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News

  Blizzard Brings Pay-For Pets To WoW
by Leigh Alexander [PC, Console/PC]
9 comments
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November 4, 2009
 
Blizzard Brings Pay-For Pets To  WoW

Blizzard has introduced a "Pet Store" to its major World of Warcraft PC MMO franchise -- allowing users to purchase in-game pets for their characters.

The pets available in the store can't be earned through gameplay, and can only be obtained via microtransactions. Blizzard has offered users services like server changes for an additional fee, but the pets represent the first time in-game content is available for purchase in WoW.

In an official FAQ, the company notes that the pets don't offer players any gameplay benefits -- they're strictly cosmetic companions. Once users purchase a pet, they unlock it with a redeemable code via their WoW account, provided the user's account has been merged with the Battle.net service.

The Pet Store opens with two creatures for sale, each costing $10. The "Pandaren Monk" is offered as a charity benefit item; for each Pandaren Monk sold between now and the end of 2009, Blizzard will give half the price to the Make-a-Wish foundation.

The other option, "Lil’ K.T., the Littlest Lich," is a miniature of Naxxramas ruler Kel’Thuzad that "has a diabolical laugh" and shoots ice.
 
   
 
Comments

Bob Stevens
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I suppose it's better than getting them off ebay, where the rare ones go for anywhere from $50 all the way up to $1500.

Ben Droste
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$10 is still very expensive for an entirely cosmetic, in-game pet. Especially when many players already have tens of them and you can only display one at a time. I don't see what makes these any more valuable than the multitude of unique and interesting pets already available for free in game.

Joshua Sterns
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@ Ben

I don't know why people by the comestic crap but they do. I was amazed at all the avtar add ons my friends have purchased for the 360. It's like the fashion mall rats who buy the latest jeans just because they are new.

Having the charity benefit will also drive sales.

Sion Williams
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I like playing WoW but more and more I cant help but notice the lack of effort that goes into the game. Take in-game gear for example, many of the new stuff is simply re-textured models from the original game.

This is a sad move from Blizzard because it just highlights their "money grabbing" nature. I would be more impressed to see all of the money go to charity, lets be honest it wouldn't have cost Blizzard much to introduce this.

Wolf Wozniak
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$10 is not exactly micro.

Samer Abbas
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"$10 is not exactly micro."

point.

Tom Newman
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Lame. Hopefuly this WON'T set a new precident for paid subscription PLUS microtransactions.

Olivier B. Deland
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@Tom Newman
You bet it will set precedent and you can see that it's a new trend coming from Activision/Blizzard to try and set new higher standard prices. CoD : Modern Warfare is +10$ on the PC and now this. The boss said this industry is about making money, nothing else.

Caleb Garner
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well before everyone gets too puffy about things.. remember this is for charity. it's very unlikely that blizzard is going to make anything more than vanity items. pets play no role in the game mechanics and it's no different than any other social networking game. if people find value in it they will pay and help a good cause.

Now if blizzard sold epic items for $ then i could see that being something more questionable unless they moved to a free to play model which would be a little different.


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