Thread: Anniversary Gifts - not worth it?

The anniversary boxes were extremely underwhelming. Seemed to me that unless you got the 4-year outfit and the 5-year horse, the loot from the boxes was fairly non-existent.

The portrait update was nice but that's the only thing I liked at all.

Originally Posted by Celebria

The anniversary boxes were extremely underwhelming. Seemed to me that unless you got the 4-year outfit and the 5-year horse, the loot from the boxes was fairly non-existent.

The portrait update was nice but that's the only thing I liked at all.

Yep. Agree here for sure. Years 1 and 2 are just fluff.

However I am LOVING my cosmetic Year 4 set and a matching horse to go with it....i dont really care how much health it has...it's the best looking horse lotro has...plus the portrait alone would have been worth it as well

Originally Posted by Madaera

In what way are these "free" gifts? They aren't free. It's quasi-veteran reward pixel crack that Turbine is giving us not only to try to make us happy and as a celebratory gesture to create goodwill and keep us playing this game longer, but as an incentive to get players to go vip or premium; you pay or you don't get it, rather an automatic and strong disqualification for "free". Nothing wrong with pointing out that one of the "free" gifts is the same fireworks everyone including f2p can get anyway by doing the mailed quest and is unique to boot so you only get one, or pointing out other disappointment. Nothing wrong with being appreciative of getting the items either, we all loves us some fancy pixel crack, especially something that denotes status of which some of these items do, for the time being anyway, by showing years played. Just don't mistake them for being free when debating whether or not they are "worth it".

Unless you got VIP for the express purpose of acquiring these gifts, they are free. You paid ~$10/mo for the other VIP perks, without even knowing that you would be GETTING these gifts, and you got what you paid for - the VIP perks. These are above and beyond what you paid for.

If someone DID upgrade to VIP for the express purpose of acquiring these gifts, but did not read the list of said gifts before doing so, and are now surprised about what they got... always read the fine print.

Furthermore... being able to acquire some of the items by putting in time and/or effort does not negate the fact that they are free.
--I can go to my local party supply store and buy Mardi Gras beads for $0.25 per strand. That's not free. It's cheap, and they're easy to get, and I make $0.25 in literally one minute of attendance at my workplace. But it's not free.
--I can flash someone at Mardi Gras and get beads. That is not technically free; I had to do something to get them, however easy the task was. They're closer to free, because it only took me 1-2 seconds to earn them instead of 60 seconds, but I did have to spend 1-2 seconds of my time doing something to earn them. (Ignore the fact that I don't live in NOLA and would have to travel to get there.)
--Someone could walk up and offer me Mardi Gras beads by placing them around my neck. I didn't do anything to get them. They are completely free. Just because I could easily get them two other ways doesn't negate that they are free.

If you can acquire fireworks by doing a quest, you are spending something - time (and notably, time that could be spend acquiring currency or other items in the game) - to acquire them. It might not be much time, but it's not zero. And even then, it doesn't negate the fact that the free ones are, in fact, free.

Explaining that you didn't like the free prizes is anyone's prerogative. I do have a problem with saying that something free is "not worth it", because you didn't have to give anything to acquire it. You're saying that it's not worth being free, not worth nothing (double negative there is yours, not mine).

Originally Posted by Ronigard

Rude also includes: being negative about a nice little gift, which is a gesture of appreciation from the devs. Would the OP walk up to the devs at a con and say this? Out of the blue? Without being asked about it?

Well, that's your opinion. I post my opinion here in the forums about all these "free" things like Draigoch armor, legendary weapons, you know all the other stuff in game that's also "free". That this is theoretically something intended to reward players for time spent as a player rather than something intended to reward players for time spent on a particular character, well, I just don't see the big distinction that you're making. Time spent is time spent, right?

Regarding saying this to a Dev at a con, of course I'd volunteer this information, just like I'd volunteer my other opinions about the game. I think it'd be pretty pointless, though, the Devs don't give a flying hoot about one person's opinion -- nothing changes unless lots of people complain.

Originally Posted by Frisco

Even my son hasn't insulted a free gift since he was about 4.

