TGIF and the good time for a spring break game

  Forum / Everything about iStripper

elfine
Joined in Jul 2017

81 post(s)
March 9, 2019
I'm making this separate post to not mess with my answer to @kaiji.

My result from this game in graphics and some explanations.

I started playing with 84 credits and I had to buy 250 then 500 credits to keep playing and get the special card.
I did not plan to buy that much and in fact I could have bought less, but ...

The average of the game win/loose isn't really bad 54% win against 46% lost for a total of 109 times played.
It took me 102 games to get the "Special Card" and the effective cost for it is 350 credits.
In total I spent 1090 credits and earned back 740.

Over these 109 games I won:
  • Bonus 10 - 54 times
  • Bonus 50 - 4 times
  • Bonus 100 - 0 times
  • Free Card - potentially 8 times but I've never had one since the only cards I do not have are the 6/7 new cards released this week and it looks like we can not win them in this game
  • Event Card - 1 time

On the graphic 2 (top right) the "Saw" results are the number of times I saw that bonus during my 109 games (win or lost) and the "Won" are the effective times I won the bonus.

Considering those results I would have ended with 8 free cards + 1 Event Card for a cost of 350/9 = 38.88 credits per card and I'm ending with 1 Special Event card and 484 credits over 834.
Omgman
Joined in Oct 2014

18 post(s)
March 9, 2019
wow some nice 3,8 stars cards I got there for 100 credits. What a terrible ripoff
Mover
Joined in May 2011

21 post(s)
March 9, 2019
Considering those results I would have ended with 8 free cards + 1 Event Card for a cost of 350/9 = 38.88 credits per card and I'm ending with 1 Special Event card and 484 credits over 834.

Most of the promotions in the past gave a nice discount traded against getting cards you might not want to buy at regular price.
The particular issue with the spring break game is that Totem does not publish the odds. I have the same personal experience as @elfine. Average cost per card (normal & exclusive) was approximately 40-50 credits which is 3-4 times more expensive than buying cards selected by myself directly in the store (given my member level).

I like iStripper, the support staff, and the community, but not the spring break game. I do not like the concept of exclusive cards either. I can somehow accept exclusive cards as bonus for high volume purchases (including less attractice cards), but if the price goes above regular price I feel treated badly.

(On a side note: I was member of the month in January. There was no treat at all connected with.)



mujahidm810
Joined in Feb 2008

60 post(s)
March 9, 2019
Just my 2 cents. After having bought 750 credits today and using them all on the promo, i ended up with about 30 or so new cards and Niemira's Christmas promo card. Most of the cards I won were ones i had previously avoided purchasing due to lack of interest in the girl or the outfit so while i am not nearly as incensed as some of the other posters in this thread I did come away from this particular promo feeling less than pleased. That having been said I realized no one ***** me to play but the lack of success has soured me on any future promos that involve this type of element of chance. I am saying this not so much to ***** but so as to give active feedback as on the whole i am still pretty happy with istripper in general.
Fiddlestick
Joined in Jul 2013

2 post(s)
March 9, 2019
I've never posted before. May never again, but I find this discussion fascinating, because I seem to have a totally different mindset from almost everyone who has expressed an opinion.

Maybe I'm just getting old, but my approach has always been this:

Companies will do whatever they want. I don't expect them to cater to me. What I expect is a relationship where I try to get what I want from them at the lowest cost I can, and they try to get as much money as they can from me. Essentially, it's a fist fight, with each of us trying to get the most we can from the other. I realize there's a growing sense in society that companies should cater, but I don't think I'll ever quite understand that. What you want from them isn't always what's best for their business, and doesn't always reflect the values they do or don't have.

Honestly, I'm fine with that. I tend to think that the fist-fight motif fits a lot of situations in life. I understand the rules, and so do they. So when I see a promotion that doesn't appear to add value to me, I ignore it. When I see a good deal, I take advantage of it. The rest of the time, I'll buy things for a fair price if I feel like it.

I've enjoyed some of the promotions, and completely ignored others. I'm not a collector, so I don't care about exclusive cards and won't bother dumping a ton of credits to get them. But of course, I don't see the point in that. He who dies with the most toys still dies. But I get that others don't share that view.

Having said all that, I think a lot of commenters may be overestimating how many regular customers actually post/vote/engage beyond buying cards. I suspect there's a silent majority in the customer base, and I don't believe any poll taken or any roundup of the comments written would accurately represent that base. I believe this because I'm triple diamond, have been for years, but I almost never engage beyond buying cards here and there.

