Blizzard Introduces Buying in-Game WoW Items

By Kevin Parrish
published

World of Warcraft now supports microtransactions by providing two pets to purchase and use.

It had to happen eventually: Blizzard implemented the microtransaction scheme into its crazy-popular MMORPG, World of Warcraft. This means that players can purchase in-game goods via Blizzard's online store using real-world cash. But in order to use the pet, players will need to merge their WoW account with a Battle.net account.

Generally, microtransactions are used in free MMORPGs, offering basic gaming without a subscription fee but offering premium items for a cash price. However, today Blizzard introduced two items WoW subscribers can now purchase: the Pandaren Monk and Lil' K.T., a miniature litch. Both items will cost $10 each, however Blizzard is donating $5 of each monk sold to the Make-a-Wish Foundation until December 31, 2009 at 11:59 PDT.

According to the forum post, the Pandaren Monk is a martial arts expert "who's here to help celebrate the upcoming fifth anniversary of World of Warcraft." As for the miniature lich, this pet supposedly resembles the legendary lord of Naxxramas, Kei'Thuzad. "Lil’ K.T. has a diabolical laugh and wields true power at his bony fingertips, randomly wreaking icy havoc on critters who dare to cross his path," the description reads.

Currently the pets are located in the Collectibles - Pet Store section.

Kevin Parrish
Topics
Software
63 Comments Comment from the forums
  • insaneclowngod
    I can see the next update to this being "Gear For Those Who Don't Want To Raid, Stop Wasting Time Playing BUY GEAR NOW!"
    I think this is fine as long as the items that can be purchased remain inconsequential to actual game play.
    Reply
  • Glorian
    Kinda scared me a bit, cause buying in game item would severely imbalance the game in something like WoW, but its useless things that have no bearing on player outcome, so it shouldn't be a problem.
    Reply
  • lucuis
    Meh, they wreaked the game when they added the Deathknight. Before that that the game was awesome.
    Reply
  • hennnry
    So now let's see how those gold farm haters can justify the morality of companies doing this...
    Reply
  • precariousgray
    Blizzard: HEY, GUYS, NOW YOU CAN BY USELESS PIXELS DIRECTLY FROM US! KEEP IN MIND THOUGH, YOU'LL STILL BE BANNED FOR BUYING THINGS FOR REAL CURRENCY FROM OTHER PLAYERS!
    Reply
  • precariousgray
    ^buy, TOM: HAHA HEY GUYS, FUCK YOU! NO EDIT BUTTON FOR YOU!
    Reply
  • skit75
    GlorianKinda scared me a bit, cause buying in game item would severely imbalance the game in something like WoW, but its useless things that have no bearing on player outcome, so it shouldn't be a problem.This is the beginning of the end actually. Ask the folks still playing SWG how well the "harmless" microtransaction gear from the TCG went over. It started off with seemingly useless crap such as the items mentioned above and has evolved into a downward spiral of "lets see how much more money we can milk from this game before it's toast" I'm sure from a business perspective, it is a good money maker for an aging title but it has left a bad taste in my mouth as a player. I just lose all interest in a game when this happens. These gimicks take time away from real developement of the game, especially in its later years. I flat out refuse to even try games like Cabal and Hero specifically because of the that business model. If this is the future of gaming.../puke I guess I won't be a gamer anymore.

    P.S. I've never played WoW but was a 66-month veteran over at SWG.
    Reply
  • nforce4max
    Those prices are just to high to justify in mu opinion. Don't they realize that most common folk aka us gamers have to cut back due to every thing else going up while maintaining upgrades. The prices at the local super market and the bills are criminal.
    Reply
  • Onyx2291
    Oh well, just cosmetic useless stuff. People will buy them, I won't. Same as people getting pets when they buy the collector's edition of the game.
    Reply
  • redgarl
    Phhhh... in what this is different from China gold farming industry...?

    Stupid game, you need to be a moron to lose your time playing WoW... like the guy who missed the birth of his child for the sake of playing WoW.

    MMORPG are a cancer. In a single player experience you got a story, an experience... in a MMO you got gameplay only. Gameplay could be fun at some point, but it become an habit really that can affect your everyday life faster than you think. I think it can even be worst than drugs.

    I was addicted to Counter-Strike for almost 2 years. I learned my lesson and never picked another online game... until Street Fighter 4 which I stopped playing after a 4 months frenzy.
    Reply