I doubt I will add anything truly novel on here and I apologize in advance. Like most, my initial reaction was "Cheap, whiny, entitled brats. If they can't afford $15 then they have bigger problems " I admit this is a 1st world perspective. Can't help it. I am 1st world.
I think Vanguard's response is extremely thoughtful. It did open my eyes to the bigger issues and I am grateful for that.
But I can see both sides. Yes, I can appreciate that Niantic needs money to run. You pay staff to run the servers and these are on weekends. The servers themselves cost money. I also understand that Venture capitalists demand constant gain on investment. That's the deal you make when you take their money.
Is it wrong for Niantic to charge for XM Anomaly events? No. Not at all.
Could Niantic have handled this better? Yes. Totally. Umbra should remain free entry. Your ticket is a contract and you can tack on fees unless there is a negotiation. Niantic has made no effort to communicate with us in any way that could be interpreted as a renegotiation since they offer nothing in return besides access to an event that you already granted.
Despite what you may believe, Niantic, you can't do whatever you want.
If you want to make this now pay to play, then you should have delayed its introduction until 2020.
If XM Anomalies events are to be paid ticket events, is it reasonable for the now paying customer base to demand from Niantic AND GET IT?
Absolutely.
You got away with exploiting these dedication agents' free labor when it was free. No more. They didn't suggest out of the blue to hold their event in their city. You chose it. This isn't the Olympics where you can **** the host country.
Niantic needs to do a **** ton more. Way more. Want us to pay, then you will need to as well. Independent servers for anomaly zones. T-shirts to all or first 100 registration and other merchandise available which are site specific with proceeds going to assist the local organization/ POC to reimburse for outlays.
Don't tell me you don't have the money. We know you're lying. If I get a t-shirt for a 5k run I sign up for that lasts 30 minutes then I had better get one for a multiple hour event like this. I also get a patch at the end of a Goruck event if I earned it. You giving me digital **** is a joke. I'm really at your site. Don't **** with me.
I'm sure others will add on additional demands. If we're real, it was nice that it was free but that was never going to be forever. It was nice while it lasted but as of today, we are paying customers which means we expect and will get a lot for what we pay. Or there will be consequences. Your choice.
Niantic, please read the messages in this thread carefully. These are not random trolls. These are dedicated players with hundreds or thousands of hours logged in the game. Some of them are POC's. Some are vanguards. They are all united by one thing, and that is opposition to the paid anomaly changes.
Don't think that all of the good will built up over the years will weather the storm for you.
“An Ingress XM Anomaly Event is a series of free Ingress events that you play as a team with other local and visiting players against the other faction.”
Well done, amazing letter! I 100% agree! Let's say it... we are what makes NIA work and not the other way around. Without NIA we can be happy. Without us, NIA goes down the hole....
I am adding my own point of view, I am part of commite for Umbra Anomaly in México. There is a lot of bad feedback from users that are willing to be in our site, it feels thar participation will be less due the pay to enter mechanic. My personal recomendation: do not implemet pay fee on this anomaly, if you are still interested on this please notify it when new series of anomaly is present.
Please find another ways to monetize Ingress, I am not against this, just does not make feel it like pay to partipate/win.
You can sell a membership with benefits like: got 1.5x MU from the street, got 10% items on hack, get a 20% discount on any store purchase. Those are just examples.
LOL. Sometimes there's nothing you can do but laugh.
Years of ignoring legitimate reports for months on end on spoofers, ignoring missing badge requests, suddenly closing tickets with a random response to the issue presented, ignoring the player base recommendations on how to make the game better, etc etc then coming around and saying "time to pay up".
I used to have no issues buying chaotic matter but now that is not the case.
The issues and mistakes in Niantic's decision have been clearly summarized, and the outpouring of comments shows the player community's agreement. I hope our feedback is heard.
I agree 100%. It seems like a bad way forward and a worse way trying to make more money. Other means are available and the fact that there was no communication about this makes it worse. Thank you Claudija for putting it in this very clear way!
Niantic cannot charge players for work that is done by players. If Niantic wants people to pay for anomalies, they should organise it themselves, and endorse the costs and responsibilities.
But I doubt that's the way to go. Anomalies would not be nearly as successful if they weren't organised by local people.
I agree. I'm completely disappointed in those who made the decision to charge for these events. I'm more disappointed no one has responded to the legal and ethical implications of the decision. I will attend the anomoly for my faction and to support the hard work of the local agents. But this is a bad move for ingress.
Comments
👏👏👏👏👏👏
I have no problem with paying for participating in an anomaly. Threatening with lawsuits wil **** Ingress quicker.
Thanks for your letter
Your letter reflects my feelings right now. Those of us who play this feel a great passion for the game.
I hope that NIANTIC reconsiders and looks for strategies to win win
I doubt I will add anything truly novel on here and I apologize in advance. Like most, my initial reaction was "Cheap, whiny, entitled brats. If they can't afford $15 then they have bigger problems " I admit this is a 1st world perspective. Can't help it. I am 1st world.
I think Vanguard's response is extremely thoughtful. It did open my eyes to the bigger issues and I am grateful for that.
