Tip.It Times - 23rd May 2010

[Racheya]

Time for a new release of the: >>>Tip.It Times!<<<

 

When replying please make sure to clarify the article you are replying to! Thanks!

 

Please PM any typos or edits to me, rather than posting them here.

 

Enjoy the articles!

[DoomBlood]

Great articles this week!! Really enjoyed both of them!

[qeltar]

Pretty nice article on RuneFest; reasonably balanced, and mercifully not full of apologetics like most RuneFest articles are.

 

Couple of quick points:

 

1. No, it's not reasonable for people to "whine" that they can't attend an event in a different country. But that's exactly why it should have had an online component to it, even if a minimal one, to help the community all feel involved. This was a totally missed opportunity.

 

2. The cost of the food and drink etc. does not justify the high ticket price of this event. This was supposed to be an event to thank customers -- you don't thank people by inviting them to a party and then making them pay for it. Add to that the fact that Jagex is an exceedingly wealthy company, and most of their customers are poor students, and it's just that much worse.

 

3. No mention of the Flagstaff of Fiascos, though that might have been deliberate.

[AirWales]

2 very enjoyable articles to read!

 

1 note about RuneFest. Although i'm not going, I do think Jagex should have made the event 15+, because there are alot of young players and I somehow get the feeling they're neglecting a large part of their fan-base but as stated, it's the first time so they might alter it in the future,

[Howlin0001]

2 very enjoyable articles to read!

 

1 note about RuneFest. Although i'm not going, I do think Jagex should have made the event 15+, because there are alot of young players and I somehow get the feeling they're neglecting a large part of their fan-base but as stated, it's the first time so they might alter it in the future,

I thought it was open for all age groups but they said there is alcohol available for over 18's.

[ForsakenMage]

Guess I should've clarified on costs...

 

Renting a venue for a day, rich or not, is still pricey. You still need to worry about insurance in case anyone gets hurt, even if people sign a waiver stating they won't hold Jagex responsible for any injuries that they may take.

 

Wanna know why WonderCon for example can cost $36 for three days at the most? Sponsors, and I mean a TON of sponsors. How many sponsors does Jagex have? We don't know yet since the list isn't up.

[qeltar]

Jagex doesn't need any "sponsors" for this event if it's really about thanking customers, as they said.

 

They aren't some struggling startup. This company has, as the old expression goes, "more money than God". They should have subsidized the event -- not only would it have barely dented their bottom line, they'd have gotten back what they spent in PR value.

[RSBDavid]

Jagex doesn't need any "sponsors" for this event if it's really about thanking customers, as they said.

 

They aren't some struggling startup. This company has, as the old expression goes, "more money than God". They should have subsidized the event -- not only would it have barely dented their bottom line, they'd have gotten back what they spent in PR value.

 

Ever heard the saying "There is no such thing as a free lunch."? Would you take a $120,000.00+ loss in revenue from your ads and membership fees in order to thank your RuneScoop members? Maybe $20,000.00 max would be appropriate for a company the size of Jagex. I am not going to start a war over whether Jagex should take a loss or not, that isn't the point of this thread.

 

Sponsors help lower the costs for the end-users by giving money to the venue organizers in exchange for some advertisement. They also can provide free products for the atendees. No matter what argument you try and produce, that is the way it works.

 

I had some minor sponsorship from Pepsi for a self-hosted LAN party. They paid for the equipment rental and location rental and provided free beverages and advertisement signs as long as I did not advertise other beverage companies. I only had to pay for some pizza (which was covered by the attendees :) ) Pepsi gave each of the ~50 people who attended a goodie bag which contained some advertisements and a few coupons for free Pepsi products. Speaking of which, I still have about 12 free 24-pack coupons to use.

[qeltar]

Would you take a $120,000.00+ loss in revenue from your ads and membership fees in order to thank your RuneScoop members?

If I were making $25,000,000+ a year off my members? Absolutely I would.

