WoW Paid Customisation Explained

[lost]

I wasn't aware that it was coming but it looks like Blizzard are going to be introducing eastern-style paid customisation into the monolith World of Warcraft. Taken from Eurogamer (http://www.eurogamer.net):

"That feature, although it's not the exact same, is kind of like some of the other value-added features that we've created with paid character transfer or paid character name change," Blizzard's operational boss said.

"When you create your character, often times you wish you'd done things differently. You wish you were on a different realm, you wish you'd had a different name or you wish you'd chosen a different look and feel to your character.

"This is a way for [players] to be able to do that, but it's something that's taking a lot of time and energy for us to be able to put in place. We also think that it's important to have some consistency in the game, we don't want people changing their look and feel every day," Sams said.


More information right here. (http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=296343)

Virtual cosmetic surgery? Cool!

[pwnophobia]

Wooo! More money for the MMO king!

[riposte101]

Any angle to make a buck.

[Zander]

I absolutely detest paying for what amounts to subtle database changes in a table somewhere.

[Kamalot]

I'd recently read an article that stated how Activision was going to implement the microtransaction model used by a lot of Korean MMORPGs. I guess this is the first bit rearing its head.

[MJBuddy]

I absolutely detest paying for what amounts to subtle database changes in a table somewhere.

Then don't.

At EvAv, we're good at business.

[Roc Ingersol]

I'd recently read an article that stated how Activision was going to implement the microtransaction model used by a lot of Korean MMORPGs. I guess this is the first bit rearing its head.I think the first bit was the transfers, name changes and item sales (thinly disguised as a collectible card game).

Their success made this sorta thing inevitable with or without Activision.

Oh, and Blizzard's excuse that the charge is a 'deterrent' from frequent use? Weaksauce. Just allow one use of each feature per X months of paid time. Problem solved. They could do that for server transfers right now, but then they'd be giving up eleventy hojillion dollars of pure profit.

[lockwoodx]

So players can be an ass one month, change everything the next month into a completely new flavor of ass. All for the price of your soul folks! Act now while supplies last.

[Librum]

I've never understood the hostility to more customer options. I suppose if the only way you'd be happy was if such things were free, then yes, having to pay for it is suboptimal, but I think that's a rather unreasonable request.

[Goronmon]

I absolutely detest paying for what amounts to subtle database changes in a table somewhere.Sure, the end result is that only some database entries are required. However, programming isn't done in some space/time vacuum. It takes time and effort to make things work, especially if it's something that wasn't designed to work the way they are trying to get it to.

And like others have said, it's optional. You don't have to do it. No one has to do it. It doesn't give you any advantage in game whatsoever. Complaining about it is just ridiculous.

[lockwoodx]

And like others have said, it's optional. You don't have to do it. No one has to do it. It doesn't give you any advantage in game whatsoever. Complaining about it is just ridiculous.

The social complaints are valid. It will help you get around player/guild blacklists even more so now.

[Mephistopheles]

I think the gradual relaxing of the transfer restrictions make it clear that Blizzard saw such a huge demand for paid transfers that it demonstrated to them that people are more than willing to pay for extras; they're simply providing the supply for the demand.

[Mephistopheles]

I do agree with lockwoodx's comment about the social complaints, though. It's never been easier to wipe your slate clean. A decrease in accountability generally results in an increase in anti-social behaviour.

[gojira]

City of Heroes is doing this already. Changing your appearance is free, but there are special costumes you can buy now which aren't available otherwise. Also, a name change I think is $5, and a server transfer costs the same.

It's the wave of the future.

[Gel214th]

Bah...

I think they should have an Item Mall, Speed Potions for out of combat travel speed increases at lower levels;Triple XP Potions so you don't have to pay for a new game, and a new subscription to level up your Alts for Wrath of Lich King (Duuuh. Like no one's aware that is what WoW players are doing now with the Refer A Friend?);

There should be special servers where all the above are available, and other servers where they are not turned on.

I think it would be a great way to get around all the artificial, masochistic frustrations inherent in these old generation MMORPGs. It will keep them relevant when newer titles with more forward thinking mechanics such as Spellborn, Champions Online, DC Heroes and others hit the market.