Bear Mount Lottery

Windemere11 · 10-13-2008, 07:58 AM

Ok so with tonight being the last chance to get a Bear Mount from ZA and my guild capable of doing 2 clears per instance reset we thought we could make some extra cash by holding a lottery of sorts.

This is what we're thinking.

1) Charge people 500g for a 'ticket'
2) People with a ticket can come to a predesignated place and random 1000.
3) Whoever gets the highest roll gets to come in on the Lynx boss for their bear mount

Some other things that we're considering are if for whatever reason (disconnects etc.) we dont get a bear mount we reimburse the winner their 500g. We hold the person responsible for getting to the lynx boss as long as we give them 2 to 3 minutes to make it there from the zone in.

I'm posting this here for a couple of reasons. First, is this against the rules at all? I remember I used to see lotteries where people would /rand 100 for gold etc. and it was basically like gambling with no guaranteed winner. Secondly, if anyone else had the capability of doing this it could be a great way for people to make some last minute cash before the bear goes away.

I figure with gold anticipated to be so readily available we can make much more money this way than if we were to just charge 1 person. Currently the average price for a bear on my server is around 6k. If we got 20 people to participate in the lottery that'd be 10k; 9500 of which would be guaranteed to stay with the guild.

I'm interested to hear what opinions are.

madmaan · 10-13-2008, 08:01 AM

Yes, your idea needed its own thread (we don't have several wow threads already)

Eyashusa · 10-13-2008, 08:05 AM

Why dont you just charge 10k? This is the last day to get the bear mount. People will pay that much for it.

Windemere11 · 10-13-2008, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by madmaan

Yes, your idea needed its own thread (we don't have several wow threads already)

Thank you for adding such wonderful insight... I'm curious as to which of the other threads you think this would fall under?

Does it seriously hurt your eyes so much to see an additional thread on the board? Heaven forbid I come to the general section to ask about a question that doesnt fall under one of the currently existing threads!

Windemere11 · 10-13-2008, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eyashusa

Why dont you just charge 10k? This is the last day to get the bear mount. People will pay that much for it.

We've thought about that, however there is the possibility that this could generate more than 10k in gold. Additionally, you never know for sure if you're going to get the bear mount. We've almost managed to 9 man it after we had a DC right after Bear boss, but you never really know.

It seems like the lottery idea is a great way to pull in loads of people who have a hard time saving up 10k. Worst case scenario we end up finding someone who's willing to pay 5k for the mount, best case scenario we find 40 people who are willing to put up 500g for a shot at the mount.

Elerion · 10-13-2008, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Windemere11

Some other things that we're considering are if for whatever reason (disconnects etc.) we dont get a bear mount we reimburse the winner their 500g.

I'd reimburse everyone. If 1 of your 2 groups fail, I would reimburse half to everyone. Any other way would leave your potential customers doubting if the mount is really guaranteed.

Quote:

We hold the person responsible for getting to the lynx boss as long as we give them 2 to 3 minutes to make it there from the zone in.

Bad idea. Bring a lock. If it's your responsibility to get them there, you get far more potential customers. Most of the potential buyers have never completed ZA, much less know their way through a half cleared zone.

Quote:

I'm posting this here for a couple of reasons. First, is this against the rules at all?

No. Paid loot runs were very common back in MC/BWL, and often involved randoming. The AQ opening events spawned lots of lotteries too. As long as you're not running a straight gambling service I'm sure you're fine.

I'm not sure I would do it this way anyhow, though. Odds of getting 20 people to plop down 500 sounds unlikely. A small amount of people don't mind paying outrageous amounts for something guaranteed, but you won't find many people willing to pay a non-trivial amount for something that risky. You'd honestly be more likely to score big with a ticket price of 50-100g and heavy advertising, also allowing people to buy multiple tickets. Then you spam a list of entrants with associated ticket numbers before doing a /random 84 (or however many tickets) and announcing a winner.

Windemere11 · 10-13-2008, 08:23 AM

Good points, however you cannot summon in ZA at all. Otherwise of course we'd offer to summon them.

Second, reimbursing everyone or half of everyone really defeats the entire purpose and we could just find that 1 crazy person who's willing to pay whatever. As far as guarantees you can't guarantee something like this and I'd never claim to. I can guarantee the winner will be reimbursed if it fails but I can also point to 15 bears we've gotten ourselves that shows we're fully capable of getting the job done.

