Lightforge Loot Crate: Why Re-Release an 'Exclusive' Item?

[Ellisia]

I’m deeply concerned about the re-release of the Lightforge Loot Crate, including the Pyro Glide (returns January 27, 10:00 AM server time). When this crate was first released, it was marketed as exclusive and available for 30 days only, leading many of us to believe that the crate—and its items—would not return in the future.

Because of this, my husband and I spent $700 to purchase the entire set, thinking it would serve as a unique symbol of being early supporters of the game. We believed this exclusivity made the investment worthwhile. If we had known that the crate would return in just six months—and with higher drop rates—we would never have made that purchase.

Why This Feels Misleading

Marketing as "Exclusive": The crate was explicitly described as "exclusive" and limited to a 30-day window, strongly implying that it would never return. Players made purchases based on this assumption.
Devalued Purchases: Not only is the crate returning, but it’s being re-released with a 20% increased drop rate for items. This means players now have an easier chance of obtaining what was supposed to be a rare and exclusive reward. For those of us who spent significant money during the initial release, this is incredibly unfair.
Significance to Early Players: Many of us purchased the set to represent our dedication and support as first players. Re-releasing the crate with better odds erases the special meaning behind owning these items.

Questions for the Developers

Why was the crate marketed as "exclusive" if there were plans to re-release it later?
Why are the drop rates being increased, further reducing the rarity of these items?
Will there be compensation for players who made significant purchases under the assumption that these items were one-time exclusives?
How will you ensure clearer communication about "exclusive" and "limited-time" items in the future?

What We’d Like

We’re not asking for much—just transparency and accountability. If items like these are going to return, or if changes like increased drop rates are planned, players deserve to know from the start so we can make informed decisions about how to spend our money.

Thank you for listening. I hope the developers will address this issue fairly and take steps to rebuild trust with the community.

[Ellisia]

ChoeChoeTrain a écrit :

Mensh a écrit :

700$? game investment? lol? haha
why u pay this game? :D
developers aint gonna tell u about future plans discounts and bla bla
u SHOULD pay!! this is all u have to do
u pay i play f2p works like that
'haha

Whats wrong with spending money on a game I'm enjoying? Idk why people get so upset on how others spend their money lol if you don't want to spend cool but then don't try to shame others for spending if you yourself aren't doing anything to support the further development of the game haha

I guess they’re either being childish or just too young to get how the real world works. Like, imagine if tomorrow all these F2P games stopped developing or shut down because of lack of funds. I wonder if these same people would come back begging others to start spending, instead of making fun of those who actually supported the game before. I mean, do they seriously think these F2P games exist because the companies behind them are just super generous and only want to make people’s lives more fun for free? Lmao.

[Efour]

#Jesuswept

[TemplarGFX]

Honestly you should be angry at yourself for making bad assumptions

The word Exclusive in no way implies its a once off event. It just meant the only way to get that stuff is via this loot crate.

Rotating shop stock is industry standard (like it or not) so being on sale for a specific window also does not imply it will never be sold again. This is not something exclusive to loot boxes, practically all games with stores rotate stock. It increases the draw of items without making people angry that they missed out


Im sorry but its on you for not doing your research before dropping $700. If you did a little searching you would have found it its very unlikely that these items will not be available again in the future. You could have also asked the devs via a support ticket before dropping such a silly amount of money on cosmetics

[Ellisia]

TemplarGFX a écrit :

Honestly you should be angry at yourself for making bad assumptions

The word Exclusive in no way implies its a once off event. It just meant the only way to get that stuff is via this loot crate.

Rotating shop stock is industry standard (like it or not) so being on sale for a specific window also does not imply it will never be sold again. This is not something exclusive to loot boxes, practically all games with stores rotate stock. It increases the draw of items without making people angry that they missed out


Im sorry but its on you for not doing your research before dropping $700. If you did a little searching you would have found it its very unlikely that these items will not be available again in the future. You could have also asked the devs via a support ticket before dropping such a silly amount of money on cosmetics

Oh yea? Here the research you were talking about:

Definition of “exclusive”:

1. Limited to a specific group or individual: Restricted access or availability, meaning it is accessible only to certain people or in particular situations.

2. Unique or one-of-a-kind: Denoting something that is rare, special, or unavailable elsewhere, emphasizing its distinctive or unmatched nature.

3. Time-sensitive or limited: A product, offer, or opportunity that is available for a specific period, often with the implication that it will not return or be offered again.


And here are some real-world examples where the term “exclusive” was used to denote a one-time opportunity that would not be available again:

1. Concert Merchandise:
• During their 2022 world tour, the band Coldplay offered exclusive tour T-shirts that were only available at concert venues and not sold online or after the tour concluded.

2. Product Launch Events:
• In 2023, Apple released a limited-edition version of the Apple Watch in collaboration with a renowned designer, marketed as an exclusive release available only on the launch day, with no plans for future restocks.

3. Fashion Drops:
• In 2024, Nike collaborated with a famous artist to release a limited-edition sneaker, described as an exclusive drop with a set number of pairs, explicitly stating that once sold out, they would never be produced again.

4. Kickstarter or Crowdfunding Rewards:
• A 2023 Kickstarter campaign for a new board game offered backers an exclusive expansion pack available only to those who pledged during the campaign, with a clear note that it would not be available for purchase in the future.

5. Private Auctions or Collectibles:
• In 2022, Sotheby’s held an auction featuring an exclusive piece of art by a renowned artist, labeled as a one-of-a-kind creation, ensuring that no similar pieces would ever be made or sold again.

Hope we cleared up the fact that I DO ACTUALLY KNOW WHAT EXCLUSIVE MEANS.

[Critical Mass]

If you live in Australia you can probably demand a refund based on false advertising.

[Efour]

The truth was moderated out

[Crooked]

Ellisia a écrit :

Well, I've been gaming for 25 years, so I'm pretty familiar with how things usually work. MMORPGs weren't really my thing, and I tend to stick with single-player games, so this was my first time dealing with loot crates. When I saw the term 'exclusive,' I thought it meant the item wouldn’t be available again, which is probably why I felt deceived.

It's not an RL item for them to have factory costs etc. It's literally just an on and off switch to put it back in. Even without online gaming experience you should have assumed it's coming back as marketing is full of little sweet lies for any product.

25 years of gaming and you've never heard about scummy dealing by online game dev regarding loot boxes before? How?