Frontier: Can you please define your understanding of "Limited"

[Mephane]

This might feel pretty selfish and arrogant but actually might explain partly how I feel about this:

I was at the party on Saturday.

A big part of that was telling their fans how much they owed to them to get the project off the ground, and support them along the way. Even a few Frontier staff (including DB himself) knew who I was and thanked me.

We were made to feel special, like we were unique snowflakes.

Now I'm being told actually I'm just cash cows and it doesn't matter than I paid more for the game, but also that it doesn't matter that I paid more for cosmetic items too even if they were supposed to be "limited".

It's only human nature, feeling special is a bit like a drug. But think of it this way: being at the party, being recognized by the devs, even David Braben himself - all these things should matter more than whether someone who joined the game 2 months later can also get a nice flag painted on their Viper.

And think of it - the first time the Viper flag paint jobs appeared in the store, all that early backer and kickstarter stuff was long since over, and probably the majority of the people who bought some of them haven't been there in the beginning anyway. So these wouldn't really work as a badge of early commitment anyway.

 

[1500]

I'll put this here, as it's something I have otherwise commented on on Twitter.

I can see TBs point. It's not the fact of limited, its the half price now vs. 'full-price' when it was bought the first time around.

I would feel it decent if the guys/gals at FD look at it from the point of view of those that bought it at the original price for this limited set and provide a goodwill voucher equivalent to the difference paid. It put's all purchasers then and now on an even footing on this limited item.

IMO.

You have no right to be upset if an item goes on sale at a later date, that is just life, it happens. That is the risk you take making a purchase now vs. waiting. But this does not apply to limited items, and really has nothing to do with limited items, but bringing back limited items and then having them cheaper is just adding insult to injury.

 

[Krow]

I agree - REALLY Disappointed FD!
I bought a ton of paint jobs (mostly because i figure it's monetary support money) - Only to feel like I'm being taken for a chump.

I have no problem with Paintjobs I've already bought going on sale, on the contrary, I think its a great idea, and thank you for the Cobra Skins.. BUT - DON'T RESELL LIMITED MERCH!!

Are you crazy??

A sure fire way to completely Devalue anything "limited" - no one will believe it.

"Limited.. pfft.. will get it when they give it away for a dollar.."

Thankyou FD, valuable lesson learned.
I've just gone from a happy supporter, to a wary customer.

 

[tucker]

It's only human nature, feeling special is a bit like a drug. But think of it this way: being at the party, being recognized by the devs, even David Braben himself - all these things should matter more than whether someone who joined the game 2 months later can also get a nice flag painted on their Viper.

And think of it - the first time the Viper flag paint jobs appeared in the store, all that early backer and kickstarter stuff was long since over, and probably the majority of the people who bought some of them haven't been there in the beginning anyway. So these wouldn't really work as a badge of early commitment anyway.

That's it,, I brought a badge of early commitment,,,,, well thought I did..

 

[Dirk Braben]

Original statement (bolding by me):

Fly your flag with pride with this Faulcon deLacy approved paint job for the Viper Mk III top class fighter.
Available for a limited time only - OFFER ENDS September 14th

Elite: Dangerous in-game item, available to use with all Beta phases and will carry over to the final game for both PC and Mac.

The issue I take here is they broke the exact wording:
"Available for a limited time only"

which (for me, but I'm a technician and not a law-bender and also not from America) means for me:
"Available for a limited time only"

which (for me) means:
"Not Available except for a limited time"

emphasized by the given end-date of September 14th.


Which is clearly not what has happened here.


Besides this technical-meaning collision I also feel personally cheated because my expectation of FD's honesty took a severe hit.


Not impressed and I'll overthink my personal stance regarding FD and future financial expenditures as a Premium Beta backer.


The issue I take here is not that others now have access to some gimmicks again, more power to them, grab it!, but (for me) a clear violation of official corporate statements without necessarity.
Offline mode I could understand (with some good will from my side) but this I can not understand.

 

[adoredtv]

I bought a ton of paint jobs (mostly because i figure it's monetary support money) - Only to feel like I'm being taken for a chump.

And this is what gets me. Make no mistake about it, I'd be demanding and getting a refund on my paint job had I bought it for £3.00 - simply on the principle that they are trying to treat me like a fool. The personal insult to my intelligence is worth many times more than the measly sum of money involved.

It really does grind my gears to see companies act like this for what probably isn't an awful lot of money. It just creates ill-feeling and destroys the good will of people who were their allies (like the OP).

 

[tucker]

That's it,, I brought a badge of early commitment,,,,, well thought I did..

Now it's just a cheep meaningless flag...(in terms of gaming and status that is)

 

[Iskariot]

Clearly the issue is not important to you. But it is to others. It is not necessarily of no importance on this account.

I never said it was not. It is of no importance to me. That should be obvious from the way I phrased my comment.
I accept that others feel different, although I do not understand it at all.

