Expanding microtransaction, hitting up the dim and addicted
Apparently making one billion every year isn't enough for Activision Blizzard, so now World of Wacraft is expanding into microtransaction for some extra profits.
This is usually a method implemented for free-to-play games, but companies not satisfied with charging monthly fees (and a crap-ton of other service fees) can certainly consider this option.
As such, World of Warcraft now has new pets that will cost real money to acquire. The official Blizzard Store already has a Lil' K.T. (Kel'Thuzad) listed at $10.00 USD; the page also proudly proclaims gift-giving options for your purchase. Hey, nothing like a $10 virtual pet to show someone you care, right?
So mini-Kel'Thuzad can float, and for many WoW saps, that's probably enough to warrant paying nearly 70 percent of an entire month's subscription fee. Hey, who are we to question someone's spending habits and hobbies? Here's the product description:
Give the gift of diminutive undead companionship with this Blizzard Pet Store exclusive — Lil' K.T., the mini-lich. What Lil' K.T. lacks in size, he more than makes up for in sheer malicious intensity. Watch with misplaced pride as he randomly freezes critters and laughs maniacally at your vanquished PvP foes. Once activated, this World of Warcraft in-game pet key applies to all present and future characters on a single World of Warcraft license.
Not that real fans need to actually read it before buying, psh!
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Blizzard made changes to the game to make it easier for every one to get the same things with out a hassle, in the past the game was 100% focused to the "high end player only" and the little guys got the shaft & and all that has changed. People call it welfare epics, well years ago people had full time jobs and a family and wasn't able to raid 7 days a week and get the gear they wanted and blizzard noticed this and its now changed.
free-to-play has been talked about as of early/mid year 2008 its currently in the works for a future release from what I understand, that is why there moving everyone to BNet and offering all these little goodies from there store.