General Celestial Steed Mount thread:

qombi

Originally posted by jimmyman99

Originally posted by MMO_Doubter

Originally posted by jimmyman99

You are NOT getting less. You haven't gained anything, but you haven't lost anything too. The new mount and pet are optional and did not take away anything from you. I personaly never bought anything in game for real money, so I don't care about these things - they do not affect me whatsoever nor have they changed my gameplay (in positive or negative way).

Wrong. This stuff would be available in-game if it hadn't gone to the cash shop instead, and that is a major reason to oppose the shop.

Wrong. What you did not get, you did not lose. Its very simple. In order for something to lose, you have to HAVE that something. You never had the mount free of charge (obtainable through regular means). So you never lost it.

You must be thick.

Before Cash Shop: Say Blizzard made a new mount drop from a quest or boss.

Post Cash Shop: Item does not go in game because it is more beneficial to sell it in cash shop

 

Before Cash Shop: 32 fluff items go in game through out year

Post Cash Shop: 24 fluff items go in game through out the year

 

Your sub didn't go down .. cash shops WILL affect what you get for your money.

Distopia

Originally posted by MMO_Doubter

 

That is exactly right, and we're not saying NO to save WoW, because it is already a lost cause. We are saying NO to dissuade the next group of greedy suits who deicde to emulate Blizzard and Cryptic, etc.

We can prevent some of the future games from spewing this crap, but the sooner we start saying no, the better the results will be.

So - Stand up, pull up your pants, and walk away.

 The problem with your thinking is you seem oblivious to the amount of people who support RMT, those who always have and always will. "We" can't change anything if we're a minority, and sadly I feel that we are.

If we weren't this would have stopped exactly where it started, that's illegal RMT, which still thrives to this day.

WSIMike

Originally posted by tanoril

Originally posted by WSIMike

Originally posted by tanoril

 

You are taking this from the standpoint that the items from the cash shop are supposed to be included in the 14.99 which I disagree with because what is supposed to be included in the 14.99 price isn't clearly defined (and never will be).  Do you think the tiger you get from the card game should also be included in the 14.99 price?  How bout the zebra from RaF?  Both of these are items that you cannot get through normal in game means.

The alternative to buying the mount?  Try to get Invincible, which is the same skin, different color. 

Oh what a ridiculously disingenuous response.

Tell me, which has Blizzard set the precedent of doing for *years* now...

A) Adding in-game content that is available to everyone by playing the game

Adding in-game content available only via a micro-transaction

I'm not talking about server transfers, etc.. I'm talking in-game items, etc.

The correct answer, by the way, is A.

Now let's take it a step farther..

Why would they suddenly decide to start adding  in-game content for an additional microtransaction?

A) Because they decided one day that "players are getting enough for their sub fee! We should start charging extra for stuff! It's only fair!"

Because they've seen that other companies are nickel-and-diming their players so, hey... why not them?

The correct and obvious answer, by the way... is B.

Unless you believe it's purely coincidence that they started dabbling in microtransactions during the same period that the payment model started gaining some footing in the Western market? Would be pretty naive if that was the case.

And yet you completly ignored my point that they have been adding content outside of game for years now:

Spectral Tiger from the WoW TCG (out of game)

Collectors Edition pet

Recruit a Friend mount

Authenticator pet

 

So to the point, they have always added stuff for additional microtranactions.  Buying the TCG cards is a microtransaction, just in another form.  Buying another account to get the mount via RAF is a microtransaction (you're giving Blizzard extra money for the account).  They been charging 25 bucks for services like server transfers, sex changes, factions changes, etc for years.

 

What precedent are you talking about?  This isn't anything new.

So let's see..

Card Game - Real tangible item purchased in exchange for real money, with the mount as a bonus.

Collector's Edition Pet - bonus item available, along with other real, tangible items also included in the purchase

Recruit a friend pet - available as a gift for getting someone else to play the game and having them stick around, without having to spend an additional dime yourself.

