Fancy Horse Makes Blizzard $2 Million in Four Hours at $25 a pop

[Juddog]

Your first problem is assuming anything in life matters. Your second problem is assuming only what you care about is all that matters. You remind me of a friend who attributes everything they disagree with as the "problem with humanity" or the "downfall of the human race". Seriously?

Then you generalize all WoW gamers as having obesity, a sedimentary lifestyle, diseases (whatever the fuck that means), etc. Please, share more of your immense wisdom with us.

Also, the fact that you counter a $25 virtual item with your list shows that you probably have never really had an original thought in your head. Protein powder? How about eating a balanced diet and quit wasting money on specialized product. A nice shirt? Buy an average shirt and donate the rest to a starving kid. Two movie tickets? How does that "stay" with you?

Point being, not one person on this earth with disposable income only buys what a person needs. Just because you "want" different things doesn't make everyone pathetic. I don't care about muscles personally, but I don't think it's lame that you work out for that sole purpose. I still think you're a douche though.

Exactly - going out to eat and having a bottle of wine, after seeing a movie with the wife, costs me $60. Heck going to the theater alone is $19 nowadays. Going out to drink with some friends can run me up $40 easy. $25 isn't that much to people that have full time jobs, and a lot of people would rather spend $25 than spend hours in the game grinding to get a mount.

 

[shortylickens]

I really hope your not comparing real human interaction with what is basically virtual cocaine.

People need WoW to fill a psychological void, $25 virtual horse is just a symptom of underlying social problems.

Spending money for anything electronic at all is just a symptom of underlying social problems.

OR, a symptom of a new world and new way of doing things.
I admit I dont care much for fake/virtual socializing, but if people wanna do it, let them.
These would be folks who otherwise dont socialize well, or at all in the real world. Maybe having a method to interact that doesnt involve being face to face with humans is only slowing down what would have been normal development, but they were probably never going to be dragged outside, kicking and screaming anyway. I am glad that have something to do which is sorta social, also contributes to the economy.

 

[VashHT]

Your first problem is assuming anything in life matters. Your second problem is assuming only what you care about is all that matters. You remind me of a friend who attributes everything they disagree with as the "problem with humanity" or the "downfall of the human race". Seriously?

Then you generalize all WoW gamers as having obesity, a sedimentary lifestyle, diseases (whatever the fuck that means), etc. Please, share more of your immense wisdom with us.

Also, the fact that you counter a $25 virtual item with your list shows that you probably have never really had an original thought in your head. Protein powder? How about eating a balanced diet and quit wasting money on specialized product. A nice shirt? Buy an average shirt and donate the rest to a starving kid. Two movie tickets? How does that "stay" with you?

Point being, not one person on this earth with disposable income only buys what a person needs. Just because you "want" different things doesn't make everyone pathetic. I don't care about muscles personally, but I don't think it's lame that you work out for that sole purpose. I still think you're a douche though.

This is a good response, the part about protein powder made me LoL. Bashing people for wasting their money on a gimmick and then saying you can buy protein powder instead is just hilarious.

 

[Pia]

Also, the fact that you counter a $25 virtual item with your list shows that you probably have never really had an original thought in your head. Protein powder? How about eating a balanced diet and quit wasting money on specialized product.

"Balanced diet" is not an alternative to specialized product. Any supplement used properly actually balances the diet. The true alternatives to protein powders are meat, eggs, fish, etc. added on top of an existing diet. Each have their up- and downsides but protein powder compares favorably to all of them in some regard. For instance, it's cheaper than lean meat for the same protein amounts, healthier than fatty meat, more palatable and more convenient than egg whites or canned tuna. A strength athlete on a budget might eat the latter as often as he can stomach, protein powder (bought in bulk of course) the rest of the time, and buy good meat and fish now and then for variety.

 

[oogabooga]

I didn't expect to read anything about protein powder in a WoW thread

People want to spend the money and have the stuff. Power to them I guess?

 

[Drako]

a sedimentary lifestyle

LOL, never heard that one before

 

[QuantumPion]

This is the reason why I quit WoW. The game went from being about teamwork and killing hard bosses to just seeing who can collect the most crap and get the most achievement points.