But I can see both sides. Yes, I can appreciate that Niantic needs money to run. You pay staff to run the servers and these are on weekends. The servers themselves cost money. I also understand that Venture capitalists demand constant gain on investment. That's the deal you make when you take their money.
Is it wrong for Niantic to charge for XM Anomaly events? No. Not at all.
Could Niantic have handled this better? Yes. Totally. Umbra should remain free entry. Your ticket is a contract and you can tack on fees unless there is a negotiation. Niantic has made no effort to communicate with us in any way that could be interpreted as a renegotiation since they offer nothing in return besides access to an event that you already granted.
Despite what you may believe, Niantic, you can't do whatever you want.
If you want to make this now pay to play, then you should have delayed its introduction until 2020.
If XM Anomalies events are to be paid ticket events, is it reasonable for the now paying customer base to demand from Niantic AND GET IT?
Absolutely.
You got away with exploiting these dedication agents' free labor when it was free. No more. They didn't suggest out of the blue to hold their event in their city. You chose it. This isn't the Olympics where you can **** the host country.
Niantic needs to do a **** ton more. Way more. Want us to pay, then you will need to as well. Independent servers for anomaly zones. T-shirts to all or first 100 registration and other merchandise available which are site specific with proceeds going to assist the local organization/ POC to reimburse for outlays.
Don't tell me you don't have the money. We know you're lying. If I get a t-shirt for a 5k run I sign up for that lasts 30 minutes then I had better get one for a multiple hour event like this. I also get a patch at the end of a Goruck event if I earned it. You giving me digital **** is a joke. I'm really at your site. Don't **** with me.
I'm sure others will add on additional demands. If we're real, it was nice that it was free but that was never going to be forever. It was nice while it lasted but as of today, we are paying customers which means we expect and will get a lot for what we pay. Or there will be consequences. Your choice.
Totally agreed.
Thanks Niantic for nothing.
Niantic, please read the messages in this thread carefully. These are not random trolls. These are dedicated players with hundreds or thousands of hours logged in the game. Some of them are POC's. Some are vanguards. They are all united by one thing, and that is opposition to the paid anomaly changes.
Don't think that all of the good will built up over the years will weather the storm for you.
Ty Claudia
/signed
Well said
I'm agree with you. That's my feeling right now.
Ingress FAQ :
“An Ingress XM Anomaly Event is a series of free Ingress events that you play as a team with other local and visiting players against the other faction.”
Well said @Claudija 💚
Great letter, I think the Most of US will agree.
to niantic: I think you could make more money with special itms than with events and withless law problems.
Claudija kannst du das auch auf deutsch Posten, ist zu lang zum übersetzen in der Runde und zu gut um nicht gelesen zu werden.
Dank Dir für den Brief
thegreenwall
Exactly that.
I fully agree. Well said @Claudija 💙
Everything was stated in the first post.
Well done, amazing letter! I 100% agree! Let's say it... we are what makes NIA work and not the other way around. Without NIA we can be happy. Without us, NIA goes down the hole....
Thanks, lot's of players agreed with your post
PERFEITO!! Sua carta me representa...
Hello Niantic,
I agree with the main message.
I am adding my own point of view, I am part of commite for Umbra Anomaly in México. There is a lot of bad feedback from users that are willing to be in our site, it feels thar participation will be less due the pay to enter mechanic. My personal recomendation: do not implemet pay fee on this anomaly, if you are still interested on this please notify it when new series of anomaly is present.
Please find another ways to monetize Ingress, I am not against this, just does not make feel it like pay to partipate/win.
You can sell a membership with benefits like: got 1.5x MU from the street, got 10% items on hack, get a 20% discount on any store purchase. Those are just examples.
Thanks.
Very well said Claudija, I also agree 100%
LOL. Sometimes there's nothing you can do but laugh.
Years of ignoring legitimate reports for months on end on spoofers, ignoring missing badge requests, suddenly closing tickets with a random response to the issue presented, ignoring the player base recommendations on how to make the game better, etc etc then coming around and saying "time to pay up".
I used to have no issues buying chaotic matter but now that is not the case.
The issues and mistakes in Niantic's decision have been clearly summarized, and the outpouring of comments shows the player community's agreement. I hope our feedback is heard.
Thank you.
Danke @Claudija , ich wünsche uns allen eine Antwort von NIA auf die Problematik.
8 pages of comments and still no reply from anyone at Niantic.
I agree 100%. It seems like a bad way forward and a worse way trying to make more money. Other means are available and the fact that there was no communication about this makes it worse. Thank you Claudija for putting it in this very clear way!
Completely agree.
Niantic cannot charge players for work that is done by players. If Niantic wants people to pay for anomalies, they should organise it themselves, and endorse the costs and responsibilities.
But I doubt that's the way to go. Anomalies would not be nearly as successful if they weren't organised by local people.
+1
Thanks for the insightful thoughts
I agree. I'm completely disappointed in those who made the decision to charge for these events. I'm more disappointed no one has responded to the legal and ethical implications of the decision. I will attend the anomoly for my faction and to support the hard work of the local agents. But this is a bad move for ingress.
Niantic, Its time to think, before you move.