HMS Hood available on the 19th May

[22cm]

Cross post from the other thread because I believe it fits here as well:

 

 

Yes got that one as well

 

As much as I like 30% discount on my next purchase (it's quite a lot really), the timing just leaves a very bitter taste. The marketing people really are living on another planet.... Or in an asylum...

 

Edit:

 

Bit more info regarding that, this was the exact wording in the email:

"Clash of the Elements has finished.

Thank you for participating in this epic battle between Fire and Water

The shower of prizes is just beginning

GRAB YOUR REWARD

We've created a special coupon just for you

30% off when you spend €30 or more

This offer applies to all goods in our Premium Shop including already discounted bundles!

Doubloons, Premium ships and Premium Account time can be yours!

Note: This offer expires May 18"

 

Why didnt I get one of this?!

[22cm]

 

Did anybody notice that while on EU the final Mission 1 unlock criteria is to win 7 battles and do 120,000 damage, on the US server players only have to do 120,000damage that is far more easier.

 

Is it a typo or again WG has double standards?

 

Has anybody noticed other differences?

 

It s just WG EU being WG EU. 

[44smok]

Placing my bet on 129,99 oyro for the first bundle. Would not be surprised if it's more.

[tajj7]

The fact they haven't told us the prices to me indicates they will be stupidly high. 

[fallenkezef]

The fact they haven't told us the prices to me indicates they will be stupidly high. 

I fear the same thing

[anonym_UgMNTuWYVfiQ]

 

Actually poked around and here is what I got re. Hood camos:

 

Hood default camo

Disruptive camouflage she was supposed to receive - never got there because of her fate. However this scheme was applied to other ships (incl. other battlecruisers) so there was plenty of material to base this on. This camo will be included in all Hood bundles.

 

 

Hood historical camo

This is the camo present on screenshots of Hood / in Contributor previews. This is the camouflage she sported during her last journey, however it is rather monotonous. Past experience shows that such camos generally are not that popular, even if historically accurate (Tirpitz "one faced" camouflage, Tashkent perma camouflage...). For now, this camo will be added as an extra to the top bundle.

 

Hood skins from the campaign

Mix between both, keeping the white and red turrets in order to give a bit more flair to the historical camouflage. These camos are available in the campaign.

 

 

 

Is the difference between the 4 camo's only cosmetic or is there also a difference in the ingame properties?

[Tuccy]

Yes, the difference is only cosmetic, the camos give standard combat bonuses on accuracy and concealment and +50% XP.

[VC381]

Yes, the difference is only cosmetic, the camos give standard combat bonuses on accuracy and concealment and +50% XP.

 

Is there any feedback as to why there was a last minute decision to implement a non-historical camouflage as default and why the only truly historical camouflage is only available behind the giant paywall that is the top bundle?

[puxflacet]

 

Is there any feedback as to why there was a last minute decision to implement a non-historical camouflage as default and why the only truly historical camouflage is only available behind the giant paywall that is the top bundle?

 

he already said that. people were b*tching because of the monotonous dark grey. so it cant be initial camo and it also cant be campaign reward, because people would not like it...lets bend the tails between our legs, they said in wg department. dumb masses once again won

[VC381]

 

he already said that. people were b*tching because of the monotonous dark grey. so it cant be initial camo and it also cant be campaign reward, because people would not like it...lets bend the tails between our legs, they said in wg department. dumb masses once again won

 

I get that but it doesn't explain why the people who DO want it can only get it as part of a huge bundle. Would it really be that hard to sell it for 2k doubloons as an additional camouflage on the ship?

[puxflacet]

 

I get that but it doesn't explain why the people who DO want it can only get it as part of a huge bundle. Would it really be that hard to sell it for 2k doubloons as an additional camouflage on the ship?

 

or why hood cant have 2 perma camo choices right away, when the dark grey is allegedly not popular anyway...well, marketing decisions...nevertheless i believe in some time the dark grey will be for sale individually - "the cash must flow"

[22cm]

Yes, the difference is only cosmetic, the camos give standard combat bonuses on accuracy and concealment and +50% XP.

