Hi, I went through the video and took a few notes of key questions, answers, comments, and requests for feedback. So, that is what I will list below:
Goals for the Trading Post
- Offer players a method to earn unique, high-quality rewards that are not epic, currently endgame level of rewards.
- Present a way to reward players for playing the game in their own preferred method.
Problems to Solve with the Trading Post
- There is more to WoW outside of traditional endgame gameplay
- There are a ton of uncategorized content not in WoW currently
Questions
Obviously, this will be a paraphrasing of the question and answer. However, I think it is important to list out the questions and points of concern for review.
Q1: Will Trading Post offer things like hairstyles, tattoos, and other character customizations?
A1: Yes, but we need to make sure this doesnât take from something that should just be core content.
Q2: Can we see old things removed from the game on the Trading Post?
A2a: Yes, but not skill-based items like the Gladiator mount.
A2b: As far as things like Invincible, what do you guys think?
Q3: What about class sets (like Wardens / Dark Ranger / Mountaineer)?
A3: Maybe. Not a part of original design. Focus design is for universal fit.
Q4: Can Warden set be used by any race?
A4: Yes. It is a Cosmetic Set by category.
Q5: Is there a âsneak-peakâ for what is coming next month?
A5a: Maybe.
A5b: Do you think there should be?
Q6: Will there be anything that costs more than what you can make in a month?
A6: Probably not.
Q7: Can we choose color variations?
A7: Maybe. Not in original design scope.
Q8: Is there anything to reduce FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out)?
A8a: Yes. But we donât know how, and we donât know when.
A8b: Looking a player data, but interested in feedback.
Q9: Can we have NPC sets?
A9a: Yes, but with restrictions.
A9b: What would you like to see?
Q10: What separates the difference of BMAH items and Trading Post items?
A10: BMAH items are more geared toward difficult to earn items that are removed.
Q11: Can we get Cosmetic sets that look more plate-like and more cloth-like?
A11: Soon!
Q12: Will monthly rewards be available later?
A12: Yes.
Q13: Will there be âsecretsâ later?
A13: Maybe.
Q14: Is there FOMO protection?
A14: There should be a continuous rotation of items.
Q15: Can you perpetually reserve an item?
A15: Yes.
Q16: What is the goal of the Trading Post?
A16: Universal rewards for various gameplay that allow for player expression.
Here is my understanding of developer points of interest:
- Developers have A LOT of items already created that do not have a home in the game yet.
- Developers are very interested what players specifically want.
- Developers want to start with little-to-no class or race specific items.
- Developers want to reward non-endgame gameplay.
- Developers concerned with player being overwhelmed.
Here is my understanding of player points of interest:
- Players are concerned about FOMO.
- Players are concerned about FOMO.
- Players are concerned about FOMO.
- Players are concerned with currency management.
- Players want to look like NPCs.
- Players want things that have been removed from the game.
- Players want more variety with color.
- Players want class-specific items.
- Players want race-specific items.
Throughout the course of the conversation, it seems like developers are in the position of, âHey, guys, we have this massive treasure trove of items that never made itâs way into the game. Out of that, which 15 items do you want? We can also make additional things if you like!â while the player is stating, âAwesome! We really like this, but I canât earn enough to buy everything. And I want everything!â In other words, it feels like the best of intentions from everyone, but itâs a fist-bump going into a handshake.
And I blame the UI. It doesnât feel worse to have more options. It feels worse to sort more options with a UI designed to sort very few options. Scrolling through 100+ items is a chore, and nobody enjoys that.
What if we categorized things â similar to the Auction House? This way, players can quickly navigate to the category of things they are interested in. This would allow you to have a âNew This Monthâ feature and sub-category for previous monthâs items - without entirely removing everything that was there last month. Everyone wins. This kills the FOMO, and this allows older items to be looked up via category.
Also, the entire screen can be utilized for this UI panel â if we are interacting with a stationary NPC, then this should give us a lot of screen utilization over a small window. Meaning, the Trading Post panel could allow for quick and easy navigation.
Answering Requests for Feedback
Q2: Can we see old things removed from the game on the Trading Post?
A2a: Yes, but not skill-based items like the Gladiator mount.
A2b: As far as things like Invincible, what do you guys think?
I completely understand the restriction of things that are skill-based and required significant effort to earn. Also, I think things that are already available in the game â should not be included in the Trading Post. It defeats half the reason to have the Trading Post â to present uncategorized items outside of the game with a place in the game. Also, many of those things can be found on the BMAH, so players have an additional avenue to acquire that stuff. Stick with completely new items, maybe revisit the topic TCG stuff in a few months.
Q5: Is there a âsneak-peakâ for what is coming next month?
A5a: Maybe.
A5b: Do you think there should be?
With the currency system as it is, I donât really think it matters. Especially, if everything isnât listed. And, especially, if it is only a few days before they are implemented. This is only going to encouraged delayed interaction and gameplay with the Trading Post.
Players are paralyzed from spending currency out of the fear that they may like want something next month. A decision made from fear or FOMO isnât a fun decision.
Q9: Can we have NPC sets?
A9a: Yes, but with restrictions.
A9b: What would you like to see?
Personally, I donât have too much of a preference one way or the other here. There are a lot of neat things in the game, there are a lot of neat things that would be ever neater in a different color, and there are a lot of neat things not in the game.
What I Considered Done Well
Options
I really, really like that objective to â/loveâ 2 of the 4 dragons. That way, if you hated doing the Spine of Deathwing, then you didnât have to go there. Likewise, if you had all the transmogs in ICC or EoE, then you could choose to do the other dragons.
I think sticking with this type of freedom in gameplay is the way to go for this type of content. There are already rewards for doing specific things in specific raids, so having a bit of freedom here is a very nice touch.
Variety
The variety of things to do to earn this currency is really nice, too! Me and my wife took had a picnic in Ohnâahran Plains, and then we took some screenshots together. And it just made for a nice experience. Since we were out there, I think that lead us into knocking out a few other things while we were there â which is what you want. Once done, she took off to work on the pet battles, and I did something else. One of the goals for the Trading Post was to illustrate their there was additional gameplay outside of endgame content and to reward players for that. This captured that really well.
There is definitely a lot more that was well done, but I donât want to drone on for too long. In short, I think this is a very clever way of expanding the gameplay of WoW, and I hope it continues to grow!
Suggestions
For me personally, I would drop the whole currency shortage thing. Almost half the concerns from an hour long discussion revolved around saving an item, how long can you save it, can you save more than one, can you see into the future so you donât waste currency now, FOMO of monthly items, and FOMO of items in general. FOMO was such a concern that nobody picked up on the fact that a developer said they have THOUSANDS of things that do not have a home in WoW! Save the âplayer decisionâ stuff for endgame. Remember, the design goal of Trading Post is supposed to be easy-going I-want-to-collect-âem-all content inspiring and rewarding non-endgame gameplay.