Remember folks, this is porn. The silent addiction (at least in some countries).

And finally, yes, this promotion is flawed if you have a lot of cards already, or if you're solely after the exclusive card. So I passed. But I can also see how it might benefit somebody who doesn't have many cards yet, and might not be after the exclusive card at all. And if you enjoy games of chance, so much the better.

Anyway, just my 2 cents. I'll go back to being quiet now.
wtprivate
Joined in Jul 2017

204 post(s)
March 9, 2019
SMH. Seriously disappointed.

As a collector who has literally spent THOUSANDS of dollars with iStripper, this just doesn't sit right.

At very least, make this card available for a limited time purchase, not just for a win. Someone like me who has ALL the cards might have to spend HUNDREDS to get just one card. That feels wrong. So wrong.

Please, rethink the approach guys.
iPseudo
Joined in Dec 2018

37 post(s)
March 9, 2019
Maybe I'm just getting old, but my approach has always been this:

Companies will do whatever they want. I don't expect them to cater to me. What I expect is a relationship where I try to get what I want from them at the lowest cost I can, and they try to get as much money as they can from me. Essentially, it's a fist fight, with each of us trying to get the most we can from the other.

I'm curious. From this perspective, should one have gratitude or contempt for a sparring partner who has not yet attempted to gouge out your eyes?
aL0T
Joined in Apr 2016

263 post(s)
March 9, 2019
Being a very particular & frugal collector. I immediately pass on most every game/event (except maybe the advent calander).
The only thing that is really worth my investment is the credit bonus!
🐱😎
BoLou
Joined in Jan 2009

1 post(s)
March 9, 2019
What a completely shitty way for a company to treat its customers.
dolphins109
Joined in Feb 2011

790 post(s)
March 9, 2019
Just my 2 cents. After having bought 750 credits today and using them all on the promo, i ended up with about 30 or so new cards and Niemira's Christmas promo card. Most of the cards I won were ones i had previously avoided purchasing due to lack of interest in the girl or the outfit so while i am not nearly as incensed as some of the other posters in this thread I did come away from this particular promo feeling less than pleased. That having been said I realized no one ***** me to play but the lack of success has soured me on any future promos that involve this type of element of chance. I am saying this not so much to ***** but so as to give active feedback as on the whole i am still pretty happy with istripper in general.
i agree but in my case . i did not win any promo cards. but i'm waiting on that next black friday sale for 2020. i'm not missing that one.
Iram00
Joined in Aug 2009

58 post(s)
March 9, 2019
So I took a risk and start playing the game.
The damage after getting the Special card.

Cards
Win 46
Wanted 12
Not wanted 12
Nice to have 22

credits
Win 1830
Pay 500

Cost Cards Play
Wanted 41,67
Nice to have 22,73
Together 14,71

Cost Cards If Not Play
11 Cards 45,45

When look positief at it I pay 14,71 a card and have the special card. So I did not lose a lot since normale a card cost 13,75.

When look logical at it I pay 41,67 a card that I want or 45,45 a card without the special card. Now I have another 12 ccard in my collection that I don't want and 22 i would have buy only on sales.

I don’t know if I will do this again next time.

Pantylicious
Joined in Oct 2009

30 post(s)
March 9, 2019
I've missed out on the last 3 Special Event/Exclusive cards. I don't care for the extra costs associated with them combined with the acquisition of many cards that just don't interest me. I ***** most of the games of chance because they just chew up credits that I could've applied directly to the purchase of specific wishlist cards. Although some of the games seem designed towards some type of fun addiction factor, I've never come out ahead or done well at any of them. So I don't even try anymore.

I love the straight across discounts, as do most customers & professional shopaholics. That's when I stock up on credits & spend until I get everything I want. I really like having these girls stripping on my desktop.

Team TOTEM, please consider occasionally adding more weekend events where 15%-25% off discounts can be applied to any cards that the customer wants. Putting the poor quality 480p Virtuagirl Classic cards on sale for 50% off would be attractive to those that normally avoid the older cards. Even for a limited time, maybe once or twice a year, making all Special Event/Exclusive cards available for purchase at a premium would probably make a lot of disgruntled customers happy once again.