 

Why the overinflated bundles when the ship itself is underwhelming, and it had to be buffed so many times after the testing results?! 

[Bellegar]

 

Why didnt I get one of this?!

 

I have no idea. Were you on team Fire?

[22cm]

 

I have no idea. Were you on team Fire?

 

I was fire, even got in one of the top 100. Does it matter?

[Sub_Octavian]

Did anybody notice that while on EU the final Mission 1 unlock criteria is to win 7 battles and do 120,000 damage, on the US server players only have to do 120,000damage that is far more easier.

 

Is it a typo or again WG has double standards?

 

Has anybody noticed other differences?

Hi. If you're talking about the campaign, it should be 100% same in all regions. Probably a description "bug" - sorry for that.

Still not addressing the elephant in the room about this staggered release.

 

I have never seen the EU community praise that. The Graff Spee only worked because people like me who couldnt actually play the whole campaign due to real life commitments paid for the ship early. If the Hood was the reward then I would understand but you baited us with "use the hood for extra reward" before denying it to many players who cant or wont fork out so much cash.

 

Very dissappointed but not exactly surprised at this point.

There is no elephant.

I know this is a sensitive topic, and probably I'm going to get kicked for that, but let me be plain and simple.

 

The campaign is designed so average player WITHOUT premium and/or Hood can complete it with high level of dedication. Not Clash-of-Elements-high - just high. Like, 7-8 battles per day - which is quite reasonable, but again, if you do good in the game and fight you way through combat tasks, you will probably require less battles. We're always looking at your feedback, and decided to do more relaxed event now.

 

Then, users with premium receive natural boost from having +1 task simultaneously. This boost is very considerable, and this is a proper reward for those who support us with premium time.

 

Then, there is Hood. Hood boosts the campaign progression less then premium account, but combined with it, that is probably going to be very quick progression even for averagely skilled player. Playing Hood inside campaign also gives 7 additional containers - big ones - with more fancy signal flags and camos (and we really think these new toys are sweet). Even without critical success, which can happen with big container, that is like 98 consumable items and 7 collection items minimum. This is reward for Hood bundle buyers from us, which is added on top of bundle price for free.

 

The bonus is nice, but what is important is that it's only a bonus on top of big bundle - it is not a requirement to go through campaign or own a Hood at all - it is like early access to content.

 

So, what options do we have here?

 

• Want everything and fast - there is option. Buy Hood bundle (or max bundle for more stuff and 1 vanity skin), unlock everything in campaign and collection quickly, get 7 big containers. LOTS of stuff with relatively LITTLE time, but at a price.
• Want only free content - there is option. Don't buy anything, get collection, get Bismarck (or 11 mil credits) and new skins for it. GOOD suff with GOOD time investment and for free completely.
• Want Hood with the least amount of spendings - there is option. Unlock everything for free, then buy Hood without bundle after campaign. Basically, you are skipping a good bundle deal, but if you don't need this extra stuff, you probably won't be sad about it. And you miss 7 big containers with 98 useful consumables, but again, it's not like it is critical if you absolutely don't want this bundle.

 

This concept allows LOTS of choice and at the same time allows those who want big deal, get these thick bundles and be rewarded for supporting us with such dedication.

Unfortunately, it just won't work if all bundles are released at the same time. 

 

Free-to-play and free-to-win model means we need to leverage on such things as vanity, progression speed (time) and so on. Because we can't and not willing to enforce such things as subscription, pay-to-win (yes, there are strong premiums, but strong researchable ships too).

 

I hope I have managed to provide some background info about designing the campaign and Hood release schedule.

Good luck and fair seas!

[Vanhal]

 

The campaign is designed so average player WITHOUT premium and/or Hood can complete it with high level of dedication. Not Clash-of-Elements-high - just high.

 

That's the good part. Do notice no one is criticizing the campaign itself. Also, striking lack of shitstorm about EU being shafted. Isn't that better for everyone than what WG EU usually does?

I certainly do hope for future events and missions to stay on this level. As it is about right - the events in kind of GNB or especially Clash were just absolutely borked and i certainly hope that they would never repeat. Also, please apply that philosophy to EU weeklies.