Well, when you try to go to sleep in a dark room, only to find something squishy on your pillow, that turns out to be a dead mouse that your roomate's cat left for you as a free gift, you and your son might find yourself not quite so enamored with "free" gifts. Hyperbole? Yes, of course, just like your son. This penultimate gift is pretty pointless when it's not even as good as something that every 5-year veteran quite likely already has (a kinship horse). And if a 5-year veteran doesn't already have a kinship horse from any faction, then they probably don't play anymore and don't care about the horse anyway. Not to mention the rather bland 4-year clothes.

Let's see ... I subbed for over a year, played since before F2P, for about 1 year and 11 months ... and I get the amazing wonderful 1 year gifts. Thank you very, very much! They are fantapstic! Just what I always wanted.

Ronigard, sorry I just don't see the OP being rude. And who exactly is he being rude to? Who would be offended by one player's opinion. It's like saying happy meal prizes are not good - and getting lambasted for it because you were RUDE! to MacDonald's. Those are free too right?

Also, isn't this rude:

Originally Posted by Linwe-Elfmaiden

When you were a little kid did you get away with that kind of behavior? Are you STILL a spoiled little kid... or just acting like one? I learned to be gracious about gifts when I was all of 4 years old.

It certainly is not polite or good manners. Why is it ok to say things like this, but it is a mortal sin to say anything about a "gift" in a game? I wonder why people get so offended. Somebody with true manners will be nice to anyone, even if you think they are being rude.

Instead, it's like: "HOW DARE YOU! That is a GIFT! You MUST not give your opinion on a gift if it is not positive." You must not give feedback to the devs - or even talk about it - because IT WAS A GIFT!!!!!!

EDIT: Banacticus says it better

I have to agree that the 1 yr gift of fireworks is pretty lame when the same thing is given to you in a quest. They could of atleast given you something different.

I'm personally thankful for the gifts. Know what would be awesome is if all these anniversary/special items direct from Turbine would go into a different area that doesn't count against storage space.

Don't know how or if that would work, but thanks for the stuffs!

My purpose isn't really to be rude, but to try and appeal to people's "inner adult". Yes, I know some will probably find that rude too, but seriously... I just don't understand complaining about free gifts. If you like the gift, you use it, find a place to store it, etc. If not... you vendor it or delete it. Lots of free gifts in games are junk: I've been deleting some of the free stuff I got for pre-ordering in TOR, for example. Each of my 8 characters got a pre-order pack of 6 or so "goodies", and I only really want like 2 things out of it (and one of those two becomes obsolete within a week or so of starting that character).

Nobody is worse off because they got a gift they didn't like. It would take all of 30 seconds to get rid of it if you don't like it. And if you're not actually better off... so what? Two months ago, I doubt many people were even thinking about getting free gifts in April.

Khafar

While I don't really understand people complaining about the 'gifts', comparing these to getting things at Christmas is utterly ridiculous. Turbine don't give them out because they 'love' you, or out of the goodness of their hearts, they give them away because it helps keep you playing, and thus giving them money, hence why certain parts of the festival are built around encouraging you to spend in the store, nothing really wrong with that, just see it for what it is. Comparing it to gifts from a parent is nonsense. This is ultimately a business relationship, not a friendship, or a family. Try asking Turbine if they'll lend you a few TP because you have been ill this week and unable to earn any money.
The motivation behind them is money for Turbine, not love for the player. Just as casinos offer 'comps' for players. They don't do it because they genuinely care if you are happy, but because it keeps you playing. Nothing wrong with that, they are a business. But please keep a bit of perspective.

Originally Posted by Khafar

My purpose isn't really to be rude, but to try and appeal to people's "inner adult". Yes, I know some will probably find that rude too, but seriously... I just don't understand complaining about free gifts. If you like the gift, you use it, find a place to store it, etc. If not... you vendor it or delete it. Lots of free gifts in games are junk: I've been deleting some of the free stuff I got for pre-ordering in TOR, for example. Each of my 8 characters got a pre-order pack of 6 or so "goodies", and I only really want like 2 things out of it (and one of those two becomes obsolete within a week or so of starting that character).

Nobody is worse off because they got a gift they didn't like. It would take all of 30 seconds to get rid of it if you don't like it. And if you're not actually better off... so what? Two months ago, I doubt many people were even thinking about getting free gifts in April.

