AKA scam v 2.1.
Idea is easy - introduce another level of currency, limit influx in a way convenient to publisher, and provide a way to spend that new currency in a way that looks neat, only isn't.
And by the way drop few traps.
New currency are parts obtainable only after a victory. So if you want parts, play more. Sounds reasonable and almost fair, so far.
Way to spend new currency - plane modifications, 4 levels. Unfortunately for each bonus, there is a drawback - table is here. Still almost fair, gains are a little bit bigger than loses. On the other hand - its A SINK. Not just a sink, but A SINK.
It eats game currencies like crazy. With a number of catches. Like the one that base, not upgraded, modules can be changed without a charge. Upgraded - can be only removed for tokens. Can't be destroyed, as in WoT, but only removed.
An ordinary, not elite, plane, benefits only from the first upgrade. 2nd and 3rd upgrades can be applied, of course, but work only for specialized plane. Plane can be specialized after developing all modules, and then after fulfilling a grindy specialization mission (or after paying a considerable amount of tokens), and buying a specialized status.
And then, if player wasn't patient, another tokens to strip down equipment to mount them in specialized configuration, or just buy and upgrade new set of upgrades. Quite developed trap.
Another sink level is random part - after each upgrade, equipment receives one of two special abilities. Quite often that less suitable, but they can be rerolled for credits. Or, guess what.. tokens of course.
2nd trap - moment of specialization.
Till introduction of that development, plane became elite when everything had been developed - modules and a following plane.
Now - surprise - not. Plane becomes elite as soon as all modules are developed. Most probably to fool players and make them to spend gold to convert exp to free exp and then develop following planes, as exp collected on elite plane seems to be wasted. Of course following planes aren't visible in plane's development panel, but only in tech tree.
WG/Persha still works really hard to reinvent the wheel, to not add clan wars nor any kind of team mode. And to not bring back 1.x random mode.
