Is Blizzard setting a new trend for MMO companies?

Kunek · 11-05-2009, 01:02 AM

I just finished reading that they officially announced a pet store for World of Warcraft where you can buy novelty pets for RL money.

Its pure profit. Is this the way games will start heading to make money? They will just sell novelty pets, trinkets, masks, weapons, etc where it is basically 100% profit to their bottom lines? Will they start selling gold, kinah, powerleveling to get on the billion dollar a year business, and put farmers out of business? They could offer powerleveling instantly with no real cost to them.

What do you think?

Thia · 11-05-2009, 01:06 AM

I sure hope not

I am sorry I pay enough money to these games to continue to play month after month I am not giving them another cent for stupid stuff like this. If it was a F2P game then maybe but 15.00 a month no ty.

Quiana · 11-05-2009, 01:06 AM

Microtransactions have been around in games for years. It is far more common in Asian or free to play games. Personally I like the idea of allowing people to customize themselves with fluff for money. If they start offering items of any real consequence then MMOs will become pointless. It will be just like playing collectible card games. Whoever dumps the most money, generally has the best chance to win. If you cannot afford to spend money, you may as well not even try. Only a few people with tons of disposable income would play a game like that.

Thomasmgp · 11-05-2009, 01:09 AM

In terms of major MMOs that everyone knows SoE was before Blizzard on this one by far. Verant or SoE, who ever was still in charge, launched the Stormhammer/Legends server. I and lots of others paid $40 a month to play on a special rules server while everyone else still payed only $15. Although I cant remember which came first EQs card trading game or WoWs where you bought game backs with real life cash and could get in game items.

Merik · 11-05-2009, 01:16 AM

I have both of the new mini pets.

Thomasmgp · 11-05-2009, 01:20 AM

Actually while on this subject...Whats the difference in paying real life cash for stuff offered by NCsoft and paying cash to IGE for Kinah? And please stay away from the obvious answer of "One is legal" In both EQ and WoW the pets/items you got from special events could be sold to other players for gold so its just the same as buying gold. I saw many people selling Grunty pets for 20-30k gold before I quit WoW.

Rst · 11-05-2009, 01:21 AM

Gaming in general is going this way with pay for downloadable content. For one example, it cost $15 to unlock all the Street Fighter 4 alternate costumes that were already on the disk. Anything for a buck.

Holy Frack · 11-05-2009, 01:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Merik

I have both of the new mini pets.

Congratulations!

cwood · 11-05-2009, 01:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rst

Gaming in general is going this way with pay for downloadable content. For one example, it cost $15 to unlock all the Street Fighter 4 alternate costumes that were already on the disk. Anything for a buck.

Lol, I'm in the first 5 hours of Dragon Age and I've already found $9 in downloadable content... for a brand new game! I don't like it. Doesn't EQ2 have a server where you can pay cash for actual gear? This is a bad trend in games.

Ifalna · 11-05-2009, 01:50 AM

Ok Blizzard... now it's getting really ridiculous.

TwilightAngel · 11-05-2009, 01:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kunek

I just finished reading that they officially announced a pet store for World of Warcraft where you can buy novelty pets for RL money.

Its pure profit. Is this the way games will start heading to make money? They will just sell novelty pets, trinkets, masks, weapons, etc where it is basically 100% profit to their bottom lines? Will they start selling gold, kinah, powerleveling to get on the billion dollar a year business, and put farmers out of business? They could offer powerleveling instantly with no real cost to them.

What do you think?

you do know that some of the funds they get for the panda goes to make a wish foundation right????

Losing Streak · 11-05-2009, 01:58 AM

Company Aims To Make Money, in other news sky is blue and you're a dumbass

Ifalna · 11-05-2009, 01:59 AM

Yeah for about 2 month and then they keep everything. Just a psychological act for those who normally would not buy stuff like that and now think "it's for a good cause". So what's next? Dumbing down raids so you clear them in 2 hours isn't enough? Lets sell gear for real money!

Purple · 11-05-2009, 02:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twilightangel

you do know that some of the funds they get for the panda goes to make a wish foundation right????

Quote:

charity pet
what charity will i be supporting when i purchase the pandaren monk pet?
Donations from every sale of the pandaren monk pet through december 31, 2009, will be given to the make-a-wish foundation. To find out more about this charity, please visit Make-A-Wish Foundation : National Home Page.

Will the pet still be available for purchase after the donation period is over?
Yes, you will still be able to purchase the pet after december 31, and we do not currently have any plans to remove this pet from the pet store. The blizzard store purchasing page will provide information on any changes to availability.

12345678999

TwilightAngel · 11-05-2009, 02:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ifalna

Ok Blizzard... now it's getting really ridiculous.

well not really to me its fine if it was for something like how the panda is for make a wish foundation, as long the item doesnt boost anything and just for looks then all good to me

Quote:

Originally Posted by Purple

12345678999

ok..... ya i know the it only last tellt he 31st but the point is it still goes to something for a period of time

-------------------------

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ifalna

Yeah for about 2 month and then they keep everything. Just a psychological act for those who normally would not buy stuff like that and now think "it's for a good cause". So what's next? Dumbing down raids so you clear them in 2 hours isn't enough? Lets sell gear for real money!

how does a in game pet that does nothing at all go with buy gear with money???

