Are Shark Cards jammed down players throats?

[Drxke]

From time to time, I hear players bitch and moan about how GTAOnline is all about shark cards, and while to an enxtent I do agree, the ways that players can make money without paying a single dime is such a widespread area. From simple missions to heists, bunkers, mc bussinesses, etc; now of course, getting the money to buy those bussinesses may take a bit, but do you guys and girls really think that shark cards are an inconvenience and forced when it comes to making quick cash?

[ALifeOfMisery]

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Edited July 16, 2018 by ALifeOfMisery
Please delete.

[Drxke]

Really? Would that be the ideal place to go?

[Big Molio]

Apparently so, but nobody on this forum will have ever bought one of course, yet they're all sat on $100m or more.

 

I buy them occasionally, I can't be arsed grinding.

[ALifeOfMisery]

Afaik you can only have so much shark card money on your account at one time, sure I saw a thread on Reddit some time ago.

 

Apparently once you hit whatever the limit is any further shark card money stays in the background and is only credited to your account after you have spent enough to allow it.

 

So you can't just get to 50m, 100m or whatever using shark cards, some grinding/duping/glitching has to be done to get those kind of sums.

Edited July 16, 2018 by ALifeOfMisery

[Nutduster]

Yes, they are insidious and have infiltrated practically every aspect of the game in some way.  While there are a lot of ways to make money, none of them make money fast enough relative to the prices of the high-value items for the game to stop feeling like a boring grindfest; if you want the average piece of military hardware, new business to have access to more playable content, or even just a high-end car plus mods, you can expect to put in as much grinding time as it would take you to finish an average single-player game (non-RPG of course). 

 

Won't be posting in this thread again because this debate is beyond tired, but that's my two cents.  The whole game is designed to make you bored and frustrated with how long it takes to get things, and then also to keep tempting you with expensive things you'll have to grind for, or pay for.  As with many games that have microtransactions, they compromised the fun factor of their own product to make more money.

 

 

Edited July 16, 2018 by Nutduster

[ALifeOfMisery]

8 minutes ago, Nutduster said:

Yes, they are insidious and have infiltrated practically every aspect of the game in some way.  While there are a lot of ways to make money, none of them make money fast enough relative to the prices of the high-value items for the game to stop feeling like a boring grindfest; if you want the average piece of military hardware, new business to have access to more playable content, or even just a high-end car plus mods, you can expect to put in as much grinding time as it would take you to finish an average single-player game (non-RPG of course). 

 

Won't be posting in this thread again because this debate is beyond tired, but that's my two cents.  The whole game is designed to make you bored and frustrated with how long it takes to get things, and then also to keep tempting you with expensive things you'll have to grind for, or pay for.  As with many games that have microtransactions, they compromised the fun factor of their own product to make more money.

 

 

https://reddit.app.link/DzJfC4LtBO

 

There are scores of threads on all the usual places like this.

 

You get a message, after buying the shark cards obviously, saying you are currently at your account limit and the further shark card funds only credit after spending.

[PetrolCB]

20 minutes ago, Big Molio said:

I buy them occasionally, I can't be arsed grinding.

You’re actually comfortable spending real money for fake money?

[Big Molio]

Just now, PetrolCB said:

You’re actually comfortable spending real money for fake money?

What I am buying isn't fake money, but time, which is more precious to me. I have neither the time nor inclination to waste hours and hours trudging up and down the map, fetching and carrying. I need instant gratification, and I can afford to buy it, thus freeing up my leisure time to do something I enjoy instead.

 

Hope that clears it up.

[PetrolCB]

Well, yeah it was clear. I personally can’t justify typing my card number up for fictitious money in a video game. 

 

To each his/her own.  

Edited July 16, 2018 by PetrolCB

[MarczXD]

Shark Cards never cross my mind, with the current ways of making money in-game (cargo, bunker, cars, etc) i am more than satifisfied, of couse i grind a lot, but i like the missions and i have fun doing so.

[Big Molio]

15 minutes ago, PetrolCB said:

Well, yeah it was clear. I personally can’t justify typing my card number up for fictitious money ins video game. 

 

To each his/her own.  

People blow money on all kinds of sh*t. I don't understand people who are happy to pay to fill their lungs with cigarette smoke for example.

