Microtransactions: Selling in-game content for real money

[rcp181]

Yeah for god sake. Does yes means I approve? I will assume that this is the case and will vote no. Fuck those craps. I pay for a full game and I don't want to give more money away for little shits.

Yeah. The poll is messed up >.<

I honestly don't care either way about micro transactions as long as it's the fluff like they've had on WoW and not major stuff we deserve when we buy the game.

[Equiliari]

Giving people new units for cash would totally screw the game over backwards, so if they ever did that then I would immediately and strongly object.

Yes, if blizzard does this, something is wrong. Gameplay should NOT be affected in any way.
Things like non combat pets, new decals and new team colors or models on units would be nice... Orperhaps new unit models for UMS maps.

There is one RTS game thou, that uses micro transaction where you buy "cards" to get better... Don't remember its name, anyone got a clue?

Ooh, and didnt blizz say something about selling maps? Imsure they will ger revinue, but then again, the map mapker gets a cut as well.

[newcomplex]

Yes, if blizzard does this, something is wrong. Gameplay should NOT be affected in any way.
Things like non combat pets, new decals and new team colors or models on units would be nice... Orperhaps new unit models for UMS maps.

There is one RTS game thou, that uses micro transaction where you buy "cards" to get better... Don't remember its name, anyone got a clue?

My issue with micro transactions is that it...monetizes...everything...duh.

Now, whenever blizzard makes new content, they will now be like "Hey, lets charge for this by throwing it to the store". Starcraft recieved over 50 UMS's for absolutely free, and the frozen throne expansion released a fully voiced hero-rpg campaign as well as 25+ maps for free. Now, with the blizz store, their is a strong possibility that blizzard will just choose to charge us for those things. Things that were previously free.

Their is inherently nothing wrong with charging for content we're willing to pay for, but honestly, PC gamers will be reluctant to give out this free defining features that they have become used to, and have been given to them like a right for 15 years running.

And honestly, anyone idea that's getting between me and free quality gameplay is getting t-downed.

[SaharaDrac]

Hey, whaddya know, Blizzard fans putting the most negative spin possible on something. Shocking.

Think about $5 bonus campaigns. Think about new single player units. Think about incentives for map makers to hire teams and create high-quality products.

[Nicol Bolas]

selling custom skins etc will be pointless because one can already add custom skins to basic melee play by modifying the gamefiles (so in order to allow it, they would have to ban it).

They're going to have to do that anyway to prevent cheating. You can't let people modify what their client shows them willy-nilly and still say you have a fair game.

Their is inherently nothing wrong with charging for content we're willing to pay for, but honestly, PC gamers will be reluctant to give out these features, free defining features that they are used to, and have been given to them like a right for 15 years running.

And here's the sense of entitlement. It wasn't a right. It was never a right. They did it because they wanted to, and they should be just as free to choose not to as they were before.

[newcomplex]

Hey, whaddya know, Blizzard fans putting the most negative spin possible on something. Shocking.

Think about $5 bonus campaigns. Think about new single player units. Think about incentives for map makers to hire teams and create high-quality products.

25$ maps and a bonus campaign were released for wc3 for free, as well as models not used in campaigns, including fucking kel'thuzad on a racecar.

Its not an unalienable gamer right to be streamed free content from game developers, and pretending like it is makes you look like a twat.

But on the same side, as a long time blizzard fanboy, who stood by almost every one of their controversial decisions, I really draw the line at this. Their revoking the reason why I gave them my support, bought every game without question (and have no doubts because every one of them was good), and that was because I know they'd provide my a greater bang for my bucks then any other company.

Without that kind of dedication given to their customers for no monetary cost, blizzard just becomes another company. Their not nearly on par with activsion on the douchebaggery scale however.

They're going to have to do that anyway to prevent cheating. You can't let people modify what their client shows them willy-nilly and still say you have a fair game.

And here's the sense of entitlement. It wasn't a right. It was never a right. They did it because they wanted to, and they should be just as free to choose not to as they were before.

I am aware its not an entitled right for free content.

