I'm curious - why the hate for cashcards?

[BigBiff]

 

Ok answer me this. If cash cards didn't exist, do you think job payouts would be higher and costs of items would be lower? I do. That's what annoys people about cash cards. No they aren't required but their use is strongly encouraged by having items cost more while missions pay less.

This

 

This means that we'd have to pay to play...seeing that I'm not buying cards, I prefer lower payout for free than being forced to pay $10 a month...because I wouldn't.

 

All it comes back to is you are a casual gamer and want the same experience as the more hardcore players. In no world is that a good business model for longevity. Only that creates is constant churn of players, and having to new ones come in and eventually leave.

Edited April 9, 2014 by BigBiff

[sportbikepilot369]

 

Just like with "illegal" music file sharing. If I DLed you music and liked it, I bought a copy to support you and hopefully fund new projects from you. If it sucked I deleted your sh*t song and never wasted a dime.

 

Greatest post ever. Illegal in quotation marks, as if there's some sort of debate about the legality of stealing music.

 

To the casual gamer cash cards are evil

 

 

Truly, they are evil [/sarcasm]

 

Remind me again how doing RR in less than two minutes for 18k is inconvienient to the casual gamer? Is the casual gamer so casual that two minutes of effort is too much for him? Would the casual gamer prefer it if the game just played itself?

 

Every time I bought an album that had one good track and 9 sh*t/filler tracks, they were STEALING my money. "Illegal" downloading changed the way we purchase music and gave power back to the consumer. If I liked the music I bought it. "Illegal" downloading gave me a free preview and allowed me to make a informed decision about my purchase. I have zero guilty about breaking a law created by a corrupt organization.

[senormidget]

My only problem with them is the "slippery slope" theory that it will lead to more games going down the same route as some EA games and iOS/Android games.

 

I.e Game developers introducing microtransactions that DO give people willing to pay the upper-hand in the game. That or simply releasing a "half-complete" game for £50 and then releasing the other "half" of the content as paid DLC.

 

So really I'm just against microtransactions in general, not GTA cash cards specifically.

Edited April 9, 2014 by senormidget

[Lee Everett]

Use the search feature. There are tons of threads explaining it.

[blk95ta]

Perfect example is the way jobs pay a set amount for the first time you play them but after that, they pay less. Why should you earn less money for doing the same job again? Because they want it to take you longer to make money and if there's something you want, buy a cash card.

[Jimrod]

 

Ok answer me this. If cash cards didn't exist, do you think job payouts would be higher and costs of items would be lower? I do.

 

I don't.

 

Without cash cards, GTAO would probably just have a $60 price tag of it's own, or a monthly subscription fee. Stop talking about R* as they're a charity - they're a business, they exist to make money. If they didn't, we wouldn't be having this stupid argument because they wouldn't have made GTAV/O.

 

 

Didn't they make billions of dollars from the game purchase alone? Profit is important but that's more than enough to run a company like Rockstar and keep them in VERY healthy profit for years to come.

 

 

I didn't play GTA since the first game but were the costs and rewards similar before cashcards or has it changed?

[xInfamousRYANx]

They didn't have to have a constant stream of income for iv multiplayer

[Soran Is On]

Holy f*cking Christ if I see 3 more cash card threads on the first page tomorrow I'm gonna stop coming here regularly.

 

MODS PIN A CASH CARD THREAD AND DELETE AND LOCK THIS STUPID BS

[Odesza]

 

 

Ok answer me this. If cash cards didn't exist, do you think job payouts would be higher and costs of items would be lower? I do.

 

I don't.

 

Without cash cards, GTAO would probably just have a $60 price tag of it's own, or a monthly subscription fee. Stop talking about R* as they're a charity - they're a business, they exist to make money. If they didn't, we wouldn't be having this stupid argument because they wouldn't have made GTAV/O.

 

 

Didn't they make billions of dollars from the game purchase alone? Profit is important but that's more than enough to run a company like Rockstar and keep them in VERY healthy profit for years to come.

 

 

I didn't play GTA since the first game but were the costs and rewards similar before cashcards or has it changed?

 

No actually they didn't, Take-Two did.

[BigBiff]

 

 

Ok answer me this. If cash cards didn't exist, do you think job payouts would be higher and costs of items would be lower? I do.

 

I don't.

 

Without cash cards, GTAO would probably just have a $60 price tag of it's own, or a monthly subscription fee. Stop talking about R* as they're a charity - they're a business, they exist to make money. If they didn't, we wouldn't be having this stupid argument because they wouldn't have made GTAV/O.

