+1 Insightful. I think there's more than meets the eye here.Originally Posted by leroyreborn
Obviously Blizzard is enjoying great success with WoW, and their ability to monetize the game is no doubt working out well for them. They're adding layer upon layer of additional paid services to the game. The idea is not new, but think about this.. whatever the new MMO is that they're developing, it very well could be subscription-free, but instead have the same sort of nickel and dime micropayment crap that has been plaguing the game industry. It wouldn't even be the first MMO to do this -- Runes of Magic (among others) anyone? -- but in true Blizzard fashion, they could end up defining it. I just don't see them building a subscription-based MMO with brand new IP to compete against WoW.
I think they're seeing the tip of the iceberg with WoW's bajillions of players, and in order for them to truly build their Scrooge McDuck money bin to swim in, they want to expand their customer base even further. What better way to do that than drop the subscription fees, and monetize it instead with things that women with credit cards, or people with too much money, will want to buy, in a game that is designed to have mass appeal in the first place? The whole idea is to take more money out of your wallet than that $15/month subscription fee.
Okay that last paragraph sounded a little harsh but: 1. the purpose of a business is to make money, 2. WoW makes a lot of money, and 3. they are most likely trying to figure out how to make even more of it
Reply With Quote
Connect With Us