 

[artemicion]

Because one is tangible and you can touch and feel it and so can others and one is umm fake.

Hahaha. Can't touch and feel it and it's fake? Guess you don't think strip clubs are a good deal either.

 

[Juddog]

This is the reason why I quit WoW. The game went from being about teamwork and killing hard bosses to just seeing who can collect the most crap and get the most achievement points.

Nah, you still need some pretty hefty teamwork to kill the Lich King.

 

[ixelion]

Spending money for anything electronic at all is just a symptom of underlying social problems.

While I understand what you are saying, this isn't exactly the point I am trying to make.

Let me use an example. Our brains are wired to make us feel good whenever we do something that promotes our survival, it's why we feel fulfilled when we do meaningful work. However many people feel unfulfilled in their jobs, so they get that rewarding feeling from the work they put into playing an MMORPG. (there is a good article somewhere on the net that goes into greater detail).

I am not criticizing WoW, or Blizzard or even the idea of buying virtual items. But think about what pre-existing circumstances have to be present for someone to develop the desire to buy a virtual items.

 

[Craig234]

Wow, ridiculous. Their money though, so they can spend it in whatever stupid way they want. I'm sure people would laugh at me for the $40 Cuban cigar I bought last week, but it was worth it to me, even though I can't ride it.

KT

Actually, you can.

 

[Onita]

While I understand what you are saying, this isn't exactly the point I am trying to make.

Let me use an example. Our brains are wired to make us feel good whenever we do something that promotes our survival, it's why we feel fulfilled when we do meaningful work. However many people feel unfulfilled in their jobs, so they get that rewarding feeling from the work they put into playing an MMORPG. (there is a good article somewhere on the net that goes into greater detail).

I am not criticizing WoW, or Blizzard or even the idea of buying virtual items. But think about what pre-existing circumstances have to be present for someone to develop the desire to buy a virtual items.

People buy stupid shit all the time that has nothing to do with survival. Not sure why you are so upset about this. Beautiful speculation on your part though.

 

[VashHT]

While I understand what you are saying, this isn't exactly the point I am trying to make.

Let me use an example. Our brains are wired to make us feel good whenever we do something that promotes our survival, it's why we feel fulfilled when we do meaningful work. However many people feel unfulfilled in their jobs, so they get that rewarding feeling from the work they put into playing an MMORPG. (there is a good article somewhere on the net that goes into greater detail).

I am not criticizing WoW, or Blizzard or even the idea of buying virtual items. But think about what pre-existing circumstances have to be present for someone to develop the desire to buy a virtual items.

The circumstances are pretty simple, people looking to buy frivolous stuff like this are able to survive within their means and have money leftover for entertainment. The fact that it's virtual doesn't make it any different (btw what pre-existing condition do you think is necessary to buy virtual stuff anyway?).

 

[ixelion]

btw what pre-existing condition do you think is necessary to buy virtual stuff anyway?

As I hinted in my previous post WoW (among many other things) can fulfill certain instinctual needs that society does not provide such as fulfilling and meaningful work.

If one gets the same enjoyment or "high" from their job and everyday life as one would from earning that hard to get piece of WoW gear, then I suspect the demand for the game would be considerably less, and the horse would maybe cost $1.

Another example is pornography, studies find that males who are never exposed to sexualized western media and culture (including porn), think about sex far less frequently than your typical western male, they also have considerable lower sex drive.

In other words, media (video games, television, adverts etc) can impact our basic natural instincts. Unlike sexualized media, WoW actually supplements unfulfilled desires (while porn overdrives your desires).

I am not passing judgment, it's not up to me to say that porn is bad and WoW is great, I am simply providing my best explanation for why people do the things they do (probably a futile effort).

 

[Schadenfroh]

I applaud Blizzard for being able to pull this off.

 

[blurredvision]

As I hinted in my previous post WoW (among many other things) can fulfill certain instinctual needs that society does not provide such as fulfilling and meaningful work.

If one gets the same enjoyment or "high" from their job and everyday life as one would from earning that hard to get piece of WoW gear, then I suspect the demand for the game would be considerably less, and the horse would maybe cost $1.