Some bought a certain skin when it was more expensive, only because they felt it was worth it because it was 'limited'?
I admit that is totally incomprehensible to me. Why would you appreciate your (overpriced) skin more because others do not have it?
Does that make that particular skin less beautiful? Is it really that important that one belongs to an elite of limited skin owners?
I realize this is wide spread attitude amongst us humans, but perhaps this is a good time for some introspection.

 

[Zorro]

I never said it was not. It is of no importance to me. That should be obvious from the way I phrased my comment.
I accept that others feel different, although I do not understand it at all.

Some bought a certain skin when it was more expensive, only because they felt it was worth it because it was 'limited'?
I admit that is totally incomprehensible to me. Why would you appreciate your (overpriced) skin more because others do not have it?
Does that make that particular skin less beautiful? Is it really that important that one belongs to an elite of limited skin owners?
I realize this is wide spread attitude amongst us humans, but perhaps this is a good time for some introspection.

The implication being, still, that you are "right" and they are "wrong". Try a little introspection yourself.

The issue is not skins. It's about integrity, about being misled. It doesn't matter if people were being silly when they bought their skin, they were still misled.

 

[Flin]

Looks like the marketing and finance people are taking over to squeeze every last drop of revenue for the year-end, which results in ever-more shady dealings.

DBOBE, the CEO--assuming he's not involved in every business decision--better get a grip on his team's decisions.

Limited Edition stuff do come back for sale on occasion (again due to marketing and finance people trying to generate more revenue)...

But, coming back on sale at a discount? Come on!

Putting aside the bad client experience angle, it is short-term thinking in devaluing your digital product. Now more people going to wait for that next sale to occur.

If FD really need that extra revenue, at least bring them back for a limited period as a bundle at a higher overall price point, but lower per unit cost. More overall revenue, but slightly lower per unit cost for customers that missed the limited period with the tradeoff of having to buy more items. Win-win.

Come on, it's not rocket or cosmology science.

 

[OxKing]

I'm really over this limited, exclusive and definitive edition stuff anyway.

Limited means nothing these days.
Especially on digital goods that bound to your account.

Limited DVD Boxes and such had already overdone it with this word.
Got a Printed number on it, but no definitive end for them.
And after all is sold, 2 years later, the ULTIMATE Limited version was released.
This is nothing like a marketing trick, generate FUD to let people buy it in fear that they might miss an opportunity and later regret it.
Most likely they regretted THAT actual buying decision.

I have very few limited DVD Boxes, like the LotR See Boxes. Because they are beautiful. Not because they where limited.

I bought the Wireframe Skin for the Cobra. But i done that because i wanted to give FD money and found it a nice thing with a retro wink on the 30th anniversary of Elite.
But if they release this as well i would not care. Why should i? Because i'm no longer cooler or better then others? lol

PS:
And that Words from FD are quite worthless we learnt already, somewhat two weeks ago...

 

[CaptainKremmen]

It's not what it is, or how much (or little) it costs.

It's simply a matter of common sense.


It's not the done thing to advertise and sell something as "Limited - only available until X date", remove it from sale on X date, then add it back later.

I must say, adding it back at a 50% discount is just plain weird...

 

[Tempered]

You know, limited time could mean limited to days that the store is actually working, or limited to days that we feel like selling them or limited to the time that we stay in business. A limited time can reoccur as well, like McRib sandwiches from McDonalds, for a limited time only. So technically, their use of limited could very well be correct.

Not saying that I agree, disagree or even actually give a damn.

 

[Krow]

I must say, adding it back at a 50% discount is just plain weird...

Weird? It's down right insulting!
I completely agree, it's not the amount of money... it's the crappy "make a quick buck off the suckers" attitude.

Limited Edition is limited, not drag them out for the bargain bin everytime you have a sale.

grr... really annoys me if you can't already tell... lol

 

[Oppenheimer]

the time period is limited, not the numbers sold.

you mean the time that it is sold for the full price is limited?

 

[Zvanya]

I've lost my anger with Frontier. They are just a product of the times. The language of marketing has flexible meanings.

 

[thatdude90210]

Limited time last time, I don't recall anything saying it will never be offered again. It's a limited period again now. I bought a couple last time, I bought a couple now.

 

[Venkman]

A limited edition can be reissued, whats the problem? It could be time limited, not copies limited

Plus if it helps the devs to make some extra money, I am all for the skins and milk on cosmetics

Nowadays a lot of games milk on cosmetic items

Look at swtor

 

[en1gma]

Absolutely fine for frontier to make $ from paint sales, but limited should mean limited. It's not like there aren't other designs that can be sold. Cheap move IMO

 

[Monk]

We were made to feel special, like we were unique snowflakes.

Now I'm being told actually I'm just cash cows and it doesn't matter than I paid more for the game, but also that it doesn't matter that I paid more for cosmetic items too even if they were supposed to be "limited".

That is how you treat good customers, unfortunately. A good customer is a cow you squeeze dry with a smile. When profit is involved altruism and honesty go out the window.