Mirror Auction Idea

[Dirtybook]

I have an idea.. perhaps make an auction that the rest of the server population can enjoy? It is notable to many players, who often stay silent, rather than argue with the gold farmers & ultra rich of this server. That the majority of items placed up at auction, are always out of reach. Half of which get placed on the vendors of those who bought them, for double (if not more than double) the price they were purchased at auction.

My idea, is a Mirror Auction, while keeping the regular Grand Auctions the farmers covet. It does not have to include everything from the main auction, but, it would be nice to get a few things that most of us will never be able to obtain through regular game play (with how things are right now). My idea is to make "all" of the items on the mirror auction "Account Bound". This way, it's not capable of profiteering off the auction itself. (Unless you get a jaded Gold Farmer who buys everything or raise prices on purpose, to spite other players, and ruin the Mirror Auction.. Which could be possible.)

This would create a realm of "Wow! I WANT THAT SO BAD!", versus, "Yeah, I'll place it on my vendor for double..." Because if it's account bound, only the players that "Want" that item will try for it.

Just my two cents.

Additional Edit : This idea might work for Raffles in Trinsic to. Make a set of raffles that are "Account Bound", to allow players who "Want" to have the item for use, and have a better chance of getting it. Otherwise, the items gets placed up on a vendor, for just under ED room price, and creates another avenue of profiteering. (Profiteering helps push Inflation for the server, with negative impact.)

[Wil]

Account bound items can't be relayered and it doesn't function on deco deeds (because they can be chopped back to the regular deco) or houses. Do you have any thoughts on what -else- sells at auctions that would be interesting if account bound yet not sell for comparable prices to the regular auctions?

Looking through the auction room, I only see a handful of things that might meet this criteria. And some of it, like the Stronger Wooden Box, might be -more- valuable if it was account bound.

Long ago there was a New Player auction that sold things like blessed scissors and keys. Stuff an older player can make readily enough and sold not far below what it would cost to make them, yet was attainable to relatively new players. It seemed to work out well.

[Dirtybook]

I'm pretty sure +C could code items that are Account Bound, to still be account bound after being used as samples. *shrugs* (Meaning the relayer or item changed item, is now account bound.)

Edit Addition :

Correct me if I'm wrong, but can't the Winter Events cape be item changed into an Ultimate Quiver (as well as other items), keeping that back slot item as well as the Cloak of Mist, "Account Bound" after? I do recall seeing someone "Account Bound" Yeti Puppet used to make an account bound relayered shield. (Meaning the mechanics for my suggestion, are already there. It's only a matter of adding permissions to the item/s in question. To force them to be made "Account Bound" before, and after use.)

[Dirtybook]

The idea I have placed up here, is intended to allow players that don't macro gold farm to be able to acquire items from an auction. So, to clear up any misunderstandings, the idea is simple. If you use an Item Upgrade Deed, the item you use it on, becomes account bound. If you use a "sample", like a Black Heater Shield on a shield item, that item becomes account bound. You buy an Ancient Yumi, it is forever account bound. Pretty cut and dry. (Yes, this would make even relayers with special skins, and special upgrades account bound as well. As well as Decoration items.)

The thought behind forcing items to be made "Account Bound", is so the farmers, and others that have donated for years, will be less likely to buy the object being auctioned. Since there will be no financial gain on there part for doing so. So people that actually "want" the item, have a chance at ownership, at a reduced price vs the unbound items of the Grand Auction. I cannot explain it any better than this.

Edit Addition :

The only draw back I can see to this plan, is the gold farmers may make an attempt at exclusivity, and buy up everything at the Mirror Auction, and store it at there homes out of spite. (A way to force the shut down of the Mirror Auction, through financial dominance of it.) To make sure everyone knows they have the power to buy everything, as a show of financial dominance (bullying). Which would again allow them to keep the "Imposed Inflation", that this server overwhelmed with. Claiming that more money on the server is why the inflation exists.. Ironic coming from people who farm millions a day, none stop. (If there's to much money, the Mirror Auction would subtract the gold off the server, not add to it.)

And yes, I know, many who will read this will be like "You went in jail for cheating! You have no room to talk!" But, you would be wrong... My voting fraud of 9 accounts (which I had to pay back), wouldn't have gained the same amount of EDs in a year, that a player can Gold Farm in just over a months time. To me, I don't think the players who are legally cheating, whom make more in a month that many players can grind in 6+, should have any room to talk at all, and I don't trust players who want it all for them selves.. so no, I do not think anyone with huge amounts amassed wealth on this server would be above this type of behavior. (Meaning strong arming the market place, and setting higher prices, because they can afford to do so. The word commonly used for this, is "Monopoly".)

I'm pretty sure this will not be a popular idea for some, but for the many, the Mirror Auction would be worth a try. Many people don't stay, because they realize after a while, they will have to either donate obscene amounts of money, time, and effort, just so they will be outbid by Gold Famers, who mantra "Donate.. Donate...Donate...", because they are no longer a contributing factor to the server.. only leeching from it. This would be a step in the right direction to give players that don't bend the rules, the capability at something more special than what they can normally get with any sensible amounts of playing times, and personal finances.

