Fair warning to successor projects

[Super Firebug]

I was in Champons Online last night, and commented that, if any of the successor games has something like lockboxes, it'd better also have a "sit down and cry" emote, because I'll need it.

Someone responded with (direct quote), "If any of the successor games has lockboxes, I'm going to hunt down and face-punch the gibbering nitwit responsible."

You have been warned; conduct yourselves accordingly.

[Kaos Arcanna]

Remember Superpacks?

I would not have a problem with lockboxes if they help fund the game. I've probably opened hundreds of boxes in CO, no more than 9 or 10 in NW, and none at all in STO. If they have something in them I'd like, I'll pay for it. If they don't, I won't.

[Super Firebug]

The difference being that lockboxes are what I call "non-loot"; they drop in place of something potentially usable, and take up space in inventory. To me, they're an irritant, like a kid getting underwear for Christmas - only the underwear are five sizes too small, and for the wrong gender. At least superpacks had the common decency to only be encountered in the store.

If it'll help fund the game, that's fine, but put them in the store, and out of the way of play. I feel like I've thrown away enough lockboxes to rebuild a Paragon City neighborhood all by myself.

[HEATSTROKE]

I loved the Superpacks..

[Joshex]

What is the definition of a "lockbox"

do you mean a litteral box object which drops as loot and needs to be unlocked with pay items?

do you mean some sort of random item box?

do you mean an item that allows you to lock items so people can't steal them?

[Aggelakis]

Lockboxes come in two flavors:

1) a commonly-dropped item with random better-than-average stuff inside, that needs to be opened with a pay-for key (many games that have this kind also have a way to change in-game money to RL money equivalent - e.g. CO's Q to Zen and back)
* these lockboxes can be sold for a pittance, typically, to at least remove them from your inventory space.

2) an item with random better-than-average stuff inside, that is given out only during events, doesn't require a key to open because of limited availability (Marvel Heroes' various boxes operate like this)

[Thunder Glove]

Marvel Avengers Alliance has a variant, in that their lockboxes can be opened without a key and drop only during special events, but they can also be bought with Gold (the game's premium currency, a la Paragon Points, or Zen, or Ogrines, or what have you).

[Starhammer]

I kinda like the way DCUO uses the concept. If you're doing the F2p thing, they require some Sony-points, or whatever their cash conversion is called (I forget, and am feeling too lazy to look it up), much like CO & STO. If you're a subscriber however, you just open them for free. Either way, they have consumables or advanced costume pieces and such in them.

[The Fifth Horseman]

I think most of us will agree that there are good and bad ways to handle lockboxes.
If the developers and/or publishers are treating lockboxes as simply a way to "get lotta moniez, quick", they are doing it wrong.
The lockboxes - if done at all - have to be worthwhile to the players and even if the player won't find an infinity +1 sword in one, he should at least go away from opening it with the feeling that the real money currency the attempt has cost was worth the gains. Disappointing contents are a very quick way to disincentivise the players from bothering with the boxes ever again.

[Osborn]

The superpacks were kind of annoying but the math behind them was pretty lenient. If you spent 5 dollars on them you were almost guaranteed to get everything good the pack had, at least the costume pieces and pets. And all the 'other' stuff was still pretty good. None of them opened up to a large disappointment. And the packs took into consideration what you already had and rolled accordingly.

Cryptic's Lockboxes though, are almost always garbage inside. And when it's not it's probably gonna be 30 instances of stuff you don't want. At least Star Wars Online lets you sell almost everything on the player market, even though SWTOR is guilty of this too.

[Paragon Avenger]

Yeah, lockboxes as a reward or drop.  Great something sitting in inventory taking up space that requires a key to open.  And inside are butterfly wings.  No.
Give me points that I can spend on junk my character needs like rocket boots.

[downix]

Yeah, lockboxes as a reward or drop.  Great something sitting in inventory taking up space that requires a key to open.  And inside are butterfly wings.  No.
Give me points that I can spend on junk my character needs like rocket boots.

Hell yes!

[Captain Electric]

If I was a dev at one of these games, then on April Fools Day I would put a bunch of stacking lockboxes into the game lol. Like those Russian dolls. Nothing but lockboxes filled with lockboxes lol.

[downix]

If I was a dev at one of these games, then on April Fools Day I would put a bunch of stacking lockboxes into the game lol. Like those Russian dolls. Nothing but lockboxes filled with lockboxes lol.

Genius!

[Chance-VO]

If I was a dev at one of these games, then on April Fools Day I would put a bunch of stacking lockboxes into the game lol. Like those Russian dolls. Nothing but lockboxes filled with lockboxes lol.

You do realize what you've done, don't you? 

[Cailyn Alaynn]

So... What you guys are saying... Is that Revival should have nothing BUT lockboxes?

[Kaos Arcanna]

So... What you guys are saying... Is that Revival should have nothing BUT lockboxes?

Lockboxes filled with Malta Sappers.

[Paragon Avenger]

Lockboxes filled with Malta Sappers.

Kind of like the winter event presents.

[downix]

"You pick up a lockbox"

"You bust the lock because you're a freaking superpowered being"

[gypsyav]

"You pick up a lockbox"

"You bust the lock because you're a freaking superpowered being"

"And everything inside was quite fragile and destroyed."

Sorry, couldn't resist. I hate getting lockboxes in games too.

[Paragon Avenger]

They could use lockboxes as a means to communicate that your monthly subscription payment is due.

You find a lockbox.  You open it.  You're redirected to the payment site.

[Crazywulf]

Community service Lockbox.

Requires player to participate in lower level quest/mission/event to unlock said box.
or
Pay for key.

[Kaos Arcanna]

Community service Lockbox.

Requires player to participate in lower level quest/mission/event to unlock said box.
or
Pay for key.

I like this idea. "Do the Positron TF" in order to obtain a key to unlock this box.

[Paragon Avenger]

You notice a lockbox in your inventory.
You get the key without too much trouble or expense.
You open the lockbox.
It's a one time only gender changer.
Now you're seductive super villainess is a guy.
Thanks loafs NCSoft.
Well gotta blame somebody.

[The Fifth Horseman]

Community service Lockbox.

Requires player to participate in lower level quest/mission/event to unlock said box.
or
Pay for key.

And why not?
Although TBH I'd rather see no explicit lockboxes, just plot coupons - want that upgrade or costume part, then complete the story arc. :p

[Golden Girl]

Lockboxes are cheap and nasty trash - gambling has no place in an MMO.

[dwturducken]

Bit of a "necro" (according to the warning that comes up when I click "Reply"), but I disagree that gambling has no place in an MMO. real gambling has no place in an MMO. I have no problem with things like the Darkmoone Faire in that one game with all the people who play it. Games of chance are a fun diversion, but don't make me pay real money for something like that.

[Paragon Avenger]

With the auction house, lockboxes could be interesting.
Since one could either put the box up or open it and put the contents up.

I remember people gifting me junk, before the auction place.
Not so much after.

[Burnt Toast]

I loved the super packs... I just used my monthly stipend or any other spare points I had from purchases for them. I never actually bought points to get super packs. I find everything in the super packs either useful...or something I could sell.