Rumor: Blizzard might add microtransactions to WoW

Excerpt of the story:

While the subscription model was once law in the land of MMOs, World of Warcraft is now one of the few games in the genre that hasn't switched over to a free-to-play or microtransaction-driven business model. That could be changing in the next update, judging by an item discovered in a public test version of the game. One sharp-eyed user spotted a potion that is listed as being purchasable from a yet-to-be-implemented in-game store.

The potion in question doubles the amount of experience points earned from killing monsters and completing quests, which would be an easy way for Blizzard to reap some income from impatient players if this truly is the start of a microtransaction item trade. The item was discovered through datamining from the latest Public Test Realm build, and is identified as part of the "5.4 In-Game Store."

Full Article: Here

So, what could this mean? Will Blizzard continue the P2P model and add microtransactions items or will they finally embrace the F2P model like Rift, ToR and many other MMORPG?

You can buy mounts, they already did. On top of your overpriced game, with it's sub-fee.

I don't play WOW but this kind of double-dipping is ridiculous. I don't care how unobtrusive they are, microtransactions on top of a subscription is like a slap in the face. 

people that pay real money for virtual items have serious issues

people that pay real money for virtual items have serious issues

Flubbbs

I don't play WoW. However, I loved Warcraft I & II.Pinkscare

How is this relevant to this topic?

Ontopic: If they decide to add microtransactions to this already P2P game I'm sure they will lose a substantial amount of subscribers. Even paying for mounts was pushing it but if they go further I don't see it go well in the long run. But hey, it's Blizzard... so who knows.

[QUOTE="Pinkscare"]I don't play WoW. However, I loved Warcraft I & II.Geosisnl

How is this relevant to this topic?

Ontopic: If they decide to add microtransactions to this already P2P game I'm sure they will lose a substantial amount of subscribers. Even paying for mounts was pushing it but if they go further I don't see it go well in the long run. But hey, it's Blizzard... so who knows.

If people didn't leave after the option to pay for mounts then I doubt they will leave after a cash shop gets implemented.

Don't care - It's not like they force you to buy stuff. Also - this might not even happen.

people that pay real money for virtual items have serious issues

Flubbbs

[QUOTE="Pinkscare"]I don't play WoW. However, I loved Warcraft I & II.Geosisnl

How is this relevant to this topic?

Ontopic: If they decide to add microtransactions to this already P2P game I'm sure they will lose a substantial amount of subscribers. Even paying for mounts was pushing it but if they go further I don't see it go well in the long run. But hey, it's Blizzard... so who knows.

[QUOTE="Flubbbs"]

people that pay real money for virtual items have serious issues

TheShadowLord07

I don't play WOW but this kind of double-dipping is ridiculous. I don't care how unobtrusive they are, microtransactions on top of a subscription is like a slap in the face. 

Vari3ty

Live Xbox live and paying for petty pictures and gamertags and even paying to change your name. 

Excerpt of the story:

While the subscription model was once law in the land of MMOs, World of Warcraft is now one of the few games in the genre that hasn't switched over to a free-to-play or microtransaction-driven business model. That could be changing in the next update, judging by an item discovered in a public test version of the game. One sharp-eyed user spotted a potion that is listed as being purchasable from a yet-to-be-implemented in-game store.

The potion in question doubles the amount of experience points earned from killing monsters and completing quests, which would be an easy way for Blizzard to reap some income from impatient players if this truly is the start of a microtransaction item trade. The item was discovered through datamining from the latest Public Test Realm build, and is identified as part of the "5.4 In-Game Store."

Full Article: Here

So, what could this mean? Will Blizzard continue the P2P model and add microtransactions items or will they finally embrace the F2P model like Rift, ToR and many other MMORPG?

Miroku32

people that pay real money for virtual items have serious issues

Flubbbs

Sounds like it is going to go free to play. Don't forget they just had a big sale on the expansions.

[QUOTE="Flubbbs"]

people that pay real money for virtual items have serious issues

Jacanuk

people that pay real money for virtual items have serious issues

Flubbbs

Not as badly as closed minded individuals who can only think up to a very brief length before they shut down and automatically label anyone beyond that fence as having serious issues.

I dont buy virtual items but I can understand the concept. Say someone really only plays a couple games, they buy some virtual items each month for said game, so for 10 bucks a price of a movie ticket they gets weeks worth of entertainment. My best friend has on many occasions for the sims 3. Its the only game she plays really but she has gotten years out of enjoyment out of the game.

Besides if you ever bought a dlc pack for a game you have done the same thing. You paid for some imaginary levels in a game that you wont ever actually own. Ever bought a digital game? Well then again you are paying for a virtual item that only is exclusive to one specific thing and is never a product you can truly own and it will not be yours forever. So I guess youre saying the billions of people who buy digital games and dlc have serious issues as well.

people that pay real money for virtual items have serious issues

Flubbbs

Not really. If someone is investing 50-500 hours into something it obviously has value to the person.

