is trying to
private chat with you.
I honestly haven't seen any comment that wasn't civil, yet people are saying others are overreacting or making claims on here when I haven't really seen any? Can we tone down on saying people are 'overreacting' and saying people are calling the site 'money hungry'? I'm not really seeing any of that on this news post or on the debate board. People have been pretty nice with their posts and they are allowed to have opinions. :/ Just my train of thought on that. I already stated myself that I'd wait to see what happens ^^ and that I'm not totally against it.
Posted on 03-2-2013 at 11:39 AM
For anyone complaining about the price of bones:
Right now, they are pretty high, yes, but like Xy said, they are NOT USD.
I admit that I've had quite a bit of luck with me, but I've had about 100 bones on me total, without ever paying ANY cash. I'm just a regular, active user. Just to clarify the fact that you seriously don't need any money to play this game, even if you want those customs and monthly items.
Right now, they are pretty high, yes, but like Xy said, they are NOT USD.
I admit that I've had quite a bit of luck with me, but I've had about 100 bones on me total, without ever paying ANY cash. I'm just a regular, active user. Just to clarify the fact that you seriously don't need any money to play this game, even if you want those customs and monthly items.
Posted on 03-2-2013 at 5:13 AM
I'd like to point out that dogs, everything for dogs like food or training etc is virtually FREE. Your account, all the fun, trialing, participating in events, exploring etc. earning Ala cash is FREE.
Monthly stuff is decorative. It's purely fancy stuff, with few items giving a tiny boost with their script. That's the only stuff that would require BONES.
Let me repeat, BONES. Not USD.
of course, first way to acquire bones is paying with money, of course. But you can also bid on bones. Or sell your items. Or trade for art etc. Or wait till people buy monthly bags and sell excess items in their user shops.
Now, you guys never complained that upgrading is pay to win or costing bones, and yet it's far more 'unfair' D: this is JUST monthly items. And there'll be less than usual, so we can add more virtually FREE stuff in main shops and add more other content.
Honestly, I think you guys are overreacting. This is not pay to win, frankly, there's no 'win'. This is not pay to play. This is just reverting to how Ala worked in the first months of its existence. I know this will make the monthly content more rare, like it used to be, and more desireable too.
I'd like to add one thing. On every other site all the fancy stuff was always 'bone-like' to buy. There was no cash option. So to me, Alacrity just fits right in with tons of other games and is just as fair as them.
Monthly stuff is decorative. It's purely fancy stuff, with few items giving a tiny boost with their script. That's the only stuff that would require BONES.
Let me repeat, BONES. Not USD.
of course, first way to acquire bones is paying with money, of course. But you can also bid on bones. Or sell your items. Or trade for art etc. Or wait till people buy monthly bags and sell excess items in their user shops.
Now, you guys never complained that upgrading is pay to win or costing bones, and yet it's far more 'unfair' D: this is JUST monthly items. And there'll be less than usual, so we can add more virtually FREE stuff in main shops and add more other content.
Honestly, I think you guys are overreacting. This is not pay to win, frankly, there's no 'win'. This is not pay to play. This is just reverting to how Ala worked in the first months of its existence. I know this will make the monthly content more rare, like it used to be, and more desireable too.
I'd like to add one thing. On every other site all the fancy stuff was always 'bone-like' to buy. There was no cash option. So to me, Alacrity just fits right in with tons of other games and is just as fair as them.
Posted on 03-2-2013 at 5:02 AM
Some how I have a feeling this is going to drive the price of bones up even more. They are already selling for 200k easily so make them more required and those who do donate could be looking at atleast 350-500k by the end of the year per bone. Especially if the monthly shop items are good. I hope atleast you drop the price of monthly shop items bone value as you are still only working it as they are worth 25-50k each... last time I checked anyway.
Posted on 03-2-2013 at 3:45 AM
I think too many people are overreacting so much. I have faith in Alacrity and appearantly a lot of you think this is going to turn into FooPets. IT IS NOT. The staff has said this multiple times. Look, this is the monthly shop. It's not like it's the main shop. I fully understand everyone who can't donate and such - but think about it. It's only the monthly shop.
