Premiums

A new system is in the works for World of Warcraft players that will allow us to group with friends on different servers via RealID. This was something that I expected since the launch of the Dungeon Finder, and really, it should have been a selling point right out of the box. I understand the complications to it though, so it is better late than never. Here is the catch though...in order to utilize this feature, one must have access to the "Premium Service." Ruh Roh...


The Price of the Social Game

The very mention of Premium Service automatically means paying more a month. This is not a new concept to MMO's, many Free to Play models utilize Premium Services, be it for extra items or even content such as raids. Blizzard already does this to a degree with their remote features, giving access to Remote Auction House and Guild Chat for a couple extra loonies a month. These features are gravy, things we really do not need but for the less than casual player, there is some use to them.

The issue with this new feature is that they want people to pay to be able to do what MMO's are built around. These type of games thrive on the social aspects and relationships the players form with one another. Sometimes these bonds is all that keep people playing. It is much easier to show up to a raid while experiencing burn out when you enjoy the people you raid with. Not allowing people to group with friends when the ability to do so is there seems to go against the social aspects of an MMO, just to squeeze out more profit. Tsk tsk Blizzard.

I can understand why people are up in arms about this. I think it is a bit too soon however to get out the pitchforks and torches akin to the RealID forum names fiasco they attempted before. We do not know yet what the price for running a dungeon with a friend will cost us. It is possible the work involved and the technology to achieve cross realm grouping via RealID is costly and thus requires additional fees. Although if no one signed up for the service, something tells me it would not simply go away.

We got a dollar...hey hey hey hey!

In the end I will no doubt hold on to my money for now, although the idea of being able to run a 5 man with WoW internet celebrities is tempting.  Part of me thinks this will be no different than the pets and mounts one can buy, and Blizzard will strike gold again. I do not utilize RealID much anyway, and as many have put it...if you are concerned with running with friends on different servers, then you already have leveled alts on said servers. Besides, I know that Winged Lion mount is coming...and how can I resist something like that ;)

Because birds on coins are all the rage...

~Szayel