Blizzard Sold $2M Of Virtual Livestock in 4 Hours

By Kevin Parrish
published

Blizzard's Celestial Steed for World of Warcraft racked in the big bucks.

Last week 1UP said that Blizzard generated over $2 million bucks in just four hours for the new Celestial Steed found in the Blizzard Pet Store. Created for the MMORPG World of Warcraft, the $25 virtual steed allows players to "travel in style astride wings of pure elemental stardust." The supernatural warhorse also travels at 310-percent speed if players own at least one other 310-percent mount.

But many players were annoyed with the pet's release. As reported by MMOSITE.COM, subscribers complained that Blizzard was destroying the PC-based MMORPG for profit. Other believed that the virtual steed allowed players to "buy their way through the game." But as Blizzard said in the past, it is not selling "progression," but rather vanity items to (1) make a profit and to (2) give something unique for fans to collect.

There's no question that micro-transactions are here to stay. Many non-Blizzard MMORPG's thrive on this model, racking in revenue by offering Free-To-Play MMOs alongside purchasable equipment, magical items, and other necessary goods. This business model also addresses the gamer who wants to play, but doesn't have the time to grind for items and equipment.

Do items such as the Celestial Steed and other in-game, purchasable goods mean that players are taking the express lane?

Do you or would you buy virtual in-game goods? Would you pay money for weapons and armor to get ahead of other players? We want to know!

Kevin Parrish
76 Comments Comment from the forums
  • uh_no
    yes
    Reply
  • restatement3dofted
    This is just an in-game item that screams, "look at me, I paid money so you'll think I'm cool!" It hardly ruins the game - it's just a mount. I've heard there are a few others available.
    Reply
  • husker
    Clearly if a purchased item gives a player any kind of competitive advantage over other players without said item, then it is a violation of the spirit of a MMORPG.
    Reply
  • nforce4max
    You might as well be printing money, real fiat money for some ones and zeros wow isn't life just swell and yes I play wow full time due to 30% unemployment in my area.
    Reply
  • e-rock
    First of all, It's not my money. I just wish I came up with this Idea first.
    Reply
  • dxwarlock
    restatement3doftedThis is just an in-game item that screams, "look at me, I paid money so you'll think I'm cool!" It hardly ruins the game - it's just a mount. I've heard there are a few others available.exactly, all I see it as is an easy way to find the people with too much of a WoW addiction, because they are spending money on items that do nothing other than point out they are people with too much of a WoW addiction..haha
    Reply
  • Hell yeah I would. See ya later losers with too much time on their hands. Get a job and you could actually pay for the same pathway I would.
    Reply
  • dameon51
    The top dogs at blizzard are probably sleeping in beds of money. And if they ever need anymore more for some reason they can create another $25 tomogachi.
    Reply
  • restatement3dofted
    nforce4maxYou might as well be printing money, real fiat money for some ones and zeros wow isn't life just swell and yes I play wow full time due to 30% unemployment in my area.
    Maybe if you spent your time farming for a job instead of gold, you could make a dent in your area's unemployment. Just a thought.
    Reply
  • express lane?! LOL... the game is surprising easy to get great gear, etc... with the new randoms, you get frost badges and T9 with the older badges, just fall in the casual players lap... I geared my new 80 with a gear score of 4900 in two weeks of hitting 80 with just random runs. Now I am in 10man ICC with other casual players getting even better gear... it is all too easy.
    Reply