Platinum Market Tweaking

[Renegade343]

Hello all, 

 

This thread will detail a suggestion to change the price of equipment/bundles in the Platinum Market, with the goal to make the prices more justified for players to actually consider whether or not to purchase from it, and to allow DE(L) to gain more revenue from it (i.e. hoping to set a general equilibrium price). The content is below: 

 

Most people would have been appalled by the sometimes overpriced platinum cost for equipment for bundles in the Market, as some of the prices seem to be a daylight robbery to their perspective. This means that the new (and old) bundles would only help generate a measly amount of revenue for DE(L), which could harm the company in the long-run. Thus, my proposal is this: 

 

We will first tweak the platinum cost for various resources. Here is the initial list: 

 

All Common resources: 25 Platinum for 2,000 of a chosen Common resource.

All Uncommon resources: 25 Platinum for 600 of a chosen Uncommon resource (for Oxium, it will be 25 Platinum for 400 Oxium).

All Rare resources: 15 Platinum for 1 of a chosen Rare resource.

All Research resources: 10 Platinum for 10 of a chosen Research resource.

Orokin Catalysts/Reactors will still stay at 20 Platinum per piece.

Forma will be 15 Platinum per piece (since the Void missions reward these in a fair amount).

 

This model is meant to balance the time vs. cost aspect of obtaining said resources. 

 

The platinum price of equipment will be exactly the same number of platinum needed to buy all the materials to create the equipment (rounded to the nearest integer), then multiply 15% of the number (to make up for some of the rushing platinum costs [and a bit of time taken to collect the resources and credits]) and add it to the number. Finally, add 85% of the sum of the cost of an Orokin Catalyst/Reactor and a Weapon/Warframe slot. For instance, under the new resource pricing scheme, a Burston will now cost: 

 

1 Morphic (Rare resource) = 15 Platinum

400 Polymer Bundles (Common resource) = 8 Platinum

150 Alloy Plates (Common resource) = 1.875 Platinum

600 Nano Spores (Common resource) = 7.5 Platinum

Total Platinum cost: 32.375 Platinum

15% of 32.375 Platinum = 4.85625 Platinum

85% of an Orokin Catalyst = 17 Platinum

85% of a Weapon Slot = 5.1 Platinum

Platinum cost of purchasing a Burston from the Market:

 

32.375 + 4.85625 + 17 + 5.1 = 59.33 Platinum (59 Platinum) (equivalent to approx. $US3.93)

 

Current cost: 120 Platinum (61 Platinum difference)

 

Of course, that means more materials needed to create a piece of equipment, the more expensive it is. For Clan Tech weaponry, the main crafting components (Detonite Injectors, Fieldrons, and Mutagen Masses) will pretend to cost 5 Platinum per piece (due to them becoming more widely available and being able to be collected in a shorter amount of time). That means a Grinlok will now cost: 

 

2 Detonite Injectors = 10 Platinum

5,000 Polymer Bundles (Common resource) = 62.5 Platinum

5,000 Ferrite (Common resource) = 62.5 Platinum

1 Forma = 15 Platinum

Total Platinum cost: 150 Platinum

15% of 150 Platinum = 22.5 Platinum

85% of an Orokin Catalyst = 17 Platinum

85% of a Weapon Slot = 5.1 Platinum

Platinum cost of purchasing a Grinlok from the Market: 

 

150 + 22.5 + 17 + 5.1 = 194.6 Platinum (195 Platinum) (equivalent to approx. $US13)

 

Current cost: 150 Platinum (-45 Platinum difference, but this would more effectively balance time spent and instant purchase cost)

 

This will also be applied to Warframes (for Clan Tech Warframes, only the materials used to build the components, the Warframe itself and 80% of the sum of the cost of an Orokin Reactor and a Warframe slot will be used in the calculations). 

 

With rushing costs, Platinum cost will decrease equally for each hour (rounded to the nearest integer). An example with the Grinlok is below: 

 

23 < remaining hours (x) ≤ 24, rushing cost = 35 Platinum

35 Platinum / 24 hours = 1.46 Platinum per hour

22 < x ≤ 23, rushing cost = 35 - 1.46 = 33.54 Platinum (34 Platinum)

And so on.

 

For helmets, decrease the Platinum price to 50 Platinum, as they now only serve as an appearance change.

 

For profile icons, decrease the Platinum price to 24 Platinum (for packs that contain 4 Profile icons), and 12 Platinum (for packs that contain 2 Profile icons).