I've run the numbers pretty regularly and I want an entry fee that will prevent the entire thing from getting way out of hand too quickly. I don't want just anyone plopping down 50g to /rand 1000. Even at 100g I'd need 100 people vs. 20 people at 500g to generate the 10k. We'll have to agree to disagree there that 100g is the way to go. Honestly I was thinking about making it 1000g and limiting the number of tickets sold to 10-15 thus giving people a reasonable chance of winning. I could do something similar with the 500g number limiting the contestants to 20... that may be a good idea because it should give people a feeling that their chances of winning are pretty decent.

Elerion · 10-13-2008, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Windemere11

Good points, however you cannot summon in ZA at all. Otherwise of course we'd offer to summon them.

Wasn't aware of that, we never had the need to.

Quote:

Second, reimbursing everyone or half of everyone really defeats the entire purpose and we could just find that 1 crazy person who's willing to pay whatever. As far as guarantees you can't guarantee something like this and I'd never claim to. I can guarantee the winner will be reimbursed if it fails but I can also point to 15 bears we've gotten ourselves that shows we're fully capable of getting the job done.

There is no fucking way you will find 20 people to pay ~8% of 6k (the fair value of a bear) for a 5% chance of winning a mount to someone who will still have 90% of the cash if they fail. If you only reimburse the winner, your group has almost zero incentive to actually succeed. 15 bears isn't particularly impressive a year after ZA was released.

I predict you will fail to raise the cash.

Fammaden · 10-13-2008, 08:58 AM

Ok, I'm missing something. Haven't been to ZA in quite some time, and long before my guild was capable of doing bear runs. Why is this the last day you can get one?

Bear mounts are highly overrated IMO anyway, I'm sure its cool to have but it just doesn't do it for me personally in the cool factor. I'd rather have a ZG tiger or the Raven Lord mount, but obviously you can nearly ensure actually getting people bears.

meStevo · 10-13-2008, 09:02 AM

There are so many changes in the patch that the bear mount is being removed from ZA and replaced with something else that's shiny. It'll be an unobtainable mount going forward. They don't want lvl 80s trivializing the achievement when the expansion hits.

Don't mind the new thread myself... until it somehow turns into a PVP discussion like the rest.

Lenaldo · 10-13-2008, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by meStevo

There are so many changes in the patch that the bear mount is being removed from ZA and replaced with something else that's shiny. It'll be an unobtainable mount going forward. They don't want lvl 80s trivializing the achievement when the expansion hits.
Don't mind the new thread myself... until it somehow turns into a PVP discussion like the rest.

I always LOLed at this statement... Whats the achievement.. having 6k to spend on a useless cosmetic upgrade?

It was impressive when ZA first came out..... now with all the new loot+pvpgear+etc its just not that amazing... They shoulda removed bear mounts with the sunwell patch

spronk · 10-13-2008, 09:12 AM

Under federal statue C1843.17.33 of the Patriot Act this is highly illegal, and it is likely you will be arrested and sent to Guantanamo if you do this. Is getting 10k gold worth eating cockmeat sandwiches?

Chrisb3 · 10-13-2008, 09:15 AM

Erm you can bring someone in for the 4th boss only? I heard that despawned the chests.

Sabyn · 10-13-2008, 11:24 AM

I really don't get the appeal of the bear mount either. All it represents is a willingness to spend a moderate amount of cash on a 100% speed ground mount. So many people have one who didn't actually do anything for it that it totally kills the appeal for me. Poor man's ZG tiger or Rivendare's horse.

Second, a lottery is a stupid idea (just like making this thread). Just spend some time doing an auction for it, and I am sure you can find some guy who really wants the mount before last call and scoop up 8-10k.

This is going to the 'shaw and I am going to give you negative interwebs.

meStevo · 10-13-2008, 12:31 PM

Whether you like the mount or not is irrelevant... it's an achievement to 'complete' ZA, and there are guilds out there that haven't cleared SSC/TK/BT+ and don't have the gear or coordination to do it. You think it isn't an achievement now, it would have become even less of one with the changes to the game coming, including more levels.

10-13-2008, 07:58 AM	#1 (permalink)
Windemere11 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 222 -21 Internets	Bear Mount Lottery Ok so with tonight being the last chance to get a Bear Mount from ZA and my guild capable of doing 2 clears per instance reset we thought we could make some extra cash by holding a lottery of sorts. This is what we're thinking. 1) Charge people 500g for a 'ticket' 2) People with a ticket can come to a predesignated place and random 1000. 3) Whoever gets the highest roll gets to come in on the Lynx boss for their bear mount Some other things that we're considering are if for whatever reason (disconnects etc.) we dont get a bear mount we reimburse the winner their 500g. We hold the person responsible for getting to the lynx boss as long as we give them 2 to 3 minutes to make it there from the zone in. I'm posting this here for a couple of reasons. First, is this against the rules at all? I remember I used to see lotteries where people would /rand 100 for gold etc. and it was basically like gambling with no guaranteed winner. Secondly, if anyone else had the capability of doing this it could be a great way for people to make some last minute cash before the bear goes away. I figure with gold anticipated to be so readily available we can make much more money this way than if we were to just charge 1 person. Currently the average price for a bear on my server is around 6k. If we got 20 people to participate in the lottery that'd be 10k; 9500 of which would be guaranteed to stay with the guild. I'm interested to hear what opinions are.