Authenticator Pet - real-world, tangible item bought with real money, which comes with an in-game bonus item.

Versus...

A mount that is available *only* by buying it in-game.

Not quite the same thing, I'm afraid.

That said, you're seriously putting that handful of items up against, what, hundreds of others available in-game, by playing instead of paying?

I'm not the one "ignoring the main point" here.

NotNiceDino

So... once again I will continue not buying any of this stuff, and ridiculing all the fools running around with the obvious "I'm a dumbass who paid REAL money for this crap" flag.

 

...which I've been doing since the Spectral Tigers showed up when the TCG got going...

What's the diffrance?

Surfrider

Originally posted by WSIMike

Card Game - Real tangible item purchased in exchange for real money, with the mount as a bonus.

Collector's Edition Pet - bonus item available, along with other real, tangible items also included in the purchase

Authenticator Pet - real-world, tangible item bought with real money, which comes with an in-game bonus item.

Versus...

A mount that is available *only* by buying it in-game.

Not quite the same thing, I'm afraid.

 

I have to disagree here WSIMike, each of the items are only available with purchases beyond the subscription fee or regular box price.  While each may not be tied directly to the item shop, they're bonus via only through additional purchases.

Unless you're stating that bonus items are 'ok' if they're accompanied by real tangible items.

NotNiceDino

Originally posted by WSIMike

Card Game - Real tangible item purchased in exchange for real money, with the mount as a bonus.

 Card Game - Real tangible absolutely worthless item that people only bought hoping for in-game items. I know, because for a time I actually tried to play, which turned out to be impossible because NOONE played, and the game was in fact not very good.

No, the card game was charging real money for in-game stuff, period. Only worse in that with item-shops, you at least no up front what your getting and how much your going to pay for it.

yayitsandy

I don't like the idea of premium pets or mounts but having said that while the Blizzard Store confines its activitys to vanity items it is still one step away from being a true cash shop .

I gave up the game around the time they allowed players to roll a Horde and Allie on the same server which killed the game dynamic for me .

I glad I did because even though currently Blizzard only sell fluff items in the Blizzard store its a slippery slope .The minuite they sell the first weapon,peice of armour or potion in the  store then its a real game changer and at that point I think it will be a step too far for many players .

I do think it will happen and sooner rather than later .

Its a shame to see the way this game is headed . I had a great time in it the first few years but the direction Blizzard took it really made it ultimatly unplayable for me . I doubt I would play any future mmo by Blizzard . They have lost all credibility in my eyes .

Leucent

All this does to me is entertain me actually. My wife and I logged in saw like 40-50% of mounts these new ones and just laughed at the morons spending the money outside their monthly fee on pixels. For each their own, and hell good for Blizzard making ALOT of extra money on people that are way to into the game. If it doesn t effect me or my gameplay, who the hell cares.

MMO_Doubter

Originally posted by Leucent

All this does to me is entertain me actually. My wife and I logged in saw like 40-50% of mounts these new ones and just laughed at the morons spending the money outside their monthly fee on pixels. For each their own, and hell good for Blizzard making ALOT of extra money on people that are way to into the game. If it doesn t effect me or my gameplay, who the hell cares.

It will affect you, eventually, because they will devote more time and effort into new things to sell, and less into other development like dungeons and new regions.

tanoril

Originally posted by WSIMike

Originally posted by tanoril

Originally posted by WSIMike

Originally posted by tanoril

 

You are taking this from the standpoint that the items from the cash shop are supposed to be included in the 14.99 which I disagree with because what is supposed to be included in the 14.99 price isn't clearly defined (and never will be).  Do you think the tiger you get from the card game should also be included in the 14.99 price?  How bout the zebra from RaF?  Both of these are items that you cannot get through normal in game means.

The alternative to buying the mount?  Try to get Invincible, which is the same skin, different color. 

Oh what a ridiculously disingenuous response.

