Would fans be happier with the following purchasing and pricing model?
Keep current price options for those that want it all, but also add a new option for customers to select any three blizzard franchises of their choice and pay either $5,$15 or $20 for the three tiers of goodies you would normally get for the essentials pack, heroic pack or epic pack respectively?
As a fan of Diablo, in my opinion, I feel like marketing is forcing my hand to pay for the $60 epic pack, but at the same time, I don’t find value in other franchises goodies.
I’m pretty sure they know this and don’t care. It’s a marketing ploy to squeeze every penny out of us. It’s a shame really, since I probably would have made a purchase if they offered something similar to what you are suggesting, instead now I just won’t buy anything.
Also, seems like Diablo is just an after thought since I think 4 of the 6 items “coming soon” are for Diablo.
I know how you feel. We don’t even know how good the final transmogs will be either… Its either going to looks super amazing cool and worth every penny or they may be just greedy and pushing the envelope on how much you are willing to spend on digital goods. But you are right, you are voting with your wallet and that is the most powerful way to voice your opinion. Well done
Thanks. I think marketing is seeing it two folds. They are able to charge more by “offering” more. The second part, they are probably betting that those who are on the fence of trying some of the other games, may now pull the trigger and purchase them since they now own some of the virtual goods.
I don’t play that game. As a consumer, give me the freedom to choose exactly the items I want by offering an alternative to “bundles”.
That is indeed an intelligent observation. I think they know that the $60 price tag will emotionally charge many fans, and to counter this, they have extended the purchasing time window throughout the year in hopes that the emotions will subside. They may hope that players will show off the new content and entice you to change your mind. Perhaps they will showcase relevant content during Blizzcon that will convince you to pay for the epic pack, perhaps it’s a Lilith armor transmog that glows gold or something. I am sure they have done their research on peoples emotional spending behaviors and are banking emotional purchasing.
If the bundle sells 3 stashes for Diablo 3 I would have buy it immediately. I don’t really care about other freebies from other Blizzard games because I don’t play most of them.
So far, I only playing D3 and SC2 Co-op. D3 cosmetic wasn’t enticing enough for me to use my money to buy it when they don’t help me in D3 at all.
That’s dangerously close to MTX when it comes to Diablo players, and everyone from the lowliest Activision Janitor to Bobby Kotick knows that for the most part Diablo players want nothing to do with MTX of any kind.
I’m unsure about that in this day and age. I’m willing to bet there would bet a number of Diablo players willing to purchase additional stash space, character slots or cosmetics. I would be surprised if D4 didn’t have some sort of MTX tied in with it. For sure Diablo Immortal will have it.
Those items are done. They have not revealed them because they are linked to something being announced or shown in Opening Ceremonies. They have done this for several Blizzcons.
This is a very common feeling. A lot of people only play one or two of the Blizzard games and don’t find value in the rest of the digital items.
My personal opinion is they wanted to replace the revenue that the Virtual Ticket normally generates - seeing as they are doing the Blizzcon part for free this year. So instead of selling a few cosmetics and digital access, they are selling a lot of cosmetics as a bundle.
I see why and understand the intent. I also think it would be VERY wise of them to offer the Blizzcon franchise items as individual sub bundles. Normal pricing would have those cost a bit more to get separately - with the full bundle being a “discount” price. (like when I buy a case of wine I get 10% off vs buying individual bottles).
We shall have to see what they do after Blizzcon.
The Digital Bundle will be available until September 2021 - players have lots of time to decide if it is worth it - and if Blizzard decides to split off any portions as mini bundles.
Then you haven’t paid much attention. For years players have said they’d pay for stash space or cosmetics. Let’s not forget all the real money transactions for D2&3 items.
You are correct. I was implying if it was possible, there would people who would buy it. I believe times have changed and people are more open to MTX as a way of supporting a company. As long as the price is fair and it is not pay to win.
Ironic, a loot hunting game where they can’t make room to store all that loot. I am pretty sure D3 could have continued to generate income with MTXs. Only issues is it technically difficult for them to offer more storage space and RoS came out when MTX were new and despised. I think they vowed never to use MTX in D3 because of that. But like I said, times have changed.
One worry with MTXs is that they will skimp on things like storage forcing people to buy it. I am against this but okay if they offered storage or cosmetics in quantities that are fair, then charge those who want a bit more.
When I was younger, I always thought that game developers should give players enough space to be able to collect every single item, much like what the Kania’s cube has for legendary powers in D3. The trend and expectations are to keep increasing stash space as better technology/coding becomes available.
I’m reading some interesting thoughts by other players like yourselves. It seems as though Blizzard is banking on us getting hyped so hard for the new Diablo announcement(s) that they will secure exorbitant sales with a high quality cinematic that will effectively influence many trigger-happy shoppers to buy it in the heat of the moment.
The question is will you be patient and levelheaded by letting the hype pass before making the decision on whether to support this business practice? Remember we are all emotional human beings and we run on emotions. Blizzard sales and marketing teams knows this. Do we stand a chance against the best of the best a corporation like Blizzard can dish out?
Well, back in the day, pre orders helped customers secure a copy of a game for them at their local brick and mortar stores. Also, one did not have to put down the full amount.