You guys are all assuming they will be keeping the subscription as it is and add microtransactions on top of it?

If they do it, im expecting them to lower the sub fees in order to make the initial purchase more attractive, since there are so many expansions, so it is starting to get confusing for newcomers.

Here is a blue post

 "We are currently exploring the possibility of adding a way for players in certain regions to make purchases directly within the game. As part of this process, elements related to this will be appearing on the PTR. Well provide additional updates on our plans as development progresses."

"certain regions" Maybe this is just for asia where the game is played largely via internet cafes? After all if you are paying by the hour, extra exp seems like something perfectly suited to the internet cafe environment.

Sounds like it is going to go free to play. Don't forget they just had a big sale on the expansions.

Deadpool-n

You guys are all assuming they will be keeping the subscription as it is and add microtransactions on top of it?

If they do it, im expecting them to lower the sub fees in order to make the initial purchase more attractive, since there are so many expansions, so it is starting to get confusing for newcomers.

Here is a blue post

 "We are currently exploring the possibility of adding a way for players in certain regions to make purchases directly within the game. As part of this process, elements related to this will be appearing on the PTR. Well provide additional updates on our plans as development progresses."

"certain regions" Maybe this is just for asia where the game is played largely via internet cafes? After all if you are paying by the hour, extra exp seems like something perfectly suited to the internet cafe environment.

ojugyujxsygrh

If it makes money, businesses will probably do it.

[QUOTE="ojugyujxsygrh"]

You guys are all assuming they will be keeping the subscription as it is and add microtransactions on top of it?

If they do it, im expecting them to lower the sub fees in order to make the initial purchase more attractive, since there are so many expansions, so it is starting to get confusing for newcomers.

Here is a blue post

 "We are currently exploring the possibility of adding a way for players in certain regions to make purchases directly within the game. As part of this process, elements related to this will be appearing on the PTR. Well provide additional updates on our plans as development progresses."

"certain regions" Maybe this is just for asia where the game is played largely via internet cafes? After all if you are paying by the hour, extra exp seems like something perfectly suited to the internet cafe environment.

Jacanuk

To bring more new people in, I have no idea what you are talking about otherwise. Even in the case of wow, lower fees/f2p will lead to a massive jump in playerbase. Everyone has heard of it already, and i know everyone will try it if it was f2p. If it's more profitable in the long term or not, i have no idea. I'm sure they have the data on this stuff though.

Regardless, im betting this is for asia, not the US.

people that pay real money for virtual items have serious issues

Flubbbs

I hate being forced to buy optional stuff that gives me an advantage over other people.

[QUOTE="ojugyujxsygrh"]

Infact WoW might even see a increase in the casual gamer base, since they now can buy their way to better Eq, better stats, faster leveling and so on.Jacanuk

They already have microtransactions, its called the Blizzard Store.

A mount for 20 dollars, and a pet for 10 dollars...

I don't play WOW but this kind of double-dipping is ridiculous. I don't care how unobtrusive they are, microtransactions on top of a subscription is like a slap in the face. 

Vari3ty

I don't see Blizzard making World of Warcraft F2P anytime soon. It's install base is so large, doing something like that would be kinda crazy.

people that pay real money for virtual items have serious issues

Flubbbs

What I got from that sentence is that you really don't have a clue about WoW's past, present or any probable plans Blizzard have for it in the future.-Unreal-

Since acti and blizzard merged it's all gone downhill. rip blizzard, once respected by pc gamers.DefconRave

[QUOTE="DefconRave"]Since acti and blizzard merged it's all gone downhill. rip blizzard, once respected by pc gamers.FelipeInside

[QUOTE="DefconRave"]Since acti and blizzard merged it's all gone downhill. rip blizzard, once respected by pc gamers.FelipeInside

[QUOTE="FelipeInside"][QUOTE="DefconRave"]Since acti and blizzard merged it's all gone downhill. rip blizzard, once respected by pc gamers.Miroku32

people that pay real money for virtual items have serious issues

Flubbbs

[QUOTE="Flubbbs"]

people that pay real money for virtual items have serious issues

gunmaster55555

Making it f2p would probably be the ultimate coup de grace for wow atm, its hard enough finding a group of semi competent players as it is already.  I don't think that is whats going to happen though, more likely you can spend even more of your money on a game you already pay a sub for.

I don't play WoW. However, I loved Warcraft I & II.Pinkscare

It's just a matter of time until they switch it over to F2P. They are hemorrhaging subscribers. At the current rate they are losing 5.2 million subscribers per year. It will shut down within two years if they don't convert it to F2P. I hope when that happens the WoW team can start work on Warcraft 4. Any left over developers can move over to Titan.

It's just a matter of time until they switch it over to F2P. They are hemorrhaging subscribers. At the current rate they are losing 5.2 million subscribers per year. It will shut down within two years if they don't convert it to F2P. I hope when that happens the WoW team can start work on Warcraft 4. Any left over developers can move over to Titan.

James00715