Posted on 03-1-2013 at 10:14 PM
What type of prepaid card are you looking to use? I use my prepaid Visa on paypal and it works just fine.
Posted on 03-1-2013 at 9:20 PM
I feel like a lot of people who are upset about this aren't being realistic... :/ Alacrity has to be run like a business or it will close down. There is already a ton of content on this site for free, and it sounds like the artists are working on adding even more (main shop items, etc) However, there has to be some sort of incentive for people to pay or nobody would, and the site would have to close. I know none of us would like the site to close, and none of us want to see it go to pay-to-play. So this is really the obvious compromise. Like I said, there has to be some way for them to make money. That being said, I agree with everyone else here that backgrounds at $6 a pop isn't really affordable to me, so maybe there is a way to work out buying bones cheaper in bulk? Like if you buy a certain amount, you save per bone? I don't know.
I guess my main point is please let's stop accusing the staff of being greedy - they've made it clear that they are just trying to make ends meet. If I put hours and hours into coding and artwork and tried to ask a few dollars for it and all the users got upset and threatened to leave and said I was being greedy, I would be really hurt :/
I don't have a ton of money to spend on the site either, so I understand why people are upset... but there's still lots of things we can do on here without bones. :)
Alacrity is an awesome game and it's the only sim I've ever gotten so involved in. I hope nobody is offended by what I said... :/ I just don't want to see people get mad when the staff is just trying to keep the website from going under.
I'm still behind Alacrity 100%! :)
I guess my main point is please let's stop accusing the staff of being greedy - they've made it clear that they are just trying to make ends meet. If I put hours and hours into coding and artwork and tried to ask a few dollars for it and all the users got upset and threatened to leave and said I was being greedy, I would be really hurt :/
I don't have a ton of money to spend on the site either, so I understand why people are upset... but there's still lots of things we can do on here without bones. :)
Alacrity is an awesome game and it's the only sim I've ever gotten so involved in. I hope nobody is offended by what I said... :/ I just don't want to see people get mad when the staff is just trying to keep the website from going under.
I'm still behind Alacrity 100%! :)
Posted on 03-1-2013 at 8:49 PM
Prepaid has nothing to do with Alacrity and everything to do with Paypal, perhaps they have a suggestion area for prepaid cards?
Posted on 03-1-2013 at 7:50 PM
i hope you get it all worked but mailing money is dangerous(not from you guys but there are other dis honest people ) i wish we could use pre paid cards
Posted on 03-1-2013 at 4:55 PM
Dar, we already accept payments through regular mail. You can read the bottom of the donation page for instructions. :} As for not having a job and thus not having money to donate, everything else about the site beyond donation items and monthly shop items is free to obtain.
We have no intention of becoming pay-to-play. But currently, we can't even pay all the people who work so hard to keep the site going. We're talking about items that are not necessary to play the game. And as a previous commenter stated, when the site first opened, monthly shop items were for bone purchase only. We're simply returning to that.
We're not a greedy corporation seeking to pick everyone's pockets in some sort of unfair/unjust fashion. But this is a business, and the owner is currently paying out of pocket just to keep it running. If that continues, the only conclusion will be to shut down the site completely.
As for bone prices, that's got nothing to do with the bones themselves, and everything to do with the amount of cashflow on the site. Back when bone prices were smaller, cash was more difficult to raise. But this will be tackled over the coming months as we rehaul the trialing system and implement new features (that you don't have to pay bones to enjoy) that will bring Alacrity back to its original focus; Agility! Over the last year, our focus drifted due to behind the scenes complications, so the game became about just breeding dogs willy-nilly and buying items to dress them up with, and that was about it. We'll be making big changes to fix this.
We have no intention of becoming pay-to-play. But currently, we can't even pay all the people who work so hard to keep the site going. We're talking about items that are not necessary to play the game. And as a previous commenter stated, when the site first opened, monthly shop items were for bone purchase only. We're simply returning to that.
We're not a greedy corporation seeking to pick everyone's pockets in some sort of unfair/unjust fashion. But this is a business, and the owner is currently paying out of pocket just to keep it running. If that continues, the only conclusion will be to shut down the site completely.