 

For Bundles, apply the same suggested calculations for calculating the Platinum price of equipment, but without the 15% addition, the Orokin Catalyst/Reactor and the slot cost (meaning a Burston in a Bundle would cost 37 Platinum as opposed to 59 Platinum) (Affinity Boosters and Credit Boosters will cost 25 Platinum (50 for 7 days) for Bundles only). Then, multiply the number by 5% and add it to the initial number. Finally, add 85% of the cost of Orokin Catalyst/Reactors and slots. For instance, the Nyx pack (see here) under the new scheme will cost: 

 

Editing here:

Nyx: 125 Platinum

Burston: 37 Platinum

Akbolto: 150 Platinum

Dual Skana: 48 Platinum

Alternate Nyx helmet: 50 Platinum

Affinity Booster (3 days): 25 Platinum

Credit Booster (3 days): 25 Platinum

Initial Platinum cost: 460 Platinum

5% of 460 Platinum = 23 Platinum

85% of the total cost of Orokin Catalysts/Reactors (4 in total) = 68 Platinum

85% of the total cost of a Warframe slot = 17 Platinum

85% of the total cost of Weapon slots (3 in total) = 15.3 Platinum

Total Platinum cost: 583.3 Platinum (583 Platinum) (equivalent to approx. $US38.9)

Current cost: 641 Platinum (58 Platinum difference)

 

Compared if a player decides to buy the items separately in the Market under the new scheme (all have Orokin Catalyst/Reactor and a slot added to the cost): 

 

Nyx (with 15% added value): 178 Platinum

Burston (with 15% added value): 64.65 Platinum

Akbolto (with 15% added value): 194.6 Platinum

Dual Skana (with 15% added value): 77.3 Platinum

Affinity Booster (3 days): 40 Platinum

Credit Booster (3 days): 40 Platinum

Alternate Nyx Helmet: 50 Platinum

Total Platinum cost: 644.55 Platinum (645 Platinum) (equivalent to approx. $US43)

Difference between Bundle cost and individual cost: 62 Platinum (equivalent to a difference of $US4.13, which is within acceptable range [range is ≤$US10]). 

 

Please note that this is just a rough idea, and will be subject to change over time.

 

With this change, I hope to make the Platinum Market a more lucrative option for players if they have the urge to buy something from the Market using Platinum, allowing DE(L) to generate a bit more from the market while not robbing the players (at least in the players' eyes).

 

Please take the time to read this suggestion, and provide any constructive feedback and criticism. 

 

Renegade343

 

To see my other threads, please go to my profile.

Edited August 12, 2014 by Renegade343

[OptimumBow0]

Yes, it's great.

 

It's glorious, even!

 

Seriously, that weapon pricing system you got there is actually pretty cool. Does the extra 25% account for the Reactor/Catalyst and slot that everything from the platinum market comes with?

[Renegade343]

Yes, it's great.

 

It's glorious, even!

 

Seriously, that weapon pricing system you got there is actually pretty cool. Does the extra 25% account for the Reactor/Catalyst and slot that everything from the platinum market comes with?

Yes, somewhat. 

 

Although it may be due to change once I run some more tests. 

[(PSN)IIIDevoidIII]

You should also account for the slots and potatoes given when purchasing from the market.

[Renegade343]

You should also account for the slots and potatoes given when purchasing from the market.

Some of the calculations already accounted for both of that, but be reminded that the numbers are subject to change once I churn out some more tests. 

[(PSN)IIIDevoidIII]

Some of the calculations already accounted for both of that, but be reminded that the numbers are subject to change once I churn out some more tests. 

I don't see it being unreasonable to remove the +25% and adding the price of the slot and potato. To me, it seems a little silly that the Burston would cost 29 platinum, which is only 3 more platinum than the slots and potato are worth.

Edited July 12, 2014 by (PS4)IIIDevoidIII

[Renegade343]

I don't see it being unreasonable to remove the +25% and adding the price of the slot and potato. To me, it seems a little silly that the Burston would cost 29 platinum, which is only 3 more platinum than the slots and potato are worth.

Tweaked up already a little bit to include 80% of the Orokin Catalyst and a slot. 

[(PSN)IIIDevoidIII]

Tweaked up already a little bit to include 80% of the Orokin Catalyst and a slot. 

That seems like a more appropriate number. This system is sounding better and better.

[Renegade343]

Tweaked up again to add 15% of the number to the cost, then add 85% of the sum of the cost to an Orokin Catalyst and a slot, so that it would be slightly more appropriate. Bundles will not not consider the 15% addition for equipment to its calculations.

[Renegade343]

Tweaked the Bundle calculations, with an example shown. 

[OptimumBow0]

Gee whiz.

 

It keeps getting better.

[Renegade343]

Fixed a small calculation involving the Platinum price of Nyx in the Nyx pack (as I accidentally divided the Warframe slot cost by 2). 

