PPT Token/Reserved PPT

[loki_niflheim]

I did a search on PPT and couldn't find this suggested, so I will suggest here:

It looks to be more and more common for participants in a war to buy PPT for the opposing side so that they use up the number of PPTs they have in a week. While one can argue whether or not this is a legitimate war strategy, I personally agree this can be inconvenient and that the current system gives other players control over our account. Therefore, I also believe that the current system can be improved. An idea was suggested where the player can have an option to accept or decline PPT that is bought for them through SGW.

This suggestion is not only based on how it is used in wars, but added to that, my personal experience with getting PPT that I do not wish to receive from people with understandably good intentions.

With this idea, I have several suggestions on implementation:
- A tickbox similar to "Accept New Officers" where the player can choose whether to automatically accept PPT bought for them or not, OR
- A player can have 'reserved PPT' where the PPT option is added similar to an extra name change, when it can be used when the player needs it. This allows for gifts (PPT bonuses) to be bought but not used immediately, sort of like buying a gift voucher, OR
- A combination of both, where a player who do not wish to accept new PPTs automatically can have the PPT placed in reserve until which time they wish to use it.

Assumptions made on this suggestion:
- That there are only two ways of buying PPT: (1) From the market with in-game resources (non-transferrable PPT) and (2) From the Upgrade page or the Trade Broker with cash (tranferrable PPT).
- That the privilege to keep extra sets of PPT is only given to those with cash-bought PPTs.
- That the MT usage of PPTs (twice a week) is only registered upon usage and not upon purchase.

Thank you very much with everyone for adding your suggestions to this thread. Please keep them coming!!

[Wolf359]

So what you are saying is that some people in a war with others are willing to spend money to put the other side on PPT?

I've never heard that one before - and if they are willing to spend money to do that it is pretty sad - but I would say this - rather than complain about it, take advantage!

[loki_niflheim]

So what you are saying is that some people in a war with others are willing to spend money to put the other side on PPT?

I've never heard that one before - and if they are willing to spend money to do that it is pretty sad - but I would say this - rather than complain about it, take advantage!

Yes to the question, at least one is documented in the forum and another is documented in the forum but not in a war situation.

My 'complain' is rather the fact that this allow for other people to have control over your account and hence, decisions on what is best for your account. I'm not going to take advantage of it because I believe people are entitled to have their own choice without one being forced into them.

[Wolf359]

I do sort of like the idea that if someone else buys you a PPT it gets reserved until you actually wantto use it.

[Teal'auc of the Void]

Oh ya, I agree. It should be possible to either accept or decline the donation. I am all for this...

(hahaha, no more of those who want to enforce me on PPT for their $ )

[Tekki]

So what you are saying is that some people in a war with others are willing to spend money to put the other side on PPT?

I've never heard that one before - and if they are willing to spend money to do that it is pretty sad - but I would say this - rather than complain about it, take advantage!

As loki indicates, it has been used in war, and there is nothing to take advantage of with it, as it is usually bought right after you go on PPT, so that your time on PPT is extended only slightly while one market turn - your's is used. At the very least the buying of a PPT should use up both parties market turns. I would say only use buyers market turn but then people could be on PPT 6 days a week and we don't want that.

Reserved PPT could be make this option viable because if bought in a war time situation, it's then 'haha, thank you for giving me protection when I want it' and so no enemy would want to use it.

[Teal'auc of the Void]

If someone buys PPT for $$ to somebody else, it takes BOTH person's Market turn and PPT using, which is fair I think. Only thing which needs to be done to make option of not accepting such donations from others.

[gordash]

jenny, what a surprise that you're behind this idea, lol.

I think its a good idea. Apart from the tactic of using it in war, it means that another person cant put you on ppt when you might not want to be. Having it sit around could be good, and i think that should be implemented even when buying a PPT for yourself - to give an incentive to use cash rather than ingame resources. Because at the moment someone paying only gets a few things which are better than using ingame resources.

[Ston]

in my opinion thats a pointless idea.
from admins point of view this feature would only lower his cash flow. and i doubt this war strategy (buying hostile players a ppt) happens often anyway. not worth the effort.

