Shark Cards: Buying In-Game Money With Real Money

[Mach1bud]

1 minute ago, McGhee said:

 

It would be weird to sell ingame currency during a beta test, but I've been surprised more often to be sure they won't. Microtransactions will come when Online officially launches as a release.

Meh, I am considering the "beta" namesake to be just that, a name. I don't think it would be any different if they didn't call it a beta, it's just them covering their butts.

[Guest]

5 minutes ago, Mach1bud said:

Meh, I am considering the "beta" namesake to be just that, a name. I don't think it would be any different if they didn't call it a beta, it's just them covering their butts.

 

Yeah, I'm on the same boat, though they do make it look like it still being in some beta stage with the phased access thing. We'll see tomorrow how stable the lovbies are and what 's open for tryouts. I won't go overboard, just in case they actually do reset everything at a official release, intentional or not.

Edited November 27, 2018 by Guest

[HockeyMike24]

I believe shark cards came later after the release of GTA online, so would make sense if they did the same thing. Hopefully no dupe or money exploits are found. That would give them reason to reset everyone's progress and chop it up to being the end of the "beta"

[Guest]

20 minutes ago, Lonely-Martin said:

 

Behave!

 

Bye.

 

Do keep in mind that you've paid for GTAV and Online is free. So, basically, you've only paid for access to the free (paid by others) online part. 

 

 

[Lonely-Martin]

1 minute ago, McGhee said:

Do keep in mind that you've paid for GTAV and Online is free. So, basically, you've only paid for access to the free (paid by others) online part. 

Please move on, you don't understand that the online was sold with the game and heavily advertised so. If R* intended us to pay, it wouldn't be optional.

 

You chose to exercise an option and wanted to pay more. Fair play. Don't mean you get to tell other paying customers they are leeching or they can't have complaint over a product they bought.

 

Move on please. I don't want to be drawn in by this as I'm not changing my view. I resent the judgement and don't wish to continue this conversation, I have nothing more to add. Goodbye.

[IamCourtney]

It's no skin off my ass if somebody wants to bypass actually playing the game in order to get the loot up front. I enjoy the money-making process, and I have the free time to do it, so for me buying currency would only degrade the experience. Others feel different and are in different circumstances, so maybe they buy cash. I don't feel cheated at the thought of somebody just straight up buying something I "worked" for; work is play in this situation! Besides, there's no way of knowing so why let it bother you? Everybody benefits as far as I'm concerned.

Edited November 27, 2018 by IamCourtney

[Con9mm]

Just now, IamCourtney said:

It's no skin off my ass if somebody wants to bypass actually playing the game in order to get the loot up front. I enjoy the money-making process, and I have the free time to do it, so for me buying currency would only degrade the experience. Others feel different and are in different circumstances, so maybe they buy cash. Everybody benefits as far as I'm concerned.

Agree. Whether I think its silly or not to spend real money on fake game money is irrelevant. I'm glad people that legitimately dont have time to grind can still enjoy the games various toys and perks that they would not have access to due to time constraints. I rather play with people buying shark cards than anyone that never spent a dime on shark cards but glitched and cheated to be competitive. 

[jhall181]

1 minute ago, ConGamePro said:

Agree. Whether I think its silly or not to spend real money on fake game money is irrelevant. I'm glad people that legitimately dont have time to grind can still enjoy the games various toys and perks that they would not have access to due to time constraints. I rather play with people buying shark cards than anyone that never spent a dime on shark cards but glitched and cheated to be competitive. 

Somebody glitching money to offset rockstar’s creed doesnot hurt you in the least bit.

 

 grow up

[Con9mm]

9 minutes ago, jhall181 said:

God you are f***ing blind.

 

Grow the f**k up and open your f***ing eyes. They made over $1 billion on gta v and they’ve made over 700 million off RDR2. 

 

They don’t need shark card money.

 

 They are greedy plane and simple 

 

 Wake up, stop being a willfully blind fanboy and see the truth.

 

Man people like you are pathetic.

 

 

And Air Jordans dont need to cost $300 or does designer cologne need to cost $200 a bottle. Are we asking Nike to drop their prices because they have made over $31Billion in the company's lifetime? Come on man. If you want to hold a game developer accountable for their "greed", you better start looking around. 