As for bone prices, that's got nothing to do with the bones themselves, and everything to do with the amount of cashflow on the site. Back when bone prices were smaller, cash was more difficult to raise. But this will be tackled over the coming months as we rehaul the trialing system and implement new features (that you don't have to pay bones to enjoy) that will bring Alacrity back to its original focus; Agility! Over the last year, our focus drifted due to behind the scenes complications, so the game became about just breeding dogs willy-nilly and buying items to dress them up with, and that was about it. We'll be making big changes to fix this.
Posted on 03-1-2013 at 2:58 PM
at the verry least implement new payment methods for people who can't afford a nice shiny bank card or people who are too young to get a job
i said i had my concerns when the site was first sold and now i see i was rite! becoming more and more about the money
i said i had my concerns when the site was first sold and now i see i was rite! becoming more and more about the money
Posted on 03-1-2013 at 2:34 PM
I've been thinking about this for a few hours now. I'm a little upset to see this change. I liked how Ala would let you decide how you want to pay for the item. Sure, it's for the betterment of Ala, but I don't see how it's going to increase bone sales- I'm not sure there's many people who are going to spend 95 bones to get all the monthly items (based off this month, which will probably be around 60-70 next month) I do not think many people would be willing to fork out that kind of money every month for items. Alc, brings up a good point about bone prices, they'll only keep going up. It's unreasonable to spend $1 million ala cash, on 3 bones, and not many people have that kind of money. Wouldn't it be more fair for everyone if the months alternated between bones and cash. Next month, bones only, May could be both.
Posted on 03-1-2013 at 2:23 PM
Beautiful art as always guys! And I don't mind the change at all if I'm not mistaken the monthly shop was bones only when I joined and I think it makes items a bit less common. I love alacrity and despite my long absence I would be heart broken to see such an amazing site close due to financial problems. So yay for everything in the news post today, Plus I think the gorgeous art on alacrity is worth every dollar donated and more! <3
Posted on 03-1-2013 at 1:32 PM
hey guys, I made a thread in the Debate topic so that way the opinions and such are much more orderly and easier to see :)
Posted on 03-1-2013 at 1:28 PM
Nim, this month's Celestial collectible is a higher price because it's much more detailed and intricate. A lot of work went into it, and we try to reflect that in the price. This doesn't mean ALL of our donation collectibles will always be $10. It's likely going to fluctuate between $5 and $10 depending on the collectible itself.
Posted on 03-1-2013 at 1:24 PM
Just as a note: the price of donation items always fluctuate. Even the price of the bundle item changes every month. :)
Posted on 03-1-2013 at 1:12 PM
You also forgot to mention that you've raised the donation price to get the zodiac items, too. A $10 donation for something that just looks pretty doesn't seem all that much of a perk to spend real money for it.
I'm not sure how I feel about this new change. There are plenty of other ways to draw in money- I think overall this will actually hurt the site, but we'll see. If you expect people to pay so much more bones- essentially, real money- there should be more incentive to do so, not less. You stated that there will be less in the monthly shop, meaning you will have less options on what you get to spend your actual money on.
This seems like it may pull in less bones, same as how changing the price of the donation items for something which is a simple accessory item will also draw in less. I was quite ready to spend $60 or more over the course of the year when the zodiac items were gotten with $5 donations, but now that you've doubled it? I won't spend money like that just for something so simple that doesn't benefit my dogs in any way. To get the zodiac items, you've essentially made it from $60 to $120 to get them. Even less people will pay to get that now, despite them being neat. There's no bonus to it aside from them being rare.
I understand that the site needs to bring in money to support itself, but I can't say I really support this change. It just doesn't seem like it will work all that well in the long run, just in the short run of things.
I'm not sure how I feel about this new change. There are plenty of other ways to draw in money- I think overall this will actually hurt the site, but we'll see. If you expect people to pay so much more bones- essentially, real money- there should be more incentive to do so, not less. You stated that there will be less in the monthly shop, meaning you will have less options on what you get to spend your actual money on.
This seems like it may pull in less bones, same as how changing the price of the donation items for something which is a simple accessory item will also draw in less. I was quite ready to spend $60 or more over the course of the year when the zodiac items were gotten with $5 donations, but now that you've doubled it? I won't spend money like that just for something so simple that doesn't benefit my dogs in any way. To get the zodiac items, you've essentially made it from $60 to $120 to get them. Even less people will pay to get that now, despite them being neat. There's no bonus to it aside from them being rare.