I play WoW because I have 3 other real-life friends who play. It's fun to beat the shit out dragons and larger-than-life bad guys together. Hmmmm, maybe you're right, that definitely is something society does not provide for me. If I had a fucking levitate ability in real life, I'd be positively worshiped.

 

[ArchAngel777]

Why do people keep acting like sports and games are mutually exclusive, you know you can find interviews with pro athletes who talk about their WoW chars. Apparently they think both pursuits are worthwhile. I play a lot of games but I still exercise enough to keep in good shape, it's not like you have to completely sacrifice athleticism to play games.

This is very true. However, when you do have a wife and kids and still want to go out running and lifting weights to stay healthy, it leaves very little time for end-game raiding. Not to say that is all there is to do in an MMO, but putting things plainly, we just have 24 hours in a day... Generally the people who are the top 1% for gear I would wager have an excess amount of time, or are ducking their responsabilities, such as life, health, schooling, family... I knew some guilds that had pagers and people camping boss sites and stuff. Insane...

 

[smackababy]

This is very true. However, when you do have a wife and kids and still want to go out running and lifting weights to stay healthy, it leaves very little time for end-game raiding. Not to say that is all there is to do in an MMO, but putting things plainly, we just have 24 hours in a day... Generally the people who are the top 1% for gear I would wager have an excess amount of time, or are ducking their responsabilities, such as life, health, schooling, family... I knew some guilds that had pagers and people camping boss sites and stuff. Insane...

I find that very hard to believe. I mean am a serious raider, but my guild raids 2 nights a week. I have plenty of time for everything else, including other video games. I work out 5 times a week and have a full time job. I'm sorry that YOU can't wake up an hour earlier to work out, but it doesn't mean nobody else can. It is just being lazy.

 

[Fingolfin269]

wtf people. It's 25 bucks.

 

[VashHT]

As I hinted in my previous post WoW (among many other things) can fulfill certain instinctual needs that society does not provide such as fulfilling and meaningful work.

If one gets the same enjoyment or "high" from their job and everyday life as one would from earning that hard to get piece of WoW gear, then I suspect the demand for the game would be considerably less, and the horse would maybe cost $1.

Another example is pornography, studies find that males who are never exposed to sexualized western media and culture (including porn), think about sex far less frequently than your typical western male, they also have considerable lower sex drive.

In other words, media (video games, television, adverts etc) can impact our basic natural instincts. Unlike sexualized media, WoW actually supplements unfulfilled desires (while porn overdrives your desires).

I am not passing judgment, it's not up to me to say that porn is bad and WoW is great, I am simply providing my best explanation for why people do the things they do (probably a futile effort).

Well I see what you mean, but I don't think the people looking for fulfillment from the game are the ones buying virtual items. In my mind, the people looking for fulfillment from WoW are the ones that want to earn their gear, not simply buy it off a website. Otherwise they wouldn't be putting so much time into the game in the first place. Anyways, I think you're over analyzing the situation, I'm sure there are a lot of people who bought it just because it looks cool and not for any other reason. I guess you could argue that they're trying to fulfill some subconscious desire by buying it, but you could argue that about anyone who is buying frivolous things.

 

[Fingolfin269]

Nevermind.

 

[tydas]

Time to round these losers up and put them in 're-education' camps..for thier own good...

 

[ViviTheMage]

If I was still playing .. i'd buy it.

 

[Anubis]

Time to round these losers up and put them in 're-education' camps..for thier own good...

there are actually bigger idiots out there, some of my guildies have the mount and thet purchased it with in game gold and not real world $

which means someone paid 25$ for it and then sold it in game for fake money

 

[ViviTheMage]

there are actually bigger idiots out there, some of my guildies have the mount and thet purchased it with in game gold and not real world $

which means someone paid 25$ for it and then sold it in game for fake money

I'm sure you know .. but this isn't a new concept either.

I remember seeing gold spammers/farmers in games like priston tale, selling 50,000 gold for $30$ ... this was around 1999.

I've sold unidentified windforces/grandfathers back when D2 LOD was huge .. again late 90's.

People purchasing digital items for real world money is not a new concept.