7 minutes ago, jhall181 said:

Somebody glitching money to offset rockstar’s creed doesnot hurt you in the least bit.

 

 grow up

"Grow up" says the person pointing at one corporation's greed amongst the many he supports without crying about the rest. LMAO. Thanks for the laugh. And to say that glitchers dont affect my experience is what an actual childish mind would suggest. Thanks for posting from your play-pen.

Edited November 27, 2018 by ConGamePro

[Hatin Since 87]

3 minutes ago, jhall181 said:

Somebody glitching money to offset rockstar’s creed doesnot hurt you in the least bit.

 

 grow up

Quit telling everyone to grow up and exercise your own advice. Glitching money may not directly effect me, but it does. If people are glitching millions they increase the cost of in game items to counteract the glitches. 

 

as far as shark cards I’ve never bought one, defeats the purpose of playing the game imo, but I don’t care if people do. Who the hell are you or anyone else to tell me how I can spend my money and what I can use it for? 

[Con9mm]

8 minutes ago, Hatin Since 87 said:

Quit telling everyone to grow up and exercise your own advice. Glitching money may not directly effect me, but it does. If people are glitching millions they increase the cost of in game items to counteract the glitches. 

 

as far as shark cards I’ve never bought one, defeats the purpose of playing the game imo, but I don’t care if people do. Who the hell are you or anyone else to tell me how I can spend my money and what I can use it for? 

They have no credibility telling responsible people with secure well paying jobs that they should grow up and what to do with their money. Again, ignoring how other corporations raise prices on their goods and services every year regardless of how successful they have been. People paying $300 for Air Jordans affects prices all through the shoe industry, increasing prices all the way down to the less expensive brands. 

Edited November 27, 2018 by ConGamePro

[Mach1bud]

19 minutes ago, jhall181 said:

Somebody glitching money to offset rockstar’s creed doesnot hurt you in the least bit.

 

 grow up

Tell someone to grow up one more time, please.

 

Either you can have a civil conversation or you can take a vacation, up to you. Disagreeing is one thing, slinging insults is another. 

[Guest]

1 minute ago, ConGamePro said:

They have no credibility telling responsible people with secure well paying jobs what they should grow up and what to do with their money. Again, ignoring how other corporations raise prices on their goods and services every year regardless of how successful they have been. People paying $300 for Air Jordans affects prices all through the shoe industry, increasing prices all the way down to the less expensive brands. 

 

Well, some people just don't see that income pays for investments. I guess it's a generation thing. Like I tried explaining before, I bought some ingame currency with real money, knowing no one works for free and knowing I'm not only supporting the project zi get ingame currency for, but also for future projects. One of them being this awesome game called RDR2, of which many took their hats off and praised R*'s effort in making this epic piece. It's typical how they then resort to complaining on how the money is made. 

[Hatin Since 87]

1 minute ago, ConGamePro said:

They have no credibility telling responsible people with secure well paying jobs what they should grow up and what to do with their money. Again, ignoring how other corporations raise prices on their goods and services every year regardless of how successful they have been. People paying $300 for Air Jordans affects prices all through the shoe industry, increasing prices all the way down to the less expensive brands. 

Glad some people get it. 

 

Hes probably writing his posts from the new iPhone, not even realizing the hypocrisy of his logic. 

2 minutes ago, McGhee said:

 

Well, some people just don't see that income pays for investments. I guess it's a generation thing. Like I tried explaining before, I bought some ingame currency with real money, knowing no one works for free and knowing I'm not only supporting the project zi get ingame currency for, but also for future projects. One of them being this awesome game called RDR2, of which many took their hats off and praised R*'s effort in making this epic piece. It's typical how they then resort to complaining on how the money is made. 

I agree with a lot of your posts on this topic, and disagree with a lot also. Biggest disagreement is that those who didn’t buy shark cards are leeches. I’m assuming we all took that post out of context, as I don’t think you meant it the way it came off. I could be wrong. Also I’m in the same boat with you, rockstar games are about all I care to play. I’ve never bought a shark card, but if I did it would be to give them extra money...a donation with a virtual kickback (besides, we do get tax breaks for donations irl:) I see no problem with people buying shark cards and rockstar offering them, as long as the gameplay doesn’t suffer. It’s a good way to keep income flowing in for future projects and paying staff to continue improving already released products. 