Khafar

I'm personally happy with the gifts, and the whole festival. I do think it is worth having a feedback thread so that the devs have an idea what were the 'hits' and 'misses' - part of the reason for gifts of this sort are to give as many of us as possible a nice warm fuzzy feeling about sticking with the game so long - a nice and easy part of their retention program.

If a majority of folks are feeling as if their cat left a dead mouse on their pillow - then they might want to think again. I suspect some of the negative reaction here and in similar threads is that many of these threads which might have been couched as feedback have been wrapped up in language that projected a strong sense of entitlement.

Don't be Jelly of the gold leaf!

Wow, seriously the most pathetic whiney thread i've ever read.

Your free stuff isn't good enough.

And ### do you mean 'worth it'? Do you mean you've been palying all this time to get the Anniversary gifts? You were going to quit but you thought 'hey, maybe they will give me some free stuff if i don't, eventually'

Originally Posted by monteeburns

While I don't really understand people complaining about the 'gifts', comparing these to getting things at Christmas is utterly ridiculous. Turbine don't give them out because they 'love' you, or out of the goodness of their hearts, they give them away because it helps keep you playing, and thus giving them money, hence why certain parts of the festival are built around encouraging you to spend in the store, nothing really wrong with that, just see it for what it is. Comparing it to gifts from a parent is nonsense. This is ultimately a business relationship, not a friendship, or a family. Try asking Turbine if they'll lend you a few TP because you have been ill this week and unable to earn any money.
The motivation behind them is money for Turbine, not love for the player. Just as casinos offer 'comps' for players. They don't do it because they genuinely care if you are happy, but because it keeps you playing. Nothing wrong with that, they are a business. But please keep a bit of perspective.

Of course, I know that. I've always known that. Everything you said is 100% accurate. But there is no doubt in my mind that even though they are doing this for a paycheck they do love what they do.

It's like my job in maintenance. There is no way in all of Mordor that I would do it for free but I enjoy helping people out.

Originally Posted by monteeburns

This is ultimately a business relationship, not a friendship, or a family.

well and calling it 'presents' and 'celebrating' isnt wrong then also, or what?
seriously if what you just wrote isnt enough to turn your back on something,
I dont know how you see yourself ...

Originally Posted by Tannus

Your free stuff isn't good enough.

every day my mail is full of free-newspapers ... free stuff sucks
importent lesson from the world of today !

Originally Posted by Nymphonic

... though they are doing this for a paycheck they do love what they do.

if you love your product you dont rabe it F2P ...

it is clear that they love the money they can earn with it,
but clearly not the product itself,

best of luck

Originally Posted by hitomo_x3

well and calling it 'presents' and 'celebrating' isnt wrong then also, or what?
seriously if what you just wrote isnt enough to turn your back on something,
I dont know how you see yourself ...

Strictly speaking they aren't presents in the real world, however it is a festival in the game, so in the spirit of that they are.
I just don't find they bother me enough one way or the other to get overly excited either for or against them.

Shoot. I screwed up and now I can't even GET the 1-year gift on the ONE of my characters that would have actually worn the cloak. I wish important letters like that didn't expire from the mailboxes. >.<

Originally Posted by Chylde

Shoot. I screwed up and now I can't even GET the 1-year gift on the ONE of my characters that would have actually worn the cloak. I wish important letters like that didn't expire from the mailboxes. >.<

It's not really as bad as you think it is. If you have the letter on an alt, do the quest, get the cloak, get "Shared Wardrobe" if you don't have it, problem solved. And if all fails, you will probably get the letter again at next year's Anniversary.

I read an interview with the guys at Valve and one of them reflected that:

We could put $10 in an envelope and give it away and you would always find somebody complaining it wasn't $20

Originally Posted by Prof-Moriarty

I read an interview with the guys at Valve and one of them reflected that:

We could put $10 in an envelope and give it away and you would always find somebody complaining it wasn't $20

Exactly!

moarwordz1234

I love the fireworks. I cleared out a spot on my hotbars just for them.

Originally Posted by Prof-Moriarty

I read an interview with the guys at Valve and one of them reflected that:

We could put $10 in an envelope and give it away and you would always find somebody complaining it wasn't $20

The other side of that coin is that some would get overly excited if a flaming #### dropped through their letterbox just because it was free, after all you can just put it in the bin if you don't want it