This is clearly the largest amount of complaints that I've personally ever seen in the forum & just wanted to offer a few constructive suggestions. Thank you for the development of this amazing product.
91hebasu
Joined in Jan 2008

1146 post(s)
March 9, 2019
wow some nice 3,8 stars cards I got there for 100 credits. What a terrible ripoff

Make judgments based on other people's ratings, do we ? Well, there's a problem with that. Most cards with low ratings have those low ratings for reasons totally unrelated to the girl, her outfit and/or her performance. Way too many people want to give ratings of one or even zero if they have an issue trying to download a card. That has absolutely nothing to do with the show they are supposed to be rating. I know it's like that. All you have to do is read the comments on some cards to verify it for yourself because some of those members voice that in the comments. They also like to do that when a card is tied to a promo or something.
Ironman79
Joined in Dec 2010

437 post(s)
March 9, 2019
Damn after everything that was said here @Fiddlestick had the best post (IMHO)

Thank you i needed to read that.
chocopop
Joined in Feb 2017

17 post(s)
March 9, 2019
J'ai acheté 5 cartes, je ne peux pas les gratter!!!!
stefnev1
MODERATOR
Joined in Jul 2008

4476 post(s)
March 9, 2019
@chocopop : quitte le programme et relance-le. Vérifie également que ton antivirus ne bloque pas iStripper. Avec la souris, il faut bien balayer toute la surface du cercle pour bien faire apparaître l'image en-dessous.
Starryk
Joined in Nov 2008

1856 post(s)
March 9, 2019
I absolutely do not think it's a good thing to make special event cards only to be obtained by a chance game. So far special event cards could be obtained by preorder like with the advent calendar or by partaking in the black friday deals. I am also fine with making them now part of such a game of chance but to do it with a brand new special card is really shitty to the most loyal customers who have been around for 10 years and more and bought all that Totem released so far.

@Team: you should really think hard about this next week.
CwHart
Joined in Jan 2014

87 post(s)
March 9, 2019
Here is the deal, I understand for people who do not have alot of cards that this is a good deal, I honestly get that. What I do not get is how that is an excuse to attach a card that can only get through the deal on it. See I buy the cards I want as they come out. I dont collect, I dont aim for 100%, I am just like "I like this model, I want to own her whole collecting" I dumped 250 credits for 18 cards I did not want and and a ball park of over 250 in winnings rolled over. 500 credits, that is by all acounts 50 bucks, but I am just gonna say i spent around 25, just to try and get this one card.

One mod said akined this to a casino, don't like to stakes dont play the game. But that is such a terrible analogy. When I joined 5 years ago I never expected the idea of exclusive cards to happen, and I sure as hell didn't expect the only way I can win one is through a game of chance, while before it was just doing a bunch of deals to guarentee you get the card. People go into casinos knowing what to expect, they become a patron because they know they expect gambling. No one became a patron of this product expecting this kind of crap. So yeah, this sort of thing for already existing cards, never had a problem. With this one exclusive, well consider me jaded even more than before.
stefnev1
MODERATOR
Joined in Jul 2008

4476 post(s)
March 9, 2019
Just remember that iStripper is a business thing, and Totem wants to make money with it. So, this kind of game is one idea to let the business goes on and make money, as with the Goose Game.
CwHart
Joined in Jan 2014

87 post(s)
March 9, 2019



Just remember that iStripper is a business thing, and Totem wants to make money with it. So, this kind of game is one idea to let the business goes on and make money, as with the Goose Game.

You do know that logic goes both ways right? When a consumer is unhappy with a product or the dealings of a company that they have invested money into their products for years, that gives them the right to *****. It's no different than going to a grocery store and finding out they no longer have the product you want, accept this time they actually do have the product you want but you are expected to get it out of a slot machine with a chance of getting other products you do not want. I honestly have no clue about the goose game, but I assume with it being brought up so much it wasn't received well, but atleast I assume it didn't have an exclusive attached to you that you have to luck your way into
TheEmu
Joined in Jul 2012

3309 post(s)
March 9, 2019 (edited)
@CwHart - yes the logic goes both ways, and from the evidence so far - principally that Totem repeated the Advent Calendar, made a third in many ways similar offer for Black Friday and now are using the same "bait" again - it would seem that despite the noise on this forum from what are a tiny proprtion of their customers the tactic worked (i.e. resulted in increased income) with the customer base as a whole.
CwHart
Joined in Jan 2014

87 post(s)
March 9, 2019
@CwHart - yes the logic goes both ways, and from the evidence so far - principally that Totem repeated the Advent Calendar, made a third in many ways similar offer for Black Friday and now are using the same "bait" again - it would seem that despite the noise on this forum from what are a tiny proprtion of their customers the tactic worked (i.e. resulted in increased income) with the customer base as a whole.