[Guest]

21 minutes ago, Hatin Since 87 said:

Glad some people get it. 

 

Hes probably writing his posts from the new iPhone, not even realizing the hypocrisy of his logic. 

I agree with a lot of your posts on this topic, and disagree with a lot also. Biggest disagreement is that those who didn’t buy shark cards are leeches. I’m assuming we all took that post out of context, as I don’t think you meant it the way it came off. I could be wrong. Also I’m in the same boat with you, rockstar games are about all I care to play. I’ve never bought a shark card, but if I did it would be to give them extra money...a donation with a virtual kickback (besides, we do get tax breaks for donations irl:) I see no problem with people buying shark cards and rockstar offering them, as long as the gameplay doesn’t suffer. It’s a good way to keep income flowing in for future projects and paying staff to continue improving already released products. 

 

In all fairness and clarification, my view and definition of a leecher is someone who keeps taking without giving back. I'm not defining this either positively or negatively. But more like a regular guest at your house, who eats and drinks from your fridge, but never brings something to share with you himself. 

 

Also, I buy $200K cheap Shark Cards as a token of appreciation and support. They don't spoil my gameplay at all. 

Edited November 27, 2018 by Guest

[Hatin Since 87]

1 minute ago, McGhee said:

 

In all fairness and clarification, my view and definition of a leecher is someone who keeps taking without giving back. I'm not defining this either positively or negatively. But more like a regular guest at your house, who eats and drinks from your fridge, but never brings something to share with you himself. 

I agree. 

 

But if i gave you $60 to stock your fridge initially and you told me if I do chores I can eat and drink out of the fridge for free afterwards, or pay more money for it and bypass doing chores...

[Rafae]

Why the f*ck would anyone pay for shark cards on purpose? Rockstar have not once said that it helps fund updates, I don't know where people keep getting that from and even if they do, by no means are they mandatory so you can get lost with that leechers nonsense.

 

You have no more right to complain about the games issues than we do.

[Guest]

4 minutes ago, Hatin Since 87 said:

I agree. 

 

But if i gave you $60 to stock your fridge initially and you told me if I do chores I can eat and drink out of the fridge for free afterwards, or pay more money for it and bypass doing chores...

 

Hmmm, I see it more like being given $60 for a key to my home and granted free use of what's in the fridge. I'm not asking for additional payments for the use of my fridge and I can stock it, because others appreciate the fact that I keep my fridge stocked with stuff people like and are free to take, and help stocking up my fridge. If someone only eats and drinks, and maybe complains about the food, well, I don't think I will do much with their complaint. 

They can complain about the key, since that's what they really paid for. But the fridge.., hey man, it's free. If you aren't satisfied with free stuff, don't take it. If you want to appreciate it more, contribute. 

[Hatin Since 87]

1 minute ago, McGhee said:

 

Hmmm, I see it more like being given $60 for a key to my home and granted free use of what's in the fridge. I'm not asking for additional payments for the use of my fridge and I can stock it, because others appreciate the fact that I keep my fridge stocked with stuff people like and are free to take, and help stocking up my fridge. If someone only eats and drinks, and maybe complains about the food, well, I don't think I will do much with their complaint. 

They can complain about the key, since that's what they really paid for. But the fridge.., hey man, it's free. If you aren't satisfied with free stuff, don't take it. If you want to appreciate it more, contribute. 

Different perspectives I guess, lol. 

 

Although, if I was selling a product (a key) and someone bought it, but wasn’t required to contribute to the fridge, I shouldn’t complain when they don’t contribute and take their opinions and complaints as having less value. They bought the minimum I required them to buy to enjoy the product I told them I would provide. 

[Guest]

2 minutes ago, Hatin Since 87 said:

Different perspectives I guess, lol. 

