Official: Custom Properties and Elans [Archive] - The Gemstone IV Players' Corner

Fallen

12-20-2017, 07:51 PM

During Summit Academy, we are going to be selling off two more custom private properties in the SimuCoin Store. They are the 6 room variety that you get to work with GM Kynlee to build. We have some timelines on that that I don't think were ever that clear. The property must be claimed within 180 days of purchasing this deed, and built within 6 months. These properties have no rent and are yours forever.
We're also excited to announce the start of the private property upgrades. We struggled with a way to do this for awhile, but we finally came up with a concept that should work. Instead of the store having a bunch of things to choose from, you will simply buy a new currency called elans. Elans are only used for private properties. They are not for anything else. Do not get confused with Premium Homes, as they offer nothing there as well. They only work with private properties. These aren't going to be like bloodscrip or seashells, so please don't fret. This is just a delivery mechanic that we can house under the ticket system.

We are debuting several items you can purchase during Summit Academy, but we plan on adding more inventory over time. The first handful of items are listed in the SimuCoin Store currently, but I'll repeat them here.

*Permanent Ownership License
*Single Room Addition
*Large Storage Addition
*Transportation Key
*Property Renaming

There are limits right now on these for permanent ownership and room addition. All purchases are also limited to one (of each) per account.

Permanent ownership only applies to people who pay rent. This removes rent and lets you keep a piece of Elanthia forever.

These will all go on sale Friday at 9pm ET during Summit Academy. The shop that uses elans is also located at Summit Academy.

Wyrom, PM

Taernath

12-20-2017, 07:56 PM

you will simply buy a new currency called elans

http://i0.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/001/165/483/67c.gif

Gelston

12-20-2017, 07:58 PM

I'm waiting on GS to introduce a cryptocurrency.

Tgo01

12-20-2017, 08:13 PM

http://i0.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/001/165/483/67c.gif

They only work with private properties. These aren't going to be like bloodscrip or seashells, so please don't fret. This is just a delivery mechanic that we can house under the ticket system.

I think it speaks volumes that Wyrom is so worried about the negative perception of yet another new currency that he preempts feedback with all of this.

"We're introducing another currency!! Oh, but wait, no, it won't be like bloodscrip or seashells. No, really! Trust me on this. This is totally different."

Fortybox

12-20-2017, 08:27 PM

I think it speaks volumes that Wyrom is so worried about the negative perception of yet another new currency that he preempts feedback with all of this.

"We're introducing another currency!! Oh, but wait, no, it won't be like bloodscrip or seashells. No, really! Trust me on this. This is totally different."

Dear Dreaven,

Get over your snit and come back so I can haz spells.

H&K,

40Box

Tgo01

12-20-2017, 08:28 PM

Dear Dreaven,

Get over your snit and come back so I can haz spells.

H&K,

40Box

I'll give your face spells!

Taernath

12-20-2017, 08:32 PM

I think it speaks volumes that Wyrom is so worried about the negative perception of yet another new currency that he preempts feedback with all of this.

"We're introducing another currency!! Oh, but wait, no, it won't be like bloodscrip or seashells. No, really! Trust me on this. This is totally different."

It could very well be just a placeholder, but secondary currencies are anti consumer and the situation in GS just kind of writes its own jokes at this point.

Vusit

12-20-2017, 08:32 PM

I'm waiting on GS to introduce a cryptocurrency.

Duskruineboncoin

Fallen

12-20-2017, 09:50 PM

<Can we get some idea of how much these upgrades are going to run?

Property renaming - 5,000 elans
Additional storage (100 lbs) - 5,000 elans
Key Transporter - 10,000 elans
Single room additional - 25,000 elans
Permanent ownership (removal of rent) - 50,000 elans

~~GM Kynlee~~
Elanthian Architect
Breaker of Things
GS4-Kynlee@play.net
3/50

Fallen

12-20-2017, 09:54 PM

FYI 5000 Simucoins = 5000 Elans

Tgo01

12-20-2017, 10:03 PM

The more I read this the less sense the new currency makes.

Instead of the store having a bunch of things to choose from, you will simply buy a new currency called elans.

By "the store" does he mean the Simucoin store? The thing with dozens of items on it and now they are worried about adding 5 new things to the store?

Also are elans bought with Simucoins/money or with silvers? I'm assuming the former.

Time to put your tinfoil hats on. Sounds like the plan is to get people to buy more elans than they need so that's more money in their pocket.