Tell me, which has Blizzard set the precedent of doing for *years* now...

A) Adding in-game content that is available to everyone by playing the game

Adding in-game content available only via a micro-transaction

I'm not talking about server transfers, etc.. I'm talking in-game items, etc.

The correct answer, by the way, is A.

Now let's take it a step farther..

Why would they suddenly decide to start adding  in-game content for an additional microtransaction?

A) Because they decided one day that "players are getting enough for their sub fee! We should start charging extra for stuff! It's only fair!"

Because they've seen that other companies are nickel-and-diming their players so, hey... why not them?

The correct and obvious answer, by the way... is B.

Unless you believe it's purely coincidence that they started dabbling in microtransactions during the same period that the payment model started gaining some footing in the Western market? Would be pretty naive if that was the case.

And yet you completly ignored my point that they have been adding content outside of game for years now:

Spectral Tiger from the WoW TCG (out of game)

Collectors Edition pet

Recruit a Friend mount

Authenticator pet

 

So to the point, they have always added stuff for additional microtranactions.  Buying the TCG cards is a microtransaction, just in another form.  Buying another account to get the mount via RAF is a microtransaction (you're giving Blizzard extra money for the account).  They been charging 25 bucks for services like server transfers, sex changes, factions changes, etc for years.

 

What precedent are you talking about?  This isn't anything new.

So let's see..

Card Game - Real tangible item purchased in exchange for real money, with the mount as a bonus.

Collector's Edition Pet - bonus item available, along with other real, tangible items also included in the purchase

Recruit a friend pet - available as a gift for getting someone else to play the game and having them stick around, without having to spend an additional dime yourself.

Authenticator Pet - real-world, tangible item bought with real money, which comes with an in-game bonus item.

Versus...

A mount that is available *only* by buying it in-game.

Not quite the same thing, I'm afraid.

That said, you're seriously putting that handful of items up against, what, hundreds of others available in-game, by playing instead of paying?

I'm not the one "ignoring the main point" here.

So you are basically saying that it's ok to spend money outside of the subscription fee for these items if they came with something else?  Do you know how many people bought 2nd accounts through RaF just for themselves?  Let me tell you, it's alot.  Do you know how many people bought the cards just for the Tiger?  Let me tell you, it's alot. 

The irony is in the case of the collectors edition and the cards, its actually cheaper to buy the Celetial Steed. 

Here is the problem with alot of people.  They think that by paying a sub fee, that they are entitled to everything.  If this was the case, then what business does Blizzard have for charging a box fee for Cataclysm?  In fact, you would probably have a better argument to stand behind deploring Blizzard for charging for the expansion, because in that case you need that content to advance in the game.  You don't need the mount.  You don't need the pets.  There are lot of mounts and pets that you can get in the game.  In fact there is a mount that looks exactly like the one you pay in the cash shop. 

jimmyman99

Originally posted by green13

Originally posted by jimmyman99

You are correct to a point - they can charge all they want for things that do not affect the experiences of their current playerbase. But as soon as they start charging for something that affects the game play itself, then we can all jump up and scream "enough is enough". But for now, there is nothing to scream about. Only people that care more about fluff then the actual game will be pissed for obvious reasons.

That's untrue, unfair and inflammatory.

Personally I dislike but can generally tolerate 'fluff' MTs. But some people won't brook even fluff MTs and they're perfectly justified in screaming and being pissed about that.

The mere presence of MTs of any description do, in some way, devalue a monthly subscription. Part of the appeal of a subscription is that you get access to the whole of the game for a single, flat fee. This is in direct contrast to free to play mmos where you have to buy access in bits and pieces as MTs.

So adding even fluff MTs to a subscription based MMO is going to offend some players - especially ones whose budgets can't stretch to buying all the extra bits and pieces. And they're perfectly justified in being offended.

My advice for those people would be to scream a bit (so Blizzard hears you) then jump ship and play a different MMO.

There are good subscription MMOs on the market which don't have MTs of any description.