However, it is the reason why I support blizzard so hardcore. Because of all the free things they do for fans. 2 pets for 10$ isn't that big of a deal, and I doubt it will ever come to charging for epics, but the truth of it is, if you showed me those pets a month ago, I'd assume they were cool achievement rewards or dungeon drops. Now, that content, no matter how tiny, is now removed, replaced with monetary incentive.

This is standard for the game industry. But it is by no where near standard for blizzard.

I'm not saying ZOMG ZOMG BOYCOTT SC2 CUZ WE CAN BUY DECALS. But it really does changes my perception of blizzard for the worse.

also:

you misinterpreted my post. I said "like a right", not "a right". I was referring to how a lot of other people see this kind of stuff as a right, which I view as childish and silly. I view it as a privilege given to us by blizzard, and is one of the main reasons I support them as much as I do.

[spychi]

I like how they will allow mod-makers/campaign creators to demand money for their content, it will change the quality in a positive way, and such actions I approve. I choosed the third option, if something that will have no influence on the gameplay will be for money like avatars or what-so-ever I am cool with that.

[Pick]

Did you know it costs $25.00 to change your race for one character in WoW?

Kind of off subject, but doesn't that seem a bit extreme for what should be a really easy database change? I was expecting a minimal fee of a few bucks just to keep people from doing it non-stop with no consequences, but $25 for a change that means very little for gameplay, just graphical preference.

[Triceron]

Blizzard is also moderating that system, or at least I hope they are. What would prevent someone from putting up empty maps for $5 with lots of photoshopped 'screenshots' to bait people into downloading?

And to be honest, if we're paying for Expansions, paying for microtransaction stuff for similar content shouldn't be bad. Yes, they gave that stuff out for free in the past, but like I said, the cost of creating content now compared to before is different. Plus this doesn't even mean Blizzard will stop giving out free content, only that they [i]could[i] charge for some if people wanted.

And even based on WoW's microtransaction models, there are things like non-combat pets that people will buy for themselves or as gifts for others. Have a friend online that you're really good friends with and have no way of mailing a gift? Buy him a new avatar or map pack. I'm getting games off Steam as gifts from some people, and I'll be doing the same as well. I don't see this as a bad thing at all, it's simply more options.

For those who feel they're missing out on this content by not buying into it, grow up. You're missing out on nothing important because it'll all be optional. There will be nothing game-changing that will be offered through a microtransaction, or else it'll be called an Expansion.

[newcomplex]

Did you know it costs $25.00 to change your race for one character in WoW?

Kind of off subject, but doesn't that seem a bit extreme for what should be a really easy database change? I was expecting a minimal fee of a few bucks just to keep people from doing it non-stop with no consequences, but $25 for a change that means very little for gameplay, just graphical preference.

Those changes are a very different thing from my viewpoint.

Essentially, the concept of micro transactions is that a player will receive virtual goods directly by paying the company maintaining the game. Character changes are a feature, a feature which they really want to keep separate from the "in game" environment. Blizzard wants to regulate the people switching between realms in a way that is unconnected with the game, so it is not taken likely. So its not "Hey I have 2000 gold I think I'll transfer off this server". It becomes a matter of real life commitment, as opposed to real life commitment by proxy (farming gold).

Not only have you created a way to regulate the character changing system, but you have created a way to...make money. Which is good for all parties involved.

Even with cardgames, you're not directly paying the developers for content. You are lending your support to a cardgame blizzard wants to see popularized, while possibly receiving an ingame pet as a prize.

Basically, in every case, blizzard is making money through a proxy of some sort. While money is obviously their ulterior motive, it is not the motive that is immediately relevent.

With micro-transactions, their are no barriers. You pay money to blizzard, they give you item. Simply, hassle free.

Thats micro-transactions. For content, albeit how small. In a 60$ (10+20+30) game that has a 15$ monthly on top of it.

These changes are however, irrelevant for the average player. It's two pets. But blizzard is definitely planning to increase the stuff you can buy through the ingame store. Even without resorting to the slippery slope fallacy, lets say they only sell mounts and minipets. Those are things that you are not getting, that your $=60+15x+(expansions*x) does not cover. And potentially, those are things that would have been given to you anyway, but later changed for some cash.

The same logic applys in every regard to starcraft WoF. I already have no doubt blizzard will be selling smurf accounts through the ingame store. What else?