![barack_obama_obey_henrycopy[1]](http://www.myextralife.com/wow/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/barack_obama_obey_henrycopy1.jpg "barack_obama_obey_henrycopy[1]")
And it’s just a matter of time until you can buy your very own Henry. Not that you could ever “own” Henry, per se. From the Blizzard announcement:
Today we’re pleased to introduce the Pet Store for World of Warcraft, a new way for players to obtain in-game pets to join them on their adventures in Azeroth. Two brand-new companions are now available for purchase exclusively at the Pet Store in the online Blizzard Store: Lil’ K.T. and the Pandaren Monk.
Important note: If you have not already, you will have to move your account into Battle.Net before you can purchase and activate the new pets. This and other technical issues are addressed in the Blizzard Pet Store FAQ here.
What do you think of this? Want to win a Grunty The Murloc Marine in-game pet from Blizzard and The Instance? To win today, just answer that question in a comment right here in the blog before 5PM PDT today (that’s 8PM EDT), and tell us what you think. One commenter wins!
This is a great idea but its missing one thing… when you buy the pet you could also get a real life doll or statue of the pet you got and we need an obey henery pet
I will buy the Pandaren – a 50% donation to Make A Wish is awesome! I’d spend more than that on dinner out. This way I get a cool pet, AND I know I’ve donated to a good cause.
I think that its a fantastic idea, not just because of the new pets, but because they’re working with the Make-a-Wish Foundation. I wouldn’t pay $10 just for a pet, but I’d give $10 to charity… although the pet is a nice incentive… hehehe.
Personally, I’m fairly neutral on the subject because most likely I won’t buy one unless it was something really special, like a pet unicorn. But if other people want to buy their vanity items, I have no problem with that. And I do like the charity aspect.
It is a good idea, but $10 for a in-game pet seems to be a lot to charge for it.
I hope I get a Grunty
I never thought I’d see the day Blizzard was microtransactioning.
Regardless, the intent boggles me. Why is it that one pet has funds that go to charity partially, and the other doesn’t?
And, $10 does seem a bit much for a vanity pet- even if it does a couple of emote-esque things.
Even though- I’m considering the Pandaren pet- mostly because at least half that money goes to charity, and I’m a huge fan of the Pandaren.:)
I just hope if more “profits solely to Blizzard” pets are released the price is reduced slightly.
I don’t see a problem with this. If people can pay to change their character’s race/sex/appearance, what’s one more vanity item? Blizzard already stated in the Pet Store FAQ that they will not sell anything that will affect gameplay. Some might say they’ve already done that with Race Changes, others might say game balance has been shifted with Faction/Server changes. Regardless, the fact they’re putting Kung Fu Panda up for sale won’t be game-breaking.
I think its a good idea. half of the money is going to charity so its not so much a bad thing. I mean if people are willing to pay $25 to change their race and then change it back 3 days later… they’ll pay for anything.
I’m excited to be able to get one of these pets. However, I would hate to see this get bigger then pets or even mounts one day. I don’t want WoW to become one of those games where you can buy hair styles or skin tones.
Great mirco payments! How soon till I can buy gold from the Blizz Store? Ding Pong you should get your resume up at Monster dot com
I’m ok with micropayments. Makes the game more immersive for some. As long as they don’t get TOO greedy with it and start throwing the game balance.
Three reasons why this is an ok new trend: 1) It’s a microtransaction that basically anyone can afford. 2) Half the money goes to a charity (for the next 2 months at least). 3) It’s a vanity pet…you don’t need it, it doesn’t change the balance of the game, it’s 100% your choice (just like changing races).
I think this is awesome. No more buying hundreds of TCG cards for me, now I can just buy them from the source. Not sure why there seems to be outcry because of this.
I’m okay with this except that if they start putting a lot of these on the store i’ll change my mind. Quite a few people are vanity pets collectors, it is okay to ask a bit of money from them like the collector’s edition pets, since it’s an added bonus to a product but when you start marketing pets (and probably adding an achievement in there) you can only put so many of them before it starts to feel like an added cost to the game for those collectors, like me. Talking about colleting, Grunty would make a nice addition to my collection
I have to say I’m kinda all for it. It would suck if they were selling stuff that changes your ability to play, but as long as it’s vanity pets, I think it’s great. I love vanity pets and I want to get as many as possible. But I’m not gonna spend hundreds of dollars on tcg boosters with no guarantee. I’ll be happy so spend a minimal amount to get my cute little friends, especially if it also means a contribution to charity. Now if only Grunty was that easy to get…
Chef Moonisha Silverhoof
Lvl 80 Resto shaman and purveyor of fish and cake for
The Thunderhoof Clan
on The Venture Co. US
There’s so much anti-Activision hate in the webosphere about this. I don’t see what the problem is. This is no different from the whole DirectTV/ Grunty that we’re all trying to get by commenting on this blog. True story.
