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by Anne Stickney 
Mar 9th 2012 at 1:00PM
Hello. Let's do a brief math exercise, just for a moment. I've been playing World of Warcraft since some point in December of 2004, as illustrated by the screenshot above. This is March of 2012, which means I've been playing WoW for roughly 87 months. Actually, I'm going to subtract three months, because there was a point where I cancelled my subscription and took a three-month break from the game -- so 84 months of gameplay or thereabouts.
Each month of World of Warcraft is $14.95. Multiply that by 84, and I've paid Blizzard $1,255.80 over the past seven years of gameplay. That doesn't include the Collector's Editions I've purchased or the pets or the mounts I've nabbed via the Blizzard Store, and it also doesn't include my second account, which I've had since 2008. It also doesn't include the money I've thrown at Blizzard for pretty much every novel under the sun, the comics, and the other assorted merchandise I've picked up over the years. I like World of Warcraft. I like it a lot. I like it so much that even though I took a little break, I've never, ever quit.
So where's my mount?
Each month of World of Warcraft is $14.95. Multiply that by 84, and I've paid Blizzard $1,255.80 over the past seven years of gameplay. That doesn't include the Collector's Editions I've purchased or the pets or the mounts I've nabbed via the Blizzard Store, and it also doesn't include my second account, which I've had since 2008. It also doesn't include the money I've thrown at Blizzard for pretty much every novel under the sun, the comics, and the other assorted merchandise I've picked up over the years. I like World of Warcraft. I like it a lot. I like it so much that even though I took a little break, I've never, ever quit.
So where's my mount?
On the one hand, I understand the complaint. After all, we've been playing and paying for years -- shouldn't we get something too? On the other, the analytical side of me, the side that has worked for numerous businesses over the years, knows that it isn't really something likely to be addressed. After all, my cable and internet service provider doesn't offer me goodies because I've been using its services for years. My cell phone company offers bonuses to me, but it's largely to keep me tied into a contract so I don't go anywhere -- sorta like that annual pass deal, except I get nice prices on new phones instead of sparkly steeds and free games.
At the same time, when I think about it ... I've gotten seven years of engaging content out of that $1,200. I've gotten countless nights of awesome gameplay with random strangers. I've had the opportunity to run into and talk to countless people across the world -- both the fast friends I still talk to and the fond memories of friends that have since gone on their way. I've gotten a ton of amazing memories, from the moment I first got smushed by angry dragons in Stormwind's throne room to the day I finally got those stupid Fiery Warhorse's Reins after years of farming. Do I really need anything else, when I've gotten all of that?
Well ... maybe some new Void Storage tabs would be nice ...
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Filed under: Analysis / Opinion
Reader Comments (Page 5 of 7)
Soulestream Mar 9th 2012 2:25PM
I think we should be able to combine our Veteran Award with our "where is my 80". I think it was DAoC that had the /level option that automatically bumped your character to a certain level (30 I think) after you had a max level character. Give that as a reward to those of use subbed 4, 5, 6 years or whatever. Most of us already have a lot of max level characters so it's not like it will be game breaking.
I would love to be able to start a new toon and hit /level and be 40 levels higher. Actually I would love to start a new toon, level the new content and then /level my way past Outland and Northrend.
At worst case it takes about 2 days of /played time off a new character for someone who has played/payed for years.
Leviathon Mar 9th 2012 2:26PM
Too bad WoW doesn't have a Vet Rewards program like so many other games.
Minstrel Mar 9th 2012 2:32PM
I think there's an important distinction to be made, though. Nobody is really arguing that they've been ripped off by Blizzard...that Blizzard took their money for nothing. All of us who have played for a long time got to play a great game, which is exactly what was paid for. That's perfectly reasonable and Blizzard should be commended for a consistently high-quality game that we've enjoyed playing (and paying for) all these years.
The mildly annoying thing (which, as Anne touched on, is not unique to Blizzard at all) is that the cynical logic of maximizing profits and customer retention favors companies rewarding the people who have proven they will walk away by actually having done so. Those are the people that Blizzard (or AT&T or Comcast) knows are the fluid profits that they have to actually work to retain. Cynically, they know long-standing customers are (mostly, not entirely) more of the passive "hey, as long as things aren't too bad, I won't bother leaving" mindset and are therefore much safer profits and don't need to be catered to beyond doing what they already do (I'm simplifying, obviously...Blizzard does "cater" to long-standing customers at a basic level by trying to improve the design of the game...but, of course, that's what we're paying for).