Your monthly sub entitles you to the whole content of the current game. Nowhere does it says it entitles you to 100% of the FUTURE content. So, if they were to remove part of the game and make it P2P, then you would be justified in your outcry. But if they add things in addition to the main content and make that additional content completely optional, then you have no right to claim that content as part of your sub fee.

jimmyman99

Originally posted by qombi

Originally posted by jimmyman99

Originally posted by MMO_Doubter

Originally posted by jimmyman99

You are NOT getting less. You haven't gained anything, but you haven't lost anything too. The new mount and pet are optional and did not take away anything from you. I personaly never bought anything in game for real money, so I don't care about these things - they do not affect me whatsoever nor have they changed my gameplay (in positive or negative way).

Wrong. This stuff would be available in-game if it hadn't gone to the cash shop instead, and that is a major reason to oppose the shop.

Wrong. What you did not get, you did not lose. Its very simple. In order for something to lose, you have to HAVE that something. You never had the mount free of charge (obtainable through regular means). So you never lost it.

You must be thick.

Before Cash Shop: Say Blizzard made a new mount drop from a quest or boss.

Post Cash Shop: Item does not go in game because it is more beneficial to sell it in cash shop

 

Before Cash Shop: 32 fluff items go in game through out year

Post Cash Shop: 24 fluff items go in game through out the year

 

Your sub didn't go down .. cash shops WILL affect what you get for your money.

You know, you speak just like MPAA claiming pirates cause them direct loss of revenue by pirating music. Can you prove beyond a reasonable doubt that blizzard would make those 32 pets without forcing us to buy them for real cash? No you can't.

Here is another scenario to counter yours:

After Cash Shop: 1 new mount for sale, 1 new pet for sale.

Before Cash Shop: 0 new mounts and pets obtainable by regular means.

jimmyman99

Originally posted by MMO_Doubter

Originally posted by Leucent

All this does to me is entertain me actually. My wife and I logged in saw like 40-50% of mounts these new ones and just laughed at the morons spending the money outside their monthly fee on pixels. For each their own, and hell good for Blizzard making ALOT of extra money on people that are way to into the game. If it doesn t effect me or my gameplay, who the hell cares.

It will affect you, eventually, because they will devote more time and effort into new things to sell, and less into other development like dungeons and new regions.

No they wont. In fact, due to revenues made from this, they will develop more tangible content available to everybody at no additional price.

jimmyman99

Originally posted by tanoril

Originally posted by WSIMike

Originally posted by tanoril

Originally posted by WSIMike

Originally posted by tanoril

 

You are taking this from the standpoint that the items from the cash shop are supposed to be included in the 14.99 which I disagree with because what is supposed to be included in the 14.99 price isn't clearly defined (and never will be).  Do you think the tiger you get from the card game should also be included in the 14.99 price?  How bout the zebra from RaF?  Both of these are items that you cannot get through normal in game means.

The alternative to buying the mount?  Try to get Invincible, which is the same skin, different color. 

Oh what a ridiculously disingenuous response.

Tell me, which has Blizzard set the precedent of doing for *years* now...

A) Adding in-game content that is available to everyone by playing the game

Adding in-game content available only via a micro-transaction

I'm not talking about server transfers, etc.. I'm talking in-game items, etc.

The correct answer, by the way, is A.

Now let's take it a step farther..

Why would they suddenly decide to start adding  in-game content for an additional microtransaction?

A) Because they decided one day that "players are getting enough for their sub fee! We should start charging extra for stuff! It's only fair!"

Because they've seen that other companies are nickel-and-diming their players so, hey... why not them?

The correct and obvious answer, by the way... is B.

Unless you believe it's purely coincidence that they started dabbling in microtransactions during the same period that the payment model started gaining some footing in the Western market? Would be pretty naive if that was the case.