Ideally you’re donating to Make-A-Wish Foundation to get the pet vs ordering a PPV event. The only negative comment i have is that they should donate a higher percentage since there is no cost to reproduce the pet itself. No shipping nor manufacturing costs ala card game.
~Haigen
i think 10 bux is too expensive, but i like the charity angle they are playing. the moment they start selling gear i’ll be quitting fo-show.
this is just another step towards a micro-payment system!
It seems like they are just doing this for a good cause, half goes to Make-a-Wish Foundation, but it also seems like a good transition to more of this kind of thing. We shall see…
Half going to charity? sounds like Blizzard is going to make a killing on these things. I wonder what the profit margin on one of these things is. Talk about a willing market. The pet collecting crazy has really caught on, hasn’t it? Must… Get… Achievement…. Doesn’t this just seem a little bit out of order? Now Blizzard is able to lure in it’s faithfuls to exchange real life money for their intellectual property. I mean, it’s probably not in their ToS that you can turn around and sell it, right? Sounds like the only one able to sell WoW property is Blizzard. I wonder how long til I can buy my T9 helm.
It’s true enough that I saw the pet inculded with my Collector’s Edition Burning Crusade, and Wrath of the Lich King as valuable, though I never would have made these purchases on that reward alone. And, what value I did see was only that of uniqueness due to having acquired one of the (not so) few copies of these expansions.
Bean babies craze, ready …… GO!
I think this may be going a little to far friends are saying watch them try and sell gold. Activison has just been in this for the money since they jumped in not good not good at all.
I can’t say I agree with Blizzard’s decision to introduce micro-transactions like this. I can understand it with the smaller free MMO’s out there now where the developers get nothing except the money they make from micro-transactions, but Blizzard makes a LOT of money from WoW alone, not to mention their other great games. This is just a pull for more money on their part. I am pleased, at least, that half the money from one purchase goes to charity. At least then it seems your money is going somewhere. I still won’t be paying for any of these pets, however.
I honestly believe this is an amazing way for the juggernaut of a company that Blizzard has grown to give back to some worthy organizations. As long as this particular “microtransaction” system does not develop into buying gear to make your character more powerful. I believe it should remain purely cosmetic. This is for many reasons:
1. Some players are not as financially capable as others. And as this game goes, with gold buying and multiple accounts, some will resort into spending hard earned money into pixelated advantages.
2. It removes all reason to play the game. Why would you invest your time and patience when you can drop some money and have a maxed out character.
All in all i feel if left a purely cosmetic thing, it is a great option for blizzard to raise money for a good cause and players can have a cool new companion.
PS. Still not as cool as a pet Henry.
OBEY HENRY!
I like the idea especially since some of the money will be going to charity. Blizzard is a business. Businesses look for unique ways to get more money in their pockets. I don’t have a problem with that. If anyone disagree’s the only thing they have to do is not buy the pet. If anyone wants to drop $10 on a vanity pet then to each his own. I just very well may purchase one of these.
I’m hoping that this doesn’t begin to escalate to other forms of microtransations. I could see them eventually selling heirloom items for cash as a way to help players level characters faster.
I think Blizzard/Activision has begun to travel down a slippery slope and I hope their desire to make more money doesn’t negatively impact the game I have grown to love.
On a side note, when’s a new episode of The Instance coming out? I need more Scott and Randy in my life!!
I’ve thought about this an awful lot since they launched it and I’ve come to the decision that as long as they keep it to vanity items I’m ok with it. If they start going the Runescape or DDO way though it’ll throw up a red light.
Yeah, it’s greed. This is not about turning a profit, it is about getting as much money as they can from their dwindling subscribers. 50% goes to charity? Well, on one pet, yes, but only for a few weeks. So actually of the two pets 25% will go to charity for a little while.
This is the gateway to a lot of bad things. Everything in the game a player has to grind to earn will eventually be available for real money.
I had a real hard time following the fat guy analogy posted above. Instead of a fat guy paying more for larger clothing, I think this is more like a dealer raising the price of cocaine, or better, charging extra for a little sumthin sumthin that will give a better fix.
The people that spend real money for these pets are the hard addicts, and they will probably purchase whatever else Blizz decides to sell.
I am not sure how much of this is Blizz and how much is Activision; that CEO over there at Activision is a greedy dude! Look him up and search for quotes he has made about pricing and gamers.
In the words of Oliver “More Please” I like it… nuff said..
I have mixed feelings about this. And unfortunately it may be the thing that decides whether I continue playing Warcraft, or not!
Although I do LOVE the fact that 50% of the $10 goes to the Make-A-Wish foundation… We’ll forget about the fact that it seems a bit steep to begin with… $10 for a Vanity pet?!?!