I think right level is when unicums start to whine about "too easy" - then it is possible for average players to do it with some dedication.

 

 

• Want Hood with the least amount of spendings - there is option. Unlock everything for free, then buy Hood without bundle after campaign. Basically, you are skipping a good bundle deal, but if you don't need this extra stuff, you probably won't be sad about it. And you miss 7 big containers with 98 useful consumables, but again, it's not like it is critical if you absolutely don't want this bundle.

 

Well, to add to what i wrote above, one issue that is here, isn't even new. It's the same thing that we all thought was long over, namely gating content behind bundles. It's not as bad as before, but the return of that particular bad milking idea is worrying.

And there is one error in what you wrote and i quoted just now - You can't unlock "everything" when you buy Hood without bundle. Because it's only on sale after the campaign end. Also a bad change comparing to Christmas Convoys. Now, when we need to buy the Hood, it would be only right to move the releases few days back, to release unbundled Hood 2-3 days before campaign ends.

 

In short, it's that 2-3 days that are the problem. It's not vanity. Vanity is wanting that collectible flag. This is gating content.

[von_chom]

.....

 

lovely, thanks a lot ! makes totally sense.

 

but the problem I have with bundles is that it contains a quote lot of stuff that I dont want.

Have you ever considering the option of creating your own bundle ?

 like for example ( dont mind incorrect prices)

 

hood bundle for 100 EUR

this bundle always must contain hood, 9k gold. that leaves you with spare 40 EUR

for those spare 40 EUR you can pick gold/credits/another ship/flags/consumables

 

in the end WG will sell bundles as desired but in same time the people would be able to hand-pick certain part of the bundle content according to their needs

 

Hope i made it clear 

 

I am more than sure that it would also mean additional bundle sales for you.

for the price of bit programming and web page design.

 

[Z_OnkelE]

We're always looking at your feedback, and decided to do more relaxed event now.

 

It is nice you consider the feedback of the playerbase. Though I am pretty sure you blacked out an earlier feedback about staggered bundles and bundles in general.

 

I think this doesn't send the right statement to your customers. From their standpoint you do not provide a package for every depth of pockets and there is also a preselection-what-to-buy-vibe going along with it. I highly doubt those two by-products are picked up gladly. And for those who still want to purchase the ship right away it will be the bitter pill to swallow.

[Mr_Tayto]

I've been stoked for this release for ages, but I'm not buying the top bundle. Staggering the release of the bundles is poor form anyway you look at it.

[Miessa3]

Hi. If you're talking about the campaign, it should be 100% same in all regions. Probably a description "bug" - sorry for that.

There is no elephant.

I know this is a sensitive topic, and probably I'm going to get kicked for that, but let me be plain and simple.

 

The campaign is designed so average player WITHOUT premium and/or Hood can complete it with high level of dedication. Not Clash-of-Elements-high - just high. Like, 7-8 battles per day - which is quite reasonable, but again, if you do good in the game and fight you way through combat tasks, you will probably require less battles. We're always looking at your feedback, and decided to do more relaxed event now.

 

Then, users with premium receive natural boost from having +1 task simultaneously. This boost is very considerable, and this is a proper reward for those who support us with premium time.

 

Then, there is Hood. Hood boosts the campaign progression less then premium account, but combined with it, that is probably going to be very quick progression even for averagely skilled player. Playing Hood inside campaign also gives 7 additional containers - big ones - with more fancy signal flags and camos (and we really think these new toys are sweet). Even without critical success, which can happen with big container, that is like 98 consumable items and 7 collection items minimum. This is reward for Hood bundle buyers from us, which is added on top of bundle price for free.

 

The bonus is nice, but what is important is that it's only a bonus on top of big bundle - it is not a requirement to go through campaign or own a Hood at all - it is like early access to content.

 

So, what options do we have here?