And yet you completly ignored my point that they have been adding content outside of game for years now:

Spectral Tiger from the WoW TCG (out of game)

Collectors Edition pet

Recruit a Friend mount

Authenticator pet

 

So to the point, they have always added stuff for additional microtranactions.  Buying the TCG cards is a microtransaction, just in another form.  Buying another account to get the mount via RAF is a microtransaction (you're giving Blizzard extra money for the account).  They been charging 25 bucks for services like server transfers, sex changes, factions changes, etc for years.

 

What precedent are you talking about?  This isn't anything new.

So let's see..

Card Game - Real tangible item purchased in exchange for real money, with the mount as a bonus.

Collector's Edition Pet - bonus item available, along with other real, tangible items also included in the purchase

Recruit a friend pet - available as a gift for getting someone else to play the game and having them stick around, without having to spend an additional dime yourself.

Authenticator Pet - real-world, tangible item bought with real money, which comes with an in-game bonus item.

Versus...

A mount that is available *only* by buying it in-game.

Not quite the same thing, I'm afraid.

That said, you're seriously putting that handful of items up against, what, hundreds of others available in-game, by playing instead of paying?

I'm not the one "ignoring the main point" here.

So you are basically saying that it's ok to spend money outside of the subscription fee for these items if they came with something else?  Do you know how many people bought 2nd accounts through RaF just for themselves?  Let me tell you, it's alot.  Do you know how many people bought the cards just for the Tiger?  Let me tell you, it's alot. 

The irony is in the case of the collectors edition and the cards, its actually cheaper to buy the Celetial Steed. 

Here is the problem with alot of people.  They think that by paying a sub fee, that they are entitled to everything.  If this was the case, then what business does Blizzard have for charging a box fee for Cataclysm?  In fact, you would probably have a better argument to stand behind deploring Blizzard for charging for the expansion, because in that case you need that content to advance in the game.  You don't need the mount.  You don't need the pets.  There are lot of mounts and pets that you can get in the game.  In fact there is a mount that looks exactly like the one you pay in the cash shop. 

I strongly disagree. You pay for the current game, not the future game. Your sub did not, does not and will not include anything associated with Cataclysm. They MAY add free stuff, but they don't have to. You pay for what you get. You bought vanilla box? You play ONLY the vanilla WoW.

jimmyman99

Originally posted by pojung

Originally posted by jimmyman99

You are technically correct here. The gameplay effect is tiny, but it is there. The only reason why Bliz would do this (that I can think of), other then the obvious cash-grab, is to let noobs correct their mistakes of creating a "crippled" character. Not a great defence, I know. That being said, the issue at hand is a step back for Bliz, not forward. I don't like the idea of chaning race for the reasons you stated, but so far they haven't moved in that direction any further. Only time will tell. I havea doubt in my mind now, damn you!

If I wasn't right, my mouth would be shut on the issue.

Don't downplay it. The gameplay effect *ISN'T* tiny. Just as people mix/max to find the best synergy in classes to faceroll their comp into 2200+ arena rating, so too do people min/max their class/racials to ensure they are as OP as they can become.

There was no 'mistake', no 'noobishness' of mine when I rolled a troll warrior and achieved a world 30 best dps (at the time). I wanted to play the class with a race that moved in a way that was visually appealling.

What you've failed to either recognize or state, is that when race changes were made available via payment, BLIZZARD CHANGED POPULAR RACIALS WITH A NERFBAT, AND BUFFED LESS POPULAR ONES. I can't outline that enough. WotF which was arguably the most OP racial hordeside, was made into a laughable excuse for a racial in its present state (45sec shared timer with trinket?). Compared to where orcs and blood elves moved, it would be HARD TO ARGUE that Blizzard wasn't *encouraging* people to use their new, cash-shop, service, to get the most competitive edge possible.

In a static environment, racials don't affect stats. In a dynamic environment, having Bloodfury in a spellcleave comp alters everything. In a dynamic environment, having zerking instead of aoe stomp alters everything. Sure, it's just a tiny bit here, tiny bit there: but when you dissect the details, and consider *how they stack together*, those incrimental bonuses aren't additive, they are multiplicative.