I'm definitely one of those "passive" types that I alluded to above, so I'm not trying to insult those who are long-standing customers. It just would be nice if companies had a motivation to offer extras here and there that make you feel good within whatever system you're buying from them (the game in this case, a cable system in Comcast's case, etc). While playing the game is certainly fun and we feel good about that, the human brain is wired to stop getting the experiential high of something you do consistently...only new "rewards" excite, and it would be nice for Blizzard to offer some once in a while to "solid" and "safe" customers.
I don't consider it owed and I understand the logic (no one should be surprised by companies, who are obligated to maximize profits for investors, to be cynical). I just think it would be nice, is all. ;) I'm still going to keep playing, because I do think WoW is a great game, either way.
Bynde Mar 9th 2012 2:43PM
I've been playing for a long time too, the Summer before BC came out, whatever year that was. And I expect no reward for doing something I love anyway and see no chance of my quitting in the future, either.
Also, I don't understand why anyone would play a game they have to be 'rewarded' for to play. That sounds more like 'work', to me.
Diablo Mar 9th 2012 2:49PM
Solution: for every 3 months of continuous, uninterrupted game time, you receive one Blizzard Token. 1 token can be redeemed for any premium service (race/faction change, etc) and two tokens for any blizzard store item. Not retroactive.
Problem solved.
Soulestream Mar 9th 2012 3:02PM
I don't need to race/faction change, well ever.
There is only a few vanity items. Adding a bunch more just opens up the micro transaction argument again.
Juzelle Mar 9th 2012 3:01PM
I hate to evoke the dreaded 'everquest 2' but I feel its relevant to this discussion.
one of my friends is a 'Guide' over on EQ2, which is basically like a GM that interacts with players via roleplaying or creating on-the spot minigames or scenarios to make player's daily game experiences better. They're employed by sony and get free accounts. yadda yadda this has nothign to do with anything, but anyway, she's been playing EQ2 since it launched around the same time as WoW.
I rolled up a toon to hang out with her on her server, and one of the interestign concepts she introduced me to was that they have a 'veterans reward program', basically if you've had an active account for over like 2 or 3 years you start earning these rewards, one for every year that you've played, and every year around new years you get something else. basically a reward for being a loyal customer, and something that sets you apart from some of the newer players
so like she has house and armor items, or things that add special animations to her character, special pets, a crazy mount, whatever, which all look pretty impressiv, but the only way to receive said items is to have been playing for XXX ammount of time.
it always struck me as kind of weird that WoW never did something like that. Similarly to the op, despite periods of inactivity, I've had an active account since launch day in 2004. I even have the original collectors edition complete with mini pets (Zergling, Mini D., & Narcoleptic Panda).
it'd be kinda nice if there was something inplace, even something tiny like a title, that was like "hey long-time subscriber, we appreciate your business!".
Diablo Mar 9th 2012 3:08PM
If you don't want the premium service, then they could add other vanity items to the store, that are only purchased with tokens. Tabards, titles, transmog pieces, things of that nature. If they could only be purchased with tokens, and the tokens could only be earned by staying subbed, those items would be rare and desirable.
Diablo Mar 9th 2012 3:10PM
Another thing they could put on the store is /level capabilties, maybe 2 tokens to get a free level 80. The possibilities are endless, and because the currency is restricted and limited by your time played, you would have to pick and choose carefully.
CapnSkillet Mar 9th 2012 3:17PM
Blizzard is a business. They already have your money. They are trying to get money from those from whom they currently receive nothing. So they can give a mount to reward current long time players and make zero dollars or give a mount to returning players and make 14.95 per month (may vary depending on subscription). It's purely a business decision. Is it fair? No. Does it make sense? Yes.
That said, I would like to say that Blizzard is a company that rewards their loyal customers. However, more and more they care more about making a dollar than rewarding loyalty.
venicide Mar 9th 2012 3:25PM
didn't we get some stuff for the 4th and 5th anniversary or something?
isn't that enough?
i would like to get some mounts though for being an old timer in game
threesixteen Mar 9th 2012 3:44PM
if they let one player -- even just one player and i dont care how that player came to subscribe to the game -- get a free level-up to 80, then i want that perk too.
it's really that simple in my mind. if they can issue an auto-level 80 to one, they can make it available to everyone.
why not?
Brad Mar 9th 2012 4:02PM
Couple more years and you'll be due long service.
