Skitch, I think the ability to gift DC is most likely to be the Wishing Well universal gift, now that you mention it.
Deliciously cynical factoring!
Of course! That makes perfect sense! Everybody throws a ton of coins into the well and the resulting community prize is therefore the ability to share coins. I think you're definitely correct!
GCID: akaSkitch
Hydrogen is a colorless, odorless gas, which if left alone in large enough quantities, for long enough, will begin to think about itself.
They are tuning the game to force completists to spend cash.
Would someone like to check the math on this? If we leave out the epic dragons (which can be bred via the CBC) and all the rewards that have been rereleased, what is the total value of new prizes versus the amount of tickets we've been able to earn to date?
As windrider says, there are 13,105 tickets worth of brand new items available. Unfortunately, because they are insanely useful and a "capped unique" item, I also regard the extra 2 Omnitats as a necessary purchase (in the same way that I didn't regard my park as "complete" until I had acquired all the treat farms available). That's a total value of 21,105 tickets. I have collected the max possible daily tickets with a main bank total of 20,150. I have also saved as many Gifts as I can but the current theory is that only 3500-ish will be usable (maybe more if we have a "doubles weekend" during the redemption-only period).
So as things currently stand, and assuming a hard cap of 500 a day from Gifts during a 7-day redemption, I have 23,650 to spend. This gives me a surplus of 2545 if the event were to end today.
Aggravating factors: - There has been a trend of prize cost-inflation for each phase (this is the big "gotcha" that has me worried). - The 3500 Gift tickets is a hard limit (ignoring the possibility of doubles or BFS relenting for the sake of argument) and must be pro-rated against all the new items in the coming phases (so its buying power decreases as more gifts are added). - My cynical expectation is that BFS will increase cost-pressure by saving the "best for last" and accelerating the add-rate of new items in the final phase (including a must-have item that will allow us to gift dragon cash).
Mitigating factors: - There may be another 1500 tickets available if we have a doubles weekend during the redemption phase. - It would be reasonable to add the 1000 tickets coming in the remaining 2 days of the current phase into the consideration for the current totals.
Edit: Added a third ultra-cynical aggravating factor!
I'm with olds on this one. My HC holds 300 and I still want more. Yes the nursery is a bottle neck, but come back tomorrow and it has cleared. My HC is well and truly maxed out. I try to keep it at 296 to give me some manoeuvring room, but Twins are making it very tight.
But yes oldsmol it has been discussed before. Many times. Doesn't mean it can't be again.
I try to get 3 + egg of every conventionally breedable dragon, which works out well since we now have three breeding locations (I don't keep 3 of each basic dragon, because I can easily buy another if I really need one...)
So I definitely want a hibernation cave increase too!
Until then, all I can do is display more dragons.
I haven't done the math recently, but at max level, assuming you have most (all?) the bonus habitats and are using the largest possible habitats, I think we might currently have enough habitat slots to actually display 2 of every non gem/crystal/galaxy dragon. If not two of each, it's got to be two of most.
I know I could certainly display a larger variety of dragons if I didn't have so many duplicate epics displayed for DC/gem production.
I wish BFS would help us out a little more on the display issue. Something in the Dragonarium that shows displayed dragons somehow so we could spot which ones we need to bring out of hibernation...
GCID: akaSkitch
Hydrogen is a colorless, odorless gas, which if left alone in large enough quantities, for long enough, will begin to think about itself.
No, you must spend tickets in your main bank before transferring tickets from Gifts. Some of us have been sloppily using the term "bank" to refer to the act of saving tickets in the gift tab and that's what I meant above for the 3500-ish total. The new assumption since BFS has warned against saving too many gifts is that we'll be capped at 500 transferred from gifts each day for the final week that redemption is allowed but collection has ended.
Waitaminnit... I panicked when I read this and just cashed in some gift tickets, to test. My primary banked tickets (from BFS) didn't have to be touched. Am I missing something here?
(See, I know I'll need to touch the bank when I travel next, so I had to find out).