Let's argue fluff items all day, when the fact of the matter is: Blizzard has been operating a P2P service with an actively run gamplay-changing cash-shop for a while now.

 

Here's the question about the cash-shop: if you isolate just racial changes alone, is there a trend that can be identified? In case you haven't noticed, based on my exposed knowledge of the game and its mechanics, that question is entirely rhetoric.

This doesn't even begin to address the issues like population balance with faction change (hi Cho'gall!) or server change and how talented gamers migrations affect the gameplay of those around them. This addresses the most immediate cash-shop gameplay altering function only: racials.

I'm not downlplaying it, you are overplaying it. As you said, some racials were overpowering, so they fixed them to be more in line with the rest of the racials. Lets take orc racials ( from http://www.wowwiki.com/Racial_trait ):

• 
  Blood Fury : Activate to increase attack power and spell power by an amount based on level/class for 15 seconds. 2 minute cooldown.

• 
  Hardiness : Reduces duration of stun effects by 15%.

• 
  Command : Damage done by Death Knight, Hunter, Shaman and Warlock pets increased by 5%.

• 
  Axe Specialization : Expertise with Fist Weapons, One- and Two-handed Axes increased by 5.

compare that to Undead racials:

• 
  Will of the Forsaken : Removes any Charm, Fear and Sleep effect. 2 minute cooldown.

• 
  Cannibalize : When activated, regenerates 7% of total health every 2 seconds for 10 seconds. Only works on Humanoid or Undead corpses within 5 yards. Any movement, action, or damage taken while Cannibalizing will cancel the effect.

• 
  Underwater Breathing : Underwater breath lasts 233% longer than normal.

• 
  Shadow Resistance : Reduces the chance you will be hit by Shadow spells by 2%.

So, if you paid to switch your race from Orc to Forsaken, your gameplay technically changed. But did you gain an advantage over somebody? Not realy! Why? Because being undead warrior is NOT restricted to paying clients. Anyone can do this. It only saves you time re-rolling your char. That is it.

Stop making an elephant from a fly.

 

Daffid011

Originally posted by Surfrider

User Novva brings up a good point in the News Article thread:  how do the cash shop items differ from the exclusive ingame pet provided from the collectors edition?

Collectors editions usually have other tangible benefits like books, etc.   It is aimed at players who enjoy out of game items.

Also those boxes are aimed at gaining new players to the game and not aimed at exploiting extra money from the existing players.   

 

Even though I do not even like those offers they do have limits. The company can't continually add more to the collectors edition on a whim unless they want to continually reprint and restock their game on shelves. 

 

Cash shops and subscription fee based games also conflict in design philosphy.  A susbscription based game wants to offer players enough content to keep the subscribed.  Cash shops by their nature want to deny players access to enough of something that they will have to spend additional monies on in game items. 

 

Nadia

im neutral on the issue

 

but a picture like this

gives me "Runes of Magic" impressions of  WOW  heh

Chirugai

To prevent a mass of new threads on this topic, the OP's Title was changed to General Celestial Steed Mount thread. Please post here any further discussion concerning the topic. 

dmcg

I think it's a sad reflection of the current type of MMO players where people would actually buy their way through a game even for purely cosmetics items rather then actually earning it which goes agaisnt the traditional RPG rules ignoring F2P MMO'S.

Laughing-man

A lot of folks are just over reacting to this entire story.  Its just extremism at its finest.  I see people claiming them devoting time to making more cash shop items is going to take away from the game play experience, how?  That mount did not take much time to make and more of them wouldn't take much more time to make either. 

Some folks are claiming that if you pay a monthly fee you should be entitled to everything that the game has to offer in its coding.  If you owned the game then you should be able to legally make a private server, as we know that is against the law due to the fact that you are only RENTING the property of Blizzard, so the monthly fee and the cost to buy the game DOES NOT entitle you to anything in that regard.

