CONFESSIONS OF A "USER"

[Agnostick 86]

Hi.  I've been playing Tanki about six, seven weeks now.  And I've developed... well... a habit.

 

I'm a "user."  You know.  Power-ups, Extra armor.  Repair kit.

 

Supplies.

 

If you want to use that other word... that word of disdain, dislike... go right ahead.  Spit that little epithet out as many times as you like.  I'm going to avoid it.

 

I've bought things in this game.  I've used real $$$$.  PayPal.  And I want to be clear... really clear... about something.

I'm.  Not.  Sorry.

 

We can talk about, oh, the economics of game development, growth, maintenance.  We can talk about why I have a Paypal account, and you don't.  Maybe because, well, your parents don't want you to have that just yet.  Tough noogies.  I wanted a new Camaro for my 18th birthday--I got a used Pontiac.  Way of the world.

 

How much $$$$ have I spent on this game?  As much as I think is reasonable for me and my budget.  It's probably a little more, or a little less, than you've spent on beer... cigarettes... movie tickets... iTunes... your Xbox or Playstation games.

 

Fact is, I used to play this other tank game on my phone called "Iron Force."  It sucked.  I mean, really sucked.  Imagine you and a few other tankers, corporals and sergeants, go into a battle and there are two or three 5-star generals driving M4 XT rigs.  And you're just ducks on the pond.  That's "Iron Force."  Oh, and your turret is fixed... you can't move it.

 

So, one of the reasons I have given some $$$ to the Tanki folks, bought some of their product, is because (radical notion, kids, hang on)... I like what they do.  Same reason you order Pizza Hut instead of Domino's (or vice versa).

Some of you, I've had on my friends list.  If you get me into a team game, I'll bust my hump for your and the team.  I'll hold the points, I'll block your back when you're carrying the flag, and carry the flag the rest of the way if you're taken out.  And I'll occasionally use my supplies to do these things.

If it's a DM game... you're hamburger.  Toast.  Every chance I get.  And I'll occasionally use my supplies to do these things.

So... if you're reading this, and you've bought things, too.  If you use supplies when you play.  If you're getting tired of the whiney comments, the sneers, all that stuff.... go ahead and post.  Sound off!

 

Purchasing and using supplies, upgrades etc. in this game is not illegal.  It's not against the rules.  It's not a crime.

If you ask me questions, I'll answer them.  If you give me grief in the middle of a battle, I'll give it right back.

Deal?   :)

[Maf 32,300]

^ This guy gets it.

[marc.jp_44 20,837]

LOL, nice topic!

[BuriedSky 1,319]

Finally, at least someone understands..

If I could, I'd give it a +10 man!!!

[Mr.Cashier 1,622]

Its really Cool Bro :D +5

[LOLKILLERTOTHEDEATH 1,921]

Wait.. A pontiac solstice, like autobot jazz?. Seems like you're a fan of transformers

[Rad-Powered 1,694]

I wanted a new Camaro for my 18th birthday--I got a used Pontiac.

 

Life's a struggle

[Rad-Powered 1,694]

Ok but on a serious note, it's 5:30 AM here so I can't be arsed to write an essay. I have spent real money on this game, In total, it probably adds up to a little too much than I'd rather admit.

 

However, I have never bought supplies (bar a couple here and there a long time ago). Why? Honestly, I just do not enjoy using them, or playing against them. Using them feels cheap too me. It's an easy kill, an easy capture, in short, an easy win. There is no challenge in pressing some keys at the top of your keyboard that instantly improve your tanks stats to a point of ridiculous proportions. My opinion. I hate playing against supply users for pretty much the exact same reasons. That being said, if someone blatantly drugs in my field of view, then so will I.

 

I try to not get too mad at supply users, because it's not going to change anything, or stop them from drugging. But sometimes it's pretty goddamn frustrating battling people who insist on using supplies.

 

So I just go on ru2 and find some PRO battles with supplies and drops disabled, micro upgrades don't really bother me. Or go to ru1 for xp/bp.

 

Ok that was a little longer than expected :D.

[dilsharox 2,395]

nice

[kmpa 830]

 

 

Ok but on a serious note, it's 5:30 AM here so I can't be arsed to write an essay. I have spent real money on this game, In total, it probably adds up to a little too much than I'd rather admit.

