@xRatedGProdigyx_PSN said:

I'm just curious as to the thinking on their part. Is the idea that I'm supposed to purchase more packs / increase playing time to get a reward? Because between the hideous pack values, black hole of nothingness (XP path), and so many cards essentially costing more $ in stubs than the game itself, these past couple of months have all but guaranteed that I'll be investing less time into this mode come '27.

That would be my guess, yes.
I'm still a relative noob (my second year), however as a 2K refugee, i saw it play out with that game over a few years and it looks like SDS is starting down the same path.

2K wanted to increase play time and microtransactions, so they reduced rewards, reduced pack odds and made everything crazy expensive.
Whilst they've lost me and many others, they've gained plenty of whales willing to spend $150 a week on a bundle for a less than 1% chance (they don't say an exact percentage) at a top card, a card that is likely outdated in weeks and may end up being a WNBA player that no one uses.

This game is still light years ahead of 2K in terms of rewards and user friendliness (for want of a better term), but i can see them following the exact same predatory path of 2K and i worry about what this game will be like in 2-3 years.

I hope and pray i am wrong, because we need less predatory live service games and selfishly, this is all i play and i would miss it greatly.

@NotesOfJohn_PSN said:

There has been a clear (and deliberate) diminution in rewards across the entire year and it's not at all a good sign for the future of this game.

I'm just curious as to the thinking on their part. Is the idea that I'm supposed to purchase more packs / increase playing time to get a reward? Because between the hideous pack values, black hole of nothingness (XP path), and so many cards essentially costing more $ in stubs than the game itself, these past couple of months have all but guaranteed that I'll be investing less time into this mode come '27.

@misterwolf80_XBL said:

What a rip off of a reward. Last year we got a choose any chase card. Now a 91+ live series and a Glasnow vault pack. Got both right and only got 15,000 stubs.

You did better than me. Got both correct. 90 Egg Hunt Durham or Glasnow. 91 Live series Mason Miller. Very disapointing to say the least!

@misterwolf80_XBL said:

What a rip off of a reward. Last year we got a choose any chase card. Now a 91+ live series and a Glasnow vault pack. Got both right and only got 15,000 stubs.

Better than nothing.

Theme of this year. Less rewards across the board.