Let's be real for a second here, folks. Do you seriously need lunch today? Wouldn't you rather take that $10 you spend every day on needless food and put it toward one of the adorable virtual creations above? If there's even a small part of you that doesn't think those questions are ridiculous, you're just the audience Blizzard is looking for with their new World of Warcraft Pet Store.
Launched as a total surprise yesterday, the Pet Store will offer new non-combat pets to World of Warcraft players. Sadly, these cute companions will not come cheaply. Both of the two pets available at the store's launch -- Lil' K.T. on the left and Pandaren Monk on the right -- cost $10 each. According to Blizzard's Pet Store FAQ, any pets purchasable on the Pet Store will only be available there and not through questing or purchase in-game.
While this is clearly another huge cash cow for Blizzard, it's not all money in their pocket. If you purchase the Pandaren pet between now and December 31, 50% of the purchase will be donated to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. See, you don't have to feel all bad!
Though these two new pets are more detailed than a lot of the game's pets and have some unique animations, it's important to note that they are non-combat pets that won't affect the game at all. It's interesting to see Blizzard leaping into the realm of Korean MMO-style mini-transactions, but let's hope they stick with stuff that's not going to affect the gameplay in any major ways. Blizzard answers the question of whether epic weapons and armor will be available for purchase in the future in their FAQ:
"As with the pets, mounts, and other items players can obtain through Loot cards from the World of Warcraft Trading Card Game, Pet Store pets are purely cosmetic and just for fun. Like other paid services we offer, such as Paid Name Changes, Race Changes, and Character Re-Customizations, the Pet Store service is entirely optional and intended to provide players another means to enjoy World of Warcraft in a way that isn't detrimental to the game and that doesn't detract from the gameplay experience for players who choose not to use the service."
So hopefully no charging for serious game stuff, although that reads to us like mounts and other "for fun" items might be popping up soon as well.
Are you willing to spend real money on pets (or possibly mounts and other stuff in the future) for your World of Warcraft characters? Or does this kind of a cash grab push you away from the game?
Bleh, cash grab all the way. The only thing that's appealing about it is the charity.
I'm sure more than enough of the WoW populous will contribute to this pet store to make it worth Blizzards time. I however will not be, as I have promised myself never to play that game again ^_^.
This is the reason I'm going to play World of Warcraft again.
Like seven or eight people in my guild's raid last night had these (and by these, I mean both). Blizzard sure knows how to shake the money off the free-cash tree.
In my estimation, from my 30 person guild they have made at least 400 bucks when you include race change (or as I like to call it, the horde crappy racials tax).
That's 30 of 13 million.
I think that 10$ is a bit pricy, but I don't blame blizzard for trying to get some more money. Although it would be nice to have small bonuses for having pets instead of just them following you around.
Definitely a cash grab. The sad thing is...people will pay it.
I hate that the add on market has become so extensive. $60 for a game $10 for mods or $15 for maps that should have been included with the game (see also Starcraft 2 and Dragon Age: Origins). Before long, you will pay $60 for a blank DVD and have to pay $20 to download each level (Bosses are extra!)...
In before "No 1 sez u hav 2 bye dem"
lolololololololol. fail.
looks like Blizzard found a new way to milk it's most lucrative franchise. The real losers here are the pixelated little pets that now have to follow those lonely weekend warriors of WoW. But I guess it can't be all that bad when you see Blizzard jumping on the cosmetic micro-transaction train. Seems like certain trends can't be overlooked.
This is a great idea. I hope that Blizzard continues to support charities with the sale of the in-game pets. Now if only they are willing to make the Spectral Tiger mount available.
Another reason why I am moving away from the MMO worlds for a bit. I find that if I want to do anything I have get my C. Card out and pay for it. I can't beleive that they are charging for the only part of the Pandorains in the game. My favorite race reduced to what 10 dollars.
ummmm..........
At what point will Blizzard start charging to create a guild, or enter an instance.
Man And i thought the panda itself was annoying but hey i like the lich one..but my pet ravasaur pwns all
10 bucks!? lol what why not like 2 or 5, hell if it was like 5 bucks id buy one, but 10?