Sort of like how Xbox used to do their point system for buying games through the online store. Rather than just allowing you to buy the game outright for 15 bucks you instead had to buy points that cost a dollar for 100 points, so this 15 dollar game cost 1500 points. But going to the store and buying 1500 points made too much sense, so instead you had to buy points in 1000 increments, so you buy 2000 points for 20 bucks to buy that 15 dollar game. But shit, now you're stuck with 500 points, either eat that 5 dollar loss or go out and spend another 10 bucks to buy another 1000 points so you could buy another 15 dollar/1500 point game that you didn't really want but you didn't want to throw that 5 dollars away.

ipso facto Simu is taking business strategies from Microsoft's Xbox. Next thing you know you'll be forced to play GS via overly enlarged controllers and the servers will only be barely functional for most of the day while Whately himself is literally picking your pocket for every last bit of change you have in there.

Tgo01

12-20-2017, 10:04 PM

FYI 5000 Simucoins = 5000 Elans

Well there goes my theory for now considering the prices of everything is in multiples of 5000. Just watch though, next item they release will cost 11000 elans. It will happen I say! It will!

SonoftheNorth

12-20-2017, 10:04 PM

They're in the simucoin store so for cash not silver, supposedly they are just to make it easier when buying property stuff but who knows at this point.

AnOrdim

12-20-2017, 10:05 PM

You still get extra simucoins when you buy those $50 chunks.

Taernath

12-20-2017, 10:09 PM

The more I read this the less sense the new currency makes.

By "the store" does he mean the Simucoin store? The thing with dozens of items on it and now they are worried about adding 5 new things to the store?

Also are elans bought with Simucoins/money or with silvers? I'm assuming the former.

Time to put your tinfoil hats on. Sounds like the plan is to get people to buy more elans than they need so that's more money in their pocket.

Sort of like how Xbox used to do their point system for buying games through the online store. Rather than just allowing you to buy the game outright for 15 bucks you instead had to buy points that cost a dollar for 100 points, so this 15 dollar game cost 1500 points. But going to the store and buying 1500 points made too much sense, so instead you had to buy points in 1000 increments, so you buy 2000 points for 20 bucks to buy that 15 dollar game. But shit, now you're stuck with 500 points, either eat that 5 dollar loss or go out and spend another 10 bucks to buy another 1000 points so you could buy another 15 dollar/1500 point game that you didn't really want but you didn't want to throw that 5 dollars away.

ipso facto Simu is taking business strategies from Microsoft's Xbox. Next thing you know you'll be forced to play GS via overly enlarged controllers and the servers will only be barely functional for most of the day while Whately himself is literally picking your pocket for every last bit of change you have in there.

Uh, it's been that way since Simucoins were introduced. You can only buy Simucoins in multiples of 500, but a lot of the stuff available is for 95, 600, 900, etc. coins.

Pereus

12-20-2017, 10:43 PM

I seriously feel bad for anyone who buys into this bullshit anymore.

BigWorm

12-20-2017, 11:03 PM

Just what everyone wanted, a new currency.

Fallen

12-21-2017, 06:37 AM

What all is included in the single additional room?

A room addition is the room description with day and night description, if appropriate. You also get:
ambient messaging with 4-6 messages
1 portal to/from new room
4-6 props
trash can

We're looking at offering the more special rooms (fishing, workshops, etc) at future runs, but it's still in discussion.

As for the items that will be limited in quantity, here are the actual numbers so those of you who want to prepare, can. There will be five (5) permanence (removal of rent) and ten (10) room additions in each instance.

~~GM Kynlee~~
Elanthian Architect
Breaker of Things
GS4-Kynlee@play.net
3/50

audioserf

12-21-2017, 07:19 AM

If I rolled my eyes any harder at this point I'd be the Undertaker.

"Coming soon: A custom software overlay script to keep track of all of your hundred different GS currencies - look for SimuTronics LITCH V1.0 coming soon for the low additional cost of $9.99/mo!"

BriarFox

12-21-2017, 07:41 AM

I’d rather pay my 200k/month than $400 for permanence. Wtf.

Fallen

12-21-2017, 07:42 AM

How does permanence work with account closing?

Alastir

12-21-2017, 07:45 AM

How does permanence work with account closing?

They close up the property and you have to email when you return to open it back up.

Alastir

12-21-2017, 07:45 AM

I’d rather pay my 200k/month than $400 for permanence. Wtf.

When I did the math on my 75k per month property, the cost of making it permanent comes out to like 100 years worth of payments @ $5 per million.

Fallen

12-21-2017, 07:45 AM

They close up the property and you have to email when you return to open it back up.

That's worth it, then.

Candor

12-21-2017, 08:30 AM

Guys by this point if you haven't realized what's happening... what can I tell you? It was fun times while it lasted but like all good things it comes to an end.