 

Although, if I was selling a product (a key) and someone bought it, but wasn’t required to contribute to the fridge, I shouldn’t complain when they don’t contribute and take their opinions and complaints as having less value. They bought the minimum I required them to buy to enjoy the product I told them I would provide. 

 

Different perspectives are, to me at least, more interesting than shared thoughts in these cases. Different perspectives with a civilized explanation more so. Not agreeing doesn"t mean not respecting and being able to learn from another's perspective is a pleasure. 

That said, in this case, I'm the one who bought a key and gets to use the fridge for free, together with several other keybarers. I open the fridge and see there's only Bud Light in there, while I'd rather have a Heineken. I can do 2 things: drink the Bud Light and complain, or get some Heineken from the store and put it in the fridge to share and enjoy myself too. 

I'm the kinda guy who does the latter. 

 

[Con9mm]

He has a right to his feelings and opinions but not accepting that R* is a For-Profit business is unrealistic.

[Hatin Since 87]

1 minute ago, McGhee said:

 

Different perspectives are, to me at least, more interesting than shared thoughts in these cases. Different perspectives with a civilized explanation more so. Not agreeing doesn"t mean not respecting and being able to learn from another's perspective is a pleasure. 

That said, in this case, I'm the one who bought a key and gets to use the fridge for free, together with several other keybarers. I open the fridge and see there's only Bud Light in there, while I'd rather have a Heineken. I can do 2 things: drink the Bud Light and complain, or get some Heineken from the store and put it in the fridge to share and enjoy myself too. 

I'm the kinda guy who does the latter. 

 

Wait. I agreed with 99% of what you said, but Heineken over bud light?!? Come on man!  

 

i agree about the different perspectives. Much more enjoyable to have a discussion with someone respectful about our thoughts and opinions than to have a bunch of agreements with no other viewpoints. 

 

And while i get the beer analogy in the fridge... it’s not entirely accurate. In stating you would get Heineken and stock them in the fridge, as a gamer we aren’t really providing any content ourselves. We look in the fridge, and whatever is in it is in it, and available to all of us. The issue arises because some do chores (grind) to get the Heineken, and others give money (shark cards) to get the Heineken. 

 

I would like to add, i believe the game needs both to survive. You need people buying shark cards because it provides additional funds to continue upgrading and delivering us the best experience. You need people who don’t buy shark cards and instead grind for their money so the servers are full of people actually doing jobs and playing the game as originally intended. If you joined a server and nobody was grinding or doing jobs it would just be a bunch of people flying hover cars with no real objective or motive other than screwing with people. 

 

To put this in our key/fridge analogy... someone has to do chores to earn the Heineken instead of just throwing you money. Otherwise everyone would have Heineken but the damn house would be a mess!

[Guest]

4 minutes ago, ConGamePro said:

He has a right to his feelings and opinions but not accepting that R* is a For-Profit business is unrealistic.

 

No one works for free and no one should. We all want to make money to make spending it easier. The bigger the cusion, the softer the fall. 

Anyway, if shark card revenue was non existant, so would GTAO be and RDR2 wouldn't be as awesome as it is now. And if RDO is any good IMO, I'll gladly contribute small amounts to support the company. Heck, I don't work for free either. 

[Guest]

1 hour ago, Hatin Since 87 said:

Wait. I agreed with 99% of what you said, but Heineken over bud light?!? Come on man!  

 

i agree about the different perspectives. Much more enjoyable to have a discussion with someone respectful about our thoughts and opinions than to have a bunch of agreements with no other viewpoints. 

 

And while i get the beer analogy in the fridge... it’s not entirely accurate. In stating you would get Heineken and stock them in the fridge, as a gamer we aren’t really providing any content ourselves. We look in the fridge, and whatever is in it is in it, and available to all of us. The issue arises because some do chores (grind) to get the Heineken, and others give money (shark cards) to get the Heineken. 

 

I would like to add, i believe the game needs both to survive. You need people buying shark cards because it provides additional funds to continue upgrading and delivering us the best experience. You need people who don’t buy shark cards and instead grind for their money so the servers are full of people actually doing jobs and playing the game as originally intended. If you joined a server and nobody was grinding or doing jobs it would just be a bunch of people flying hover cars with no real objective or motive other than screwing with people. 

