Breakfast Topic: Will you buy the new in-game pets?
by Adam Holisky 
Nov 5th 2009 at 8:00AM
This firmly brings WoW into the arena of microtransactions -- purchasing in-game items for real life money. Some games, not WoW, allow you purchase items which make you stronger in the game. Other games, like WoW, allow the purchase of vanity items, such as these pets, which do nothing other than look cool or count towards vanity achievements. Some people really don't like this model of gaming, others are indifferent, and others are in love with it.
I'm personally in love with it. I think the items are cheap enough to be affordable to a large portion of the player base, and are cool enough to warrant the purchase. Further, since the items don't provide in-game power ups for people, they are essentially meaningless toys. This makes it an ideal luxury item for the virtual-nerd to spend $10 on. So will I buy the new in-game pets? Absolutely, I already have.
But what will you do? Are you going to go out and buy them? Vote in the poll and leave a comment, we want to know.
| Yes. | |
|---|---|
| No. | |
| This is the third sign of the apocalypse. |
Filed under: Breakfast Topics, Analysis / Opinion
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 10)
Duulket Nov 5th 2009 8:04AM
I have already bought both of them. And will be buying one for a git as well.
Jennifer Nov 5th 2009 8:17AM
Same here!
Orren Nov 5th 2009 8:51AM
I purchased them as soon as they announced this and plan to give them as a gift too. Plus half of the proceeds from every Pandaren Monk purchased through December 31 will be donated to the Make-a-Wish Foundation. A great way to give to yourself and others.
Boz Nov 5th 2009 8:58AM
"People will always want mounts and non-combat pets. I could offer a repeatable quest to slap a handful of kittens and people would do it if I gave them a little pet for it. And they'd drop the kittens off a cliff for a mount." -Tirion Fordring
Sargenus Nov 5th 2009 5:27PM
I bought Lil' K.T. and planning on getting the Pandaren in December. I just couldn't give up the Lil' K.T. he's too cute!
Also! I bet the WIndrider Hatchling, Gryphon Hatchling and Corehound Pup found in the 3.2.2 PTR files will be on the store as well, you just watch.
John Nov 5th 2009 8:05AM
Already did
Turboblazer Nov 5th 2009 8:06AM
I don't mind the pets costing real money like some people do, but why are they so expensive? Couldn't they be like $2? It would make it have easier access and it would go down easier for people who have a problem with it, I think.
Tremelizzer Nov 5th 2009 9:02AM
And most annoying thing with prices is that US price is $10 and euro price 10€. Bah, they just switched marks around. Ten euros is about $15 :/
Jack Spicer Nov 5th 2009 9:06AM
Maybe not $2, but $10 is way too expensive for an in-game pet.
Jack Spicer Nov 5th 2009 9:07AM
Especially considering you don't actually own it. Blizzard can confiscate your account or shut down their servers at any time for whatever reason and that $10 pet is gone.
murphsmets Nov 5th 2009 9:18AM
Expensive? $10.00 is chump change in RL.
Wyred Nov 5th 2009 9:32AM
@Tremmelizer: Yeah, Blizz sucks at exchange rates. No justification for that little bit of skimming whatever you think of the price.
Jamesisgreat Nov 5th 2009 9:46AM
I've gotta agree - 20 euros is not 'cheap enough' to me. I could almost buy a new computer game for that much.
I also think the entire idea stinks - personally I think they should have just solditems that were previously only available through the TCG thing. Those items are only available for real money anyway, and I think that would have left a less bad taste in most players mouths.
Mordockk Nov 5th 2009 10:09AM
I bought the panda. $10 is not a big deal really because half of it is going to charity. I'd rather see $5 go to charity then $1.
Buy the pet, feel cool in the game, and feel warm in ur heart.
Spazmoose Nov 5th 2009 10:13AM
While I am sure that it did cost a bit of money to design the pets and their animations, Blizzard will surely make a decent profit on this (they probably made their money back on these particular things in about an hour after release).
However, you must remember that Blizzard is [legally] a business first, and a game company second, and businesses are legally bound to do what they can to improve the value of their stock. What better way to improve your stock value than by offering something that is near pure profit after the first day? They also get the added plus of being considered as a "good company" for being philanthropic and donating to the Make a Wish Foundation.
Jon Do Nov 5th 2009 10:41AM
Actually I find it nauseating that Acti-Blizz is using Make-A-Wish to further their profits.
Swifteye Nov 5th 2009 10:53AM
I think $10 is a decent price. If they were $2 then dang near EVERYBODY would have one, and then why bother even paying for one at all?
I think the idea is cool, and certainly it's cool to have more non-combat pets that do something besides just stand there stiffly and stare blankly ahead, but neither of these little buggers are my cup of tea.
Now the day they make a feline non-combat pet that is different from all the other felines currently in-game, has more interesting animations AND donate half the proceeds from THAT pet to the Humane Society, I'll by one for myself AND every one of my friends!
artifex Nov 5th 2009 11:24AM
"Actually I find it nauseating that Acti-Blizz is using Make-A-Wish to further their profits."
Actually I find it nauseating that you would look at it this way, when from an economic standpoint, it's actually going to cut into their profits. The pandaren monk was going to be a lot more popular than Lil KT, even before they decided to donate some of the money. And yet they're priced the same. So Blizzard is actually taking in less money than they could have by giving a cut to the charity.
tl;dr: their margins are SMALLER on this pet.
I don't know why they call it QQ because that looks like eyes that are open. And yours must obviously be shut.
Kyle Nov 5th 2009 1:36PM
Twenty dollars for the two pets is actually a steal, considering that many people paid twice that for the DirecTV Blizzcon stream just so they could receive the Murloc Marine.
Vandersveldt Nov 5th 2009 4:32PM
No games. EVER. should be mixing the pay to play, and micro transactions. That's just BS, plain and simple. Pick one. If they ever start allowing you to further yourself with RL money, I'm done. After four years.