Cash shops are pretty much a standard feature in most MMORPGs these days, whether you like them or not. It’s always a tricky balancing act for studios to figure out what to sell that won’t unbalance the game or rake in accusations of being “pay to win.”
We bring this up because Age of Conan recently overhauled its item store with a new look and offerings. Players can buy an instant level 80 bundle, lockboxes, advancement boosts, and teleport coins. To mark the occasion of the relaunch, Age of Conan is staging a promotion through June 20th to give extra store points when players buy currency.
Feedback for the new store is in — and players are not very enthusiastic about it. The revamp design is being unfavorably compared to the old one, and that’s just the tip of the complaints. Increased prices, the sale of high tier raid gear, the removal of vanity items, a lack of a search function, and the ultimate level 80 bundle has fans passing around the pay-to-win label like it’s this week’s viral meme.
“What I can’t take, though, is that Funcom — once again — used this chance to make a whopping, expensive present to themselves,” one player remarked.
Funcom cautioned players that it is not yet done with the membership revamp, which could have bearing on these new store offerings. “There’s a lot of stuff we’re giving out with the revamp, so we hope folks will feel confident in purchasing membership,” the studio said.
