Quote Originally Posted by Ualaa View Post
I'm pretty sure Blizzard can find more then one source for an authenticator like device. They would likely have a contract which specifies how much their cost is per unit.

Even if Vassco were to charge $20 for each, Blizzard could easily include an authenticator in each boxed Warcraft product, and simply pass the cost along to the consumer as either an increased cost of the game or a portion of subscription fee revenue.
The auths are protected by patent, so it's possible that there can't legally be another vendor. The auths that FF14 uses are the same as the ones Blizzard uses, just with a different serial prefix (likely making them useless with the other game). There might also be terms in the contract prohibiting Blizzard from using another brand.

In the end, someone has to pay for them, it's just a matter of how.

- Souca -