For you fucktards out there let me translate:

Whatley is sucking up every last cent he can grab before he parachutes off this crashing insane asylum right after which Stillfront will pull the plug.

Let me translate a response for you. Shut the hell up.

Fallen

12-21-2017, 08:31 AM

How is that worth it? You come back after a 6 month abscence and you can't wait the couple days for them to open up your property? The 2 day delay is worth 400 dollars?

Someone can correct me if i'm wrong, but they repossess your property if you don't pay, whether your account is active or inactive. Simucoin private properties don't need rent permanence, but existing private properties don't have the same protections.

https://gswiki.play.net/Private_property

Private properties are structures owned by private individuals who must pay a monthly rent. They are different from SimuCoin private properties (https://gswiki.play.net/SimuCoin_private_property) in that if the owner fails to pay rent, they will be repossessed and distributed to another character on a paid account, usually via auction or raffle.

Gelston

12-21-2017, 08:41 AM

How is that worth it? You come back after a 6 month abscence and you can't wait the couple days for them to open up your property? The 2 day delay is worth 400 dollars?

If you leave and it isn't permanent, when you go away for 6 months and return it isn't yours anymore.

Jhynnifer

12-21-2017, 10:26 AM

Someone can correct me if i'm wrong, but they repossess your property if you don't pay, whether your account is active or inactive. Simucoin private properties don't need rent permanence, but existing private properties don't have the same protections.

https://gswiki.play.net/Private_property

I think I have the only non-simucoin permanent property. I won mine via a raffle and paid I think 25m for it. Worth every silver. Dunno if I'd drop $400 on it though. I guess it depends on how much you love your property and how often you deactivate.

Gelston

12-21-2017, 10:28 AM

I think I have the only non-simucoin permanent property. I won mine via a raffle and paid I think 25m for it. Worth every silver. Dunno if I'd drop $400 on it though. I guess it depends on how much you love your property and how often you deactivate.

Years ago, I'd probably have paid $400. Not anymore though.

Gelston

12-21-2017, 10:33 AM

I don't believe this to be the case. The wiki link contains an extensive list of non-simucoin properties.

She said permanent, as in, doesn't require rent.

Fallen

12-21-2017, 10:51 AM

She said permanent, as in, doesn't require rent.

Ah, I see. My mistake.

Jhynnifer

12-21-2017, 10:57 AM

Years ago, I'd probably have paid $400. Not anymore though.

Yeah, I made the mistake of buying some simucoins last night to grab a couple of elans to get a transport key, storage and an additional room... then saw that its $200 per room, $100 for a key, and $50 for storage. $200 for a room with no script seems a little nuts, but lawdy.

Fallen

12-21-2017, 11:01 AM

Yeah, I made the mistake of buying some simucoins last night to grab a couple of elans to get a transport key, storage and an additional room... then saw that its $200 per room, $100 for a key, and $50 for storage. $200 for a room with no script seems a little nuts, but lawdy.

That transport key is pretty nifty. Are you not getting any property enhancements, then?

Jhynnifer

12-21-2017, 11:05 AM

That transport key is pretty nifty. Are you not getting any property enhancements, then?

I've got enough simucoins for either a transport key or storage. I really wanted to build two more rooms on my property, but it's one per account and without any options of scripts and for $200, I don't know if I can justify a purchase. Plus, there's only 10 rooms so it's going to be a crazy race to get the elans and find the room in Summit (I don't know where it is which makes it even worse).

So it seems like it's not going to be worth the stress.

Fallen

12-21-2017, 11:11 AM

I've got enough simucoins for either a transport key or storage. I really wanted to build two more rooms on my property, but it's one per account and without any options of scripts and for $200, I don't know if I can justify a purchase. Plus, there's only 10 rooms so it's going to be a crazy race to get the elans and find the room in Summit (I don't know where it is which makes it even worse).

So it seems like it's not going to be worth the stress.

What do you mean by scripts beyond ambients? Do you mean being able to interact with objects within the room? Sorry for the questioning. I'm definitely envious of private property owners.

Here's what Kynlee said was included.

What all is included in the single additional room?

A room addition is the room description with day and night description, if appropriate. You also get:

ambient messaging with 4-6 messages
1 portal to/from new room
4-6 props
trash can

Gelston

12-21-2017, 11:16 AM

What do you mean by scripts beyond ambients? Do you mean being able to interact with objects within the room? Sorry for the questioning. I'm definitely envious of private property owners.

Here's what Kynlee said was included.

Some rooms have scripted items and stuff. They are things that activate based on you causing it. Ambient are just environmental messages.

