it's not the whine that was the reason for it. People on the losing side started to wear nothing and just wait for the end of the round. I couldn't think of anything that fixes it, other than that.
However, the most important thing now is the multiplicator, which doesn't sound that bad, does it? The problem before was you were punished twice (less multiplicator, pay maintenance). I think there was no reason for this.
I think you just completely forgot matters of motivation. On long term there will be no motivation playing cRPG, as more money doesn't help anything, because you can't afford more expensive items, unless you run around naked for a while. Getting higher levels is only fun until lvl 30, then it gets back to the grind you didn't want.
Basically your only motivation for winning a round is getting a higher multiplier for things you don't really need...
Did you also take in concern that you can't just suppose a 50/50 win/loss-ratio? If you win, lose, win, lose and so on you will have less money after ten rounds with 5 wins and 5 losses alternating, than with 5 losses and 3 wins in a row.
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