A suggestion for those who are fed up and/or not spending money.

bluewolf

I'll admit my feelings have moved from anger to disappointment.

My main source of anger is this:

I have spent about 4 1/2 years playing the game and spending money (VIP for 3 years, various bundles, HP on sale nearly every time) and playing hard almost every day - with the goal of catching up and being able to keep up with the game.  I got there and suddenly the goalposts were moved so that my accomplishment was erased.  (for one event, anyway)

Maybe I as a player am not good for the game as I don't whale it.  Maybe it's bad that I'm not feeling more resource pressure, and there are lots of other players like me, and the developers desperately need to figure out how to increase revenue with a playerbase that isn't growing.

That doesn't mean I won't be angry when the rules change.

Now, players who aren't concerned at all with placement will likely mostly shrug at this and I understand that attitude.

But: The game has been operating under rules that didn't smell so much of Pay To Win before this event (well, not in a very long time) - at least beyond the basic requirement of "roster everyone and advance them as much as possible". If this is happening, what else might come? What's next? Maybe this is a one time thing or maybe they will try other techniques to pressure players.

My last piece of disappointment and anger revolves around the numerous issues - dilution, supports, scl10, the lack of new ways to play - that remain untouched while the game developers instead push out a new way to attempt to pressure us to spend. There are many players looking for things that will excite them and hope that the developers are working on things in those areas, and to instead see a big change that is decisively against the players' interests is very frustrating.

Daredevil217

To those saying “it’s just one event, it’s just one test, it’s not a big deal, your entitlement is the problem, you’re over-reacting, etc.”, I hope you understand that in any abusive relationship you have to call out the abusive/predatory behavior and set boundaries/ draw a line in the sand. I think the uproar here, on the App Store, etc. is really great.  They need to know that if they continue to treat us this way there will be consequences. To those who spent on this, or make excuses for the developers, or minimize what they’re doing, you’ve sent the message that pay to win cash grabs are okay with you and you are enabling the behavior. I’m glad there’s a very vocal presence saying “this is not okay with me” to drown out the “it was just this one time” crowd. 

AndiTi

bluewolf said:

I'll admit my feelings have moved from anger to disappointment.

I love your whole post, but this is exactly right. And it's a persistent disappointment. Every time I play this Unstable Iso-8, it bothers me all over again. I realize not everyone will react like me, and that's valid. I think my reaction is also valid and represents other players too.

In summary, what this stunt did for me:

• Took some of the fun out of the game for a while, to the point where if my alliance was not counting on me I'd pass on the event entirely and go play something else. For a game that relies on addictive behavior to some degree, anything that makes players want to put it down is bad for business.
• Made me question my past spending, and whether or not I will continue with any spends in the future. Certainly not for a while.
• Made me feel cynical about the developers intentions. So many things that need to be addressed as bluewolf says, and this is where they spend their energy. I can't help but notice that this is a 5* that people are excited about rostering, and they waited until this one to do it. Did they intentionally wait for a 5* they knew people would actually want? I have to lean yes.

What it did not do: make me spend any new money to try to chase Professor $. And if they pull this in the future and reinforce all the negative things above while not dealing with the issues that positively impact players, sooner or later I will put the game down.

Team_Jacob

I've been enjoying Harry Potter, wizards unite more lately, honestly, and have been playing in an entirely free to play manner. 

We will see. I would hope that all three options are available in the future, HP lottery, CP cover purchase and LL store, preferably contemporaneously with them being required. 

I'll give them this test, and then if it becomes established, then I will change my play store rating, and stop thinking about buying VIP memberships/ the occasional bundle. 

We will see. anniversary is coming up, I always get weak with my resolve around anniversary. 

therightwaye

I just tell newbies not to play. If the game stops existing I all of a sudden have more time back in my day to pursue better things. Even just better games.

This Prof$ just gives me pause to reflect. We continue this game out of habit. Chasing new characters that we know we won't play outside of essentials. The game mechanic was never great, has only had marginal improvements. Yet we continue to chase the meta game. Keep collecting, keep going. Why? Digital goods that have no value? This collection will disappear much sooner than I will. In a year or two or three the game may not exist and there won't even be a record of our dedication. And for some reason we can excuse ourselves to spend $2, $20, $200, $2000 on the game and its pursuit to rack up characters... THAT WE WON'T EVEN PLAY.

Shrug the more of these incidents the more I start to realize I'm a stronger swimmer than I thought and the current won't continue to drag me down. 

//Removed Profanity -Brigby

jp1

I’ve long surpassed the point of being willing to recommend the game to anyone. 

There needs to be a real sustainable and valid way without the exorbitant time and resource drain to make meaningful progress. For new players, it must feel insurmountable at this point.

abmoraz

A_Wise_Man said:

shardwick said:

Sure, just like they did with Wins Only. A test here, a test there, then made it permanent and then due to backlash by the community they went back to the points only system until they finally went with a hybrid system.

They never made it permanent.  It was a full season test iirc, nothing set in stone.   Lots of people rely on the wins system.   Without the testing and feedback this hybrid system wouldn't exist.  Just remember that just because you (collective you) don't like something, it doesn't mean someone else won't like it or benefit from it. 

Not gonna lie... it brought me back into PvP after quitting, albeit still not competitively, but I at least can get the "1000 point" reward now instead of being a "350/575 and out" player.  I just play idly while watching TV or eating dinner.  No need to shield.  No care about placement.  Just play and get the reward.  It's quite possibly the biggest thing they've changed in the last 2-3 years that has had a positive effect on my game play.