Bru Mar 9th 2012 4:12PM
It's worth pointing out that EQ2, a game that's run slightly longer than WoW, and in most ways (though not all) is worse than WoW, has had Veteran rewards for a very, very long time. Included in those vet rewards are experience potions, titles, a mount, a house, an object that will teleport you to any raid member, or teleport any raid member to you ever couple of hours. An object that let's you reset your rested experience to 100% once a week. And then a few more little frippery things, like an illusion that shrinks your size, and a silly little pirate flag. And to top it all off, each character you have at max level gives you an experience bonus to the alts you want to level - 20% for each character up to a 200% bonus.
WoW doesn't really offer much to people who consistently keep themselves subbed. Really, the closest thing would be once off world events that drop items that you can't get anywhere else. But the sad thing is, even EQ2 has WoW beat in that regard. Not only do they have these world events, but they have more of them. Not to mention the guide events that happen at random times that's sanctioned and supported by SOE and run by player volunteers.
EQ2 is honestly terrible in many respects, but there's still some good ideas that wouldn't hurt Blizzard at all to snag.
Chance Mar 9th 2012 4:16PM
The bonuses you get for RAF and SoR are just that, bonuses. The 14.99 per month you pay is for the service you get, which is the ability to log in and play the game. Why do people get a bonus for RAF and SoR? Well you are essentially doing Blizzards job on a micro scale and bringing in new or returning customers. Its something you didn't need to do, but since you brought more money into Blizzards pocket they give you a nifty reward. Its like how many apartment complexes, banks, and a few phone companies will give a cash reward if you refer a new customer.
If these rewards didn't exist many people would never bother spending hours convincing their friends to resub, they would ask once so they had a friend to play with, get a no, and be done with it. The extra incentive of mounts and whatnot gives them reason to provide their friends with a compelling argument about the new content and what has changed with the game over the years and what is coming out soon. Plus the bonuses said friend will receive for resubbing or creating a new account.
Sure a "veteran program" would be nice, however, its not something that I personally feel I have earned. Blizzard treats me pretty well as a customer. They resolve issues efficiently and quickly when they arise, they constantly put out new content to keep me engaged and entertained, and they also now give me diablo 3, beta access to the next expansion, and a free mount for just saying that I will continue to play for the next year... heh, that seems kinda like a reward for nothing to me.
I do understand why people may become irritated after playing constantly for 7 years without receiving some kind of bonus, but I do not agree with them. Not in the slightest. Blizzard does a lot for us subscribers who have been here forever and that's part of the reason why we've stayed subbed year after year. If something terrible happens on the scale of the PSN network hacking and servers wound up going down for an extended period then yes, I would expect some compensation. Until that happens though I don't feel we've earned the right to ask for extra bonus goodies. If I grow tired of WoW I will unsub, and I can tell you right now a new mount, trinket, companion pet, or anything of the sort isn't going to change my mind and keep me subscribed to a game I no longer enjoy playing.
Just my 2 cents.
dubiety Mar 9th 2012 4:48PM
I've been subscribing since 2006 and have discontinued pets, items, and recipes, feats of strength, several real-life friends, a boyfriend and large family-in-law to show for it. But damnit, that isn't enough for me! I want my loyalty rewarded in a big way! I WANT MORE CHARACTER SLOTS, DAMNIT!
urahero122 Mar 9th 2012 5:10PM
City of Heroes started their Veteran Reward system back years and years ago. It kept me as a loyal subscriber even when I wasn't actively playing. A few months back they went Free to Play and dropped the Rewards program. Since I hadn't been playing for a couple of months and had only been keeping my subscription active for the Rewards, I promptly quit paying.
Lesson learned? Reward programs can keep money flowing even if the person isn't actively playing.
Hairfish Mar 9th 2012 6:04PM
I have a Baby Blizzard Bear (4th birthday, Nov. 2008) on ONE of my toons. I would feel rewarded if I could have it on all my toons, like my newer pets.
I'd feel very rewarded if we just got a BoBA pet or toy each WoW birthday.
tadedra Mar 10th 2012 12:24AM
My Blizzard Bear is an item I've shifted from toon to toon. Unless you deleted it?
Rob Mar 9th 2012 6:36PM
I came back yesterday via sor. Got free xfer, level 80 toon and 7 days free. NO intention of staying. I would say the vets got screwed if they want this stuff. Of course they could always cancel and sor.