[Wolf359]

in my opinion thats a pointless idea.
from admins point of view this feature would only lower his cash flow. and i doubt this war strategy (buying hostile players a ppt) happens often anyway. not worth the effort.

I kind of agree with ston - I doubt it happens much - and those that do do it probably have more money than sense! But I can see the point being made and also do not see teh harm in this 'reserved PPT' idea.

[loki_niflheim]

I kind of agree with ston - I doubt it happens much - and those that do do it probably have more money than sense! But I can see the point being made and also do not see teh harm in this 'reserved PPT' idea.

Well, really, how much is a PPT? $10, not too big if you just want to target the several vital players and an alliance of 10 can each pitch in $1. The 'reserved PPT' will actually may increase cash flow because that way you can give PPT gifts to other players without having to check first if it's alright. Several people at once can give PPT as birthday/ascension/christmas/etc. gifts.

For those who doesn't live in US, you can stock up on PPTs when the exchange rate is good, and used whenever you want. It's an extension of the existing system which allows greater flexibility.

[gordash]

There should be a limit on it though, or else somebody could buy themselves 18 PPTs and then stockpile them until a war. Say two PPTs at a time, and after that no1 can donate.

As to the point that it will reduce Forum's cashflow, it would do the exact opposite - if it were also implemented for people buying a PPT for themselves, some people would rather buy now and use later - an option that wouldnt be available to those who dont use cash

[Munchy]

There should be a limit on it though, or else somebody could buy themselves 18 PPTs and then stockpile them until a war. Say two PPTs at a time, and after that no1 can donate.

As to the point that it will reduce Forum's cashflow, it would do the exact opposite - if it were also implemented for people buying a PPT for themselves, some people would rather buy now and use later - an option that wouldnt be available to those who dont use cash

So by saying 'saving up to 2' you are saying that you could use 2 of your mt's one week, and not actually use the ppts, but rather use them later if needed?

I disagree with that idea completely. It would allow for a full week of ppts, which should never be done without ascention ppts.

As for buying others ppt, I am not really sure

Think about it this way, a ppt costs 10 dollars to buy.
Naq sells at about 40 cents per bil
Sell 25 bil naq and get your 10 dollars worth.

Now if someone makes more than 25 billion in 2 days, which a ton of people do, then you are getting more than your moneys worth by wasting their other ppt. Ofcourse the person could just go on vacation mode when they come off of ppt...and then the joke is on you

My two cents.

[loki_niflheim]

There should be a limit on it though, or else somebody could buy themselves 18 PPTs and then stockpile them until a war. Say two PPTs at a time, and after that no1 can donate.

Hmm... My assumption here is that you can buy these 'PPT vouchers' (or reserved PPT), but you can only use 2 in a week, just like the current limit for PPT. The PPT will not actually register at purchase, but register on use. It's like a coupon system, you can buy as many coupons as you like, but there's a limit to how many you can use in a period of time.

Think about it this way, a ppt costs 10 dollars to buy.
Naq sells at about 40 cents per bil
Sell 25 bil naq and get your 10 dollars worth.

I had thought of that, so I fleshed out the different ways PPTs can be bought. Let me know if I'm wrong: You can buy PPTs in two ways, ingame goods in the market (non-transferrable PPT) or cash (transferrable PPT) through the upgrade page or the trade broker. Those are the only two ways, am I correct?

I think the PPT voucher should only be reserved for cash-paying PPTs, either through the upgrade page or the trade broker. Otherwise as Munchy said, there will be plenty of big players sitting on PPTs that are bought with ingame goods. I'm not sure how hard/easy it is for Forum to make a distinction between the two in the system.

Ofcourse the person could just go on vacation mode when they come off of ppt...and then the joke is on you

Um, no you can't. You can't go on PPT or attack anyone within a day prior vacation mode.

[Munchy]

Ofcourse the person could just go on vacation mode when they come off of ppt...and then the joke is on you

Um, no you can't. You can't go on PPT or attack anyone within a day prior vacation mode.

My bad, I didn't know that