I understand that the site needs to bring in money to support itself, but I can't say I really support this change. It just doesn't seem like it will work all that well in the long run, just in the short run of things.
Posted on 03-1-2013 at 1:06 PM
maybe we could add an explore part of Alacrity, just like training sessions you would have so many explore points a day and could win some little prizes or rare ones if your lucky. just a page with some art where you click explore to begin then have two or three choices to click, what you choose results in finding an item of not.
example:
You click Explore!
option 1: "enter name of the dog you use to explore with" bounds into the field and notices something shiney in the distance. Ears perked he/she hunches down and begins to walk toward the shiny pretty object...
Option 2: "enter name of the dog you use to explore with" bounds into the field and notices a pretty blue pond surrounded by flowers and small shrubs. He/she decides to go for a refreshing drink!
Depending on what option you pick you would receive something small or large, unrare or rare if your lucky.
example: the pond might hold an aquatic treat or treasure, and the shiny item might be a pretty collar...etc.
just an idea..
example:
You click Explore!
option 1: "enter name of the dog you use to explore with" bounds into the field and notices something shiney in the distance. Ears perked he/she hunches down and begins to walk toward the shiny pretty object...
Option 2: "enter name of the dog you use to explore with" bounds into the field and notices a pretty blue pond surrounded by flowers and small shrubs. He/she decides to go for a refreshing drink!
Depending on what option you pick you would receive something small or large, unrare or rare if your lucky.
example: the pond might hold an aquatic treat or treasure, and the shiny item might be a pretty collar...etc.
just an idea..
Posted on 03-1-2013 at 12:08 PM
I was riginally okay with this, but as someone who has been playing for 2.5 years, now I can't access the monthly shop at all.
Just speaking from my personal experience, one of the joys of this site was the monthly shop. And once I became a millionaire on here, I was so excited to be able to ACTUALLY afford these things!
It's not like we are able to just buy bones like we used to. Bones now range up to 300k, so with 1 million ala cash, you could only buy THREE, and that's only enough for ONE item.
So if you can't donate, and can't afford the ridiculous bone prices (or just can't get bones), you're now losing out on an important part of the site :/
Granted, it's understandable why it's being done.
Just speaking from my personal experience, one of the joys of this site was the monthly shop. And once I became a millionaire on here, I was so excited to be able to ACTUALLY afford these things!
It's not like we are able to just buy bones like we used to. Bones now range up to 300k, so with 1 million ala cash, you could only buy THREE, and that's only enough for ONE item.
So if you can't donate, and can't afford the ridiculous bone prices (or just can't get bones), you're now losing out on an important part of the site :/
Granted, it's understandable why it's being done.
Posted on 03-1-2013 at 11:43 AM
At first I wasn't really thrilled about this but then the more I thought about it, it made sense. Other sites I play release themed item packs but you need to spend real money for the credits to buy them. Unlike Ala though, you can't give credits or sell other items for credits. You can only get them by buying them with real money or buying the items from users with the site currency.
With this change, I hope that maybe Ala can lean towards increasing people wanting to restock. This means buying items from the main stores to resell in your own store. I'm not sure if it will be able to because a lot of items aren't 1 use. We shall see.
I think this is a risky change, however. We'll see what happens member wise but people tend to be reluctant to change. I'm a little open to this but I guess we won't know what will happen until this is actually implemented.
So for those that can't buy bones (like me), let's wait and give the idea a chance before leaving or rushing to call it 'pay to play'. Sure, I'm a little sad I won't be able to spend Alacash on monthly items eventually but maybe it will have something positive come out as well?
With this change, I hope that maybe Ala can lean towards increasing people wanting to restock. This means buying items from the main stores to resell in your own store. I'm not sure if it will be able to because a lot of items aren't 1 use. We shall see.
I think this is a risky change, however. We'll see what happens member wise but people tend to be reluctant to change. I'm a little open to this but I guess we won't know what will happen until this is actually implemented.
