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All of the latest Mists of Pandaria newsZarhym talks premium WoW services
by Mathew McCurley 
May 4th 2011 at 2:00PM
Zarhym first makes the point that these features and premium services are in no way made to be needed to play the game. In fact, I'd take things a step forward and say that so far, Blizzard has been exceptionally good at providing only cosmetic and quality-of-life premium services, where other games could have already cashed in on a playerbase like WoW's. These optional services can improve your own personal quality of life, be it race-changing to an obviously superior blood elf or transferring servers to be with a new guild, but they are not tied to the core gameplay experience.
Zarhym's full statement, after the break.
Why do we need to be nickeled and dimed?
These are premium services added to better accommodate the wants and needs of players. They do not factor into what you get for buying the game/expansions and paying monthly for access to the serers. By no means do you need any of these premium services to enjoy World of Warcraft gameplay to the fullest extent. Should you desire to take advantage of some extra services to enhance your enjoyment of the game though, they're certainly there for you... if you feel it's worth the price.
We've made countless quality-of-life improvements to the game in terms of content, UI, data storage, character profiles, etc. We've expanded upon what you get for your monthly subscription by leaps and bounds since the game was first released, but the subscription price has not changed.
Everything we do and every service we add costs more money than you might realize. So, if we do occasionally add some premium services which are purely to give you more options for enjoying the game how you want (changing your realm, faction, race, name, physical appearance, etc.), we need to make sure there is an appropriate value added to those services so we can sustain them, sustain our business, and keep focusing on making this the best game possible. :)
We've made countless quality-of-life improvements to the game in terms of content, UI, data storage, character profiles, etc. We've expanded upon what you get for your monthly subscription by leaps and bounds since the game was first released, but the subscription price has not changed.
Everything we do and every service we add costs more money than you might realize. So, if we do occasionally add some premium services which are purely to give you more options for enjoying the game how you want (changing your realm, faction, race, name, physical appearance, etc.), we need to make sure there is an appropriate value added to those services so we can sustain them, sustain our business, and keep focusing on making this the best game possible. :)
There is always the issue of cost, and Zarhym freely admits that every service costs the company money, from support to implementation and more. Services also need value; otherwise, they would be seen as rights or privileges that you could take advantage of at any point. Also, it seems that the cost associated with name changes, server transfers, and the like force players to keep their attitudes and behavior in check in an online world, lest they totally ruin their reputation and have to change servers and identities. Premium services are about options being optional.
The news is already rolling out for the upcoming WoW Patch 4.2! Preview the new Firelands raid, marvel at the new legendary staff, and get the inside scoop on new quest hubs -- plus new Tier 12 armor!Filed under: Blizzard
Reader Comments (Page 4 of 4)
Furydeath May 4th 2011 7:39PM
to quote TB, We have to pay for to have fun?
garetjax.ironman May 5th 2011 1:45AM
yes the development team is in place, however the amount of developers required to churn out changes to the product is half what it takes to write the product. Most of the developers are on to bigger projects now, like their new hush hush MMO. However even considering that they are never losing money no matter the inflation. Think about his. The very first day that they release the celestial steed they sold over 1 million. Thats at 25 dollars per steed. That Steed is a day or so of graphics art design and a bit flag set on a colum in a database. Hmmm that cost them maybe 1000.00 dollars of time. Net 25 million. Yeah they are hurting because of inflation. NOT
ISA May 5th 2011 1:51PM
With 7 85s, an 81, a 33, and a 23, Im pretty burnt out from leveling. I could honestly recite every quest in the game and tell you where the best spot to farm a particular node in each zone.
Ive done enough leveling new chars to last a lifetime so re-rolling is a painful option. Ive got too many high levels with hard to get achievements and maxed professions, that it would be painful to move them with real money.
Ive seen Blizzard Headquarters, its walls are made of solid gold. I mean Google doesnt lie, right. Theyve bragged about having 12 million subscriptions, have an online store for vanity items that they can always add more stuff to. Offering a free or discounted transfer service for a short time wouldnt hurt them that much in pocket. Instead of using toilet paper made of platinum sheets, theyll have to settle for tissue instead. My heart bleeds for them.
Lev May 5th 2011 7:41PM
For most people who play say 8+ hours per week (some play much much more), then they are paying less than 50c per hour to play incredibly cheap, what else is so cheap. Movies are 20 times as expensive. And people adding the cost of their internet are you saying you wouldn't have internet if you didn't play WoW?
If you want to do something like change your name, race server etc, then fair enough they charge more. They are doing this to make money after all and its is all essentially cosmetic. Many people have played for years enjoying all facets of this enormous game without needing to take advantage of it.