 

 

Didn't they make billions of dollars from the game purchase alone? Profit is important but that's more than enough to run a company like Rockstar and keep them in VERY healthy profit for years to come.

 

 

I didn't play GTA since the first game but were the costs and rewards similar before cashcards or has it changed?

 

Theres nothing to base it on since they never had such an indepth online experience.

 

All you can compare to is SP, which cash had no value because you could cheat code it in the past.

[blk95ta]

 

Ok answer me this. If cash cards didn't exist, do you think job payouts would be higher and costs of items would be lower? I do.

 

I don't.

 

Without cash cards, GTAO would probably just have a $60 price tag of it's own, or a monthly subscription fee. Stop talking about R* as they're a charity - they're a business, they exist to make money. If they didn't, we wouldn't be having this stupid argument because they wouldn't have made GTAV/O.

So they should release real good paid DLC then and not try to disguise "download this pack of expensive stuff that we know you can't afford so buy a cash card" as "free DLC"

 

Fwiw i'm sitting on $14.5 mil and own everything but thats due to gifted money, adder bonds, some glitching, and a lot of grinding too. I've spent $70million+ in the game and am proud to say i didn't buy a single cash card. I would pay real money for a map expansion or something but f*ck buying cash in an online game.

Edited April 9, 2014 by blk95ta

[Jimrod]

 

Didn't they make billions of dollars from the game purchase alone? Profit is important but that's more than enough to run a company like Rockstar and keep them in VERY healthy profit for years to come.

 

 

I didn't play GTA since the first game but were the costs and rewards similar before cashcards or has it changed?

 

No actually they didn't, Take-Two did.

 

 

That's just a pedantic way not to answer a question. Technically I didn't say Rockstar made billions if you're being like that, "they" could mean Take-Two and billions of dollars would still run a company like Rockstar with a very healthy profit for years. If you're going to be a pedant then do it correctly.

[Odesza]

 

 

Ok answer me this. If cash cards didn't exist, do you think job payouts would be higher and costs of items would be lower? I do.

I don't.

 

Without cash cards, GTAO would probably just have a $60 price tag of it's own, or a monthly subscription fee. Stop talking about R* as they're a charity - they're a business, they exist to make money. If they didn't, we wouldn't be having this stupid argument because they wouldn't have made GTAV/O.

So they should release real good paid DLC then and not try to disguise "download this pack of expensive stuff that we know you can't afford so buy a cash card" as "free DLC"

 

Fwiw i'm sitting on $14.5 mil and own everything but thats due to gifted money, adder bonds, some glitching, and a lot of grinding too. I've spent $70million+ in the game and am proud to say i didn't buy a single cash card. I would pay real money for a map expansion or something but f*ck buying cash in an online game.

 

They already said they are going to release major paid expansion packs to GTAO. I don't see the problem with them releasing free DLCs over time until those paid ones arise, it's not like you have to buy everything in the DLCs.

 

 

 

Didn't they make billions of dollars from the game purchase alone? Profit is important but that's more than enough to run a company like Rockstar and keep them in VERY healthy profit for years to come.

 

 

I didn't play GTA since the first game but were the costs and rewards similar before cashcards or has it changed?

 

No actually they didn't, Take-Two did.

 

 

That's just a pedantic way not to answer a question. Technically I didn't say Rockstar made billions if you're being like that, "they" could mean Take-Two and billions of dollars would still run a company like Rockstar with a very healthy profit for years. If you're going to be a pedant then do it correctly.

 

From the context you're using it, it's pretty clear you were referring to Rockstar making that money, but this doesn't matter much because regardless you aren't taking into account the money they spend on future developments/salaries/server costs/etc.

Edited April 9, 2014 by Odesza

[SkylineGTRFreak]

Ok answer me this. If cash cards didn't exist, do you think job payouts would be higher and costs of items would be lower? I do. That's what annoys people about cash cards. No they aren't required but their use is strongly encouraged by having items cost more while missions pay less. That's what annoys people about cash cards. They change the way the game is played by making not buying them require an excessive amount of grinding just to afford things.

And everyone would whine that money is useless.

 

It's IV all over again, or a never-ending circle of whiny kids.

[blk95ta]

At this point i don't think it'd be fair if they released paid DLC for GTAO. That sounds like double dipping to me. Here buy this new dlc pack with expensive stuff in it and if you don't have enough in game money for it, buy a cash card.

[Odesza]

At this point i don't think it'd be fair if they released paid DLC for GTAO. That sounds like double dipping to me. Here buy this new dlc pack with expensive stuff in it and if you don't have enough in game money for it, buy a cash card.

