(yes, another) N*B replacement idea (in General)

First of all, let me just apologize. I am sure you have seen a hundred other topics like this, so feel free to ignore it and move on if it upsets you. However, I like throwing new ideas out there just to try and make people think. And maybe, hopefully, someday we will see change.

This is my idea: we get rid of the NUB and NCB as is (duh).

New Players:
New players start with just a team similar to those used in the tournament. You get a large starting bonus in XP and cash, but it only lasts say 3 weeks. After this time the bonus ends completely. This time is merely to get acquainted with burning BA, strategy, etc. The reason for this mini-bonus is just to give a reward for joining, let new players get out of the lowest ranks, and maybe experience a little more of CB. But by keeping it short and sweet and not meaning it to propel new players to try to catch up with Ranger it will take out a massive reason to multi and cheat. As this starting bonus ends, a new option opens up. It will be available for the next 2 weeks for free. This new bonus, or PCB (explained in next section), will be added to the character of user's choice (as long as it's one they made).

Current Players:
As far as I know, most people agree the NCB system in particular needs a change. But let's not get into if it is broken or not, here is my idea to change NCB's with a rework. Yes, veterans have gear and cash new players do not. They know what they are doing. So you charge them. But simply make it an up front payment, not a BA tax. Change the NCB option box to a Paid Character Bonus (PCB) box. Have your bonus be your decision. Make it expensive but not completely prohibitive. Just for a random example, make every 10% bonus cost $2million. If the bonus max is 420%, that would mean you would pay $84million to start a shiny new char to use in any way you saw fit. Give an option to make the bonus last twice as long, a year, but only give half the reward.

The new user option would be identical, only free. This means that once a character was created with a PCB, it would not matter if the user was new or a veteran, they would be on equal footing. The new user would actually have a small head start because of their initial starting bonus.

***And just if you think the new users need more help, have their PCB get a 20% discount on buying BA. That doesn't seem like it would be enough to break anything but it would help them free up cash to get some NW perhaps.


And that's my idea. Thanks for listening. Sorry that it got so long. I would love to hear comments or more ideas though! Here's a quick summary though:

1) New users get a starting bonus, say 3 weeks. 400% cash and xp. After this they have 2 weeks to make a PCB char for free (it could start automatically I guess).
2) Paid Character Bonus is implemented, with option for 6 months or half bonus for 1 year. A PCB character would have a set xp bonus and regularly priced BA.
2) Regular players can buy a PCB for say 2million per 10% bonus, up to currently existing max.

That is a very nice idea, I reckon that if a new player got a free PCB that they should get half the current max in bonus, that could compensate for it being free.

No, Nayab, it would have to be the same bonus for new users and vets. They should have every right to get as high in MPR as someone who paid for their bonus. Yes, vets would be at a disadvantage since they have to pay. However, they have knowledge of the game, items, NW, and time to plan and save. Most regular players could easily sell items for the cash to start a PCB and still be better off than a new player gear-wise.

So your reason for them getting a free PCB is much the same as Johns for giving them a NUB bonus. fair enough

Here is my biggest reason for this idea: NCB as it is makes it seem impossible to make it to the top. The cost is high, grows, and catches most people off guard even when expecting it. Making it up-front and giving it a few options makes it much more friendly and easy to consider. The NUB is just too tempting and too attractive to be helpful to CB as it is. It only serves to tempt people into starting to multi, as well as disillusioning new users when their rewards drop precipitously and they are nowhere near where they want to be with no real option to make it up higher.

We need a new alternative to the current bonus system. I just hope this sounds like a good one.

Nayab, I was just trying to keep my bonus idea similar to what Jon has currently. I do agree with his line of thinking, new users do need a slight edge. My thought is that it is just the implementation that is hurting here. And besides, once started a PCB of any user would be the same, no advantage new user. Why risk losing everything when you could sell some stuff, get some cash, and start a PCB exactly the same as if you started a new multi account?

i like it. however i would like it to be that instead of buying for the bonus, the money is used to reduce the cost of BA. that would allow someone with no money to run a PCB, and get a decent character, whilst those that want to aim higher can do so by reducing the cost associated with running the character.

I like Lightning's point, except maybe make it that each person starts with 3/4 the current max bonus as a base bonus they can improve if they want. Any extra money would do as Lightning said and lower the costs of buying BA during the PCB period.

Still doesn't fix the "throwaway team" difficulty that comes with not maxing out every little second of your bonus period;

Still doesn't fix the rapid linear bonus %age growth, just makes it possible to settle for less.

I wouldn't be particularly interested. It fixes none of the problems I have with the current system.