 

To put this in our key/fridge analogy... someone has to do chores to earn the Heineken instead of just throwing you money. Otherwise everyone would have Heineken but the damn house would be a mess!

 

Aah, but the Heineken you get in the USA aren't the same as we get over here. I've lived right across the dutch Heineken brewery for 40 years.  

Truth be told, I took Heineken as an example of a brand most people know and I actually wouldn't drink it, unless I have no other choice. It's not bad, but we have much better ones to choose from. Palm, Leffe, Brouwerij 't IJ, Jopen, Chouffe,  just to name a few.  

 

That aside, games need both to survive indeed, and companies need the paying ones to prospect new grounds. Gold is only worth something when it 's dug up. Crafted even more. But, no one digs for free or for the sake of playing with soil. Everyone wants something out of it. That's how it works. You want something, you put effort in gaining it. Do chores to earn it in game, or use money you did chores for to pay for it. See, even if it looks like people get stuff without putting in effort in game by spending real money, the effort in earning the real money spent is still real (and probably took a lot more effort too). If anyone gets the stuff in game for free, it's the one not using real money to obtain it. . Every player is needed to balance the game out more. Paying ones are prefered for other balances  

 

Another thing that might be influencing my perspective on buying the appreciative shark card once in a while, on purpose: I am a lonewolf and play only in solo or solo public sessions, to avoid other players who mess with my gameplay and to avoid messing with other's gameplay too. 

And I am able to do so, due to R* adding solo and invite only sessions. Haven't seen Blizzard dabbling with that choice. So, I appreciate the heck out of GTAO, because I can actually play alone. To me, that's worth the small tokens of appreciation. $4 or $8 every two or three months won't bankrupt me. I spend that 100 times over on silly stuff and deem it worth it too. I don't need the ingame currency at all, but I do need the feeling I'm not only taking, but also giving a bit. 

Edited November 27, 2018 by Guest

[Hatin Since 87]

3 minutes ago, McGhee said:

 

Aah, but the Heineken you get in the USA aren't the same as we get over here. I've lived right across the brewery for 40 years.  

Truth be told, I took Heineken as an example of a brand most people know and I actually wouldn't drink it, unless I have no other choice. It's not bad, but we have much better ones to choose from.

 

That aside, games need both to survive indeed, and companies need the paying ones to prospect new grounds. Gold is only worth something when it 's dug up. Crafted even more. But, no one digs for free or for the sake of playing with soil. Everyone wants something out of it. That's how it works. You want something, you out effort in gaining it. Do chores to earn it in game, or use money you did chores for to pay for it. See, even if people get stuff without putting in effort in game, the effort in earning the real money spent is real. If anyone gets the stuff in game for free, it's the one not using real money to obtain it. . Every player is needed to balance the game out more. Paying ones are prefered for other balances  

 

Another thing that might be influencing my perspective on buying the appreciative shark card once in a while, on purpose. I am a lonewolf and play only in solo or solo phblic sessions, to avoid ofher players who mess with my gameplay and to avoid messing with other's gameplay too. 

And I am able to do so, due to R* adding solo and invite only sessions. Haven't seen Blizzard dabbling with that choice. So, I appreciate the heck out of GTAO, because I can actually play alone. To me, that's worth the small tokens of appreciation. $4 or $8 every two or three months won't bankrupt me. I spend that 100 times over on silly stuff and deem it worth it too. I don't need the ingame currency at all, but I do need the feeling I'm not only taking, but also giving a bit. 

If I lived next to a brewery I’m not sure I’d be alive right now. 

 

 

 

This is a perfect explanation and I agree 100%. 

 

And yes playing solo I can agree, much easier to purchase a few dollars worth of in game currency and having the satisfaction knowing you’re helping support the company you love. As I said I’ve never bought a shark card, but if I were to do so it would be for the exact reason you stated... nothing more than supporting them for their hard work. It’s been out since 2013 and gets constant updates and new content while working on other games. They deserve every penny. 

 

Wish all my conversations went like this. Nice having an adult conversation on the internet. Who’da thought that was possible? 

