Cross-realm Dungeon Finder premium service coming soon
by Mathew McCurley 
May 17th 2011 at 4:20PM
This new feature will be part of a premium package of WoW features requiring an extra fee to use. Blizzard says that only the person doing the invites and creating the cross-server party will need to have access to the premium feature for the system to work. Currently, there is no release date, and the service is being described as a complex one to develop. Blizzard is most likely getting out in front of the news sites and datamining sites now, since pieces of this new system will begin to hit the PTR soon and Blizzard doesn't want too much speculation.
I personally think that this system is really cool for players who have an already-established friends base on other servers but don't want to leave their current home or don't have the money to do so and pay for a premium server transfer. For instance, Sacco and I can finally run some dungeons together. You hear that, Sacco? It's dungeon time.
Premium services always receive some type of backlash in the WoW community, and this one will be no different, so for caution's sake, let's wait until pricing information is officially announced before we explode with indignation. This is, however, a feature that many players have been asking for and will be very popular.
With the continued popularity of the Dungeon Finder, many players have been asking for a way to group up with real-life friends who play on other realms to take on instances together. Today, we wanted to give you a heads up about a new feature currently in development that will allow players to invite Real ID friends of the same faction to a party regardless of the realm they play on, and then queue up for a 5-player regular or Heroic dungeon.
As this is a fairly complex service to develop, we don't have a release date to share quite yet. It's important to note that as with some of the other convenience- and connectivity-oriented features we offer, certain elements of the cross-realm Real ID party system will be premium-based, though only the player sending the invitations will need to have access to the premium service. We'll have more details to share with you as development progresses -- in the meantime, you may begin to see elements of the feature appear on the World of Warcraft PTR.
As this is a fairly complex service to develop, we don't have a release date to share quite yet. It's important to note that as with some of the other convenience- and connectivity-oriented features we offer, certain elements of the cross-realm Real ID party system will be premium-based, though only the player sending the invitations will need to have access to the premium service. We'll have more details to share with you as development progresses -- in the meantime, you may begin to see elements of the feature appear on the World of Warcraft PTR.
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: Cataclysm
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 13)
Rai May 17th 2011 4:20PM
*waits until pricing information is officially announced before exploding with indignation*
shatto.a May 17th 2011 4:32PM
It'll probably be included in the "premium" package that now has the mobile guild chat and auction house for 3 extra bucks a month. This would make me actually pay it.
Donhorn May 17th 2011 4:54PM
I hope it's part of that, I'm planning on picking it up as soon as my new phone shows up. (Droid 2 Global)
I have some RL friends on other servers that I'm sure would be fun to run with. Too bad this probably wouldn't include people cross US/EU though, I still can't play with the guy who actually got me to pick up the game in the first place. :(
Kunikenwad! May 17th 2011 5:34PM
I think the premium package is an extra $3/month? Includes the mobile AH, guild chat, etc etc. It just stinks that what could have been a very, very nice option to avoid general asshattery in the LFG tool has a pricetag. I understand the part where it's optional and whatnot, and services have a value that are assigned, etc etc. This just seemed like a very nice, very good way to make LFG palatable again. And I am a little sad that it's considered a part of the premium service package, and therefore perhaps out of the reach of some players.
Would have been a nice "thank you" present from Blizzard to its playerbase for the mess that LFG has turned into.
Wild Colors May 17th 2011 5:37PM
*waits until cross-server (and preferably cross-faction) RAID invites are possible before buying that premium service at any price*
DarkWalker May 17th 2011 5:52PM
For me the price does not matter. It could be $0,01 for all I care; I will not pay for extra services inside WoW, at least not while they also charge a subscription.
Blizzard is getting greedy. It's seeing the few F2P players that spend rivers of money on the games they play, and want something similar in WoW, only without letting go any of it's current subscription revenue stream. I really hope this plan of theirs sink, and fast.
WoW is already the most expensive MMO to start playing. Blizzard has the gall to charge $120 for the full set of game+expansions, while it's competitors stop at less than $60. It's the one game that already offers a $3/month optional service so players can check the AH and guild chat on the move (thus making what I would consider the "full" subscription $18 per month, the most expensive one among the best known MMOs). then, just after the news it's player base has failed to grow since WotLK's launch, they bring news of a new paid service? Please. If they want to return to growth, the last thing they want is to be seen as expensive - at least, not more than they are already seen.
Unless they want to increase revenues, and player base be damned. Which I hope is not the case, it would be basically killing their cash cow (WoW) for a quick buck.
BTW, yeah, this is a rant. From someone that, for over a decade, has bought every single PC game or expansion Blizzard has produced, and a few of the console ones, but has been really taken aback by some of Blizzard's decisions regarding SC2 (lack of network play, language and region locking of the game, online activation, collector's edition sold for about $280 in my country) and, now, WoW since Cataclysm. SC2 is the first Blizzard game I've not bought in a long time, and I've already come to regret buying Cataclysm.
dannyflorida May 17th 2011 5:59PM
Whenever I hear about premium services that will cost extra, I tend to become indignant, too. Then, I consider that the WoW subscription rate hasn't changed since launch, and I'm spectacularly grateful for that.
The one-day one-park admission to one of the four theme parks at Walt Disney World Resort has risen by 50 percent since 2004, from $54.75 to $82.00 per person. If Blizzard had similarly raised its "admission" price by that rate, it would be more than $22.00 per month now.
