Blizzards Pet Store Expands

[Vephriel]

Sorry Saturo, I don't see that at all. Mounts and minipets are one and the same. You can only use the purchasable mounts if your character already knows the riding skills, which means it's just an aesthetic difference from the regular mounts you'd normally get.

[Ryai]

Yah, but you also have to agree that mounts are closer to gear than minipets.

Mount =/= gear tho Saturo, it's still a vanity item. And as several people have said, why the hell would blizzard offer 'free gear' when half of the point of playing the game is raid content. IE 'really free gear'.

It's vanity. It's for the vain.

and I am very very vain

[Golden]

and I am very very vain

QFT.

[Rhyela]

This gives me hope that the fiery hippogryph will also be an online store thing! :3 Don't like the celestial horse at all, but that hippogryph was seeeeeexyyyyy.

[Ryai]

This gives me hope that the fiery hippogryph will also be an online store thing! :3 Don't like the celestial horse at all, but that hippogryph was seeeeeexyyyyy.

Well until we know if it will or won't, we should all laugh at the QQ in that thread. I mean they're even QQing/mocking people about the Shattered Sun title from Quel'Danas. Oh god the lulz.

[Adam-Savage]

I know I want the mini pet it looks cool. I'm not sure about the horse. Id have to see it in game to decide. I know I'm not a fan of transparent mounts or pets.

[Palladiamorsdeus]

Eh, you guy's have a nice, shiney view on things. The thing is, you can only take Blizzards word so far. Things change. They change their mind, and their policies, fairly often. Personally, I think that the Blizzard store is just testing the water so far, seeing how people react to, and how much buisness, it does. Am I saying for sure that one day they'll start selling gear? Yes and no. I think it is very likely that they'll start selling BoA gear at the very least eventually. As for top end gear, I don't think they'll ever sale the very cutting edge of gear, but it is entirely possible that they'd start selling 'starter' raiding or PvP gear.

[Saturo]

Eh, you guy's have a nice, shiney view on things. The thing is, you can only take Blizzards word so far. Things change. They change their mind, and their policies, fairly often. Personally, I think that the Blizzard store is just testing the water so far, seeing how people react to, and how much buisness, it does. Am I saying for sure that one day they'll start selling gear? Yes and no. I think it is very likely that they'll start selling BoA gear at the very least eventually. As for top end gear, I don't think they'll ever sale the very cutting edge of gear, but it is entirely possible that they'd start selling 'starter' raiding or PvP gear.

QFT.

Exactly what I mean.

[Ryai]

Sorry guys but I'm not defending Blizzard, I'm just seeing how it is. Why would they sell pvp gear when they're making it so damn easy to obtain starting gear now? IE from emblems, AKA pve for pvp gear. I'm only slacking off because I have so many alts and pvp isn't as fun at endgame for me as it is until end game. But there's several 'starter pvp sets' that you can buy. With emblems, with honor. I mean why would Blizzard sell 'starting raid or pvp kit'. I mean what's the point?

The other fact is, it would absolutely ruin the game and even they know this. Sure people QQ'd and whined about the pets. Sure people are doing so about the mounts; but no one is forcing you to buy these mounts and pets.

Not defending but there's no reason right now, to get all up in arms like so many in MMO I'm laughing at, over reacting over a vanity mount.

Because honestly? I couldn't give a damn about every joe dirt and his son having it or not.

I mean are they selling retired mounts? No. Are they selling raid mounts? No. Are they selling a 310% mount? No. A mount =/= gear.

When/if Blizzard does sell gear feel free to be all I told you so- but until then just relax.

Edit: Also, Palla, I really do doubt they'd even sell BoA gear. I mean the main point of the herlooms was faster leveling [IE 10%], the main point of the weapons and such, was the fact that frankly, have you seen some of the crap? It sucks tbh, and my little Rashika has a lv 32 sword and she's 41 now, [for tanking]. But I cba to waste more emblems for another weapon when she already has an axe.

I mean really what would be the poiny of more BoA armor when Blizzard pretty much admited the possibility that BoA armor was going to be worthless come Cata?