 

I see it as buying entertainment. If some game funds, DLC, or whatever is for sale and it means I will be entertained for a little longer, then I'll pay. It's no more onerous to me than paying to see a show, or a movie, or a subscription to Netflix or Sky. 

Edited July 16, 2018 by Big Molio

[Drxke]

8 minutes ago, PetrolCB said:

You’re actually comfortable spending real money for fake money?

Some people may get off to it

[DrKrankenstein]

i bought one in my first week, to get the ball rolling, i don't think you need to buy them in order to do well. but you do need to play the game. do the missions, the modes, the 2x rp and money events, get a business going and invest in it, be it time, or shark cards.

 

are they mandatory, heck no, i'm having a blast so far. but once in a while i want to sponsor what i enjoy.

[Drxke]

Just now, DrKrankenstein said:

i bought one in my first week, to get the ball rolling, i don't think you need to buy them in order to do well. but you do need to play the game. do the missions, the modes, the 2x rp and money events, get a business going and invest in it, be it time, or shark cards.

 

are they mandatory, heck no, i'm having a blast so far. but once in a while i want to sponsor what i enjoy.

Of course, but some people think shark cards are the only way to make money in this game.

[DrKrankenstein]

1 minute ago, Drxke said:

Of course, but some people think shark cards are the only way to make money in this game.

some people think the world is a playground, others think it's a garden. most of them would rather spend 50 on a mod menu then 10 on a sharkcard. this world is corrupt, and as such, so it will reflect everywhere else, even in gta, especcially in gta.

[S1ster P1stol]

Pay to win is a joke. I can't tell who's worse, Rockstar or Activision. I know players bitch because Eververse in Destiny was a joke. Had emotes, ships and sparrows all hidden behind a paywall unless you're willing to pay a f*ck ton just to have random drops of possible garbage. Whereas in GTA, $20 can you get 1 car...this is why I resort to glitches

[Lonely-Martin]

I'm not as against them cards as I may appear. (Its an ideal option for some players, just I worry over the game's 'grind' as a consequence). But every time I load in, I'm reminded of the starter pack. I'm rank 860 and 'done it all' you know? Lol. 

 

Splash screens I couldn't care less about as I often load it up as I make a brew, and when R* are giving freebies, I always get that info.

 

It makes sense to advertise their stuff and they've a large free platform to do so, and as long as I've the option to ignore them and play, I'm good.

 

Things like insurance, BS points, and persistent phone calls/texts are by far a worse problem to entice players onto cards. I feel these should be addressed sooner than later now, as it's quite honestly taking the piss.

 

I do also feel with me personally, by keeping garage restrictions in place, like currently. As my bank keeps rising through not buying. Now I'm too rich to ever consider them, they just can't appeal, even if I'm saying 'I won't' Lol.

Edited July 16, 2018 by KWF1981

[Rafae]

You can easily make do in this game without one but I still believe they are indeed rammed down people's throats in the form of loading screen advertisements. It's honestly disgusting at this point.

[Drxke]

2 minutes ago, KWF1981 said:

I'm not as against them cards as I may appear. (Its an ideal option for some players, just I worry over the game's 'grind' as a consequence). But every time I load in, I'm reminded of the starter pack. I'm rank 860 and 'done it all' you know? Lol. 

 

Splash screens I couldn't care less about as I often load it up as I make a brew, and when R* are giving freebies, I always get that info.

 

It makes sense to advertise their stuff and they've a large free platform to do so, and as long as I've the option to ignore them and play, I'm good.

 

Things like insurance, BS points, and persistent phone calls/texts are by far a worse problem to entice players onto cards. I feel these should be addressed sooner than later now, as it's quite honestly taking the piss.

Addressing the phone call problem, yea, I’m tired of loading on and having my assistant call me to buy a garage, Lester telling me to buy a facility, and Warstock sending me an email telling me to buy an avenger.

1 minute ago, Rafae said:

You can easily make do in this game without one but I still believe they are indeed rammed down people's throats in the form of loading screen advertisements. It's honestly disgusting at this point.

I have to agree with you one that 

[Semaj 2JZ♢]

To answer the question in the simplest possible manner: No. They are not. They are only optional and provide nothing you can't get by just playing the game.