You don't even know how the paid DLC will work yet.

[dzian]

Firstly I don't really hate cash cards in many cases I feel there worthless. Because cash is so easily earnt.

 

However I do disagree with them on he principle that everything the game has can be obtained with cash and thus cash cards are in some ways make the game pay to win.

 

They're not essential you can play without them so its not a true pay to win scenario but it does give a huge advantage to lower level players. Even if its just being able to buy more bullets and guns.

 

For me though what cash cards do is essentially devalue everything in the game. As with cash cards there is nothing in game that cant be obtained in just a few minutes. And that basically means there is nothing in the game to aim for and achieve.

 

Even heists. Heists will be pointless as yu wont achieve anything that cant be bought with a cash card. And essentially all your doing is playing catch up. As people who buy cash cards will always have the advantage.

 

This is why I say the game needs things that cant be bought. A new smg that can only be unlocked by clearing a specific survival. The gun or bullets cant be bought.

 

A hydra jet for pegasus that can only be obtained from a military heist. Can't be bought. Maybe a car with bullet proof windows from a certain mission. Just stuff that cant be shortcutted to with cash cards

[Odesza]

Firstly I don't really hate cash cards in many cases I feel there worthless. Because cash is so easily earnt.

 

However I do disagree with them on he principle that everything the game has can be obtained with cash and thus cash cards are in some ways make the game pay to win.

 

 

If cash cards gave RP you would be right.

[KimberJane]

Holy f*cking Christ if I see 3 more cash card threads on the first page tomorrow I'm gonna stop coming here regularly.

 

MODS PIN A CASH CARD THREAD AND DELETE AND LOCK THIS STUPID BS

It's not BS. It's an adult discussion about the hate on cash cards. Have you not heard if you have nothing worthwhile to say then say nothing?

Oh and don't worry as the we hate tanks threads will be back tomorrow.

[reform]

If there weren't cash cards, and people willing to buy them, then you motherf*ckers wouldn't have a game to play.

 

 

The people buying cash cards are paying for everyone elses game + updates.

 

 

Would you rather have every DLC be a paid DLC?

[sash2k4plus]

If you don't like them, don't buy them. Simples.

 

[Jimrod]

 

 

 

Didn't they make billions of dollars from the game purchase alone? Profit is important but that's more than enough to run a company like Rockstar and keep them in VERY healthy profit for years to come.

 

 

I didn't play GTA since the first game but were the costs and rewards similar before cashcards or has it changed?

 

No actually they didn't, Take-Two did.

 

 

That's just a pedantic way not to answer a question. Technically I didn't say Rockstar made billions if you're being like that, "they" could mean Take-Two and billions of dollars would still run a company like Rockstar with a very healthy profit for years. If you're going to be a pedant then do it correctly.

 

From the context you're using it, it's pretty clear you were referring to Rockstar making that money, but this doesn't matter much because regardless you aren't taking into account the money they spend on future developments/salaries/server costs/etc.

 

 

That's better, now you're doing it correctly. I do realise it costs a fair amount to run a company, that's what I do for a living - but their (Rockstar's) costs will be easily covered by that. The game cost around $250 million to develop, salaries probably in the region of $50 Million a year for 900 reasonably paid employees at various levels. Even with server costs on top a billion dollars is still going to be great profit and that's what the game earned in the first 4 days. They aren't poor and still wouldn't be poor if Cashcards didn't exist.

[Odesza]

 

 

 

 

Didn't they make billions of dollars from the game purchase alone? Profit is important but that's more than enough to run a company like Rockstar and keep them in VERY healthy profit for years to come.

 

 

I didn't play GTA since the first game but were the costs and rewards similar before cashcards or has it changed?

 

No actually they didn't, Take-Two did.

 

 

That's just a pedantic way not to answer a question. Technically I didn't say Rockstar made billions if you're being like that, "they" could mean Take-Two and billions of dollars would still run a company like Rockstar with a very healthy profit for years. If you're going to be a pedant then do it correctly.

 

From the context you're using it, it's pretty clear you were referring to Rockstar making that money, but this doesn't matter much because regardless you aren't taking into account the money they spend on future developments/salaries/server costs/etc.

 

 

That's better, now you're doing it correctly. I do realise it costs a fair amount to run a company, that's what I do for a living - but their (Rockstar's) costs will be easily covered by that. The game cost around $250 million to develop, salaries probably in the region of $50 Million a year for 900 reasonably paid employees at various levels. Even with server costs on top a billion dollars is still going to be great profit and that's what the game earned in the first 4 days. They aren't poor and still wouldn't be poor if Cashcards didn't exist.

