Blizzard has opened a Pet Store for players to purchase in game pets. WoW.com had it covered at press release but I thought it warranted a bit more discussion. Although our friends have been dipping their toes in microtransactions related to the game, this is definitely the first time they’ve let someone actually acquire an ITEM in game by paying real cash for that item.
This one is for charity, half the proceeds are being donated to the Make a Wish Foundation. This is a terrific charity, and in times when money is hard to come by for most charities, if you were going to contribute, this really isn’t a bad way to do so. I may actually go ahead and buy one for that cause. Looking beyond that though, I’m a bit freaked out by this announcement and a bit more on that after the break.
Blizzard is no stranger to getting cash from the players for various activities. Server transfers, character make-overs, name and social security number changes (kidding on this last one) and what not, so I have no doubt there is a few people sitting around Blizzard looking to play more with the concept and personally I’m a bit freaked out about that. I’ve always enjoyed the game where it was really about accomplishment.
Many upon many people in game have more stuff, more gold, more achievements or more whatever than me and I’ve always looked at that and said, hey they put the time in, had the skill and they earned it. If microtransactions continue to evolve in the game where people can start acquiring ITEMS with real cash, it’s definitely makes it a different game. More to the point, I would have to call Blizzard a hypocrit for since they claimed everyone else who did it was causing the game to be imbalanced when in reality they really meant to say “oh wait, that’s our IP and that’s our money you’re stealing, we’re going to do that ourselves it’s just not on the table yet”.
This move is for a good cause and that’s a good thing. Again I’m saying that buying an in-game pet in the name of charity is great and I more than likely going to buy one since I am a fan of the Make A Wish Foundation, I really wish they would do something for our Veterans such as The Wounded Warrior Project as well if you’re reading Blizzard.
All in all I still have a queasy feeling inside. I’m not really sure if this is a sign of things to come, I have no problems with something like this for charity, I’m just wondering if the other shoe is going to drop.
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by Morningstar, on November 5 2009 @ 8:59 am
I agree that its being done with the best intentions…but the uneasy feeeling is wit me as well. Its going to annoy a lot of people I think, and bodes badly for the things that are to follow:
Whats next, how about a rare mount? a one of a kind limited edition mechahog or mammoth for $15. doesn’t affect gameplay so why not, same as the pet surely.
How about hats. Lots of nice new non combat hats for walking about in town. And tabards lets not forget tabards, $2 each in a rainbow of colours and designs, one size fits all.
What about titles, “of the Shattered Sun” can be bought for 1000g, so why not toss a few out on the store as well for $5 each. I like the idea of being “morningstar of msta’carrda”. Or to generate some outside income, they could offer out some corporate branding, “of amazon” title or “tabard of google” could be brought in and given as quest rewards for buying certain books or searching for a list of obscure things in the game.
None of these items would in anyway affect gameplay, or affect the way you dps, tank or heal in a raid or instance. but it would very slowly kill the game.
And the worse thing of all is all of the above silly Ideas and a lot more are being decided upon buy corporate suits who have probably never played wow, but have been brought in to maximise revenue out of the existing fanbase.
by Kring, on November 5 2009 @ 9:11 am
Don’t fool yourself. You’re primarily giving money to Blizzards stakeholder and not to the foundation. Blizzard itself was more upfront about that than you.
Just donate $10 to the make a wish foundation. If you buy such a pet they only get $5 from your $10, and only if you buy the monk.