Scarabs
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Summary
Scarabs are a new feature in Nile Online version 0.95 (2/25/09). Scarabs represent a new "micro-payment" revenue system for Nile Online, and replace the earlier optional $4.95/month Subscriber feature.
Impact
With the addition of this feature, it is no longer possible to play Nile Online beyond a certain level completely for free, although the initial 10 scarabs given to new players will last for some time and the cost is relatively low. New players should expect that they will be able to play at least three weeks without needing to purchase scarabs. Playing to 22/22/22/22 palace levels takes approximately 4 months and should not require more than one $24 scarab purchase.
Prices
Certain upgrades and desirable features cost scarabs. The current prices are as follows:
- 60 for $24.00 ($0.40 each)
- 25 for $11.25 ($0.45 each)
- 10 for $5.00 ($0.50 each)
Reed says there will eventually be ways to get scarabs through the game itself, but that these scarabs will be rare.
Envoys, through quests, can provide the occasional free scarab.
Scarab Uses
Scarabs are currently required buy the following critical gameplay items:
- Palace upgrades (1): Major palace upgrades. (eg: when a player gets a spec point; every 3 levels starting with level 7)
- New cities (two for 2nd city, three for 3rd city, four for 4th city)
- Sphinx (4): Ability to construct Sphinx monuments (in total, for both possible monuments)
- Pyramid (2): Ability to construct Pyramid monuments (in total, for both possible monuments)
Scarabs can also be used to purchase the following items, which are minor gameplay improvements or "just for fun":
- Obelisk (2): Add an Obelisk to all cities.
- Statues (2): Add statues to all cities.
- Animated Monkeys (2): Add animated monkeys to all cities.
- Animated Fisherman (2): Add an animated fisherman to all cities.
- Remove Ads (6): Remove all advertisements.
- Increase Timeout (4): Add 40 minutes to session timeout.
- Increase Scroll Retention (2): 30 day history (up from 7).
- Increase Allies (4): Adds 60 allies slots.
- Increase Sell Orders (4): Add 5 sell order slots.
- Increase Buy Orders (4): Add 2 buy order slots.
- Inactivity Immunity (4): Your account won't be deleted due to inactivity
Scarabs are tradable by those people who have purchased additional scarabs. You can now attach scarabs to scrolls. You can not trade away your last 10 scarabs ever. At this writing, a player can click either the word "SCARAB" in the top menu or the scarab icon in the lower-left corner of the screen for current information on scarabs.
Issues
Per this forum thread:
- There are some questions about how non-US residents can send money via PayPal.
- Opinions differ on the fairness of introducing this scheme.