 

However, I have never bought supplies (bar a couple here and there a long time ago). Why? Honestly, I just do not enjoy using them, or playing against them. Using them feels cheap too me. It's an easy kill, an easy capture, in short, an easy win. There is no challenge in pressing some keys at the top of your keyboard that instantly improve your tanks stats to a point of ridiculous proportions. My opinion. I hate playing against supply users for pretty much the exact same reasons. That being said, if someone blatantly drugs in my field of view, then so will I.

 

I try to not get too mad at supply users, because it's not going to change anything, or stop them from drugging. But sometimes it's pretty goddamn frustrating battling people who insist on using supplies.

 

So I just go on ru2 and find some PRO battles with supplies and drops disabled, micro upgrades don't really bother me. Or go to ru1 for xp/bp.

 

Ok that was a little longer than expected :D.

 

 

I couldn't have said it any better, +1000

 

drugs give you an unfair advantage over someone who might not want to buy drugs or simply not able to afford drugs.

 

Like you said, Agnostick, you got sick of that Iron Force game due to its imbalance. Well, drugs do exactly this, they cause unnecessary imbalance in the game. And that is why so many people hate them.

Edited October 24, 2015 by kmpa

[GoldRock 6,165]

Not a buyer myself, but this is excellently written. Even with Premium Accounts and even if I don't fully support that latest introduction myself, Tanki really doesn't give all that much of an 'unfair advantage' to its buyers compared to other games, and its perfectly fine for people to buy. It would be hypocritical to criticise buyers for buying since we all spend on things we enjoy, that's just a cover for people being annoyed that they lack the skill to compete with buyers or the intelligence to understand that this game allows them to do so. Agreed with everything you've said here.

[tanker538N 394]

This guy deserves the reporter avatar below his name

Very well written <3

[Phoenix.Raised 5,992]

Good text

[tommybau 1,033]

Anyone can buy tons of supplies without effort.

 

Last 3 months i played i earned something close to 800.000 crystals. Just daily routine and daily missions, no no-lifing and such. i was able to purchase 2 m3 guns, 1 m3 hull, paints save up for a ton of microupgrades and some passes.

 

In this game, you can earn with some effort more than 10.000 crystals daily. You can get 100.000-150.000 crystals  (the cost of a 1500 supply pack) in less than 2-3 weeks.

 

If you follow a correct and enjoyable gameplay style, those supplies can last for months, if not more.

 

I mean... That was me the first days of august and some days ago. I played like COSTANTLY USING SUPPLIES and i was not able to use even HALF of them in 3 months of playing...

 

 

 

TL;DR

 

If you whine about not being able to afford supplies, you are unable to mantain a stable economy\gameplay style regarding your account.

[The_Smoky_Project 25]

People tend to forget that everything in this entire game (save for a few menial paints) is absolutely free. Buyers only have a time advantage. They can acquire items faster, which they should be able to do as they did pay real money in the game. A free player can even get supplies for free through missions. I will admit, though, that when someone else begins to blatantly use supplies, that it can be extremely frustrating. Yes, I do have the supplies to counter them, but I do not find myself willing to do so often, especially in smaller games where the fund is low. I will also state that I have no issues with supplies in general, as they make the game more dynamic and unpredictable.

 

A lot of hate of buyers stems from people's thoughts on the idea of "fair", a notion so embedded in gaming culture that developers will spend massive amounts of time just to perfect it. Of course, nothing is fair unless everyone is the same. This is not the case. Someone may have a better spawn than you, or a better hull, or a better turret, or even a better strategy that can make a situation "unfair". I will say will clear mind that the unfairness of a game is what makes it fun and interesting. I would rather have to face an insurmountable challenge at some times than be on an even playing field at all times. This is more entertaining, in my opinion, and a massive, unbalanced loss just brings me back to "it really is just a game." All of the time and effort I've put into this game has ultimately been towards the idea of entertainment, which I believe it to have given.

[QueenSeraphina 407]

Anyone can buy tons of supplies without effort.

 

Last 3 months i played i earned something close to 800.000 crystals. Just daily routine and daily missions, no no-lifing and such. i was able to purchase 2 m3 guns, 1 m3 hull, paints save up for a ton of microupgrades and some passes.

 

In this game, you can earn with some effort more than 10.000 crystals daily. You can get 100.000-150.000 crystals  (the cost of a 1500 supply pack) in less than 2-3 weeks.

