Buy to play, Subscription fee, Microtransactions.
I think it’s time Blizzard picks two and discards one.
3 Likes
Isn’t pay to play and subscription fee the same?
2 Likes
Pay to play means you pay for the game or expansion, subscription fee means you need to pay monthly to maintain access to the game.
1 Like
That is “buy to play”, a sub is “pay to play”.
3 Likes
Thanks! I’ll edit to avoid confusion.
As long as people allow the combination of those things in this one place specifically whereas it’s not allowed in other games because people in other communities know what they’re paying for, it’s just gonna continue to be there.
In this context, what is “buy to play”?
The financial guys at Blizzard will continue to demand more revenue year over year, with a shrinking player base that will mean more micro transactions and possibly more repetitive, repayable easily developed content to cut costs and keep people grinding away.
It’s unfortunate but this was set in stone back with the first store mount, you can’t give a huge corporation a taste of micro transaction money and expect them to reel that back.
1 Like
There are some MMOs where you just pay for the game and that’s it. There is no sub but there are usually MCTs.
Ok.
So how is WoW “Buy to Play” in that context?
It is and it isn’t. You still have to pay for the game over the counter but it also adds a sub fee on top of that. I don’t know any games off the top of my head that are free to play with a sub though.
Sounds like WoW is following the industry standards.
For the most part.
Runescape is one, idk about others.
It also has a limited F2P option though.
This isn’t a Blizzard issue. It’s entirely standard for -all- MMOs to have cash shops, regardless of sub vs f2p or sub vs b2p status. Blizzard is NOT going to be the one to try and change that by dropping a ton of revenue.
They are going to do what they believe is best for their profit model for their investors. Personally, I’m a minnow, I’ve got no extra money to throw around and I’ve got the bare min rig to game otherwise. Maybe they will tell gamers of my ilk that we aren’t profitable enough to be welcome anymore. So be it, it’s their decision as they answer to investors. They do, of couse, own the brand. For a lot of us and maybe most of us, , it’s wait and see mode. 
Microtransactions are mainly cosmetic and do not affect gameplay mostly. though race change and faction changes possibly might.
The cash shop was relatively harmless when you could just buy Lil KT or a cosmetic helm, but nowadays you can buy a level boost and then buy gold which can be used to buy gear, Heroic/Mythic carries, etc…
The shop has become more aggressive over time; making WoW function like a Free2Play MMO without actually being F2P.
1 Like
It has reverse micro transactions the way I play. Turns in game things into real world money (well vouchers but close) I bought call of duty and warcraft reforged with wow gold. Saved me about a hundred and fifty bucks. Seems pretty consumer friendly to me I hope it stays that way.