Ouch, sorry for the confusion! What I meant was that you must redeem your tickets from the main bank and then replace them from your Gifts (plznoepicfails wondered if tickets could be redeemed out of Gifts without using the ones in the main bank). Current theory is you can only move them from Gifts to the main bank at the cap rate, i.e. 500 per day (and possibly 1000 per day if there are doubles).
If you're saying that you redeemed tickets directly from your Gifts and that they did NOT simply move into your main bank, then this is different behavior from what I'm seeing. My Gifts can't be collected at all unless I haven't passed the cap for the day, and collecting from them while still below the cap moves them from Gifts to the main bank (but only enough to reach the cap, the remainder staying in Gifts in a new, smaller entry).
GCID: akaSkitch
Hydrogen is a colorless, odorless gas, which if left alone in large enough quantities, for long enough, will begin to think about itself.
I will point out that it is an assumption on your part that the focus is only on the bottom line. That desire may well be heightened (without actual proof in the form of a memo or something like that nobody can really know) but I do not see evidence that the fun of the game has been left in the dust.
Well, I did say that there's been a noticeable shift from the former to the latter, not that one has been completely abandoned in favor of the other. Having said that, however, the cynical response would be that the only reason they have left any fun in the game is because that in itself serves the bottom line (nobody will continue to pay for a game that isn't fun!). I'm not that cynical yet, but just as there's no evidence that the bottom line is the only focus, neither is there any evidence that it isn't!
I'd also add that there are other factors involved here: competing games. It seems to me that games have to change in order keep users interested. I would argue that there are several areas of focus allowing for more users to play differently. It only really puts stress on us power gamers that want it all. Once I let go of 'absolutely needing it all right now' I've had no problems with the way the game is unfolding.
This is completely true, but my hope would be that they change in line with their original philosophies. In my opinion, the increased focus on micro-transactions is the worst thing to ever happen to gaming. The new version of Angry Birds actually requires a cool-down period after you've fired off a few birds that you must wait out or pay to retry immediately. Tragically, enough people continue to play the game that Rovio doesn't yet see the need to change it (though there have been an increased number of negative reviews in the store as players realize what's up).
Again, I respect your opinion and can totally see how you have arrived at your conclusion. I am only saying that I have arrived at a different one for myself =)
Of course, and this is what we all must ultimately decide according to our own needs and desires for the game. My hope is that enough people will eventually feel as I do to have an effect on that bottom line and push BFS back toward their original design philosophy.
GCID: akaSkitch
Hydrogen is a colorless, odorless gas, which if left alone in large enough quantities, for long enough, will begin to think about itself.
Well, in all fairness to BFS (and all game developers), I have never been of the mindset that we should be entitled to have everything in a game for free, and have it when it first becomes available. These are programmers and artists who deserve to be paid for their work in providing us with the entertainment that we get from these games, aren't they? I just don't think its unreasonable to offer a game where the players have to decide either to play for free but may need to wait awhile to get everything, or pay a little and get everything there is to get right when its offered. I think its a fair approach to gaming.
Of course, and as I said, I have sent money their way many times over the years. In fact, I daresay I've paid more into this game than I have to many of my A-list console games.
But when BFS began this game they articulated a play philosophy that I applauded and loved: with a little patience, you can breed all the dragons in DragonVale for free. Now before all you armchair lawyers start pointing out that this is still true, my point is that for years they adhered to this underlying philosophy in every aspect of the game. With careful thought, with applied strategy, and with patience, you could do everything for free. The business model that drove the game's success was built around players who were impatient and willing to trade cash for speed, or who were excited about seeing how the shiny new thingy looked in their parks, or who really, really enjoyed the game and felt good about supporting its developers and artists with occasional (and even frequent) reward purchases.
To me this was a philosophy worthy of both my emotional and monetary support, and the fact is that BFS made a ton of money from people like me for many years and became one of the top-earning games in the App Store under this very philosophy. When they were acquired by Hasbro there was a noticeable shift in philosophy away from "gaming for the love of the game" and toward the bottom line. I think this is a real shame and BFS is losing my support as a result.
