One small note on the premium expansion concerns: Yes, they do count towards the difficulty in the current setup, but less than the regular expansions. Nonetheless we will of course forward the concerns that in your opinion they shouldn't count at all, but I just wanted to make that extra clear before everyone starts thinking they have a major influence or something, while it's actually very little.
That may be so, but the lack of clarity is creating doubt, confusion and suspicion. We were told wonder levels have a minor impact on spire difficulty, but the real effect players are reporting is not the case. This is the baseline we have for comparison for what we are now told that premium expansion do not have a major influence, but the real world effect is unknown. While players may eventually figure it out it will take time.
What that has done is completely change my thinking, today I received a 100% diamond offer, something I have been waiting on to buy some more expansions. However the uncertainty around this area has led me to skip my purchase, something that saddens me as I was looking forward to the extra expansions. However I need to understand my purchase better, currently I know the benefit I receive for the money I spend. Adding a purchase I make into the difficulty of activities in the game reduces the benefit I perceive for my purchase. Without a very good understanding of what my true value will be, I am left to guess at that value when making a decision to purchase.
I doubt the developers will reveal the true impact of premium expansion on the difficulty, as it likely requires revealing the whole formula, which I understand would not be desired from a development point of view. This unfortunately leaves me with guessing what my true value will be. Other players will have to make that same guess and depending on their level of trust of the game and suspicious nature as a consumer this can have varied impacts on that perceived value.
Even once players assess the impact in real play terms, any purchase I make going forward will always have to adjust in my mind the value I perceive I am purchasing. Please also remember that every expansion purchased already significantly increases in price, this change from a consumer perspective is another price increase but one we can't clearly determine.
Then there is the second side to this coin and that is as a consumer I feel like I what I have already bought at a certain value has or is about to depreciate in value. This one is more emotional and will impact people differently based on that emotional connection/reaction
I hope this post is perceived in the spirit it was intended, a genuine sharing of my (and perhaps others) thinking when choosing to buy an expansion.