Jhynnifer

12-21-2017, 11:19 AM

What do you mean by scripts beyond ambients? Do you mean being able to interact with objects within the room? Sorry for the questioning. I'm definitely envious of private property owners.

Here's what Kynlee said was included.

Ideally, I would like to add a bath and a cobbling workshop to my property. While I doubt the second will ever be allowed, adding the bathing script to a room would be nice. For now, I'd probably do some kind of art room to store all my artsy-fartsy stuff. =p

rolfard

12-21-2017, 12:19 PM

Anyone else laugh at elans are almost "snale" backwards?

Fallen

12-21-2017, 04:48 PM

Maybe a silly question, but if 1 simucoin = 1 elan and they are spent at an event with no barrier to entry… why have elans? Why make yet another currency when there is zero functional difference between it and a simucoin?

Because we can’t put these items in the SimuCoin Store. This is not a currency that will have any value outside private properties. It’s not going to be something you earn anywhere. We have no mechanics to let you spend SimuCoins in game currently, and this also helps explain what they are with a barrier.

The amount you can buy are directly related to the values of these items for sale, so you will not have any leftovers unless you choose to buy more than you need. As I said in my post, this is a delivery mechanic, and nothing more. Outside this, there were no options for us to offer private property additions at this time.

This game already has a pretty steep learning curve when it comes to mechanics, but I think the multiple currencies are quickly overshadowing them.

I agree, GemStone IV has a high level of discovery required to play. But this currency isn’t something for the majority of players. There are only 39 players in Prime who this is for (plus possibly 2 more). We hope those 39 players ask all the questions they need. We staggered this to Friday for a reason.

And if you already purchased a simustore property that came with 250 lbs storage, can you add 100 lbs?

Yes.

is there a cap at how many lbs you can store in a private property Kind of like the cap of 10 rooms.

Not at this time, but there is a redemption limit of 1 storage addition per account this run. Any extras you buy will only expire, so just buy the 1 and use it!

Could this (Room Renaming) be described just so we’re clear on what it is?

The names at the top of the room descriptions for each area.
.

Fallen

12-21-2017, 05:15 PM

<250 pounds means there is no item count limit per se, right? (So we could use this for storing 'lebenty squillion gems, for example.)

There is no item limit, but it is HIGHLY discouraged that you use the storage for individual items that weigh under a pound (like most gems). Having this many items can easily cause issues and break things in an area, and potentially corrupt the entire property (and anything you have stored inside).

<Is there any sort of locker-type mechanism that lets sorting/inventory be seen & managed, or is it One Big Box (like the old-style non-Premium lockers used to be)?

One big box, or it can be broken down into smaller ones adding up to the full amount.

<if I get a storage upgrade, can I split it between multiple containers again

Sure, if that's how you'd like it done!

<*Transportation Key - Can you give range use of this item? Gold ring range?

You need to be in a safe area (in town and not in a hunting area), but you can travel between realms with no cool down. You could travel from Ta'Vaalor to Teras, for example, if your home were on Teras. However, if your home is on Four Winds, these won't work, and this is entirely intentional so they don't bork your FW transporters.

~~GM Kynlee~~
Elanthian Architect
Breaker of Things
GS4-Kynlee@play.net
3/50

Jhynnifer

12-21-2017, 05:33 PM

Roblar

12-21-2017, 05:37 PM

Extra store items I think, especially as additions are added

SonoftheNorth

12-21-2017, 05:46 PM

Might be so he can show our swedish overlords PROFIT MADE FROM ELANS X AMOUNT instead of having to track 10 different items

Jhynnifer

12-21-2017, 06:00 PM

Extra store items I think, especially as additions are added

A poorly designed marketplace UI should not mean creating yet ANOTHER in-game currency in a game where the economy is already a fucking shitshow due to previous in-game currency additions.

Alastir

12-21-2017, 06:12 PM

A poorly designed marketplace UI should not mean creating yet ANOTHER in-game currency in a game where the economy is already a fucking shitshow due to previous in-game currency additions.

I think it's going to cause more problems than they realize.

Stunseed

12-21-2017, 06:14 PM

I don't get why they didn't just sell:

a storage item token - 5,000 simucoins
an additional room token - 20,000 simucoins
a transportation key token - 10,000 simucoins
a property permanence token - whatever amount

Instead of creating ANOTHER currency. No sense made.

Given the intelligence shown on this board, the extra step makes it so someone with a lobster claw for a hand doesn't buy Simucoins and tries to potato themselves private property things, then cries for a refund before going on a dribble-inducing rant.

Also, tracking purposes.