I find that people will find the most extreme possible outcome of a situation and try to convince others that its a certainty.  Calm consideration of the facts will show you the truth, in all things.

MMO_Doubter

Originally posted by tanoril

Here is the problem with alot of people.  They think that by paying a sub fee, that they are entitled to everything.  If this was the case, then what business does Blizzard have for charging a box fee for Cataclysm?

You're absolutely right. MMOs which charge a sub fee shouldn't be changing for expansions. They also shouldn't be charging for account services.

I completely agree.

MMO_Doubter

Originally posted by Laughing-man

A lot of folks are just over reacting to this entire story.  Its just extremism at its finest.  I see people claiming them devoting time to making more cash shop items is going to take away from the game play experience, how?  That mount did not take much time to make and more of them wouldn't take much more time to make either. 

That IS a good point. However, they will go into the cash shop, rather than being put in game as rewards for playing the game.

Some folks are claiming that if you pay a monthly fee you should be entitled to everything that the game has to offer in its coding.  If you owned the game then you should be able to legally make a private server, as we know that is against the law due to the fact that you are only RENTING the property of Blizzard, so the monthly fee and the cost to buy the game DOES NOT entitle you to anything in that regard.

Are you a player of P2P MMOs?

I find that people will find the most extreme possible outcome of a situation and try to convince others that its a certainty.  Calm consideration of the facts will show you the truth, in all things.

GL with that.

Laughing-man

Originally posted by MMO_Doubter

Originally posted by tanoril

Here is the problem with alot of people.  They think that by paying a sub fee, that they are entitled to everything.  If this was the case, then what business does Blizzard have for charging a box fee for Cataclysm?

You're absolutely right. MMOs which charge a sub fee shouldn't be changing for expansions. They also shouldn't be charging for account services.

I completely agree.

You're right the gas company that owns the gas lines to your house, well they make you pay to maintain those gas lines... AND HAVE THE AUDACITY TO CHARGE YOU FOR GAS TOO???

How DARE they!

Do you understand that the MMO industry is the exact same way?  They are charging you to maintain the servers, to pay the people who actually run the servers because they do not do that in house.  Then they charge you for new content, which they are actually making and generating, aka the fuel.  So you think they should just work for free?

EverSkelly

Originally posted by Laughing-man

 They are charging you to maintain the servers, to pay the people who actually run the servers because they do not do that in house.  Then they charge you for new content, which they are actually making and generating, aka the fuel.  So you think they should just work for free?

 So wow have 12 mil subscribers. Let's say they pay $15 a month. That's more than 150 million $ a month. They can make new content, release new expansions, add lots and lots of content that people want to see in the game, fix the problems, pay highest wages for their staff and still make more than 100 million every month. That's just from subscription fee.

Some people here just don't remember the times when you got all your content from just subscription fee.

Laughing-man

Originally posted by EverSkelly

Originally posted by Laughing-man

 They are charging you to maintain the servers, to pay the people who actually run the servers because they do not do that in house.  Then they charge you for new content, which they are actually making and generating, aka the fuel.  So you think they should just work for free?

 So wow have 12 mil subscribers. Let's say they pay $15 a month. That's more than 150 million $ a month. They can make new content, release new expansions, add lots and lots of content that people want to see in the game, fix the problems, pay highest wages for their staff and still make more than 100 million every month. That's just from subscription fee.

Some people here just don't remember the times when you got all your content from just subscription fee.

They lost more than half of those when China banned them.

You never got all the content from just a subscription fee... UO had exp packs, so did EQ.  Diablo, which had no sub fee still had add ons to it you had to pay for...

You are making a lot of speculative arguments based off of numbers that are either incorrect or just guesses.

edit: To explain further, by guesses I mean how do you personally know how much money it takes for them to "maintain" WoW?  You automatically assume that their income blows their production cost out of the water... perhaps it does not.