 

Except you don't actually know any of those figures other than the amount they spent developing the game, you also forgot to mention profit they put towards future developments, they make other games besides GTA.

Edited April 9, 2014 by Odesza

[arziben]

because they're the reason a suppressor cost several thousands dollars

[sportbikepilot369]

 

 

 

 

I have no hate for cash cards/Rockstar making a profit. What I have a problem with is Rockstar sh*tting all over the casual gamer that doesn't have hours a day to grind for cash, nerfing payouts, and other tactics that seem by design to increase cash card sales. I get it, producing DLC costs money. I wouldn't bitch if the DLC wasn't pointless window dressing like new clothes and cars. I'm waiting for a working casino and others are waiting for heists. That's why I haven't bought a cash card, no worthwhile DLC. Just like with "illegal" music file sharing. If I DLed you music and liked it, I bought a copy to support you and hopefully fund new projects from you. If it sucked I deleted your sh*t song and never wasted a dime. I already bought the game for full price, and until I get DLC I like I'm not spending another penny. I'm not going to shell out more money for something I have no idea if we are even going to get (a working casino), when we will get it or if it will even be worth it. Give m a working casino that is fun and I'll buy a cash card to reward Rockstar for the effort.

this

 

This what? That they want to reward those who put in time? Why does every game need to be geared towards the casual gamer?

 

This "I want it now and I'm not working for it" generational stereotype is incredibly true....

 

 

 

You're contradicting yourself - you seem upset that people are unhappy about having to grind for everything and should instead earn it. But this post is against Cashcards, indicating that you would be in favour of them? Which surely is an even easier way of getting something for no time put in at all. Buying a Cashcard is faster and greater reward than any glitch and therefore the least work for reward. I don't get the contradictions in these threads...

 

There's no contradiction at all. You can want something now, and you can get it, you just have to pay. Thus cash cards. But this guy is complaining that he wants everything, wants it now, but doesn't want to buy cash cards. I have no issue with cash cards. They never said you HAVE to buy them, and if you put in work you won't have to. The glitch is a no cost reward, a cash card costs money. There a huge difference you left out. Cashcards are the casual gamers equalizer. I don't need them now, so I don't care how much they cost. I also understand if I want something, it;s going to take time or going to take real dollars. InfamousRyan wants his cake and wants to eat it too

 

That works for him, but what about everyone else who did grind, and played the game for far longer, and will be less likely to run away in the long run?

 

 

 

I have no hate for cash cards/Rockstar making a profit. What I have a problem with is Rockstar sh*tting all over the casual gamer that doesn't have hours a day to grind for cash, nerfing payouts, and other tactics that seem by design to increase cash card sales. I get it, producing DLC costs money. I wouldn't bitch if the DLC wasn't pointless window dressing like new clothes and cars. I'm waiting for a working casino and others are waiting for heists. That's why I haven't bought a cash card, no worthwhile DLC. Just like with "illegal" music file sharing. If I DLed you music and liked it, I bought a copy to support you and hopefully fund new projects from you. If it sucked I deleted your sh*t song and never wasted a dime. I already bought the game for full price, and until I get DLC I like I'm not spending another penny. I'm not going to shell out more money for something I have no idea if we are even going to get (a working casino), when we will get it or if it will even be worth it. Give m a working casino that is fun and I'll buy a cash card to reward Rockstar for the effort.

this

 

This what? That they want to reward those who put in time? Why does every game need to be geared towards the casual gamer?

 

This "I want it now and I'm not working for it" generational stereotype is incredibly true....

 

I don't want it now. I've put in plenty of time and earned plenty of "legitimate" cash. So far I gave paid for what I've got. I paid full price for the game and of all the DLC I bought the Turizmo R, and the weapons. The new clothes? Didn't care, not worth buy. The new weapons were basically new skins for the guns we already had. So far I have not received DLC i cared about. So I haven't bought a cash cards. I'm not going to throw more money at Rockstar and then hope and pray hey get around someday to adding a working casino, and further hope it doesn't completely suck. Give me the casino, I'll give Rockstar more money. Don't pressure me to give them the money first.

 

Wheres the pressure coming from then? If you have what you want, then there's no pressure to buy anything. No one at Rockstar has ever said "if people would by cashcards, we'd give bigger DLC"

 

You're problem is with your own assumptions, not the reality of the situation.