Jhynnifer

12-21-2017, 06:28 PM

Given the intelligence shown on this board, the extra step makes it so someone with a lobster claw for a hand doesn't buy Simucoins and tries to potato themselves private property things, then cries for a refund before going on a dribble-inducing rant.

Also, tracking purposes.

Tracking purposes? It'd be fairly easy to export these as one line item. I don't buy that for a second.

As for people going fat-finger insane, that also seems like a poor reason to create ANOTHER currency.

Taernath

12-21-2017, 06:39 PM

Also, tracking purposes.

... they can already track Simucoin purchases.

Stunseed

12-21-2017, 06:49 PM

... they can already track Simucoin purchases.

Yes, they can.

Going this route allows them to get proportional figures that the general tracking won't do. As stated previously in this thread, this is applicable to about 40 people per instance only. If someone needs a means to differentiate on their P&L statements, this accomplishes that.

< I don't buy that for a second. >

You are referring to a text base game that's into its second decade of existence that hasn't done any upgrading to their billing infrastructure in nearly the same amount of time?

It's creative ways to get around that aspect. Are there better ways? Absolutely, but until they are willing to do the needful, those things won't happen.

AnOrdim

12-21-2017, 06:57 PM

Except, they can track all kinds of sales and player stats already? They do it all the time, Wyrom has hurfed and durfed about how much he sold in duskruin etc. There is amazing evidence that they have this ability already and just as much that shows its laziness or inability to update their simucoin store with any regularity. Look at how much they reuse events to prevent adding items to the store.

You would have to believe that it's easier for them to generate an log to track specific items bought from a brand new merchant using brand new items for a brand new service that is had done by a human being* compared to tracking the sales of a brand new set of items sold in an existing store using an existing mechanic. *At the end of the day, everything is going to be tracked by the GM doing the work anyway, so its at best redundant?

The logical hoops being jumped through to defend this is amazing. I'm mostly surprised no one is upset of the shaman.

Taernath

12-21-2017, 07:04 PM

Yes, they can.

Going this route allows them to get proportional figures that the general tracking won't do. As stated previously in this thread, this is applicable to about 40 people per instance only. If someone needs a means to differentiate on their P&L statements, this accomplishes that.

What proportional figures do you think are important enough to create a separate currency for? They can already tell at a glance how much of something has been sold, and to whom. They may as well introduce a new currency only used with the fusion shaman*.

*do not do this, Simu

AnOrdim

12-21-2017, 07:05 PM

Call it dragonballs

Stunseed

12-21-2017, 08:53 PM

< What proportional figures do you think are important enough to create a separate currency for? >

It's an ancient online game. Not to be difficult, but ANY means to create an additional line of green instead of red is in the favor for those who are accountable for the bottom line.

It's an alt currency for 1% of the Prime/Premium population ( approximated I have no f'in clue how many people play this game now ). To me, I see it as a positive you can use Simucoins against it as they have sales specials on those. I'd be more upset if they used NEW SPECIAL CURRENCY outside of it in comparison.

Please note I don't own a private property in either instance, so I have zero at stake either way.

Taernath

12-21-2017, 11:09 PM

< What proportional figures do you think are important enough to create a separate currency for? >

It's an ancient online game. Not to be difficult, but ANY means to create an additional line of green instead of red is in the favor for those who are accountable for the bottom line.

That's not additional profit though, just a way of obfuscating numbers, and if everything is about the bottom line now I doubt Stillfront would be fooled.

At best elans are an over engineered solution to a problem that doesn't exist, at worst, they're a stepping stone to more alt currency fuckery.

Archigeek

12-21-2017, 11:40 PM

They're going to run out of names for currency.

SonoftheNorth

12-22-2017, 07:42 AM

Wonder how Wyrom came up with elans... So "e" for like email .. um and propertyz... houses... land. Oh I know ... and a "currency" for stupid whales was born.

ELANthia

Fallen

12-22-2017, 09:13 AM

>I own Stone Manor. So I can't buy one of the teleporting keys for my property as it's part of FWI? Have to say the boats are the biggest pain in arse part of my property.

You could likely use it on FWI.

>Aside from not paying rent, will permifying my property allow me to keep it while canceling my account for awhile?

This makes the property totally yours. If you leave the game for some time or cancel your account, it will continue to be your property. This is what we believe is the biggest appeal for this service. Not having rent is just the icing.

>Also I know it's not an option this time but I would like to see an option to modify an existing room. I really want to change the food options in my banquet hall.

Building, editing, and creating rooms is a lengthy process. We'd love to offer more, just hard to manage it due to how much time it can take.

Wyrom, PM