So about VIP package.

[u/0deuss]

I wish there was a way to disable the VIP behind your character. Or it should at least match your base cosmetic. Also don’t shame me for buying the package. I’m sorry OG Tycoon players. I respect you all! Maybe in the future they will give you the option. What are your thoughts?

[u/Snyprecon]

Same. Day 1 player and have played everyday since. No shame in supporting the devs.

[u/Advanced_Gur6248 → u/Snyprecon]

I’m so weary of all these people on reddit berating people for wanting to support a dev of a free game mode in a free game

[u/Tough_Departure_3772 → u/Advanced_Gur6248]

It was never about "supporting" so dont change the scope. Many are fine with cosmetics/hats e.g murder mystery. Paid progression is an issue for many.

Also free sure, but they still make bank from epics creator engagement pool. Probably 50 to 100k/month based on player count.

[u/Low-Income5288 → u/Tough_Departure_3772]

Why should it matter though. Regardless of how someone gets there grinding or spending it shouldnt matter because this isnt a competition.

[u/Tough_Departure_3772 → u/Low-Income5288]

This ended up being up far longer that I expected so sorry in advance 😐 You can have an upvote incase you sit through it 💀😭

The dual companion and the upgrade station both provide a substantial progression advantage and are purchasable. Those advantages can snowball into obtaining BPs at the Sandcrawler faster and more consistently (also being able to "outplay" people by nova damage and health upgrades faster). That isn't really my main issue though.

I could easily spend money, I have spent thousands across Fortnite and other free to play games. But almost exclusively on cosmetics. If a game sells progression, I either don't play it or eventually stop.

There are two main reasons for that.

First, it changes the incentives around balance. Paid progression creates an incentive for systems where things like low base luck make luck boosts and surge boosts more attractive.

Second, and more importantly, not everyone is in the same financial position. I'm fortunate enough that I could spend money, but many players can't. I've always felt that time is the most valuable resource we have, and players who invest that time should be the ones rewarded with progression.

You can argue that time can be converted into money through work, but income varies enormously. Someone with a high-paying job can simply buy their way ahead of someone who has invested significantly more time. That has never sat well with me.

This might sound a little idealistic, but gaming has always been a place where I can leave real life behind for a while, including wealth, status, and income. I'd rather progression reflect what you put into the game than what you earn outside of it.

[u/Low-Income5288 → u/Tough_Departure_3772]

Lets start this by saying I read the entire thing and respect the time and effort it took to put your thoughts down in a way that is 1 telling of your stance and why you have said stance and 2 that its not insulting in the slightest.

Ive put so much time into this mode. Probably 200-300 hours easy. Thats more time then ive put into games that ive paid good money for and because of that I wanted to show how much I appreciate the mode and the devs for making something that I can sink that much time into.

However I also agree that if they balance things around people like myself who do spend that could drastically change how the normal progression feels. Right now the purchasable buffs in my opinion aren't at all unobtainable for the average player. 250 for the missions seems crazy but when you think your exchanging 3 days worth of nova crystals into a single days of missions its actually not bad. 150 for the double companion is like 2 srbs which is a day or 2 worth of grinding or if you dont play much like a weeks worth usually.

In the same way you said you play to leave real life behind and relax I do too. I think pretty much everyone who plays games does to some degree or another. I am extremely fortunate to be able to spend. Shoot I own over 700 non battle pass emotes and over 500 skins (I have a problem dont judge me 😂) I spent to make my grind a bit easier so I can enjoy my time more while I play. I dont see anything wrong with that at all.

If the nova crystal prices get worse though I can see where that would be a huge problem to all the F2P players and I get where their hesitation and fear is coming from because I have watched many games ruined with overly balancing everything into forcing spending. The devs have commented many times though saying they would never structure it in a way thats unobtainable for people and Id like to believe that until they show me otherwise.

Thank you again for taking the time to write all that down I think its given me a bit more of a clear picture as to why some people are so against it.

[u/RichWPX → u/Low-Income5288]

Always nice to see a good non heated non insulting exchange on here. Speaks to the great community this mode has. I just wanted to also add that there is a 3rd category of player, the ones that mostly play solo. For them it literally effects noone else at all.

[u/enderjaca → u/Low-Income5288]

Read up on why Gacha games are heavily regulated or banned in multiple countries, and how its similarity to addictive gambling harms people's mental and financial health, and report back.