RSBANDBUpdate! 355 - Buying Squeals

Easter's just around the corner, we examine just why Buying Squeal spins is controversial, and we delve into what could be coming in April with the new BTS article.

Hosts: Shane and Trekkie
Duration: 1:39:57

• Evil Chicken vs. Chocatrice - Make a Difference!
  
• Squeal of Fortune - Extra Spins
  
• Tweaks and Fixes (Release Notes)
  
• Behind the Scenes - April
  
• Trailers and Trolls
  
• Listener Questions
  
• Pinterest now the third most popular social network
  
• Prototype Google Glasses spotted in the wild
  
• iPhone Users: Android is ruining our Instagram club
  
• April SKOTM Update and March Winner
  
• RSBANDBInformer! Roundup
  
• Achievements of The Week
  
• Trekkie's Pick: http://cliptank.com/PeopleofInfluencePainting.htm
  
• What have we been doing?

Looking forward to listening to this one

I think I count as a older player (27) and played runescape since 2001. I am against the concept of buying spins for the squeal of fortune. I think it encourages gambling in a game which is to supposed to be an escape from real life. I don't even like the concept, its so far removed from the lore of RuneScape it isn't even animated in the game engine. It's just a silly cartoon shoved onto the top of what is supposed to be a fantasy adventure game. I don't like the idea of being able to purchase xp or items with stats. I do NOT have a problem with micro-transactions however. Jagex could have added all the cosmetic rewards to the loyalty shop and then sold loyalty points for money. Instead they have made the squeal knowing that people are doing it to buy xp. This puts people who do not want to spend real money at a disadvantage to those that do. There are already stories of people gaining tens of millions of xp. High level "popular" people have already begun asking their subscribers and followers for real life donations. There are also allegations against some people who may or may not have gained their massive wealth through questionably legal means selling the gold to gold traders and then using real money to launder that into legitimate xp on the squeal.

Interesting point here, it sounds like a feedback loop. I never thought of it this way before, should be interesting to see what happens in this area.

I think if this is indeed true Jagex needs to rectify it by having some form of buyable currency in game usable for things, not necessarily already existing in game.

Also, Blethorskite I would agree with the whole morally bankrupt point of view. Gambling for minors is a big big no no. Jagex also has shown that this year with the carnival update...