping if they could afford to run that many accounts.
Now however, (except for the fact that I have moved most of the boxed accounts to the other active accounts) I tend to not be competing for the loots, so I am more willing to group and share. It was related to my perceived value of my time then, with mercs I am more free to let that go. I run three accounts now, and have room for others, and am not really that concerned about gearing up my Paladin, or my new ALT Sk because I can always pop the merc tank and carry on. And if I find someone really annoying now, I can just say 'dude, this isn't working for me. Gonna go do my own thing. Peace out.' And, go do my own thing.
What concerns me, as has happened in the past and the reason that I get involved in these types of discussions now, is the vocal minority clammers so loudly that it hijacks the game and the desert of leaving people continues. My experience and view is opposite by 180 degrees of what you are stating, that more people are leaving than ever. I am seeing more people coming back, and more people having fun. Now, some hardcores might leave because the content is too easy for them, but they would have left anyway. Reference my thread about hijacking games by hardcore gamers if you want to see my belief/evidence regarding this type of 'online' behaviour.
I also TRULY believe that developers and other members of Sony Online STEALTH view a lot of the posts on these and other boards, especially when they have to form an opinion on things. During the the big debate on Slays for example, I believe that Nodyin was here in 'stealth' mode viewing the thread as it developed, but that is just my opinion and I have no direct evidence of this. Just a suspicion. In any case, with that belief I want to clearly express that I (and hopefully other folks will back this if they believe it) that mercs are GOOD for the game.
Only information on actual subscription rates will really tell part of that tale.
Peace