If you agree with a Mirror Auction, please, speak up. Don't be afraid of the "Internet Keyboard Warriors", as they don't matter. If you don't like what I've said here, realize just how little I care, go ahead and complain, or rant.. Won't be the first time.

Later dudes!

[Wil]

I'm pretty sure +C could code items that are Account Bound, to still be account bound after being used as samples.

More power to you man.

[Dirtybook]

I'm pretty sure +C is smarter than you are Wil.

The mechanics for this already exist.. You would know this, if you actually read more... but you would rather mock the Admin.

So I have to ask.. ..Where's you're server? Wasn't it on the corner of "Doesn't Exist" & "You're not capable of running one" ?

[+Colibri]

I'd like to first check how much of auctioned items go on for sale. I guess, like with having blurred vision, we here often see an example or two, and then our mind just assumes it applies for everything. Could it be that 2 of the items were on vendors, and it now seems like most of the stuff gets resold?

BTW this reminds me of the "de-monopolization" rule we had in auctions long ago - the rule was, that if you bought a deco deed on the Saturday auction, you weren't allowed to bid on it on the Sunday auction. But then, you could just get a friend to buy it for you, and without items being account-bound, there's no point in such a rule.

Overall, account binding can be a really good thing for balancing out the economy, or at least dampening the risk of how markets work. But also, we have to be careful not to overdo it - since a big part of an item's value is that you can sell it later on when you get some other gear, or when you just want to get the gold to buy something bigger.

From a technical point of view, I guess the problem is that there are so many different kinds of items and deeds. The addon deeds share common code so that could be upgraded quite efficiently, of course also editing the house trading code so that if you want to trade a house, it checks all addons to find any account-bound ones. The bigger issue is things like, change weapon specials deed - i'd have to code so that weapons have a memory of what deeds were applied, and whether a deed was account bound. If such a deed was used on the weapon, then it becomes permanently account bound. But it gets trickier with like, Personal vendor Body change deed - then the vendors would also have to be aware that an account-bound item was applied on them.

Even if items are account-bound, there will be inequality. There's an idea that we could have newbie auctions - let's say for players up to 3 months. Now, if items aren't account bound, someone will get a newbie to go to the auction for them, so they can buy up a lot of the stuff. But ok account-binding fixes that, and people will only bid on things they actually want. But then again, it's unfair: some players at 3 months old are very well established with lots of gold, and some would reluctantly spend 500k on something.

Btw I think that, yeah auctions do have this late-stage-capitalism issue with them, yeah it's a kind of endgame activity for people who farm gold, and it's also an incentive for donors. And also, it's not that bad - not everyone buys items there just to resell them. And even if they do, maybe it's a profitable activity for a while but then they might find that they overpaid for something and nobody wants to buy it at the marked-up price, not even at a reduced price.

[Dirtybook]

I agree with everything you have said. However I need to clarify, that the items being no longer able to be sold for a bigger item, due to being account bound, is part of the point I wanted to make. This way it would not overshadow the Grand Auction's unbound items. I do see you're point on maybe it "seems" like a lot goes up for sale from auctions, with a narrow sense of perception, that may appear true. So you have a good point.

My thought is on De-Inflation, in any direction this type of Auction could assist with. Including the overabundance of items on the market. You cannot sale Mirror Auction items, which would make the people who purchase them have to make a wise choice on how to use them, or if they really want it in the first place. Since there will be no getting you're gold back. If the end goal is making the server a little more affordable for those that play here, that is one way of doing it. While giving Auction quality items that someone would covet.

In my understanding (May be different for others), Inflation should not exist in the abundance of commodities already on the market. It should do the reverse. However, this does not seem to be the case here. The top gold earners set prices, and most players follow pricing their goods, without question, because they want that amount for something similar. (Part of that blurred vision you spoke about.) In my eyes, providing a few good rares to lesser gold earning players, or those that have less time to play. Would make people a bit more optimistic by logging into a character that is wearing a Calvary Sheild, or a Prismatic Sword. Or a cool mount that makes them grin after a long day of work, to come home and escape reality for a couple hours before bed. Alot of these players would likely never get rid of these items. I know I would wear a Black Heater Sheild till the end of time.. I'm not jazzed about going past SoP relayers. So it would end up being my permanent shield. Since I don't care to compete for a Titan's Hammer, or pay extra for a Bone Crusher later on down the line. (Many players feel this way.)

Sure, what I'm suggesting is a little odd. However, most the players on this server, never get past a certain point of power, or playing status. Things like life and finances tend to get in the way. From what I have seen, a server usually comprises of casual players. No matter what game it is. The top players (Power Players) are a small number, with everyone under them, descending the ranks of lesser and lesser power, to the bottom rung of casual players who just want to enjoy the game. (I'm at the bottom of the rung. I just want to enjoy the game.) If I believed everyone was in the mode of competition of the top tier Power Gamers, I would not give the idea of a Mirror Auction. It would be pointless.