[Palladiamorsdeus]

Because they are a BUISNESS, Ryai, that's why. And if you think the people at the top are interested in anything other then money then you are dead wrong. Yes, the current emblem and PvP system is easy. What does that have to do with anything? If Blizzard can make money off of selling, say, T-9 directly right now, then that's just a good buisness strategy. The problem is how the playerbase would react. Hence the Blizzard store. You start off small, and slowly work your way upwards. Mini-pets, and now we are up to mounts.

As for BoA armor, you're kidding me, right? Ryai, 1-80 is STILL a grind, and will always BE a grind unless they start allowing people to start at high levels, which I don't see happening. So people will always need BoA gear. And I'll wager you money that maybe a year after Cataclysm comes out, they'll allow the experience boost from BoA gear to kick back in. You see, by allowing people to purchase gear to make their leveling easier, they are more likely to keep people around for longer. By allowing people to buy gear to when they first start, to ease them into the game, they are likely to attract more people. Yes, you can already get BoA gear, but whose to say if you'll still be able to in Cataclysm? And further, how many gear spots aren't filled?

Keep in mind, I am not talking about the very top tier gear. I am talking about starter gear, both for leveling, and for end game. It's good buisness sense to keep both your raiders, your casuals, and your PvPers in mind, and this sort of buisness transaction would be just that. You don't piss off the extremists by selling their gear, you don't shove away the casuals by not allowing them that gear.

I don't WANT a system like this. I am not arguing for it. But it's a very popular pattern for MMO's to follow. It wouldn't, technically, give one player an edge over another since the gear would be available in game as well, but it would allow them to skip the grind and go straight to the raiding, or allow them to level faster and easier. So from a buisness point of view, it's a lucrative idea.

And for the record, neither Saturo nor myself said think it's absolutely going to happen. It just looks like that's the direction it is moving in, ever so gradually.

[Ryai]

Sorry just going by that reasoning even the TCG would be evil as it slowly went from pets, to tabards, to mounts.

I'm not saying it will or it won't but why don't we just leave out the fear and enjoy the moment for what it is? A shiny mount is available to all who want it, for a price- and I'll get my own in a few weeks.

As for BoA armor, you're kidding me, right? Ryai, 1-80 is STILL a grind, and will always BE a grind unless they start allowing people to start at high levels, which I don't see happening. So people will always need BoA gear. And I'll wager you money that maybe a year after Cataclysm comes out, they'll allow the experience boost from BoA gear to kick back in. You see, by allowing people to purchase gear to make their leveling easier, they are more likely to keep people around for longer. By allowing people to buy gear to when they first start, to ease them into the game, they are likely to attract more people. Yes, you can already get BoA gear, but whose to say if you'll still be able to in Cataclysm? And further, how many gear spots aren't filled?

Um ... no it's not a hard grind Palla? I mean even without BoA armor I got my dorf to 30ish+ lickity split, sure the armor I transfered helped, but even without it the EXP changes before that still make it easy for me to casually level her, with or without the armor.

And even without BoA gear, with the new LFG system, people have been shooting up levels. One guy, a tank once said he got 3 levels in one day. Some other dps have managed 5. Mean hell, even without the items it's easy to level once you get to 60. I mean I remember the days BEFORE the EXP change Palla, I remember having to grind Ryai up in Winterspring, Sithilus, Ungoro, EPL and WPL, how I had to beg friends to help me with group quests cause I could never get a group.

Now a majority of my alts hit 58 without even really ever having to experience WPL or EPL or anywhere else and it's right onto outlands. Random dungeons and even hellfire quests can get you to 65. I don't even have 1/4th of Outlands done on a few alts and I'm already shuttling them off towards Northrend, probably a bit before they should as mages squish.

And lets see; the only gear spots aren't filled are everything else. BUT AGAIN- LFG covers it for the most part. And the LFG change also covers it by instance gear. I'm sorry but I know the grind can be hard but it's NOT as hard as it used to be and the only real grind is making it to 10/15/20 depending on your class. Once there it's pretty easy sailing unless you forget where to go.


And as I said Blizz probably knows how many people they would start to lose- the hard cores the most. Would they really risk the people who give them some of the most money? I don't really think so. I don't really think they'll ever sell anything more than mounts or pets, or tabards.