So for those that can't buy bones (like me), let's wait and give the idea a chance before leaving or rushing to call it 'pay to play'. Sure, I'm a little sad I won't be able to spend Alacash on monthly items eventually but maybe it will have something positive come out as well?
Posted on 03-1-2013 at 11:35 AM
I usually don't comment on these things but seriously this is unbelievable. I understand that Ala is losing money, but chances are now you're going to be losing members. One of the best parts of Ala is the monthly shop and waiting for the new amazing items to be released. Some of us don't buy bones period. This change isn't going to make people go buy bones in my opinion. If you don't have money to spend on an online game, then you don't have the money. Instead you're going to lose members. Every few months there's something that becomes even more unattainable unless you spend money here. Which personally makes me less likely to ever spend anything here at all.
Posted on 03-1-2013 at 9:52 AM
Oh joy... =.= This sucks for all the people who can't donate. This was the one thing I liked about ala-one things that isn't on every other site. It was the fact that you could get stuff without paying real money. Oh well. >.> TIme to find a new favorite site.
Posted on 03-1-2013 at 9:52 AM
Before you know it its gonna be imposible to get money and will be a pay to play ... One of alas best features is the option to chose your payment method between bones and cash ... This puts people like me who can't buy bones because they don't take certin card types un able to get monthly items without cashing out the entire inventory and selling most all dogs its already hard enough to make ala cash
Posted on 03-1-2013 at 8:46 AM
I'm a bit confused on the effects of the companions. It says that they bring you 1 food item every 4 hours. Does this include everything in Gnashers from treats to Revitalizers?
Posted on 03-1-2013 at 8:36 AM
I can't say I love the change, but if it's for the best...well, we'll just have to make do, now won't we? :3
How will they rank in terms of bones? Will it be like the 3-4 bone prices in there now? My only issue with that is I can't justify spending $2 on a pop can item, to me or my parents. :| Same with spending $6 for a background...more understandable as it's kind of major, but still.
How will they rank in terms of bones? Will it be like the 3-4 bone prices in there now? My only issue with that is I can't justify spending $2 on a pop can item, to me or my parents. :| Same with spending $6 for a background...more understandable as it's kind of major, but still.
Posted on 03-1-2013 at 7:43 AM
So if I understand correctly, we will be going from the current program of lots of items that you can only get for one month and a few items in main shops that are available a lot longer and switching to the new system of just a few items for bones available for only a month which will increase their rarity and make them worth even more down the line and lots more stuff in the main shops for more players to be able to enjoy.
Posted on 03-1-2013 at 7:36 AM
I'm a little sad, however I understand the choice. :)
Posted on 03-1-2013 at 6:08 AM
Also guys, remember that lots of users like to buy monthly bags in bulks and then sell extra items for cash in their own shops :D it will still be somehow available for you peeps who dont have bones <3
Posted on 03-1-2013 at 3:54 AM
wait wait wait... "This also frees our artists up to do more items for the Main Shops!" More main shop items? 8D That is FANTASTIC.
Posted on 03-1-2013 at 3:40 AM
Lexy, we're definitely not going pay-to-play. We're only switching the monthly shop to bones-only, and those items aren't really neccessary to play the game. They're just specialty items. :} But the good news is that we're going to be doing more content for the Main Shops, which everyone will be able to get with Alacrity cash! <3
Posted on 03-1-2013 at 3:40 AM
Drat, will miss being able to buy these shop items. But of course if there's nothing I like then I'll be ok xD.
Posted on 03-1-2013 at 3:37 AM
I understand that the site needs to handle finance... but I was on another site that was free... and then it went pay-to-play. The amount of members that left was massive. Absolutely huge desecration of member accounts.
Regardless, I understand on the bones switch over… however can you make the prices so that they aren’t as absolutely ridiculous?
Regardless, I understand on the bones switch over… however can you make the prices so that they aren’t as absolutely ridiculous?
Posted on 03-1-2013 at 3:26 AM
Thanks for being open about your reasons for switching the Monthly Shop to bones next month. The economy is hitting everyone pretty hard, so I'm sure you guys have taken a hit on your donations. I hope it improves for ya'll soon. :)
Posted on 03-1-2013 at 3:23 AM