Anyhow. Past that, I know you know what's best for you're server, and I trust in that. Just thought I would toss my 2 cents out there. Later dude!

Edit Addition : This server has been around a long enough time, to where I think things will be fine. As always, my ideals, are nothing more than that. Just things to throw into the air.. will they stick a landing? *shrugs* If they do, cool, if not, that's cool to. Party on Dudes!

[Johnny Warren]

The vast majority of the items aren't bought to be sold, not immediately anyway, with the exception of some deco items that go too cheap. The cheap deco items will be snapped up to be sold on the secondary market. While it does happen on occasion for the big items, there are some players that do enjoy doing that, most players buy their items to use them and then sell them when they upgrade or are done with the novelty.

I think you would find that the account bound items would get snapped up by the same players that also buy the main auction items. Really, the only way to allow poorer players access to the auction items is to have more auctions. There are only so many times the richest of us can buy multiple 200-400m gold items before even our accounts run dry. If +C ran quarterly grand auctions and monthly mini auctions with only one or 2 big ticket items.... as I was typing this idea I had a sense of deja vu... did some forum searching and found this from +C in 2019:

- Auctions - with a back-end system so we can track all of the various items, which will make organizing an auction easier, and the goal to host monthly small auctions and quarterly grand auctions.

(Page 21 of the excelsior daily thread)

I think if +coliibri was able to make this plan occur you would get your wish. Cheaper items at auction. Or at least a lot more discretion in the purchases made by the mega rich making it easier for newer players to get something instead of just feeling like spectators.

[Carpetbagger]

The auction is exclusively for getting the gold out of the economy that was farmed by AFK'ers.

I said what I said.

[Johnny Warren]

The auction is exclusively for getting the gold out of the economy that was farmed by AFK'ers.

I said what I said.

AFK farmers are a big problem, for sure. One of the biggest spenders will certainly be one of the serious AFKers that you refer to sadly. That said, what you said isn't true. The part that makes your statement incorrect is the word "exclusively". Many of us play very fair. I earn my gold very slowly, but after 14 years I do have a bit of gold now... some players earn by donating a lot (we need those players)... but yes, a percentage of the gold will be from AFKers, but definitely not all.

The multiaccounters are a bigger problem and we know some of them will be spending big big gold on the weekend. Even if you have stopped multiaccounting now, please know that many of us vets know exactly what you have done in the past and exactly who you are and your items/wealth is all tarnished and you will never have our respect - yes, I am talking to you, you know who you are and what you did. Shame on you. You'll never be as good as the rest of us. To the multiaccounter who just started doing it in the last year and will be spending big gold this weekend, yes, we also know about you - you know who you are, I know you've slowed down a bit on it, but you haven't stopped. Just stop. You've already lost all respect from most of us vets. Multiaccountting is just despicable everybody. Don't do it.

I hope this post doesn't break any rules - but I hope those multiaccounters read this and at least feel some shame and remorse (yes, I am talking about you and no I am not talking about you - small fry multiaccounter) and that +C eventually compiles enough evidence to just ban you both for good, irrespective of any recent donations.

[Muolke]

Even if you have stopped multiaccounting now, please know that many of us vets know exactly what you have done in the past and exactly who you are and your items/wealth is all tarnished and you will never have our respect - yes, I am talking to you, you know who you are and what you did. Shame on you. You'll never be as good as the rest of us. You've already lost all respect from most of us vets.

I genuinely feel sorry for you.

I haven't even played in probably 4-5 months and the more I read posts like this the happier I am that i've chosen to focus my time on other things. This "holier than thou" and "I am perfect" attitude is so sad to watch. When someone sent me a screenshot of your post to me on discord I rolled my eyes but then I realized even that's a waste of energy because at this point...after 14 years...it's become quite the pattern with you.

You could have made your point without all that other rubbish but that's just too much to ask.

[gilga]

double auctions selling the same items on both days always seemed good to me, I swear i saw a totem go for 60 mil once

[Silent]

I would suggest a simpler thing. Make auctions more frequent and suddenly (2 grand auctions 1 month a part). Either people donate like crazy to preserve the inflation on certain items (which I would love since it would trash the ED price) or we could see the overall prices decreasing.

[Johnny Warren]

I haven't even played in probably 4-5 months and the more I read posts like this the happier I am that i've chosen to focus my time on other things. This "holier than thou" and "I am perfect" attitude is so sad to watch. When someone sent me a screenshot of your post to me on discord I rolled my eyes but then I realized even that's a waste of energy because at this point...after 14 years...it's become quite the pattern with you.

You could have made your point without all that other rubbish but that's just too much to ask.

Thanks, appreciate your sympathy. I wasn't trying to prove I am better. I was trying to rub salt into the cheats and make them feel bad.

See you on Saturday