Blizzard Introduces Buying in-Game WoW Items
World of Warcraft now supports microtransactions by providing two pets to purchase and use.
It had to happen eventually: Blizzard implemented the microtransaction scheme into its crazy-popular MMORPG, World of Warcraft. This means that players can purchase in-game goods via Blizzard's online store using real-world cash. But in order to use the pet, players will need to merge their WoW account with a Battle.net account.
Generally, microtransactions are used in free MMORPGs, offering basic gaming without a subscription fee but offering premium items for a cash price. However, today Blizzard introduced two items WoW subscribers can now purchase: the Pandaren Monk and Lil' K.T., a miniature litch. Both items will cost $10 each, however Blizzard is donating $5 of each monk sold to the Make-a-Wish Foundation until December 31, 2009 at 11:59 PDT.
According to the forum post, the Pandaren Monk is a martial arts expert "who's here to help celebrate the upcoming fifth anniversary of World of Warcraft." As for the miniature lich, this pet supposedly resembles the legendary lord of Naxxramas, Kei'Thuzad. "Lil’ K.T. has a diabolical laugh and wields true power at his bony fingertips, randomly wreaking icy havoc on critters who dare to cross his path," the description reads.
Currently the pets are located in the Collectibles - Pet Store section.
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too far blizzard. too far...
I can see it now...
"Get your Tier 20 epics all at the low, low price of £9.99!"
i guess its more for those who are into role playing thing
Because the £8.99 a month from the 11 million or so subscribers barley covers the bills. If they'd said all the money was going to charity then fair enough.
Greedy bastards blizzard.
Wow, 10$ for a pet, I'd hardly call that a "micro-transaction", rather a "huge greedy scheme".
Blizzard are the industry leaders in screwing over their customers, any possible way to milk a few more dollars out of each and every one of them. Eventually it will collapse and they will fall flat of their faces, sat there thinking "What went wrong?"
People are waking up to the rip off that WoW is, I can't wait to see it go bust to be honest, the executives of this company are lower than the banking morons that caused the recession. Their greed is unending
Yea I cant see paying for this, I am a WOW player and love the game for the HC raiding, but the RP is silly I do not take part in any of that none sence.
Its a shame already how they cater to the casuals already with epics out the wazoo, if they add options to buy Tir XXX gear then I will move to another game.
I have always said the only thing that will kill WOW is Blizz.
1) You need to merge to a Battle.net account anyway so that's a moot point.
2) The items you purchase don't actually give you any benefit in the game apart from the potential for token points with no value (achievements).
I may not agree, but it's hardly a huge bombshell. Blizzard are a company seeking profit? Who'd have thought!
Are you being FORCED into purchasing the pets? No. Will people buy them? Of course. Is there a problem here? No, it's simply capitalising on an oppertunity. Business is business, and business is good.
bottom line is that blizzard has createt excellent game although i like EVE better