I'll give them credit they sure did a good job screwing me out of 250 credits, guess lesson learned not to allow myself to get fooled again at a game of chance. Oh and BTW once again my point went over your head. But at this point I guess that is to be expected.
TheEmu
Joined in Jul 2012

3309 post(s)
March 9, 2019 (edited)
@Cwhart - no you can not always get what you want with just some extra effort - some special offers are limited such that only a very small number of customers can win them.

Also, your analogy does not work. Totem have not changed how we can obtain anything - they have added an extra set of cards. In you analogy all that was on the supermarket shelves is still there but something new is in the slot machine.
CwHart
Joined in Jan 2014

87 post(s)
March 9, 2019
@Cwhart - no you can not always get what you want with just some extra effort - some special offers are limited such that only a very small number of customers can win them.

Also, your analogy does not work. Totem have not changed how we can obtain anything - they have added an extra set of cards. In you analogy all that was on the supermarket shelves is still there but somthing new in in the slot machine.

I have no clue what you said for most of the second paragraph but yes they legit changed how we can obtain these cards, like seriously you cant just BUY certain cards anymore, it went from going to do a promotion to now a game of chance. That is a drastic change, I cant even fathom how you come to these conclusions.

Finally the idea that this card is only meant for a small number of customers to own is very much anti consumer. I would try explaining as you why, but

A. It shouldnt be needed to explain
B. You would just try and find a way to defend them like you always do
TheEmu
Joined in Jul 2012

3309 post(s)
March 9, 2019 (edited)
@cwhart - Totem have in the last few years offered 7 "regular" cards a week. That is their standard product.
In addition they have also offered a small number of "special event" cards - that is not their standard product, it is something extra and there is not reason why anyone should expect that they are available unr the same tems as the regular product.

I have, and I am sure you have also, seen several cases of manufacturers of a product make "special limited edition" versions (e.g. to celebrate some aniversary) which are little more than very ***** variations on the main product (e.g. by having the name of what is being celebrated printed on it) and making these available to only the first 100 or 1000 customers or via what amounts to a lottery. Totem's special event cards are an exact analogue of that - albeit the differences between the "regular" and "special edition" versions are very small.

Now, like you, I would prefer it is Totem did not make these exclusive. It undoubtedly annoys some customers, but it is Totem's choice and it we are not ***** to participate. If Totem are getting a bigger income by offereing these cards then I am sure they will continue to do so, and if they are loosing income then they will stop.
Chicsans
Joined in Jul 2009

770 post(s)
March 9, 2019
Just remember that iStripper is a business thing, and Totem wants to make money with it. So, this kind of game is one idea to let the business goes on and make money, as with the Goose Game.

Tobacco/cigarette companies are also buisinesses that like to make money off of their *****.

The crystal-meth dealer that lives down the street from me is also a buisiness that makes money off of her *****.

Those are just two examples of buisinesses that owe their existence to addictive products.

iStripper also is an ***** product, and Totem is is milking it's ***** of money with this type of practice.

It is a very sad world that we live in.
Sabahnur
Joined in May 2012

33 post(s)
March 9, 2019
Ok here I go again, (and I stopped posting comments years ago, because at the time it seemed Totem never paid attention to them. I could be wrong, but it still seems that way to me). I read somewhere in here, a requote about my statement in reference to unhappy customers Totem does not see. It was totally taken the wrong way. I realize Totem does not care about losing 1% of their overall customer base. They have new customers joining everyday, so the loss of a few paying customers in the grand view is null. (it is essentially porn after all). What I meant was that the culture that would come from continued blatant disregard for the part of the community here, (namely collectors like myself), in my view is not a good way to go. They may not see it that way at all. Hell, we have already given our money, they really don't need us anymore. My point was eventually it will come to a head. At some point most if not all will have as bad of an experience as I and a few others have. When that happens then it may be difficult to mantain and even attract new customers. Social media is everywhere now, and even if Totem can censor your comments here and even delete them. Nothing will stop the sh@t storm on other platforms. That being said, they may not care about that either. Totem may be like other companies, in that every action is proceeded by a reponse to an action as a reaction. I am not a gambler, hell I don't ever drink, but some people do and that's fine. I just don't appreciate being ***** to endulge in something that...