[Guest]

9 minutes ago, Hatin Since 87 said:

If I lived next to a brewery I’m not sure I’d be alive right now. 

 

 

 

This is a perfect explanation and I agree 100%. 

 

And yes playing solo I can agree, much easier to purchase a few dollars worth of in game currency and having the satisfaction knowing you’re helping support the company you love. As I said I’ve never bought a shark card, but if I were to do so it would be for the exact reason you stated... nothing more than supporting them for their hard work. It’s been out since 2013 and gets constant updates and new content while working on other games. They deserve every penny. 

 

Wish all my conversations went like this. Nice having an adult conversation on the internet. Who’da thought that was possible? 

 

You'll survive if it's not your brand  

 

Convo very much appreciated from my side too. Time well spent and lessons well learned. Thanks for that.

Edited November 27, 2018 by Guest

[fejkb]

You guys are aware of what R* stated about RDR 2 and RDO?

„we see them essentially as separate products that will grow and evolve independently of each other.”

 

Imo you shouldn’t be mad about R* putting money cards in game, because they don’t force you to buy them. If you have time and you enjoy the game, you can earn that money. In GTAO I was busting my ass to buy some sh*tty place with a garage and it felt so good after buying it. After getting some money from cheaters it was even more fun, but just for a short time. When I bought what I wanted it was pointless for me to play. I didn’t enjoy riding tank and shooting everyone or grinding repetitive missions for money I didn’t need. I swear if some cheater spawn me some money in RDO, I’ll find a way to waste it on useless stuff instead of what I want

[Revoemag]

Has "shark cards" been confirmed?

 

I personally think r* could make just as much money having an item shop and just selling cosmetic items like horse skins and outfits. 

 

I know i would have bought a lot more from gtao if they were items in a shop, as i never bought shark card money and just grinded what money i needed just like  the authors original post.

 

I love spending money on things in games,  i spent more than i care on other games including fortnite,  but i never spent anything in gtao because buying money was boring and made the game boring

 

 

[RedDeadNedKelly]

Shark Cards or their equivalents don’t bother me in the slightest. Never bought one, never will. Defeats the purpose of the game in my opinion. Sure Rockstar got some dollarydoos from me for two different console versions and in return I gave the game an absolute flogging. Many hours of enjoyment were had, which I believe is the purpose of all entertainment products. Was I ever at a disadvantage? Not likely, I’ve been smashing games since Green Beret and 1942 on the Commodore 64. There was also the added satisfaction of knowing that all those Oppressors and Deluxos I turned into smoking wrecks with my hard earned Akula and Vigilante may have been purchased with real world cash.

[MaddenedGhost]

6 hours ago, McGhee said:

 

If you got everything out of the free DLC without paying a cent besides the base game, yes, you are a leecher, because other people are paying for your extended fun in GTAO. You shouldn't contribute more, but complain less, spoken in general. There are so many complainers who never paid an extra cent for the content they nag about for ages already on the other side of the forums. Things other people pay for to make it happen. Talk about stuff that just doesn't feel right. 

This is broken, I've never spent a dollar on GTAO, and I own everything I can, I grinded the crap out of the game and it got to the point where it was just stupid and I wasn't enjoying it anymore, so I joined the glitching side, other people kept grinding and I applaud them for their patience, they're playing the game the way it's meant to be played, others choose to pay but nobody asked them to pay, they could grind too right? but they didn't choose to grind, they choose to pay, they could easily stop paying and grind like the others and if Rockstar decided that they're not making enough money and they want to shut it down, so be it.

Same goes for this game, I'm going to be grinding (like it should be) as long as it's reasonable, the moment it gets stupid, I'm glitching, that is all, call me whatever you like, that's how I'm playing my game, they go stupid, they lose me, I want to have fun with my game at the end of the day.

 

Also, anyone claiming that Rockstar has upped the prices of things because of people glitching is just plain wrong, as people that are glitching will just glitch more, they upped the prices because they knew they could throw anything at the playerbase and the playerbase will absorb it, they could've fixed glitches and corrected accounts and kept the prices as they were but they found the whole thing more profitable.

 

 

Edited November 27, 2018 by Maddened_Ghost