[Renegade343]

Updated the Bundle calculation to create some consistency across the whole suggestion (Orokin Catalyst/Reactors and slot costs will be added after the percentage addition). 

[Renegade343]

Why not change platinum prices as well, just to make the Market more attractive?

 

[Zaresin]

Why not change platinum prices as well, just to make the Market more attractive?

That would work if you were not buying one time purchase only items. They could always make it so you can rent the items and they could lower the prices then. Right now the prices for the one time purchase items is reasonable unless you were dumb and bought multiples (send in a ticket so they can refund you)

[Renegade343]

That would work if you were not buying one time purchase only items. They could always make it so you can rent the items and they could lower the prices then. Right now the prices for the one time purchase items is reasonable unless you were dumb and bought multiples (send in a ticket so they can refund you)

Why not fix the buying Platinum prices as well, just so that players have another true viable choice?

[Zaresin]

Why not fix the buying Platinum prices as well, just so that players have another true viable choice?

For their price it is reasonable. Look at tera for instance one normal weapon skin is roughly about 885 enmasse points and you get 1000 points for 10 dollars. You can buy a one character mount for 1998 roughly points that is 20 dollars. You can get the account one for 30 dollars. Other games have similar cost scales. Maybe it is not fundamentally wrong with the company or game in this regard but something is wrong with the player that sees those prices as ok and is willing to pay it as if they were not making money off it marketing would have changed it by now as the devs don't make the prices but marketing as that is their area of expertise.

Edited July 12, 2014 by Zaresin

[Renegade343]

For their price it is reasonable. Look at tera for instance one normal weapon skin is roughly about 885 enmasse points and you get 1000 points for 10 dollars. You can buy a one character mount for 1998 roughly points that is 20 dollars. You can get the account one for 30 dollars. Other games have similar cost scales. Maybe it is not fundamentally wrong with the company or game in this regard but something is wrong with the player that sees those prices as ok and is willing to pay it as if they were not making money off it marketing would have changed it by now as the devs don't make the prices but marketing as that is their area of expertise.

I do not know, but a Burston costing 120 Platinum (and an Bolto at 175 Platinum) does sound a bit expensive, does it?

[vaugahn]

Why not fix the buying Platinum prices as well, just so that players have another true viable choice?

 

The strange thing about warframe is that despite the unreasonably high frame and weapon platinum costs, the costs for catalysts, reactors, forma, and cosmetics remain fairly low. It's almost like they don't want you to buy weapons or frames with platinum.

[Zaresin]

I do not know, but a Burston costing 120 Platinum (and an Bolto at 175 Platinum) does sound a bit expensive, does it?

For its price it includes an inventory space and catalyst and is a one time purchase. If it was to rent then yes the price would be too much. But it is a one time buy, I personally find it reasonable. It is high enough that it will make most people stop for a second to decide whether they want to pay it and others will impulse buy.

[Renegade343]

For its price it includes an inventory space and catalyst and is a one time purchase. If it was to rent then yes the price would be too much. But it is a one time buy, I personally find it reasonable. It is high enough that it will make most people stop for a second to decide whether they want to pay it and others will impulse buy.

Well, if we run the math: 

 

For a normal weapon, most people would only spend 26 Platinum (Orokin Catalyst + one Weapon slot), as the resources and the credits can be obtained quite easily. Then, all it needs is some time. 

 

The combination of taking time to collect resources (and credits at the same time) and the building time probably would not justify the 94 Platinum difference. 

[Renegade343]

The strange thing about warframe is that despite the unreasonably high frame and weapon platinum costs, the costs for catalysts, reactors, forma, and cosmetics remain fairly low. It's almost like they don't want you to buy weapons or frames with platinum.

Then why not tweak the Warframe and Weapon Platinum costs just so that players who have Platinum to spare would actually have a viable second choice?

[vaugahn]

Then why not tweak the Warframe and Weapon Platinum costs just so that players who have Platinum to spare would actually have a viable second choice?

 

The cheapest way to get a frame would be to farm the parts and rush them. Platinum is better used on cosmetics and trading, which seems to be the point of the high prices.

[Zaresin]

Well, if we run the math:

For a normal weapon, most people would only spend 26 Platinum (Orokin Catalyst + one Weapon slot), as the resources and the credits can be obtained quite easily. Then, all it needs is some time.

The combination of taking time to collect resources (and credits at the same time) and the building time probably would not justify the 94 Platinum difference.

You forgot rush time. Which varies on how much work was put into that weapon I've noticed and whether it was clan tech or not. Edited July 12, 2014 by Zaresin

[Renegade343]

You forgot rush time. Which varies on how much work was put into that weapon I've noticed and whether it was clan tech or not.

Which would still have quite a bit of difference.