The pet does not boost anything on the char it just for looks

11-05-2009, 01:02 AM	#1 (permalink)
Kunek Officer Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Portland Thanks: 0 Thanked 5 Times in 4 Posts Class: Cleric Race: Elyos Server: Zikel	Is Blizzard setting a new trend for MMO companies? I just finished reading that they officially announced a pet store for World of Warcraft where you can buy novelty pets for RL money. Its pure profit. Is this the way games will start heading to make money? They will just sell novelty pets, trinkets, masks, weapons, etc where it is basically 100% profit to their bottom lines? Will they start selling gold, kinah, powerleveling to get on the billion dollar a year business, and put farmers out of business? They could offer powerleveling instantly with no real cost to them. What do you think? __________________ WASDstomp General Gaming Blog +1 Twitter Followers

11-05-2009, 01:06 AM	#2 (permalink)
Thia Star Officer Join Date: Aug 2009 Thanks: 2 Thanked 11 Times in 11 Posts Character: Thia Class: Templar Legion: Dragons of Carpathia Race: Elyos Server: Meslamtaeda	I sure hope not I am sorry I pay enough money to these games to continue to play month after month I am not giving them another cent for stupid stuff like this. If it was a F2P game then maybe but 15.00 a month no ty. __________________

11-05-2009, 01:09 AM	#4 (permalink)
Thomasmgp Soldier Join Date: Oct 2009 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Race: Asmodians Server: Israphel	In terms of major MMOs that everyone knows SoE was before Blizzard on this one by far. Verant or SoE, who ever was still in charge, launched the Stormhammer/Legends server. I and lots of others paid $40 a month to play on a special rules server while everyone else still payed only $15. Although I cant remember which came first EQs card trading game or WoWs where you bought game backs with real life cash and could get in game items. Last edited by Thomasmgp; 11-05-2009 at 01:13 AM..

11-05-2009, 01:50 AM	#10 (permalink)
Ifalna Officer Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Celestis Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Character: Ifalna Class: Cleric Race: Elyos Server: Balder	Ok Blizzard... now it's getting really ridiculous. __________________ And the people shall deliver the wicked under your divine judgement. Where their sins will be weighed in balance with all that is just and true. -Hallowed are the Ori-

11-05-2009, 01:58 AM	#12 (permalink)
Losing Streak Officer Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Canada Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Character: Slapstick Class: Gladiator Legion: >(')/) Race: Elyos Server: Undecided	Company Aims To Make Money, in other news sky is blue and you're a dumbass __________________ me reading this thread: http://i38.tinypic.com/286sm0g.gif

11-05-2009, 01:06 AM	#3 (permalink)
Quiana Officer Join Date: Sep 2009 Thanks: 12 Thanked 54 Times in 53 Posts Character: Quiana Class: Sorcerer Legion: Tempest Wolves Race: Asmodians Server: Zikel	Microtransactions have been around in games for years. It is far more common in Asian or free to play games. Personally I like the idea of allowing people to customize themselves with fluff for money. If they start offering items of any real consequence then MMOs will become pointless. It will be just like playing collectible card games. Whoever dumps the most money, generally has the best chance to win. If you cannot afford to spend money, you may as well not even try. Only a few people with tons of disposable income would play a game like that.

11-05-2009, 01:16 AM	#5 (permalink)
Merik Soldier Join Date: Aug 2009 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts Character: Merik/Mac Class: Assassin Race: Elyos Server: Lumiel	I have both of the new mini pets.

11-05-2009, 01:20 AM	#6 (permalink)
Thomasmgp Soldier Join Date: Oct 2009 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Race: Asmodians Server: Israphel	Actually while on this subject...Whats the difference in paying real life cash for stuff offered by NCsoft and paying cash to IGE for Kinah? And please stay away from the obvious answer of "One is legal" In both EQ and WoW the pets/items you got from special events could be sold to other players for gold so its just the same as buying gold. I saw many people selling Grunty pets for 20-30k gold before I quit WoW.

11-05-2009, 01:21 AM	#7 (permalink)
Rst Officer Join Date: Sep 2009 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Race: Undecided Server: Undecided	Gaming in general is going this way with pay for downloadable content. For one example, it cost $15 to unlock all the Street Fighter 4 alternate costumes that were already on the disk. Anything for a buck.

11-05-2009, 01:59 AM	#13 (permalink)
Ifalna Officer Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Celestis Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Character: Ifalna Class: Cleric Race: Elyos Server: Balder	Yeah for about 2 month and then they keep everything. Just a psychological act for those who normally would not buy stuff like that and now think "it's for a good cause". So what's next? Dumbing down raids so you clear them in 2 hours isn't enough? Lets sell gear for real money! __________________ And the people shall deliver the wicked under your divine judgement. Where their sins will be weighed in balance with all that is just and true. -Hallowed are the Ori-

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