 

My assumption is if the cashflow dries up, Rockstar has zero incentive to continue to support the game long term.If people don't buiy cash cards how does Rockstar justify the expense of supporting the game, fixing bugs, producing DLC. They ain't doing it for free... so they manipulate gameplay to encourage cash cards sales.If no one buys cash cards what do you think will happen with the game?

[Jimrod]

Except you don't actually know any of those figures other than the amount they spent developing the game, you also forgot to mention profit they put towards future developments, they make other games besides GTA.

 

 

It's an estimate based on experience, no company with 900 employees will be paying everyone well over £50,000 a year so that should be a fair guess with a few million spare. There will no doubt also be profit from those other games (which will also help fund that overall staffing cost). The future developments would come under GTA 6 development costs etc and when that's released it will also rapidly top $1billion in sales. I'm not sure what point you're trying to argue - my point is that Rockstar (or indeed Take-Two) definitely have plenty of cash and certainly dont NEED Cashcard sales to function and be successful.

Edited April 9, 2014 by Jimrod

[Odesza]

 

Except you don't actually know any of those figures other than the amount they spent developing the game, you also forgot to mention profit they put towards future developments, they make other games besides GTA.

 

 

It's an estimate based on experience, no company with 900 employees will be paying everyone well over £50,000 a year so that should be a fair guess with a few million spare. There will no doubt also be profit from those other games (which will also help fund that overall staffing cost). The future developments would come under GTA 6 development costs etc and when that's released it will also rapidly top $1billion in sales. I'm not sure what point you're trying to argue - my point is that Rockstar (or indeed Take-Two) definitely have plenty of cash and certainly dont NEED Cashcard sales to function and be successful.

 

My point is that you're trying to make an argument for why they don't need cash cards based off speculation.

[JohnGazman]

My assumption is if the cashflow dries up, Rockstar has zero incentive to continue to support the game long term.If people don't buiy cash cards how does Rockstar justify the expense of supporting the game, fixing bugs, producing DLC. They ain't doing it for free... so they manipulate gameplay to encourage cash cards sales.If no one buys cash cards what do you think will happen with the game?

 

Precisely my point. In the other thread.

 

What I don't get is why people have a problem with R* making money which they then reinvest into supporting the game they so obviously enjoy.

Edited April 9, 2014 by JohnGazman

[Jimrod]

 

 

Except you don't actually know any of those figures other than the amount they spent developing the game, you also forgot to mention profit they put towards future developments, they make other games besides GTA.

 

 

It's an estimate based on experience, no company with 900 employees will be paying everyone well over £50,000 a year so that should be a fair guess with a few million spare. There will no doubt also be profit from those other games (which will also help fund that overall staffing cost). The future developments would come under GTA 6 development costs etc and when that's released it will also rapidly top $1billion in sales. I'm not sure what point you're trying to argue - my point is that Rockstar (or indeed Take-Two) definitely have plenty of cash and certainly dont NEED Cashcard sales to function and be successful.

 

My point is that you're trying to make an argument for why they don't need cash cards based off speculation.

 

 

You and Spock above are probably entirely correct you know, I'm an idiot, Rockstar would be making mass redundancies and living out of the McDonalds trash cans were it not for the money they make from cashcards. I don't know how they cope, I really dont...

[blk95ta]

 

My assumption is if the cashflow dries up, Rockstar has zero incentive to continue to support the game long term.If people don't buiy cash cards how does Rockstar justify the expense of supporting the game, fixing bugs, producing DLC. They ain't doing it for free... so they manipulate gameplay to encourage cash cards sales.If no one buys cash cards what do you think will happen with the game?

 

Precisely my point. In the other thread.

 

What I don't get is why people have a problem with R* making money which they then reinvest into supporting the game they so obviously enjoy.

 

 

 

My problem is cash cards don't add any value to the game. i might as well use counterfeit money or stolen credit cards to buy a cash card because i feel like i'd get ripped off if i used real money to buy fake money. better to use fake money to buy fake money.

 

If they offered value, like say a premium mansion for a $20-$50 cash card that could only be purchased with a cash card (and didn't cost any additional ingame money) or something like that, than maybe i'd buy one if i felt that item was worth the money. But that would be borderline pay to win. As it stands right now, nothing in the game is worth shelling out real money for. I already paid $60 for GTA V and whether people want to admit it or not, GTA:O in its current form is GTA V Multiplayer. Many other games come with a free multiplayer game. I know R* wants this to be an MMO but that would require more than 16 people per session, and would have peer to peer money trading, etc.

Edited April 9, 2014 by blk95ta