Guernication

My thoughts on games and the issues around them.

Author: Guernica

Blizzard announced the release date for the WotLK expansion today - only a couple of months to wait. It should arrive about the same time as my firstborn child. They also gave out details of the content of the Collector's Edition and I'm disappointed. Its the exact same content as the TBC CE that came out two years ago. Art book, soundtrack, mousemat, an ingame pet. Its all nice stuff to look at, well, except for the particularly uninspiring mousemat, but it might have been nice to see something truly novel in there. I mean Blizzard have made a lot of money and continue to do so on a daily basis by putting together novel and entertaining content. Its one of the things I love the most about WoW - there's so much different stuff to do and see. But when it comes to the CE boxset - same old, same old. Bah - how about a t-shirt? Or a cap? Or some branded pens/desk tidy/stickers/calendars or any of the myriad of branded crap thats available today. I used to work in sales - I know there is cool stuff you can put a company's name on for little cost!

I was particularly dismayed to see the box will contain yet more trading card game cards. I hate these things. They are absolute rubbish to someone like me. I'll maybe play some Monopoly or Scrabble with the wife when she's feeling particularly pregnant and tired. But I'm never going to sit down with some kids and play the WoW card game. Let's face it - TCG giveaways are aimed at teenagers and are intended to get them hooked on the game so they spend more of their cash on more crappy cards. They only give Blizzard a few pounds a month in subscription fees, so Blizzard is looking for ways to get more of their cash. MMO's aren't like crack - its the TCG's that they give away free initially and then charge you through the nose for, no pun intended, when your habit is formed that are the true drug for gaming teens today.

They did this same crap at the WWI - gave us a 'goody bag' full oof promotional items for Blizzard spinoffs and other companies' product. If you give away stuff, give away stuff people actually want - don't give me adverts and call them gifts.