GCID: akaSkitch
Hydrogen is a colorless, odorless gas, which if left alone in large enough quantities, for long enough, will begin to think about itself.
This seems the most likely outcome. They surely wouldn't prevent us from using tickets in the Gift tab at all during the final week, so if they don't allow us to withdraw all that we have banked, the lowest coding impact is to simply leave the daily cap in place.
Guess that means I should reevaluate my strategy to save all tickets until the end and start redeeming them with an eye toward ending up with 3500-ish banked when collection ends.
Are you presently able to spend gifted tickets first, before spending your primary banked tickets? I have assumed that you can't dip into gifted tickets until after your banked tickets are all used up, but I may be wrong.
No, you must spend tickets in your main bank before transferring tickets from Gifts. Some of us have been sloppily using the term "bank" to refer to the act of saving tickets in the gift tab and that's what I meant above for the 3500-ish total. The new assumption since BFS has warned against saving too many gifts is that we'll be capped at 500 transferred from gifts each day for the final week that redemption is allowed but collection has ended.
I must say I'm annoyed that BFS will apparently not allow us to use as many gifts as we can save using the rules of the game as they have coded it. They are tuning the game to force completists to spend cash. I have made purchases many times over the years to reward the developers for this game I really enjoy, but to be forced to do so in order to obtain everything rubs me the wrong way and my current inclination is to no longer spend money at all. This kind of behavior will drive me away from the game.
GCID: akaSkitch
Hydrogen is a colorless, odorless gas, which if left alone in large enough quantities, for long enough, will begin to think about itself.
Hi all I have seen this on fb today : "you will be able to collect tickets from your gifts after september 21st. Unfortunately we are unable to advise how many you will be able to collect. We do not recommend saving your gifted tickets till then" (from backflip studios) I am not very good in english, does that mean that the gifted tickets can be lost at the end of the event? Thanks for this so cool forum
We *might* still only be able to collect 500 a day to convert to prizes, and the rest, presumably will be converted to treats.
I'm finding it so easy to hit the limit, I have no trouble also banking ~160/day. If I don't get to collect them at the end, it won't really be a loss.
This seems the most likely outcome. They surely wouldn't prevent us from using tickets in the Gift tab at all during the final week, so if they don't allow us to withdraw all that we have banked, the lowest coding impact is to simply leave the daily cap in place.
Guess that means I should reevaluate my strategy to save all tickets until the end and start redeeming them with an eye toward ending up with 3500-ish banked when collection ends.
GCID: akaSkitch
Hydrogen is a colorless, odorless gas, which if left alone in large enough quantities, for long enough, will begin to think about itself.
Sure, but that's my complaint, it's a poorly worded goal. Hatching a dragon is certainly one way of "Getting" a dragon. If they meant "buy a dragon with tickets" they should have phrased it more explicitly!
They did phrase it more explicitly -- 1) in the code! and 2) Click on the goal. "This item can be obtained from the Prize Tent during the Great Dragon Faire."
For Procyon Dragon it says Explicitly "Hatch a procyon dragon egg."
For many many other dragons, it says explicitly "hatch a <name> dragon egg."
The typical dragon goals (and I think this was true of Procyon though I can no longer check) are phrased this way:
Get a Xxxx Dragon Hatch a xxxx dragon egg
The Midday goal is phrased this way:
Midday Dragon Get a Midday Dragon
"Get the dragon" is a bit overloaded here. I stand by my assertion that they need to tighten up their phraseology
GCID: akaSkitch
Hydrogen is a colorless, odorless gas, which if left alone in large enough quantities, for long enough, will begin to think about itself.
Welp, I've got two Midday dragons and a Midday pedestal... and my Midday goal still hasn't cleared!
You have to buy it with tickets for the goal to clear. It is not a "hatch a <dragon>" goal. It is a "Get a <item>" goal
Sure, but that's my complaint, it's a poorly worded goal. Hatching a dragon is certainly one way of "Getting" a dragon. If they meant "buy a dragon with tickets" they should have phrased it more explicitly!
