World of Warcraft studio beefing up its microtransaction efforts

Blizzard Entertainment, creator of popular franchises like World of Warcraft, Diablo, and StarCraft, is beefing up its microtransaction efforts. The Irvine, California developer has posted a pair of new jobs on its "Strategic Initiatives" team calling for a director and manager for the company's new "Microtransaction Strategy" unit.

The language featured in the job listings suggests that Blizzard is aware that gamers have not been entirely won over just yet by the way which some games have employed micropayments.

"Do you want to help Blizzard Entertainment design monetization models that actually enhance the gameplay experience?" the requisition for Director of Microtransaction Strategy reads.

The person selected for this job will work to target the "intersection of revenue generation goals and quality player experience" with an overall aim of creating an enjoyable--and profitable--experience.

An ideal candidate will "have experience conceptualizing and iterating micro-transaction based game business models, and possess a deep understanding of player interactions with those models, both at the individual and community levels."

For the Director of Microtransaction Strategy position, eight years of industry experience and quantitative Bachelor's degree is required, while an MBA or quantitative Master's degree is preferred.

Blizzard's establishment of a "Microtransaction Strategy" unit is hardly surprising. The company has recently moved deeper into the world of free-to-play games through collectible card game HearthStone: Heroes of Warcraft and MOBA Heroes of the Storm.

And while World of Warcraft still requires a monthly subscription, Blizzard offers a range of virtual items for purchase, including mounts and pets for fees in the $10-$30 range. In addition, Blizzard launched a World of Warcraft in-game store just last month.