Forum post of the day: Beta buying blues
by Amanda Dean 
Jul 23rd 2008 at 2:15AM
Now that Blizzard has confirmed that beta keys from Blizzcon 07 and Worldwide Invitation 08 will be used to get into the Wrath of the Lich King test, they've become a pretty hot commodity. Sure they're for sale on eBay ranging from about $200 to $600, but what are they worth. I kind of wish I'd been able to go to one of those events to guarantee a spot in the beta. This same thing happened during the beta release of the Burning Crusade.
Cheesytacos of Dragonblight thinks it's unfair to folks who win the beta lottery that folks are selling their beta keys for profit. For those willing to part with their keys, the sale price is at least worth the price of admission. I have to admit, it's well, annoying that folks who went to Blizzard's little soirées are granted passes into the new content. We come across the issue of property ownership many times in WoW.
In general the assumption is that all things WoW are not actually the property of the players but of Blizzard. Are beta keys the property of the key holders to do with what they please until activation?
I think Blizzard is operating on the assumption that those who paid the price of admission are the most dedicated to the game, and therefore the most likely to give feedback. The opt-in keys will not be sellable, and some responders pointed out that the only way this affects someone's chances of getting in the beta is if they're willing to fork over the cash for a guaranteed key.
But is it really worth it? Iaroslav of Hellscscream pointed out that it's an awful lot to spend on characters that you won't get to keep. For me, the time investment in the beta is nearly participation prohibitive. There are some things I'll buy off eBay, and some things I won't. A shiny pink Bass guitar, yes. A beta key for Wrath with a limited guarantee of legitimacy, no. I'll trust my luck with the lottery. If I don't get in, so be it.
Would you be willing to venture to a Blizzard event in the future for a shot at beta testing any of their future endeavors?
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Blizzard, Wrath of the Lich King, Forums, Forum Post of the Day
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Nosime Jul 23rd 2008 2:32AM
if i had the money IRL i would love too. I wouldn't go just solely for the reason of getting a key though.
jimmcq Jul 23rd 2008 2:33AM
"I think Blizzard is operating on the assumption that those who paid the price of admission are the most dedicated to the game, and therefore the most likely to give feedback."
So just who do you think is more dedicated? Someone that went to an event and is willing to part with their beta or someone willing to pay $200-600 for a beta key?
Pzychotix Jul 23rd 2008 4:34AM
Both. It costs around $500-600 to take an airplane to France from NY, more if you're on the west coast.
Sirg Jul 23rd 2008 2:33AM
Blizzard should give keys to players who have previously done some testing on the PTRs. I think it's unfair to give a key to a newbie, while people who have tested WoW content in the past still wait and hope for one.
Yes, maybe later on is ok to give keys to everyone, randomly, but now people who like to test beta content should be 1st in line.
Rugus Jul 23rd 2008 4:07AM
> I think it's unfair to give a key to a newbie, while
> people who have tested WoW content in the
> past still wait and hope for one.
People who have tested WoW content in the past have been noobs too. So why should they become "better" than others, for WOTLK? No way :)
Pzychotix Jul 23rd 2008 4:30AM
Newbies are players too. Blizz has always made sure that their game caters to all sides of the market, not just the experts. If they only gave keys to experienced players, they might never know how bad something is toward beginners.
Percinho Jul 23rd 2008 6:49AM
Newbies would also tend to do different things than experienced players. If you just have a load of long-time, high-end players then they'll all be doing the same stuff. Someone who transfers their level 63 Druid to the PTR will be testing a different area entirely. For this reason a variety of players is essential for successful testing.
PeeWee Jul 23rd 2008 11:12AM
"who have previously done some testing on the PTRs..."
I loled right there. You do realize that there is no real testing going on on the PTR's, right? If people were really testing stuff there, how would the orc shoulders' bug slip through?
Ryan Jul 23rd 2008 2:36AM
I'm feeling the sting but I'm learning patience. The game will come out soon.
Clevins Jul 23rd 2008 2:39AM
I'm not sure of your point. For whatever reason, Blizzard didn't tie the beta invite code to my account. So, yes, I can sell it on eBay, give it to someone, use it, whatever. That has nothing to do with ownership of my toons in WoW - the two things are completely separate.
As for access for Blizzcon and WWI attendees... well by definition those folks (and I'm one) are big fans of at least one Blizzard product - otherwise we'd not have bought the ticket and in a lot of cases traveled to So Cal. A basic tenet of successful businesses is that they treat their best/most supportive customers even better than their regular customers (really sucessful businesses treat all of their customers well of course).
I'm sure someone will whine "I pay my $15 same as you!!!!!" Yes, you do. But the Blizzcon ticket was $100. If you flew to LA that was a few hundred dollars. Then add in meals and a hotel. Now, I have friends there and the flight was free... so no, I didn't spend that much - but some people did. Plus that $15... :)
Arkkoran Jul 23rd 2008 2:40AM
Anyone who gets a key and uses it instead of selling it for upwards of $600 is nuts. And if you actually PAY $600 I feel sorry for you. If getting into the beta is more important to you than that kind of serious cash, you should check in to getting someone professional to help. And thats coming from me - been playing for close to three years and have three 70s.
Ancalimon Jul 23rd 2008 3:11AM
while i don't think it is unethical to sell the beta key, if i had one i wouldn't sell it. if i REALLY needed the money then maybe, but as i am not in desperate need of extra money, i would rather try out the new content and give my feed back to devs. i don't think anyone willing to play the content more than getting the money is nuts by any means. if ur a fan of the game, then why not try it out and have some bragging rights or have ur buddies over to try (not that ur supposed to...). i would be getting an awesome experience of playing content that few are able to. to me, thats worth the $200+ that i didnt get selling the key. now if i had 2keys, thats a different story, but would prob give it up to the GF lol
Chris Anthony Jul 23rd 2008 4:44AM
You took Gordon Gekko seriously, didn't you?
/sigh.
Primax Jul 23rd 2008 3:15AM
Translation: Waaaaaaaaaa!
Nonny Jul 23rd 2008 2:48AM
If I had a large amount of disposable income... $200, sure. But otherwise, no.
I don't think it's unethical or unfair. The beta keys are items given to people, and they're welcome to do what they want with them. If that means selling them on eBay, whatever.
Jonathon Jul 23rd 2008 2:54AM
as a blizzcon 07 attendee and a recent beta invitee, I would not have sold my card wither i knew it would get me into the wrath beta or not... But I will be attending blizzcon 08.
Ryan Jul 23rd 2008 2:57AM
This is verbatim what happened when the Xbox 360, PS3, and Wii consoles first came out. The madness on eBay was insane. People were willing to pay 10k for a 360; 3k for a PS3. Where are those people now? Likely broke and still the same. $200 - $600 for a beta goes beyond normalcy and falls into the realm of lunacy.
Raymond clark Jul 23rd 2008 3:10AM
i just dont get why the dont activate the beta vier the account opted in , we optin that way so why not lock it into the account, and as for the comment about.
best/most supportive customers that suck' just becaus some of us could not go for eather finatual or work or family comitments does not mean we arn't commited.
Cameroo Jul 23rd 2008 4:08AM
Well if it makes you feel better, All or almost all those Ebay auctions are going to get pulled because Ebay has a policy against selling beta software.
Arkkoran Jul 23rd 2008 4:23AM
Good thing they aren't selling the software, huh?