Tarisland, a game once proudly labeled as a “No Pay-to-Win MMO,” is now caught up in a bit of drama over how it makes money. The calm beta phase turned into a bit of a mess, with players complaining about it all over the internet.
What Went Down in the Beta
While trying out the beta, players not just played the game but also saw how real money worked. That’s when issues popped up. Folks began to see a difference between what the game promised and what it really gave. To make matters worse, Tencent, the big company behind Tarisland, quietly removed the “No P2W” tag from their social media.
The P2W Tricks Revealed
As the beta continued, players found out about things like the Closed Beta Benefits Card, letting players buy in-game gold with real money, and the Elf Messenger Bag, allowing gold transfers in the game. These seemed harmless at first, but players got worried that gold sellers could misuse them and other players in the Auction House to get powerful gear fast.
The Tricky Part: Not-So-Direct P2W
Even though Tarisland said they wouldn’t sell items directly boosting your character’s power, a kind of loophole appeared. Buying gold with real money and using it to buy crafting mats for powerful gears in the Auction House seemed like a way around the “No P2W” promise, making players suspicious.
How It Works – Step by Step:
- Acquire the Closed Beta Benefits Card:
- Players could use real money to purchase this card during the beta.
- Notably, these cards could be sold in-game for gold currency.
- Get the Elf Messenger Bag:
- Another real-money item permitting significant in-game GOLD transfers. (Concerns arose regarding the potential exploitation by gold sellers.)
- Gold-to-Gears Transaction:
- Players could exchange the obtained gold for items in the Auction House (specifically materials for the highest gear-scored pieces of equipment).
What Tencent Said and What Players Think
Tarisland’s creators heard the complaints and said they were sorry for any confusion. They promised a fair gaming experience but didn’t promise to change the ways you can buy gold in the game. This leaves players uncertain about the future and wondering if Tarisland will truly stick to its “No Pay-to-Win” idea as it gets ready for the big launch.
- Concerns About Launch and In-Game Pass:
- We hope that the Closed Beta Benefit Cards will only be in the testing phase. But veteran players know there might be another in-game benefits card during the official launch. The Elf Messenger Bag letting you sell gold adds another problem, making it easy for new players to get strong gear fast and making it less fun for those who worked hard to get good gear.
- Player Frustrations and Hopes for Change:
- The situation where a new player can quickly get better gear by buying gold makes the game less fun for those who played a lot without spending real money. Some suggestions include limiting how much gold you can transfer each week or just getting rid of in-game gold transfers. People hope Tencent listens to these concerns and makes the game more enjoyable, where getting the best gear feels like a real achievement for everyone.
Sharing My Thoughts
Let me share my take on this. Some folks say it’s not a big deal to grab top gear quickly because skill matters most. While that’s true, my worry is that the fun of working hard to get better gears won’t be the same. Why spend weeks grinding for one gear when you can just buy a whole set in a day by getting gold and shopping in the Auction House? It feels like I’d skip the satisfaction of crafting something myself and just pay someone else to do it. One of the best things in an MMORPG is seeing your character get stronger with better gears. But if everyone can snag the best gear fast, where’s the satisfaction in that? Getting stronger should be about earning it, not just swiping a credit card.
