World of Warcraft: When neither subscription or services are enough...

[Daezuel]

Originally Posted by Malt

Then lets talk about what they have done.. so far.. instead of going into a bunch of what ifs that may or may not happen.

What they've done already is offer in game entertainment enhancements to select people. Those willing to pay for benefits outside of what is offered in game.

I know a ton of people personally that will buy these and all pets released as long as they are "cute"...they will not be able to resist. Cosmetic sure, but that is a large part of what drives these games.

[Dassem]

As long as it stays as cosmetic shit I couldn't care less. Doesn't affect my gameplay in the slightest.

[Vagoo]

I think this sets a bad precedent for future MMO's, want something cool? PAY FOR IT!

i believe that the asian MMO market already functions largely on micro-transactions rather than subscriptions. while micro transactions are more profitable to the game company, they are at odds with the traditional western style gamer mentality.

i dont like this step in wow, not because i care about pets or cosmetics - sell that shit all day long. but if it gets down to gear, abilities, or anything that impacts gameplay, well thats not good at all.

[Dis]

Originally Posted by Daezuel

What they've done already is offer in game entertainment enhancements to select people. Those willing to pay for benefits outside of what is offered in game.

I know a ton of people personally that will buy these and all pets released as long as they are "cute"...they will not be able to resist. Cosmetic sure, but that is a large part of what drives these games.

They may as well stop calling it world of warcraft, make it interface with Facebook, and start doing in game houses. Who the fuck needs to raid, when you can play Blizzard's version of "The Sims".

[NativityInBlack]

It's at least amusing that something as the critter pets that were introduced so late in the betas as a test fluff blew up to something so "important" today.

[Erronius]

I pray that the new generation of MMO gamers will feel the same way about micro-transactions that I do, that they will cringe at the mere mention of them. Because if they don't bat an eye at the thought of having to pay micro-transaction after micro-transaction in an MMO, Developers will be all over that shit with a quickness once they realize that they can rape players like that for more $$$. The handful of gamers that are left that refuse to play a game with them in it might end up forced to play one half-assed niche game or another in order to avoid them.

I don't want to buy into the model in the first place, because first I don't know what they'll ramp up to charging for after I've invested several years to a game, when I'm more or less a captive player. Second, I feel strongly that the cost should be up-front and in a single sum, not spread around so it's hard to keep track of. Third, if the model is successful and becomes the norm, the "winners" in a game might very well be the people with more money than sense, AKA the Sam Deathwalkers of MMOs, and everyone else will be hitting artificial glass ceilings purposely put into game design to force them to either settle for second best, or spend $4.99 for something 'extra'.

[Burning_Samurai]

As much as you don't like it, as long as they don't sell anything with +better to a character's statistics, not much is changing. I personally hate the idea of exchanging real cash for anything in-game other than subscriptions/expansions. But when your on the recieving side of the cash, you would be insane not to consider something like this. Its almost free money.

[Itzena]

Originally Posted by Ukerric

It starts that way.

First, they sell RL stuff that happen to have an impact in-game, albeit minor.

Then, they sell IG services for the same.

Then, they sell completely virtual stuff.

Then, the next stage will be minor advantages that you could get in-game, if you want to, or get on the Battlenet store, if you can't wait.

Then, it will be in-game TCG.

Then it will be potions that stack with the existing potions & buffs.

And then, it will be unlockable instances.

We're just halfway there yet.

Your point would be a lot clearer if you linked to what you were talking about.

And hey - guess what? EQ2 hasn't been hurt by any of these things.

Originally Posted by Dis

They may as well stop calling it world of warcraft, make it interface with Facebook, and start doing in game houses. Who the fuck needs to raid, when you can play Blizzard's version of "The Sims".

Would unironically play the fuck out of this expansion.

[Daezuel]

Originally Posted by Itzena

And hey - guess what? EQ2 hasn't been hurt by any of these things.

You have proof I assume?

[Izuldan]

He's talking about sub numbers I presume. It's not like players have been fleeing in droves from EQ2 every since they started micro-transitions. Blizzard probably has been watching that closely, noticing that SOE hasn't suffered from this model, and now is introducing it themselves.

[spronk]

I for one am glad about this new paradigm in radical MMO thinking, it lets me show off that I am an affluent MMO player able to enjoy the finer things in life. Hopefully player housing along with a furniture store is coming in the next expansion.

[Daezuel]

Originally Posted by Izuldan

He's talking about sub numbers I presume. It's not like players have been fleeing in droves from EQ2 every since they started micro-transitions. Blizzard probably has been watching that closely, noticing that SOE hasn't suffered from this model, and now is introducing it themselves.

They aren't doing this on every server though, just the exchange server? So people not on the exchange server are not affected by micro-transitions or are they? (outside of LDON)

[Vagoo]

pretty sure the majority of people playing EQ2 are the diehards, in which case you could institute forced teledildonics and they would grudgingly... or gleefully... accept.

[Teron D'Amun]

this one could be updated now as phase 2 of the most recent mirco transactions in WoW has started

[chu]

I don't play anymore but this feature is out of line. Achievements and cosmetic things have become a big part of the game and now they're charging for it...I remember doing those daily quests with the fires around the world just to get that glowing ball pet.