10-13-2008, 08:58 AM	#9 (permalink)
Fammaden Treats objects like women. Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: beset on all sides by the iniquities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men. Posts: 3,202 +30 Internets	Ok, I'm missing something. Haven't been to ZA in quite some time, and long before my guild was capable of doing bear runs. Why is this the last day you can get one? Bear mounts are highly overrated IMO anyway, I'm sure its cool to have but it just doesn't do it for me personally in the cool factor. I'd rather have a ZG tiger or the Raven Lord mount, but obviously you can nearly ensure actually getting people bears. __________________ Fammaden - Wizard - Saryrn (Retired) WoW: Shaman/Mage/Hunter

10-13-2008, 09:15 AM	#13 (permalink)
Chrisb3 Farming negs Join Date: May 2007 Location: Wigan, England Posts: 1,607 -80 Internets	Erm you can bring someone in for the 4th boss only? I heard that despawned the chests. __________________ Dominara, Champion of the Frozen Wastes: EU-Sylvanas. Last edited by Chrisb3; 10-13-2008 at 09:17 AM..

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10-13-2008, 08:01 AM	#2 (permalink)
madmaan High Quantity of Win Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 310	Yes, your idea needed its own thread (we don't have several wow threads already)

10-13-2008, 08:05 AM	#3 (permalink)
Eyashusa Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Chicago Posts: 1,305	Why dont you just charge 10k? This is the last day to get the bear mount. People will pay that much for it.

10-13-2008, 08:23 AM	#7 (permalink)
Windemere11 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 222 -21 Internets	Good points, however you cannot summon in ZA at all. Otherwise of course we'd offer to summon them. Second, reimbursing everyone or half of everyone really defeats the entire purpose and we could just find that 1 crazy person who's willing to pay whatever. As far as guarantees you can't guarantee something like this and I'd never claim to. I can guarantee the winner will be reimbursed if it fails but I can also point to 15 bears we've gotten ourselves that shows we're fully capable of getting the job done. I've run the numbers pretty regularly and I want an entry fee that will prevent the entire thing from getting way out of hand too quickly. I don't want just anyone plopping down 50g to /rand 1000. Even at 100g I'd need 100 people vs. 20 people at 500g to generate the 10k. We'll have to agree to disagree there that 100g is the way to go. Honestly I was thinking about making it 1000g and limiting the number of tickets sold to 10-15 thus giving people a reasonable chance of winning. I could do something similar with the 500g number limiting the contestants to 20... that may be a good idea because it should give people a feeling that their chances of winning are pretty decent.

10-13-2008, 09:02 AM	#10 (permalink)
meStevo Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 2,153 +3 Internets	There are so many changes in the patch that the bear mount is being removed from ZA and replaced with something else that's shiny. It'll be an unobtainable mount going forward. They don't want lvl 80s trivializing the achievement when the expansion hits. Don't mind the new thread myself... until it somehow turns into a PVP discussion like the rest.

10-13-2008, 09:12 AM	#12 (permalink)
spronk nerd Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 2,093	Under federal statue C1843.17.33 of the Patriot Act this is highly illegal, and it is likely you will be arrested and sent to Guantanamo if you do this. Is getting 10k gold worth eating cockmeat sandwiches?

10-13-2008, 11:24 AM	#14 (permalink)
Sabyn I Self Lord And Master Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 813	I really don't get the appeal of the bear mount either. All it represents is a willingness to spend a moderate amount of cash on a 100% speed ground mount. So many people have one who didn't actually do anything for it that it totally kills the appeal for me. Poor man's ZG tiger or Rivendare's horse. Second, a lottery is a stupid idea (just like making this thread). Just spend some time doing an auction for it, and I am sure you can find some guy who really wants the mount before last call and scoop up 8-10k. This is going to the 'shaw and I am going to give you negative interwebs.

10-13-2008, 12:31 PM	#15 (permalink)
meStevo Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 2,153 +3 Internets	Whether you like the mount or not is irrelevant... it's an achievement to 'complete' ZA, and there are guilds out there that haven't cleared SSC/TK/BT+ and don't have the gear or coordination to do it. You think it isn't an achievement now, it would have become even less of one with the changes to the game coming, including more levels.