So can we just leave the fear in the corners and just enjoy the mount for what it is?

A sparkly vanity pet for the vain who want something sparkly because like fucking hell I'll ever see LK hc on my paladin.

[Palladiamorsdeus]

I don't recall saying I was afraid or that anyone else needed to be. Just pointed out where it seemed like things were going. We're just going to have to agree to disagree.

[Bulletdance]

I totally understand where Saturo is coming from and having seen how free to play games work myself and the amount of money some people will ask for for virtual goods I share her concerns. Blizzart/Activison has a new mmo looming. If they see WoW going down in favor of it they might just milk the cash cow any way they can, gear, gold, chars. Its possible though unlikely as it seems. This one didn't turn out as bad as I thought though. 25$ is a slightly reasonable price since it goes across all chars future and present and is well made. I still don't like the fact I'm paying more for what I used to get for less and that's it a completely virtual item subject to being lost if WoW goes down server crashes or getting hacked,but I suppose only time will tell where it all leads.

[Vephriel]

As for myself, I don't mind spending money on virtual things if it's something that I will enjoy and want. Honestly I could spend $10 on fast food without giving it a second thought, it's really not so bad. You pay money to go see a movie and don't leave with anything tangible, you're just paying for the enjoyment of it. If there's a minipet that I know I'll love then I'll definitely fork over the cash. I'm hoping to see some more mounts in the future. The Celestial Steed doesn't do anything for me, but I'm anticipating the possibility of the fiery hippogryph or the rhino.

And I guess we can all agree that it's far too early to speculate on where Blizzard will go with micro-transactions, so let's just go with the flow. =)

[Palladiamorsdeus]

I don't see it as a 'the sky is falling' type deal. It doesn't really bother me one way or the other. It's not like you HAVE to buy anything. You aren't going to lose DPS by not having a celestial steed. Just coolness points. *Laughs*

[Aleu]

From what I'm guessing, Blizzard is just offering vanity stuff. To be honest, it's not that bad. Since Blizzard wishes to make money, they're going to offer things that will appeal to people most. Right now, that's mounts and vanity pets. They were successful with Panderan Monk, L'KT and all that. So naturally, they come out with something that people will really like.

Whether or not they'll be offering gear is yet to be determined, but right now, it's all just vanity stuff.

Also, there's a que to by the Celestial Steed. ._. Very popular.

[Ade]

In the flesh, so to speak

WoWScrnShot_041510_195333.jpg (145.43 KiB) Viewed 1450 times

WoWScrnShot_041510_195342.jpg (140.29 KiB) Viewed 1450 times

[Adam-Savage]

I totally understand where Saturo is coming from and having seen how free to play games work myself and the amount of money some people will ask for for virtual goods I share her concerns. Blizzart/Activison has a new mmo looming. If they see WoW going down in favor of it they might just milk the cash cow any way they can, gear, gold, chars. Its possible though unlikely as it seems. This one didn't turn out as bad as I thought though. 25$ is a slightly reasonable price since it goes across all chars future and present and is well made. I still don't like the fact I'm paying more for what I used to get for less and that's it a completely virtual item subject to being lost if WoW goes down server crashes or getting hacked,but I suppose only time will tell where it all leads.

Is the mount for all toons or is it for one toon only ? I know the mini pets are but I don't recall reading anything about the mount.

[Ade]

Its for all toons

[Adam-Savage]

As for myself, I don't mind spending money on virtual things if it's something that I will enjoy and want. Honestly I could spend $10 on fast food without giving it a second thought, it's really not so bad. You pay money to go see a movie and don't leave with anything tangible, you're just paying for the enjoyment of it. If there's a minipet that I know I'll love then I'll definitely fork over the cash. I'm hoping to see some more mounts in the future. The Celestial Steed doesn't do anything for me, but I'm anticipating the possibility of the fiery hippogryph or the rhino.

And I guess we can all agree that it's far too early to speculate on where Blizzard will go with micro-transactions, so let's just go with the flow. =)

LOL! The mini pet is in the store and I tried to buy it but I got this

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