100 gems to remove level 4 embedded gems

[Klepto]

Its not delayed gratification. Its a cost-benefit analysis. Having power now, or more power later is not a clear choice, which is intended.

And yet because it costs gems to both unlock slots AND to remove chips at level 4 and above, it's extremely clear what the right choice is. Level 5 and above chips are mandatory for gear because level 4 doesn't justify the cost at all.

You aren't giving players choice, especially since you're not warning them of the cost to remove BEFORE they lock in that level 4. Not only are they then hosed because 100 gems is just....pardon my rudeness, but a stupidly high cost (again, $10), but for those who know about the cost, putting a level 4 chip in would be insanity.

Whatever you want to call it, delayed gratification, cost-benefit, the fact is once a player knows the cost they'd be foolish to put a level 4 chip in their gear because by your high costs both to unlock slots and to remove gems, you have fundamentally limited choice for intelligent players, and I believe most players don't intentionally make stupid choices.

However, your game UI has intentionally allowed them to make dumb choices, and you then gleefully charge them $10 to undo the choice they made that you didn't warn them about. It's messed up at best, dishonest and shady at worst.

Does this make sense? It would be like ordering a sandwich combo at Subway and having them dump your soda on your head because you didn't automatically know you had to pay extra for a cup, and then telling you that it'll be $10 for them to clean up the mess.

This is the last I'll comment on this. I'm just trying to point out a real flaw here that's limiting gameplay. I've been a top player in every MMO I've played and I know what is fun and keeps players around and what drives them away, from subscription-based to F2P models. This "feature" you have going hits players from both sides and is NOT fun and there's clearly backlash from the player base.

So whether you listen to me or not, I don't care much because I'm already doing what's right for my heroes, but you've really ticked off people who plopped in a bunch of level 4 chips and had no warning that each one now costs them $10 to merge or do anything with. Listen to your players or watch them leave, just like happened to Aion, Runes of Magic, and others out there that had great promise but either forgot to keep content rolling out to keep player interest or got too greedy and found that players got fed up with unconscionable greed.