[Brainstorm] Making store-bought items more appealing. - Games

Store-bought items are less-than-desirable in the TF2 economy, regardless of the fact they help fund the continued development of the game. They are laughed at and termed "dirty" due to their lack of crafting viability. This causes less people to buy them, which means less money for both Valve and content creators. So, what can be done? Let's hear what you think. One thought: They could give store-bought items their own vanity color and glorify them. They could even allow players to purchase an item in the store that upgrades an item acquired by drop or craft into the same variant, with the game tracking what items they are used on and distributing profits according. It wouldn't directly fix the disparity, but it would address it. They COULD make store-bought items carry a Genuine quality. You could purchase a Mann Co. Certificate of Authenticity to upgrade a non-Genuine item.

That's a terrible idea. Bought items will never hold weight in the TF2 economy unless Valve re-removes the crafting restriction and makes them indistinguishable from dropped items. Adding an exclusive quality to the store-bought items would just make them more appealing to the Post-Uber Update players, who have no qualms about buying from the store. They'll buy these items more often because of the exclusive nameplate and flood the market with them, making them even more worthless in the economy than they were before. Evidently Valve wants to preserve the TF2 economy, as evidenced by server registration during the Halloween update, so this won't happen. Store-bought items will remain yellow with the "(Not Useable in Crafting)" tag.

Bought items are appealing because they are convenient and gains you the item immediatly. That's pretty much all the appeal they need.

[QUOTE=ned_ballad;33219917]Bought items are appealing because they are convenient and gains you the item immediatly. That's pretty much all the appeal they need.[/QUOTE] When I can get a hat for 2 ref(~$1.75) that goes for $7.50 in the Mann Co store, it sort of cries out that there's an issue with the system that sets it against Valve. It's probably going to be addressed in some way or another. The important thing is to figure out the least malevolent way to handle that.

While we're at it lets just give store bought items better stats. Buying items from the store is instant gratification. I bought a team captain because I wanted one, contributing was secondary. What you're proposing is not hugely unlike the much criticised pay to win tactics of other f2p games, if money brings an advantage to this game, be it only cosmetic it completely undermines a lot of work and support.

[QUOTE=Grimhound;33219969]When I can get a hat for 2 ref(~$1.75) that goes for $7.50 in the Mann Co store, it sort of cries out that there's an issue with the system that sets it against Valve. It's probably going to be addressed in some way or another. The important thing is to figure out the least malevolent way to handle that.[/QUOTE] a vast majority of Team Fortress 2 players don't care what a refined it going for, can't be bothered to find someone to trade them refined for money, and don't trust these systems as a reliable way to get an item.

No.

Store bought items shouldn't even exist. [editline]10th November 2011[/editline] Even thought a Store Bought quality wouldn't hurt.

[QUOTE=Maruhai;33220475]Store bought items shouldn't even exist. [editline]10th November 2011[/editline] Even thought a Store Bought quality wouldn't hurt.[/QUOTE] -No rewards for content creators in the community. -No incentive for Valve to continue working on TF2.

I will say I'd like if bought items had a bit more value in trading. At the same time though the store many times allowed me to get my favourite hats without making some ridiculous deals or scamming someone. And for reasonable price. That way I got items I cared about. So don't say bought items shouldn't exist. Not everyone has luck with hat drops, multiple idling accounts or can find stupid people to scam.

Making the store bought hats uncraftable was a good idea. I don't want some people to go around buying a shit ton of 1$ packs to get numbered crafts, and I don't think anybody wants that either. Having these hats uncraftable means you actually have to think twice before you buy a hat, which, in my book, is a good thing. The downside being, the new hats are consistently harder to get, since they're generally overpriced and you can't just craft it from bought hats.

Mmm, store items should become craftable after a SERIOUS time span. No 3 days, that's for wimps. Something along the lines of 3 months.

[QUOTE=Grimhound;33219787]They COULD make store-bought items carry a Genuine quality. You could purchase a Mann Co. Certificate of Authenticity to upgrade a non-Genuine item.[/QUOTE] The point of Genuine items is to show you play the game the item is from. They're flawed because they can be traded to people who don't own the game for large amounts of dosh, but that's still no reason to fully turn Genuine into simple green text, it would be like being able to buy the Self-Made label.

I honestly wouldn't mind something like: "Store Bought [Item]" I dunno, though, I thought the major incentive for buying weapons from the store was to support the creators and to provide incentive for more updates.

[QUOTE=Ropeburn;33221637]I honestly wouldn't mind something like: "Store Bought [Item]" I dunno, though, I thought the major incentive for buying weapons from the store was to support the creators and to provide incentive for more updates.[/QUOTE] See, that's the thing. I like the idea of supporting Valve and content creators. The issue is that people will insult and ridicule you if you talk about buying things from the store. It's become a taboo to support the game.

If you buy something from the store no one is going to ridicule you. If you buy something solely for the purpose of trading it right after, you will be ridiculed, cause that's a [i]fucking dumb[/i] idea, the store isn't a trading fodder supply. That's why they're so unappealing, because you're supposed to keep them for yourself if you really like them. It wouldn't affect you at all. But if you're buying it just so you can trade it just cause it's wanted and new, then you're dumb. The store is for people to buy what they want and receive it instantly. Not to buy it so they can trade it away right after. There's no need to improve on the idea.

[QUOTE=Grimhound;33219787]Store-bought items are less-than-desirable in the TF2 economy, regardless of the fact they help fund the continued development of the game. They are laughed at and termed "dirty" due to their lack of crafting viability. This causes less people to buy them, which means less money for both Valve and content creators. So, what can be done? Let's hear what you think.[/QUOTE] Because all there is to TF2 is the trading economy, not any enjoyment gained from using your favourite items or anything.

[QUOTE=Hatley;33221946]Because all there is to TF2 is the trading economy, not any enjoyment gained from using your favourite items or anything.[/QUOTE] The popular view of the worth of store-bought items affects how many people spend money on them. This in turns affects the fiscal viability of the game. That in turn affects what we get and how often we get it. EDIT: Well, if you're going to mark what I'm saying as dumb, allow me to return the favor.

>Implying TF2 economy matters