Blizzard: Battle.net Won't Be Another Steam
Blizzard is still trying to figure out how to leech money from you wallet via Battle.net.
It's no secret that Blizzard plans to make money off user-generated content uploaded to StarCraft II's Marketplace. As stated earlier, authors providing premium content will get a percentage of the final sale. However, according to a gamesindustry.biz interview with Blizzard CEO Paul Sams, the company isn't quite sure how it's going to work just yet, or how gamers will interact with that system.
But what Sams did reveal was that Battle.net will not become another Steam: the company doesn't plan on opening its borders to other developers and publishers. "I think at the moment our focus is squarely on Blizzard products and we need to make sure that what we're doing is right for our games," he explained. "It's also a big differentiator for us. There's really not a lot of companies out there that can or are willing to do this because it's a huge expense."
It's quite possible that Blizzard could use the same system provided by Xbox Live and the PlayStation Network: gamers purchase "points" using a credit card or gift card. Thus, a StarCraft II fan could purchase a new premium map for 800 Blizzard Points... or use some other monetary system using a nifty Blizzard-related name.
"We can only say so much right now, but the plans are much bigger, much grander... and have long-term positive implications for gamers," he added, referring to Battle.net posing as more than just a free match-making service. His entire interview with gamesindustry.biz is located here.

you -> your
Oh yeah, but asking gamers to pay money for user generated content...
Remember the day when you could download user created maps for games like Medal of Honor? Some of the user generated maps were a ton more fun than the stock fare.
It seems like so many games these days are being made in such a way that user generated content is become less and less available.
you -> your
Oh yeah, but asking gamers to pay money for user generated content...
Remember the day when you could download user created maps for games like Medal of Honor? Some of the user generated maps were a ton more fun than the stock fare.
It seems like so many games these days are being made in such a way that user generated content is become less and less available.
but = by
We need an edit function.
sorry all i see is money from my wallet everything before that doesn't matter.
"would you like to buy some Itchy&Scratchy Money? its like real money but... fun!" "ok"..... *we don't except itchy Money* *no itchy Money* *cash only*....
This is the beginning of it.
Also, what happens if person A made popular map X in SC1, but user B remakes it for SC2 and makes money?
Still, fuck 'em.
No no no.. we don't want to KILL them.. Their products have been entertaining us for quite some time now..
But I see nothing wrong with making them squirm! >
You mean people actually gotta pay to play maps after they already bought the fucking game???
Like WoW Gold, there must not be a correlation with currency. The main reason why Blizzard don't want people to buy gold, is because governments may find a correlation with the currency, and thus, tax them.
Buying "Blizzard Points" is the same scheme. This may generate a private un-taxed activities. That with enough volume (and time), will be taxed.
I think somebody in blizzard should go on vacations. For a long time.