 

If your game time needs to be bought further beyond initial purchase in order for you to have your "fun", I'd suggest playing a different game.

[Drxke]

Just now, Semaj 2JZ♢ said:

To answer the question in the simplest possible manner: No. They are not. They are only optional and provide nothing you can't get by just playing the game.

 

If your game time needs to be bought further beyond initial purchase in order for you to have your "fun", I'd suggest playing a different game.

What about loading screens telling you to purchase one for a cash back rebate?

[xwinkx_girlYakuza]

People with time don't need to buy them. People with little to no time buying them to enjoy the game isn't stupid nor wrong in my opinion. Compared to other games and publishers GTAO and R* still operates in the realm of reason. I bought a shark card once to be able to do the vip missions before the ceo office came out. I never regreted it. It was fun and was a springboard for my current steady income from all the businesses i acquired 

[REXX]

People aren't forced to buy them, so no, they aren't shoved down our throats.

[Big Molio]

9 minutes ago, Semaj 2JZ♢ said:

If your game time needs to be bought further beyond initial purchase in order for you to have your "fun", I'd suggest playing a different game.

And yet how many people complain that the CEO / MC grinding is utterly chore-like, and too much like "work" ??

 

I already have a job, a pretty stressful one, so forgive me if I pass on wanting to drive packages up and down. Sure, you could say that I am a whale and exactly the kind of punter they are aiming at, but so what? I'll know when I feel I'm no longer getting value for money and will indeed go off and play a different game.

 

From where I'm sat, I get to play whilst the grinders have to slog it out, all the while endlessly complaining about it.

 

Your post sums up part of the issue to my mind. Games traditionally were a medium that you bought a hard copy of just once, and it was yours to play again and again until you swapped it with a mate or traded it in for something else. The current gaming model of that being touted as a persistent online "service" that the developers want to monetise is anathema to many people. I get that most do this rather badly, and are blatant in their attempts to do so, but I have no issue with the principle of continuing to pay for as long as I am continually entertained.

[AmyStone]

1 hour ago, Drxke said:

From time to time, I hear players bitch and moan about how GTAOnline is all about shark cards, and while to an enxtent I do agree, the ways that players can make money without paying a single dime is such a widespread area. From simple missions to heists, bunkers, mc bussinesses, etc; now of course, getting the money to buy those bussinesses may take a bit, but do you guys and girls really think that shark cards are an inconvenience and forced when it comes to making quick cash?

But people who buy shark cards are so stupid. It's not a virtual shopping game. If that's the kind of games people are interested in then they bought the wrong one. Trade it in and get The Sims instead. No. On second thoughts, don't. It's idiots who buy shark cards that means I get all the lovely new content for free. Keep spending, morons.

[Nyamber]

Yes.

 

End of story.

[Bruce Khansey]

To me the issue is not about having Shark Cards shoved down our throat, nor the fact that we have to buy them to have money quicker. My problem is that they influence the game's mechanic in such a heavy way that they basically ruin the whole experience. GTA has literally tons of things to do and so many modes to spend time with, but if you want to buy interesting toys you're forced to play the jobs/modes that has the weekly 2k bonus, and sometimes they're not even worth it.

 

Sure you can earn money in other ways, but you have to join the grindfest with businesses mission that are sometimes long, boring, frustrating and clearly made to let other players interfere or make you lose time because you have to deliver the goods for many miles with a trash truck or a slow-as-f*ck boat.

 

You can even don't care about money, but the majority of people will, and that's why I can't play a single round of Overtime Rumble because I'm one of the few losers who actually like this mode, and even if I could I won't feel rewarded for the time and effort I putted to win. And don't tell me "it's not about the money" because it's a videogame, and you can't have real fun if you're not awarded after you accomplish something.

 

So basically yes, they're jammed down our throat, kind of. Not in the way you meant, but in a different one I guess.

Edited July 16, 2018 by Bruce Khansey

[AmyStone]

21 minutes ago, Drxke said:

What about loading screens telling you to purchase one for a cash back rebate?

If I see one is about shark cards then I don't read any more. Simple.

[Drxke]

Just now, AmyStone said:

If I see one is about shark cards then I don't read any more. Simple.

That works lol