WDW is wildly popular, in fact it's the most popular vacation destination in the entire world. WoW is wildly popular, in fact it's the most popular MMO game in the entire world. Blizzard certainly could have raised its subscription rate, and I would still be willing to pay it just like I'm still willing to pay Disney theme park ticket prices: because they are incredibly good -- if not the best -- entertainment values for my money.
Offering premium services that cost extra that I may choose to ignore without affecting my ability to play the game as an alternative to raising the subscription rate that I must pay to play is all right with me. Thank you, Blizzard Entertainment!
Joker May 17th 2011 6:13PM
*Cancels subscription and goes back to Final Fantasy XI*
Tired of Blizzards shit, they are single-handedly ruining WoW and the MMO genre with every decision they make.
What's even worse is that most people are going to roll over and accept this because "It's just a dungeon finder, what's the big deal?" they're too stupid to see that Blizz will keep adding more things like this.
This is what happens when you idiots accept a cash shop.
Marcosius May 17th 2011 6:17PM
@dannyflorida:
Remember that a _lot_ of players are those who have highly limited funds, students, unemployed, children.. If the subscription fee rises, that's what'll make subscribers drop like flies. WoW is one of the most expensive sub-based games available, they KNOW they can't raise the fee, else they'll definately feel it in their pockets.
raingod May 17th 2011 6:45PM
@joker - see ya! Don't let the door hit you on the ass on the way out.
Socialcockroach May 17th 2011 7:24PM
@dannyflorida
That's not a terribly good comparison to an online subscription game. The overhead for running a theme park vs maintaining or adding new content to an MMO cannot be compared.
That being said, when you look at the price for Blizzcon tickets, there has been a steady increase of $25. In this scenario, your comment is very applicable.
Noyou May 17th 2011 7:46PM
$3 a mo sounds pretty reasonable but I think you will have to pay for something up front. If they are investing a huge amount of man hours and equipment plan on forking over at least $30 up front. Also it clearly states only the one sending out invites has to pay which is also good (and also probably means it will be more than $3 a month). I don't use Real ID but if this comes out and is reasonably priced I would give it a strong consideration.
Luke May 17th 2011 7:54PM
1. If this was a feature that already existed, and they decided to start charging for it, then you could be indignant.
2. I'd gladly pay $3 a month for this.
3. I'd rather pay $5 and have this feature include raids and or battlegrounds.
Revrant May 17th 2011 8:40PM
"Then, I consider that the WoW subscription rate hasn't changed since launch, and I'm spectacularly grateful for that."
@dannyflorida Just...Just shut up.
*None* of the other MMOs have raised their prices, it's been 14.99 for so damned long I can't even remember, you're trying to apply what happens at Disney to what happens with MMOs?
Why is he being rated up again?
Back on topic, I'm already indignant, they already OFFER this, it's called the Dungeon Finder, we've been doing this since it launched, the only minutia players request is the ability to choose who you play with rather than have it be random, and that's "complex" Neth? Really?
Wow, I will be utterly sickened if they seriously make it premium with that knowledge at hand.
Utakata May 17th 2011 8:41PM
@ Joker: Not all of us are rolling over and accepting this as I won't be paying a dime for this what-so-ever and voicing my disagreement where-ever-possible. They have my $15 bucks a month...that is enough IMO.
And as you might also be aware Cryptic Studios was notorious for nickle and diming it's paying subscribers with MT's in STO and Champions Online....and look where it's got them:
http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/17/atari-cryptic-studios-a-discontinued-operation/
(On personal note: Thanks for inadvertently recommending D-Gray Man several months back. I am on volume 17 and thoroughly enjoying it. See you back on Massively sometime in the future where we will continue to publically argue our disagreements over SWTOR and GW2 costumes. :) )
Amaxe May 17th 2011 9:15PM
If Blizz raised rates like Disney, I wouldn't go.
Of course I haven't gone to Disneyland since they got to be too damned expensive either.
Eric May 17th 2011 10:54PM
If this is part of the "Premium Package" that Blizzard offers, I will certainly be adding it to my subscription.
Noyou May 18th 2011 12:04AM
its a premium fucking service. stop calling people idiots and morons. you don't have to do this. YOU can even get invited from someone else who HAS paid for it. READ before you spout off. Sheesh.
dannyflorida was on point. he was comparing the % of a rate increase. WoW is to MMOs what Disneyworld is to theme parks. You don't think other MMOs would increase their subscriptions if they were in WoWs #1 spot? You are kidding yourself. On that level Blizzard is really unprecedented. It would be damn hard to find an entertainment industry that has not raised it's admission prices over the last 6 years.
Revrant May 18th 2011 12:54AM
Noyou, you are just an idiot, frankly.
Sinthar May 18th 2011 6:54AM
I personally would NEVER pay premiums to a subscribed game for any 'enhanced' content. And tbh I think with more competition making people pay to be able to play with their friends online on a mmo is a wrong move. But hey - they are the business, Im just the person thats probably not going to be paying their wages much longer if this type of thing becomes more common.
AH access - selling in game pets (btw how does that work - they 'sell' in game pets - that according to the Terms - we dont own - so how did we actually buy anything???)