Board Thread:Game Discussion/@comment-10214922-20130602042349/@comment-10214922-20130603090507

I'm going to put some thoughts out there about spending money/time and in no way do I mean to be argumentative with my fine forum friends, nor do I mean to be disrespectful about the views/choices of anyone else.

Hitting top 100 still takes a lot of time. I don't think one could buy say 1000 cubes and get top 100 in a mere 5 hour spell at the end of the episode. So in that regard money spent isn't a substitute for time spent in this game, or a shortcut to the top. Spending a little money may mean that one gets more reward for the time spent. Spending a little money may mean that the game experience is a great deal less frustrating. So one could consider these questions:

- If I were to spend 40+ hours playing the game, would I spend $30-$40 to ensure I reached my goal?

- Would I feel that I'd wasted 40+ hours if I wasn't able to achieve my goal due to not spending said amount.

- Is $30-$40 good value for 40+ hours of entertainment/hobby time.

- Is $30-$40 good value for 10 hours of entertainment/hobby time.

- If I spent $30-$40 but only played for 10 hours would I be any better off than if I played 40+ hours for free?

- How much time can I spend per episode? How much can I afford?

- Do I have to have the best deck possible every episode and replace half the cards every episode? Can I not live without Episode Grimlock, Megatron and Omega Supreme in my deck?

- Do I want a strong deck that also has longevity i.e. I am not replacing reward cards every week but it is getting me over certain enjoyability thresholds? I.e. I can one-cube the first 6 bosses with this deck.

Personally, I have been playing this game with dedication when an episode is in swing, an hour before work, an hour at lunch and 5 or 6 hours after work so I'm spending 40-50 hours on it in a week. Buying the raid cards is a gateway to an empowered 50 hours of gaming a week, and it's the 50 hours I'm enjoying more than the rewards at the end.

Of course everyone has different reasons for playing and it's a question of how much they enjoy the experience when it's strictly free of charge, and how they weigh up the cost versus experience once they decide they are willing to spend (whether that's the journey to the end or the end in itself).

Finally I think if you only consider it cash for cards, and you aren't enjoying the actual time spent playing, maybe that is a sign you should not be spending at all.