 

If you follow a correct and enjoyable gameplay style, those supplies can last for months, if not more.

 

I mean... That was me the first days of august and some days ago. I played like COSTANTLY USING SUPPLIES and i was not able to use even HALF of them in 3 months of playing...

 

 

 

TL;DR

 

If you whine about not being able to afford supplies, you are unable to mantain a stable economy\gameplay style regarding your account.

So, how many hours you play per day, what combo you used and what maps/,modes to achieve that much crystals?

 

Meh, this game is hard to play without buying at times.

[Opex-Rah 5,375]

For instance, nowadays, if one person wants advantage in battles (privilige), then they can buy premium. So they get advantage and other people get sick of constantly being beaten by those with this privilige, so they are forced into either playing in a crappy way like they did or get premium themselves in order to get even.

Ohh... reading this makes me feel bad. Especially after I was reading through some stuff on RU forum where tankers asked devs again and again "why is this premium account even there IF IT DOESN'T GIVE ANY POWER!?" Privelege by PA, lol. Privelege to have every gun pointed at you that is.

[BuriedSky 1,319]

↑ I would honestly agree to what Hazel said...

I mean seriously, the PA actually don't have any advantage over others...a premium account holder does not affect any other player in the battle...

[I3ANNED 1,693]

This guy should become a reporter xD he's awesome. Also am I the only one that finds Hazel-Rah a little uhh normal xD all the other mods/admins too polite -_- he seems to be a person you can chill with.

 

Ohh... reading this makes me feel bad. Especially after I was reading through some stuff on RU forum where tankers asked devs again and again "why is this premium account even there IF IT DOESN'T GIVE ANY POWER!?" Privelege by PA, lol. Privelege to have every gun pointed at you that is.

 

ikr, how is it affecting them in any way xD and 15% protection... WOW OMG HE'S INDESTRUCTIBLE 

 

 

 

not

Edited October 24, 2015 by I3ANNED

[Opex-Rah 5,375]

This guy should become a reporter xD he's awesome. Also am I the only one that finds Hazel-Rah a little uhh normal xD all the other mods/admins too polite -_- he seems to be a person you can chill with.

OH HELL NO! I got beaten by forum folks for this all the time! :(

[TriNitroToIuene 4,765]

THIS. DESERVES. TO. BE. ON. THE. HOMEPAGE.

 

I don't buy, and will never do so, but I am always against the cause of discriminating buyers. This is a well constructed article that subtly, but passionately delivers the point home without any fancy words - the exact type of words to which one pays most attention. Money can either be used on real life or on Tanki, and wherever you use it, you're doing it for yourself, not for others. Brilliantly written article, I agree with everything you've said there.

[Dragon-Judgement 1,529]

If only more had common sense like the OP. I think I'm about to get back into TO simply because of his post.

[Benefactor 6,888]

You don't seem to get why people complain here. I am a buyer (well, used to be and I've spent hundreds of bucks on this game), I use supplies (I don't buy supplies though because it's literally a waste) and I too have a bunch of stuff on my main account's garage which I got because of buying crystals. But the reason people complain, the reason even I complain is not because of buyingitself, but because of the priviliges you get for buying stuff. For instance, nowadays, if one person wants advantage in battles (privilige), then they can buy premium. So they get advantage and other people get sick of constantly being beaten by those with this privilige, so they are forced into either playing in a crappy way like they did or get premium themselves in order to get even.

 

But since you buy stuff and it's not a bother to you, your egotism just rises and hence here's the result; you simply not caring if other people waste their time, money and effort that they don't have on things they don't need. This capitalist bull is just freakin' annoying. This is the reason why I want the company to go to bust so that the game can be remade into something that isn't gonna give people privilige.

Money doesn't buy skill.

[BuriedSky 1,319]

ikr, how is it affecting them in any way xD and 15% protection... WOW OMG HE'S INDESTRUCTIBLE

not

C'mon Man!

There are paints that provide up to 50% protection...and still you can get wrecked by the same turret against which it provides you protection....

While premium paint provides only 15%....15% is just NOTHING, man.....is it?

Edited October 24, 2015 by BuriedSky

[QueenSeraphina 407]

Money doesn't buy skill.

It doesn't buy skill, but you can get a more powerful tank quickly.