 

That's what most companies do when they are fabulously successful. They give a little bit back.

 

It's no different than a businessperson taking out clients to a dinner or sending them a nice Christmas gift -- they don't generally include the bill and expect the client to cover the cost.

 

Heck, I've been using Google AdSense for years and Google sends me a gift every Christmas. Likely to thousands of other people/companies too. It doesn't come with a price tag attached or postage due.

 

Jagex claimed that this was about thanking their customers. It is more like they are throwing *themselves* a party and having their customers pay for it.

 

Luckily for them, people will line up to not only go along with it, but defend the behavior. And that's why companies these days pretty much do whatever they want.

 

ETA: There is one place where Jagex is very generous and deserves credit: F2P. They give people a nice, free game with no time limits. But otherwise, the company is remarkably stingy.

[Earth_Poet]

1. No, it's not reasonable for people to "whine" that they can't attend an event in a different country. But that's exactly why it should have had an online component to it, even if a minimal one, to help the community all feel involved. This was a totally missed opportunity.

 

2. The cost of the food and drink etc. does not justify the high ticket price of this event. This was supposed to be an event to thank customers -- you don't thank people by inviting them to a party and then making them pay for it. Add to that the fact that Jagex is an exceedingly wealthy company, and most of their customers are poor students, and it's just that much worse.

 

Not to mention how classy it is to start selling tickets before they told people when and where it was. I see they got a date now. Still no exact location. Maybe it will be a "surprise"?

[Yahadoz]

Great articles! :)

[ForsakenMage]

2 very enjoyable articles to read!

 

1 note about RuneFest. Although i'm not going, I do think Jagex should have made the event 15+, because there are alot of young players and I somehow get the feeling they're neglecting a large part of their fan-base but as stated, it's the first time so they might alter it in the future,

I thought it was open for all age groups but they said there is alcohol available for over 18's.

 

Is RuneFest suitable for children?

No. Alcohol will be available at this event, for which proof of age will be required. Because of this, the event will only be suitable for our adult fans.

It's a bit vague, which is why I assumed 18+.

 

Not to mention how classy it is to start selling tickets before they told people when and where it was. I see they got a date now. Still no exact location. Maybe it will be a "surprise"?

 

27.04.10 - Ticket Info

Today, we’re extremely excited to announce that RuneFest 2010 tickets for those who have registered on the RuneFest website will be on sale from 10:00am (BST) on Friday, April 30th. Tickets will then be available on general release the following day (Saturday, May 1st) at 10:00am (BST). The event opens on Saturday 28th August, running from 9:30am to 7:00pm. Tickets will be priced at £75 each.

Doesn't sound like they were selling it before the event date was announced. They announced the event but were not selling tickets before they finalized the date. Their ticket sales are done through TicketMaster, and as far as I know they need a date and time before they can even sell a single ticket.

[Aiel]

2 very enjoyable articles to read!

 

1 note about RuneFest. Although i'm not going, I do think Jagex should have made the event 15+, because there are alot of young players and I somehow get the feeling they're neglecting a large part of their fan-base but as stated, it's the first time so they might alter it in the future,

I thought it was open for all age groups but they said there is alcohol available for over 18's.

 

Is RuneFest suitable for children?

No. Alcohol will be available at this event, for which proof of age will be required. Because of this, the event will only be suitable for our adult fans.

It's a bit vague, which is why I assumed 18+.

I believe in one of the Q&As they said 16+

[jcrowley1985]

Don't forget Jagex's hipocritical Flagstaff of Real World Trade (I mean Festivities). It goes against their feelings towards the Dec 2007 updates completely.

[ArtemisCatal]

Don't forget Jagex's hipocritical Flagstaff of Real World Trade (I mean Festivities). It goes against their feelings towards the Dec 2007 updates completely.

 

Well, I more see it as the "look what money got me" staff, but yeah, this soured this for me more than anything else. Thanks Jagex for putting an item in game that remindes me every time I see it what RL money will get you. I really thought you were commited to not allowing that. I don't begrudge anyone going, or all the cool stuff they are getting at runefest, but I do feel bitter over this in game item.