1) I do not support in any form
2) I do not participate in at all myself

In order to get cards that I should be able to buy or participate in an event such as the advent calendar, in order to recieve the card I want. There are older cards that I still want, but cannot get because the model has expressed to Totem that they do not wish them to sell anymore. I get that and I can except that. But this scratch game seems unethical, (in my view). I just don't do them when they come up, my decision, to make a card exclusive to the game then skew the game in favor of loss more than wins is a punch in the nose. It doesn't ***** you, but it sure as hell ***** alot.

Bottom line, in my opinion, unhappy customers means less people purchasing and supporting, in turn means more crap like this scratch game to make up the difference. I am pretty good at seeing patterns thru data, hell I had a job where i did just that, in all this I just hope Totem can do a 180 on this type if thinking, but then again, my opinion is they don't care anyway, if is profitable do it.
Omgman
Joined in Oct 2014

18 post(s)
March 9, 2019
wow some nice 3,8 stars cards I got there for 100 credits. What a terrible ripoff
Make judgments based on other people's ratings, do we ? Well, there's a problem with that. Most cards with low ratings have those low ratings for reasons totally unrelated to the girl, her outfit and/or her performance. Way too many people want to give ratings of one or even zero if they have an issue trying to download a card. That has absolutely nothing to do with the show they are supposed to be rating. I know it's like that. All you have to do is read the comments on some cards to verify it for yourself because some of those members voice that in the comments. They also like to do that when a card is tied to a promo or something.

Well here is a more accurate conclusion: 100 credits spent on 4 total wins.
1x 10 credits reward
3x cards I wouldn't even consider buying. Two of them being standard cards. iStripper promotes gambling heavily lately and as a customer I have never benefited in the slightest
orclover
Joined in Jun 2012

740 post(s)
March 9, 2019
@cwhart - Totem have in the last few years offered 7 "regular" cards a week. That is their standard product.
In addition they have also offered a small number of "special event" cards - that is not their standard product, it is something extra and there is not reason why anyone should expect that they are available unr the same tems as the regular product.

I have, and I am sure you have also, seen several cases of manufacturers of a product make "special limited edition" versions (e.g. to celebrate some aniversary) which are little more than very ***** variations on the main product (e.g. by having the name of what is being celebrated printed on it) and making these available to only the first 100 or 1000 customers or via what amounts to a lottery. Totem's special event cards are an exact analogue of that - albeit the differences between the "regular" and "special edition" versions are very small.

Now, like you, I would prefer it is Totem did not make these exclusive. It undoubtedly annoys some customers, but it is Totem's choice and it we are not ***** to participate. If Totem are getting a bigger income by offereing these cards then I am sure they will continue to do so, and if they are loosing income then they will stop.


I am more pissed off that totem is "investing" in gambling games and expensive UI, along with VR on steam, and the waste that was idancer instead of improving this flagship product. If they are making a ***** from the promotions we aren't seeing it in istripper. ANd that pisses me off. We know the product hasn't improved in any way in 3 years, in fact they closed a studio, introduced flawed cards with poor color correction and AA, and limited most of their talent to one country. Their duo reintroduction was a flop, was poor quality, and more expensive..they haven't introduced new props, improved quality, or even improved the talent. There are a lot of reasons why but I would appreciate one investment into istripper for every time they make a new gambling game or attempt a new VR game on steam.
Zossima
Joined in Feb 2008

173 post(s)
March 9, 2019 (edited)
Just remember that iStripper is a business thing, and Totem wants to make money with it. So, this kind of game is one idea to let the business goes on and make money, as with the Goose Game.

It might also be good to remember that companies that actually take their clients' comments into account (instead of telling them something around the theme of "we're doing business, we don't care for your actual needs, take it or leave it") tend to do better. These days it's called "enhancing the customer experience".

The only reason why it doesn't apply here is that Totem has absolutely no competition. The company has created a business niche and they strive on it, and that's why they have the luxury of being able to totally disregard their most faithful clients.

Good for them. But let it be noted that Totem's customers aren't blind to the fact that they're treated with a certain amount of contempt because they're a captive clientele. If one day a competitor emerges on that same niche, it's safe to say that many people will leave.

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