 

• Want everything and fast - there is option. Buy Hood bundle (or max bundle for more stuff and 1 vanity skin), unlock everything in campaign and collection quickly, get 7 big containers. LOTS of stuff with relatively LITTLE time, but at a price.
• Want only free content - there is option. Don't buy anything, get collection, get Bismarck (or 11 mil credits) and new skins for it. GOOD suff with GOOD time investment and for free completely.
• Want Hood with the least amount of spendings - there is option. Unlock everything for free, then buy Hood without bundle after campaign. Basically, you are skipping a good bundle deal, but if you don't need this extra stuff, you probably won't be sad about it. And you miss 7 big containers with 98 useful consumables, but again, it's not like it is critical if you absolutely don't want this bundle.

 

This concept allows LOTS of choice and at the same time allows those who want big deal, get these thick bundles and be rewarded for supporting us with such dedication.

Unfortunately, it just won't work if all bundles are released at the same time. 

 

Free-to-play and free-to-win model means we need to leverage on such things as vanity, progression speed (time) and so on. Because we can't and not willing to enforce such things as subscription, pay-to-win (yes, there are strong premiums, but strong researchable ships too).

 

I hope I have managed to provide some background info about designing the campaign and Hood release schedule.

Good luck and fair seas!

 

While i apreciate your open communication in this matter (more from those whereever it came from please! You shouldn't get kicked for it but rather rewarded.) and I can understand where you (or WG for that matter) come from, there is still a problem. Locking away things behind a hefty paywall.

Your examples of Playergroups are fine and dandy, there are some noteworthy cases you forgot.

- The collector - The one that wants the Hood for a reasonable price (unbundled) but also the Achievement for completing all of the Campaingmissions (bla bla with honors). Those are FORCED to buy the bundles even if they had the option to ask for one week of holidays at the end of the Event and COULD get all they wanted if the unbundled Hood would be sold just 1-3 days BEFORE the Event ends. I know that means that devaluates the extra big containers for those who buyed the big bundles, but it still leaves a sour taste in the mouth for those group of players.

- the history enthusiastic - Those will definatly want the historically accurate perm. camo regardless of how boring or uninspired or unfinished it looks. They don't care because it is historically acurate. You also force those guys to buy the bundled Hood and not just any bundle but it have to be the overinflated Top price bundle. Really bad idea, especially if you consider that it could be so easy to just sell (if it has to be for money) that camo seperatly in port.

 

Again thank you for your comment, I really apriciate ANY open communication coming from you guys (when possible), but I can see where the community is coming from.

I am still very interested in the Top Bundle as it contains some REALLY nice things on top of the reward containers you can get (the (blue) dragon signals are awesome, and the flag too).

 

I hope you pick up from this or other feedback and make stuff that people really want (save the special hood flag) more accesible for other players interested.

[VC381]

The business logic behind the staggered release makes sense and although I know it's what is annoying most people I genuinely don't care about this bit.

 

But to say you're "leveraging vanity" comes off a bit funny to me in the context of what you're actually doing here. I imagine most people who buy big bundles do so because they think the bundle is a good investment and can afford it. I highly doubt a camouflage and/or a flag will make a big difference in how many of those bundles sell. So you're not leveraging vanity there, you're wasting the potential to leverage it by giving away vanity items in a pointlessly gated way.

 

What I was always surprised you don't do (which many successful games do) is lock down the ability to mod and commission some guys just to make camouflages and skins, and sell 3 or 4 (or even half a dozen) different permanent camos per ship, some historical, some just cool, whatever. Everyone would be happy!

[Sub_Octavian]

 

That's the good part. Do notice no one is criticizing the campaign itself. Also, striking lack of shitstorm about EU being shafted. Isn't that better for everyone than what WG EU usually does?

I certainly do hope for future events and missions to stay on this level. As it is about right - the events in kind of GNB or especially Clash were just absolutely borked and i certainly hope that they would never repeat. Also, please apply that philosophy to EU weeklies.

I think right level is when unicums start to whine about "too easy" - then it is possible for average players to do it with some dedication.

 

 

Well, to add to what i wrote above, one issue that is here, isn't even new. It's the same thing that we all thought was long over, namely gating content behind bundles. It's not as bad as before, but the return of that particular bad milking idea is worrying.