[A0z9]

Umm, let's put the flagstaff out of the way and talk about something else. The 2nd article was very good.

[zhong881209]

it is nice to have a look of the classic after so long time. my first MMORPG is a not bad experience for me that time.

I remember that i get my dial-up internet at ages 12, where at the same time i introduced Neopets, and not long later RuneScape by my cousin.

I think that time my PC spec is 266mhz and 16mb ram, 1 year later where a pc at my grandfather house is having spec of 533mhz and 64mb ram. and until now i still struggle a bit with slow pc of 1.6ghz single core.

that time i struggle with both pc and internet lag, so most of the time i only killing cows at lumbridge, gather its hides and cook meat, get lvl to enter cooking guild, start mining coal at barbarian village then get rune pickaxe and etc.

i seldom play runescape that time, since i like to play it nice and slow and only play on free time. i remember when changes from RS classic to RS, i was wondering i should transfer my items back to classic to play or continue play RS. it was a nice experience, but too bad i rarely play classic since then, and totally pause runescape for almost one year because of study at collage, when i come back, i can no longer enter classic. i regret that i never get any of the rares that release back that time, else i would be wearing them and have good wealthy bank.

[calcarb]

Don't forget Jagex's hipocritical Flagstaff of Real World Trade (I mean Festivities). It goes against their feelings towards the Dec 2007 updates completely.

 

Well, I more see it as the "look what money got me" staff, but yeah, this soured this for me more than anything else. Thanks Jagex for putting an item in game that remindes me every time I see it what RL money will get you. I really thought you were commited to not allowing that. I don't begrudge anyone going, or all the cool stuff they are getting at runefest, but I do feel bitter over this in game item.

 

I dont see why anyone is so mad.

 

I pity anyone who got the flagstaff, anywhere they go with it someone is going to make fun of them.

that or worship them like its a party hat

 

 

The flagstaff of festivities is nothing more or nothing less than an advert for the Runefest. Look how it got you all talking about it. Same with not announcing the venue. The more we talk about it the more advertising they get.

 

Oh btw yes I have my flagstaff, and am combining my visit to Runefest with a family holiday in Englands capital city.

[qeltar]

I think your asking a lot. Yes its a thank you thing i guess but that is a lot of money to throw away.

Maybe I am asking a lot. But it hardly compensates for the vast majority of players who ask for nothing.

 

Jagex are the ones who presented this as a "thank you" to customers. They have since done *nothing* consistent with that.

 

They are charging a fortune for the event, which benefits them, not customers.

They are excluding most people and not doing anything to include players who can't come. Certainly not a way to thank customers.

The "secret venue" bullsquat only three months before the event is not only not a kind gesture to customers, it's flat out obnoxious.

The flagstaff is even worse -- it's an overt slap in the face to everyone who can't go.

 

Everything about this event says "Jagex is throwing Jagex a big party, and if you want to pay a small fortune they'll let you watch". If that's not the message the company wanted to send, then they should have taken an approach that actually puts customers first, not their own desires and interests.

[Dire_Wolf]

Good article Forsaken :)

[Sentry_Wolf]

I really enjoyed the article on RuneFest, good job Forsaken. :)

[Phox1515]

its too bad that the most recent runetech upgrade ruined safe spots for just about everything... i remember i could sorta safe spot all mellee barrows brothers, there was a relitivly safe area of dk that the mage never reached you at... i could care less about the dks one as you could deal with it via prayer... but the barrows one i used to be able to do 16 runs per trip... easily... up to 20... all because i didnt have to pray againt the mellers i could safe spot em via mage and never be hit... only had to pray on ranger and mage

 

jagex was supposed to fix that but they never did

[Graiskye]

its too bad that the most recent runetech upgrade ruined safe spots for just about everything... i remember i could sorta safe spot all mellee barrows brothers, there was a relitivly safe area of dk that the mage never reached you at... i could care less about the dks one as you could deal with it via prayer... but the barrows one i used to be able to do 16 runs per trip... easily... up to 20... all because i didnt have to pray againt the mellers i could safe spot em via mage and never be hit... only had to pray on ranger and mage

 

jagex was supposed to fix that but they never did

Name one other company that gives people a free game to play equivalant to RS ?