Why $10? And why until the end of December? Why can’t it be an ongoing thing? Maybe 25% or 30% but making the pet store itself a charity thing… Because the thing that REALLY gets me is that after December 31st, 100% of the money goes to Blizzard. Sounds more like a money grab at the expense of a great charity… to guilt people into buying pets for a month and a bit and then pull the plug on Make-A-Wish when they’re done with them like they USED them.
I hope and pray that I’m wrong and this isn’t how it is… but it’s just how it looks to me.
Do you think Little L.K will attack Mr. Bigglesworth? (http://www.wowhead.com/?npc=16998)
While it doesn’t bother me by itself, I can see this as a possible first step towards actual content that must be purchased, but is technically optional. For instance, Blizzard releases the 3.3 patch, and charges a one-time fee of 4.99 to receive Icecrown Citadel.That could get ugly.
I’m guessing that these two pets are testing the waters for a whole slew of in-game products that must be purchased seperately, ranging from the inconsequential (non-combat pets), the the nigh essential (pvp gear, legendary gems, you name it)
I dont reall ylike this idea, microtransactions arent good
I luvs it
I agree with a few of the posters above. If this remains on the vanity only side of the game, it shouldn’t be a big deal. It shouldn’t replace what Bliz is already doing (i.e. the only way to get new ‘cool’ pets is to buy them).
It will be interesting to see the next achievement based on number of pets owned.
You really want to anger people, make the old ultra rare pets like murky, diablo, etc… as buyable.
I like the idea, but abit worried that soonish weapons and armor will be sold, making Wow a microtransaction based game
/Yosef
I like that they are making new and interesting things like vanity pets. I don’t like that blizz has decided to do it for real $$. I think their wow store should stick to t-shirts and key chains, and in-game items should remain obtainable through in-game means.
as long as they don’t but armor and weapons on the blizz store im fine with it. I might just buy one of the pets most likely the monk pet.
oh and I think that the pets are cheaper better way then the trg pets because you get one know matter want and in the trg you have a 5 point chase to get something and the pets will be a good Christmas present .
I love vanity pets – but more importantly, I love that half the proceeds from Pandaren go to Make-a-Wish Foundation. Already got ‘im!
I would agree that $10 is not a micro payment, especially when it’s 1/2 the game cost. I also agree that any pay-to-play content like this should be strictly vanity. I’d hate to think that the superstar of my guild is doing better just because he spent more on his gear.
It’s great that a portion is going to charity. I’d like to see that made permanent. Maybe different pets for different charities?
I used to think that the 10 dollar price was steep but then I read that the panda purchase will go towards make-a-wish foundation…and I’m really thinking about it!
Grrrr, more EU neglect from Bliz.
No Invitational, No Battle Bots, No 5th Anniversary sweepstake and now the Pet store chucks on another $4.80 for the crime of being from a pinko-liberal country
They are £9/10euro = $14.80
Bah!
I purchased the Pandaran Monk, and I feel great about buying it, for the sole reason the half the proceeds went to the Make-a-Wish foundation. I think I would feel a little silly about buying Lil-Kael though. Having any small percentage of my money go to a charity, makes me feel like I did something useful with my money. Buying a non-combat pet with real money otherwise feels..well…kinda sad.
I will not buy…I will not buy….I probably wont buy…i might buy…i’m going to buy…aw hell.
My feelings about purchasing non-combat pets are mixed. On one hand, I like that WOW is taking advantage of the fact that it has such a massive player base to spread a little joy to the world (heh) by contributing part of the $10.00 fee to charity, and if they are going to start selling in-game items, that’s the way to do it.
On the other hand, I’m afraid that this might be the natal roll of a huge snowball, and that all sorts of gear and perks will become more and more exclusive only to those with enough money to purchase them.
And then there’s that third hand. I’m a level 80 hunter, and my big thing in game is collecting pets. I’m so close to 75 pets I can taste the salt lick, and I’ve gotten all of my pets through questing, grinding rep, and just plain hard work. So it does bug me a bit that all I have to do now is shell out $10.00 and that achievement is mine.
Having said all that, I’ll be sporting a panda by 4.
Tiglath — would you say it makes you feel like a sad … panda?
While I did get the pets, I’m also hoping that this doesn’t become a trend. I would like for all the pets to have a charity link, forever.
Had to buy them both, feel like blizz is taking advantage of my weakness for WoW related goodness. But then again so would I if it were my business.
The panda is cool, but not near as cool as Henry.
KUNG FU PANDA FTW!
A moth or skunk pet, no way; but dishing out $$ for a Pandaren and see some of that $$ go to charity? Gotta love it!
I like the “going to charity part” of the deal but i hope this doesn’t become something that Blizz uses to nickel and dime us to death with. I hope it doesn’t turn into, “Buy this Crossbow for $5 and some of it well go to Charity!!” Or anything that gives one person an advantage if they have more money than others, I will end up buying the pets for my girl she is a mega pet collector. One other thing is it said the money made up until “December XX” So after that point non of it goes to charity unfortunately.