GCID: akaSkitch
Hydrogen is a colorless, odorless gas, which if left alone in large enough quantities, for long enough, will begin to think about itself.
As a completist I always work very hard to earn all of the prizes for every event, so for the Faire I only have to worry about the new items. I'm saving all my tickets until the end of the event so that all my options are open. I have maxed out on collectible tickets every day and I always try to bank the maximum amount in the Gifts tab as well (so I only collect friend gifts and one Challenge Tent collection after I've maxed out, and I always reserve two spins in the Games Tent after carefully approaching max just shy of 2 tickets hoping for a spin of 40).
As things currently sit, I have enough tickets to buy every prize that I don't currently have with a slight surplus of a couple hundred tickets (assuming I can collect all banked tickets during the final week). If BFS doesn't continue the trend of making each successive phase's prizes more and more expensive I should be able to buy everything at the end!
Edit: Oh, and I also have been lucky breeding the Faire dragons and have not had to purchase one yet (nor do I intend to even if I fail to breed one since they will eventually be breedable)
Woohoo!! I managed to avoid sending gifts until doubles arrived! And here I was convinced that successfully waiting would cause BFS to cancel doubles ('cause I KNOW they're watching me...)
GCID: akaSkitch
Hydrogen is a colorless, odorless gas, which if left alone in large enough quantities, for long enough, will begin to think about itself.
What? Oh, you must've bred it and I didn't get it because I already had one... Oh well. I will take this as an opportunity to learn to be more alert when recieving twins
By the way, if I seem to be like, really inalert for the next five or six days, that is because I'm going to be traveling (again, I know), most likely without an internet connection (again, I know). So, see you!
Also, Skitch, don't you dare wish that BFS don't start and end a double weekend while I'm away! Do you remember what happened last time?
In all seriousness though, I believe it is highly likely that BFS will in fact do a double weekend while I'm gone. What Skitch wishes has absolutely nothing to do with that, at all, end of story, that's it. I think... hope... probably... very questionable.
What I have learned about the mysterious ways of BFS and trying to predict what they will do: they will defy my expectations and take me completely by surprise. Always. Even if I try to employ reverse psychology or self-fulfilling prophesy. There's something spooky and magical going on...
Also, I think they have tapped into my iPhone camera.
GCID: akaSkitch
Hydrogen is a colorless, odorless gas, which if left alone in large enough quantities, for long enough, will begin to think about itself.
I'm trying for the very elusive Delirium in my CBC, a second Midday in my EBI, and have decided to try for Snowflake 5 in my EBC, as I have nothing else to work on and am tired of Wisp and Wisp. First try, another 1 or 2. I'm not sure it is possible, but decided to give it a try.
Also, I'm a little surprised that neither the Winter Wonderland island theme or the Dragonsai Bush are available. They were both a part of the same event as the Treatery. Maybe they will show up later in the event or during BEB.
I'm trying for Andromedan or Procyon in the CBC (whichever I can find a friend sharing it), second Jasper in the EBC and Snowflake 5 in the EBI.
I've been sharing Procyon for a while (when I remember to set it back that is) but just noticed my entry on page 1 still says Elysium!
GCID: akaSkitch
Hydrogen is a colorless, odorless gas, which if left alone in large enough quantities, for long enough, will begin to think about itself.
I think for the Midday (and the other new event dragons that aren't Snowflake or Monolith), you'll need 1 first to be able to clone them. There wouldn't be much of a point making them rewards if they're breedable during the event.
Well, we already know that's not true for Midday. You can clone one even if you have 0 in your park.
Although apparently the odds are pretty garbage. I've asked a couple people on my friends list, and many of them said they used hundreds of gems.
Difficult but doable even without gems. I managed to breed one with my Spring and Cyn's Midday. I will use gems to speed up breeding only in an emergency situation!
ETA: I recently noticed that it didn't clear my Midday goal though!
Hydrogen is a colorless, odorless gas, which if left alone in large enough quantities, for long enough, will begin to think about itself.
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