Monetization of Battlenet (article inside)

[Kimera757]

This is way to much speculation to be drawing such large conclusions.

Agreed. Looks like this could be a source of internet backdraft.

I wonder (speculation alert!!!) if Blizzard went to another company for help due to, you know, the whole battle.net 2.0 taking way too long to develop thing.

[Nicol Bolas]

Microtransactions trend -> low product quality-to-price ratio.

Considering that the quality-to-price ratio on previously free things was infinity, it's kinda hard for charging for something that might have previously been free to not be lowering the ratio down from infinity.

remember these pages of pages of quality blizzard made content, not to mention a full fledged bonus RPG campaign released for absolutely nothing?

expect the SC2 versions to cost .99$ each.

The industry is growing up. That means game developers have families. And that means that they're not going to be spending 16 hour workdays making random crap that gets given away for free. They don't have the time for that.

You buy the game, you get the game; that's the deal. If they want to take the time and effort to add new content to the game, you buy that too. Or not, if you don't feel it's worth the asking price.

As far as I can tell, the above makes me ironclad in a court of law...

Which shows that your knowledge of courts of law doesn't even meet the Boston Legal standard.

No, that doesn't do crap for you in a court of law. Any jury will see through the "I'm not saying X, I'm just saying," BS a mile away.

And seriously, IT IS JUST A VIDEOGAME! If you don't like what they're charging you, DON'T BUY IT!

I mean seriously, is anyone in the PC gaming community an actual adult?

[supersonic]

This is pretty poor speculation at best, just because Blizzard is looking around for ways to make B.net 2 better doesn't meant hey are going to companies and taking everything that sucked and using it, which sounds just like what someone is saying. Your looking at it too pessimistically, I'm very sure Blizzard wouldn't take ideas like that, that are so obviously wrong and cheap. They have said many times that they wouldn't make you pay extra for more content other than expansions, the only thing you will have to pay for is bonus things that do not directly effect the game, ie name changing, rank clearing etc.

[ArcherofAiur]

Considering that the quality-to-price ratio on previously free things was infinity, it's kinda hard for charging for something that might have previously been free to not be lowering the ratio down from infinity.

Previously the price was 20 dollars for a game and 10 years of continued support.

You tell me if thats changed.

They have said many times that they wouldn't make you pay extra for more content other than expansions,

[Bisso]

Tho, this is not extended content of WoW since it doesn't help or give any kind of gameplay upgrade to the player, this is really a gift people can buy if they cant go to Blizzcon and get their "super" pet.

Still, I do not agree with these stupid techniques Blizzard are making to get more money from their already addicted players.

I take all these Battle.net news/discussion with a grain of salt. Because, today, I don't see myself as a Blizzard addict. And in the end, if Blizzard force me to pay to play, I will still have the choice to NOT play. That is it.

If you are feeling screwed because you feel you will have to pay any battle.net fee, than you need to take a break from Blizzard.

On a final note : Never forget guys, we are the money here, if you don't agree with Blizzard about having to pay for any kind of DLC. Just DONT buy it. They probably won't make it free, because there will always be people who doesn't realise what it means to give the more money for something that you already bought once. But at least, you won't participate in these stupidities.

It's so simple, if you feel it's not right, don't pay. It's like anything else in life.

[Gifted]

First, Nicol Bolas has some fantastic points on this subject and I feel no reason to repeat his points as I was going to say much of the same thing.

Also, while many of you may think of Activision influencing Battle.net, it's more that they're a resource. They've done micro-transactions on multiple games successfully. Blizzard would be making a large mistake to move forward with the micro-transation model they have chosen without collecting solid input from an experienced force in the industry that they've partnered with. That's like purchasing a house without an inspection.. it doesn't make sense.

Also, it's important to note that they haven't talked about the level which they've assisted Blizzard on the micro-transaction technology. From what I understand from both companies, this exchange is something that is more built on improving the decisions which Blizzard has already made which is different than the implied "Activision is corrupting Blizzard" from the original post. I wouldn't be surprised if much of the information exchange involves the large spectrum of subjects relating to implementing a new system. It could range from "monetary/privacy security methods" to "What items are worth monetizing and what items don't sell well and should be provided for free"?

I know that Blizzard has always proven themselves a company that provides a great playing experience first and foremost. I would hardly run around calling that the sky is falling because they're seeking business knowledge about business model they have never built before. And they're receiving knowledge from a company that has proven successful at it and have learned some valuable lessons along the way. I'm slightly relieved to be honest.

Frankly, micro-transactions are here to stay in Blizzard. I'd rather see it done with more experience/knowledge behind it instead of something that may flop or have to be revised later.

I highly suspect that Blizzard intends to provide a micro-transaction model that involves customers feeling like they're getting a bargain.. not a burden.

[KillaKhan]

Nothing we can really do, is there?

I just hope they put the maps into packs for discounts.
Im not buying maps seperately. too lazy.

Maybe they should make those gift cards, like itunes cards, that you can buy.

[ArcherofAiur]

Nothing we can really do, is there?

Not really. They have a very good product and sooner or later they are going to realize just how much they can chop it up and still get people to buy it. There procedeing slowly which is good (for now) but the writing is on the proverbial wall.

I feel its important to say that I dont think this depreciation of value is really a conscious move. I doubt there is someone sitting in a dark corner of Blizzard saying "oh we can squeeze them dry muwahahaha." Instead this is, like allot of bad things, done with the best of intentions and justifications.


Out of curiosity anyone here play 40K? Remember the "Plastic Crack" price hiking?

[KillaKhan]

Not really. They have a very good product and sooner or later there going to realize just how much they can chop it up and still get people to buy it.

Exactly, we can complain, or we can do fun stuff while we wait for the beta.

[supersonic]

LOL way to take what I said way out of context and only fight with worlds you want to make someone look bad, come on that's low even for you.