And there is one error in what you wrote and i quoted just now - You can't unlock "everything" when you buy Hood without bundle. Because it's only on sale after the campaign end. Also a bad change comparing to Christmas Convoys. Now, when we need to buy the Hood, it would be only right to move the releases few days back, to release unbundled Hood 2-3 days before campaign ends.

 

In short, it's that 2-3 days that are the problem. It's not vanity. Vanity is wanting that collectible flag. This is gating content.

These 2-3 days is exactly what I said - leveraging on time factor. Because we need to leverage on such things to do profit, support and develop the game.

 

Let's discuss this "gating" you mentioned. What does player skip completely if he or she plays Hood only after the campaign.

 

1. Full campaign progression badge in profile;

3. Hood memorable flag (top bundle);

3. Hood historically accurate camo ("dull but accurate edition"), which is completely the same spec-wise as other Hood options;

 

Now, what inconveniences player has if he or she plays Hood only after the campaign?

 

1. Less loot - because you skip 7 big containers you could earn. But no unique loot here - you will still get new flags, camos and collectibles, but fewer. As I said, this line of campaign tasks is an additional bonus on the top of bundles;

2. No package bonuses - because there are skilled commander, some doubloons, consumables, etc - actually any player can make calculations when there is bundle in prem shop and see that bundle bonuses are given at discount - most in-game items have prices that can be seen in the client. But I guess we even cannot call it a loss, because it is free choice to buy it in bundle or wait and buy it without anything. Some players prefer to buy ships without any additions - we're cool with this, no problem.

3. Finally, and probably most important for many players - time. Because you get to play with hood later than bundle buyers. However, the delays are reasonable, not half a year. But still, I recognize that you may be upset about it.

 

I hope I haven't forgot anything.

So, as you can see, we're leveraging on vanity (visuals) and time. We're not forcing these bundles. We're not "gating" campaign and its main content from you. Yes, we do schedule bundles so that they are attractive for commercial reason, but always with your entertainment in mind. Because such games live only when they entertain, and profit is tied to fun here. This is why you can earn tons of free stuff, this is why we tried to make campaign conditions softer and more fun.

 

I really can't agree that is is "milking" - it is sad that some people perceive it this way, but I try to show you all the argument and design thoughts behind 0.6.5 events. Read it carefully and decide for yourself whether it is a good or bad event. But at least - consider my argument please. That all I ask And in any case feedback will be taken into account.

 

Anyways, thank you for this short discussion and arguments, it's been a pleasure. See you all soon, and nice to talk with you EU guys. Now, if only I could refresh my German... 

[IsamuKondera]

We're not forcing these bundles.

 

May I remind you about those "Achievments" that you guys give away for completing a campaign completly with all tasks?

Someone that loves to collect those "Special Achievments" is getting forced into buying those bundles basically... He could make it though with 3-2 days of having Hood...

 

 

Same as with christmas convoy events back in the days... A complete campaign was locked behind buying a Tirpitz because the last Task needed a premium...

 

Now we have the same just with 8 Hood tasks which forces you to buy the bundle because you can't buy the "cheapest" option.

 

This is milking in my eyes for people like me that like to have those achievments. Otherwise I wouldn't have spent so much time into the CotE event and get 5 MVP achievments...

[Babykim]

 

May I remind you about those "Achievments" that you guys give away for completing a campaign completly with all tasks?

Someone that loves to collect those "Special Achievments" is getting forced into buying those bundles basically... He could make it though with 3-2 days of having Hood...

 

 

Same as with christmas convoy events back in the days... A complete campaign was locked behind buying a Tirpitz because the last Task needed a premium...

 

Now we have the same just with 8 Hood tasks which forces you to buy the bundle because you can't buy the "cheapest" option.

 

This is milking in my eyes for people like me that like to have those achievments. Otherwise I wouldn't have spent so much time into the CotE event and get 5 MVP achievments...

 

Yes, but as I mentioned in another thread: missed achievements will not be displayed.

[IsamuKondera]

 

Yes, but as I mentioned in another thread: missed achievements will not be displayed.

 

Yeah, but I still know that I missed them due to that. That "will not be displayed" doesn't help mucht there y know and is basically irrelevant to me.