Anyone ??

What about Blizzard charging 150 for Blizzcon, but hey they did have the Prince of Darkness himself performing. Guess that justifies it, he cant come cheap.

Quit whining about a completely reasonable and average ticket price for an event of this size.

No other company gives away SQUAT, yet you feel Jagex should fund a great big party, ship people from all over the world, I would just like to understand why you feel they owe this to anyone of the players ?

People who play other online games, and pay every month, more money mind you, they get nothing, but you figure Jagex owes you and the rest of the player population something, why is that ?

Why do they owe you anything ?

[trottle]

I think your asking a lot. Yes its a thank you thing i guess but that is a lot of money to throw away.

Maybe I am asking a lot. But it hardly compensates for the vast majority of players who ask for nothing.

 

Jagex are the ones who presented this as a "thank you" to customers. They have since done *nothing* consistent with that.

 

They are charging a fortune for the event, which benefits them, not customers.

They are excluding most people and not doing anything to include players who can't come. Certainly not a way to thank customers.

The "secret venue" bullsquat only three months before the event is not only not a kind gesture to customers, it's flat out obnoxious.

The flagstaff is even worse -- it's an overt slap in the face to everyone who can't go.

 

Everything about this event says "Jagex is throwing Jagex a big party, and if you want to pay a small fortune they'll let you watch". If that's not the message the company wanted to send, then they should have taken an approach that actually puts customers first, not their own desires and interests.

 

Furthermore.......they are actually giving everybody a slap in the face, because .....

 

1. in a way they are introducing REAL life trade....pay 75 pounds and you get a flagstaf

 

2. They are breaking their own rules by having people meet up. We all know people who got muted for asking real life questions.

[quelmotz]

I think your asking a lot. Yes its a thank you thing i guess but that is a lot of money to throw away.

Maybe I am asking a lot. But it hardly compensates for the vast majority of players who ask for nothing.

 

Jagex are the ones who presented this as a "thank you" to customers. They have since done *nothing* consistent with that.

 

They are charging a fortune for the event, which benefits them, not customers.

They are excluding most people and not doing anything to include players who can't come. Certainly not a way to thank customers.

The "secret venue" bullsquat only three months before the event is not only not a kind gesture to customers, it's flat out obnoxious.

The flagstaff is even worse -- it's an overt slap in the face to everyone who can't go.

 

Everything about this event says "Jagex is throwing Jagex a big party, and if you want to pay a small fortune they'll let you watch". If that's not the message the company wanted to send, then they should have taken an approach that actually puts customers first, not their own desires and interests.

 

Furthermore.......they are actually giving everybody a slap in the face, because .....

 

1. in a way they are introducing REAL life trade....pay 75 pounds and you get a flagstaf

 

2. They are breaking their own rules by having people meet up. We all know people who got muted for asking real life questions.

 

I won't comment on the price since personally I'd definitely not pay that much for some event either.

 

Does a flagstaff really matter that much? IMHO, it is NOT real-world trading - it offers no in-game advantages. Oops, I forgot, some of you suffer from such low self-esteem that you require some pixels to boost your ego. It's like that thumbdrive or some key-like device they released recently. Go scream that it's RWT - it offers an advantage to you in that your account is more secure. Seriously, does it matter that a purely cosmetic item, in-game or not, is being "sold" for real-life money?

 

Having people meet up? That's just plain absurd. How does that relate to asking real-life questions? Oh, you meet people in real-life! Does that mean you immediately have to reveal or ask for someone's address, phone number, age, and other personal details?