You heard that right, World of Warcraft just got an in-game (pet) store. The new store is selling two new pets: the Pandaren Monk Charity Pet, and the Lil' K.T., mini-Lich pet. Both pets will sell for $10 a pop, with 50% of the Pandaren Monk's proceeds (for Pandaren Monks sold between now and the end of the year) going to the Make-a-Wish foundation.

It's important to note that these pets are strictly vanity pets and serve no combat function whatsoever.

For additional information on the new service, check out the Pet Store FAQ.

I'm glad to know that Blizz has finally owned up to the fact that WoW is a subscription-based item mall game. I guess they're not making enough extra money off of server changes, race changes, faction changes, sex changes...

Blizzard has finally done it, lol. It's pretty funny to see them join the cash-shop bandwagon. $10 a pet is INSANE though.

Stunning. It's like a surreal farce.

Like Bill Gates selling his autograph on a street corner.

Blizzard's rep is going to take a beating for the sheer unrepentant greed they are exhibiting these days.

 My god, how shamefull is this, WoW is now a RMT game with subscription..... LOL

Like i said some time ago..... MILK THAT COW BABY!!!!!

LOL, what a joke.  What's next, pay real money to repair armour?

Uh.. how is it a big deal if they have an in-store? It's not a enormous fucking item mall like most asian grinders do.

They do business, make business, profit money.. and that's how the business industry works. If you want to top WoW, then make your own fuckin mmo and be richer then you're entitled to bitch about it here. /eye roll.

Originally posted by Ruyn

LOL, what a joke.  What's next, pay real money to repair armour?

Kostic just screamed "Eureka!".

Originally posted by wh0astar

Uh.. how is it a big deal if they have an in-store? It's not a enormous fucking item mall like most asian grinders do.

They do business, make business, profit money.. and that's how the business industry works. If you want to top WoW, then make your own fuckin mmo and be richer then you're entitled to bitch about it here. /eye roll.

Actually we're entitled to bitch about it now.

I DO wonder why you are here defending it, though.

In regards to the sheer amount of money Blizzard makes just off the subscriptions and their desire to milk players even more with stupid crap like this...

I wonder just how much more proof is needed to demonstrate that Blizzard stopped being about games for gamers back in, oh, 2005.

I really laugh at how they throw that 'charity' piece in. That's just insulting.

Originally posted by MMO_Doubter

Originally posted by wh0astar

Uh.. how is it a big deal if they have an in-store? It's not a enormous fucking item mall like most asian grinders do.

They do business, make business, profit money.. and that's how the business industry works. If you want to top WoW, then make your own fuckin mmo and be richer then you're entitled to bitch about it here. /eye roll.

Actually we're entitled to bitch about it now.

I DO wonder why you are here defending it, though.

Why wouldn't I? You're disappointed I'm not one of you guys who doesn't appreciate games? Shoot.

 Blizz has no shame, they sold it lol.

Chances that i am back to wow when cataclysm is out just reduced even more.

Sometimes the overwhelming sheer stupidity exhibited by the lurkers of this site overwhelm me...

Why are you introducing this service?

The Pet Store provides a new way for players to obtain unique companion pets outside of the game, which is something that has been requested by many players who enjoy World of Warcraft's non-combat companions.

Does this mean you'll be introducing more services like this in the future? Will you be introducing the ability to buy epic weapons/etc. in the future, for example?

As with the pets, mounts, and other items players can obtain through Loot cards from the World of Warcraft Trading Card Game, Pet Store pets are purely cosmetic and just for fun. Like other paid services we offer, such as Paid Name Changes, Race Changes, and Character Re-Customizations, the Pet Store service is entirely optional and intended to provide players another means to enjoy World of Warcraft in a way that isn't detrimental to the game and that doesn't detract from the gameplay experience for players who choose not to use the service.

Plus...

How much of every Pandaren Monk pet sale will go to charity?

For each Pandaren Monk sale, we'll donate 50% of the $10 purchase price to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. For more information on this charity, visit www.wish.org.

Yes, Blizzard is an evil greedy corporation hell bent on world domination through the sale of digital sex changes and non-combat pets. /rolls eyes If you're going to be a troll/game-hater, at least do your homework and not come off as a retarded douchebag.

Wow, you guys are really evil. I don't see how it's insulting to add charity to it. Good for them. It's not their fault they're successful. It's us people that made 'em successful, ever thought about that, hmm? I guess not. You guys are naive to realize the mere fact that it is just another game that people play, that you used to play... so get over it.

Originally posted by Tyrantas

 Blizz has no shame, they sold it lol.

Chances that i am back to wow when cataclysm is out just reduced even more.

I'd already decided against coming back for Cataclysm, but now, I'm thinking Starcraft 2 and their gouging of that IP is out for me, as well.

I miss the blizzard who cared about the games they made not lining there pocketbooks. If you make a good product the money will follow.

It is not the RMT that bothers me,it is coming to all games eventually.

What bothers me is using the charity as a crutch.What happens to the item mall after the end of the year?A new charity?There is only 2 months left in the year,so what happens to the money after?

This proves what i already knew about WOW gamers,they really love their superficial trinkets like pets.I ma sure their marketing staff came up with pets as the best possible way to make money.

Anyhoot,if they can at least continue the donations to several different charities,i am all for it,i will look at only the positive.Part of my problem is that i am usually a skeptic or realist,i need some proof that 50% is going to charity,is there a way they can prove it?

Originally posted by Wizardry

It is not the RMT that bothers me,it is coming to all games eventually.

What bothers me is using the charity as a crutch.What happens to the item mall after the end of the year?A new charity?There is only 2 months left in the year,so what happens to the money after?

This proves what i already knew about WOW gamers,they really love their superficial trinkets like pets.I ma sure their marketing staff came up with pets as the best possible way to make money.

Anyhoot,if they can at least continue the donations to several different charities,i am all for it,i will look at only the positive.Part of my problem is that i am usually a skeptic or realist,i need some proof that 50% is going to charity,is there a way they can prove it?

No.

Originally posted by drajaic

Sometimes the overwhelming sheer stupidity exhibited by the lurkers of this site overwhelm me...

 

Why are you introducing this service?

The Pet Store provides a new way for players to obtain unique companion pets outside of the game, which is something that has been requested by many players who enjoy World of Warcraft's non-combat companions.

 

Does this mean you'll be introducing more services like this in the future? Will you be introducing the ability to buy epic weapons/etc. in the future, for example?

As with the pets, mounts, and other items players can obtain through Loot cards from the World of Warcraft Trading Card Game, Pet Store pets are purely cosmetic and just for fun. Like other paid services we offer, such as Paid Name Changes, Race Changes, and Character Re-Customizations, the Pet Store service is entirely optional and intended to provide players another means to enjoy World of Warcraft in a way that isn't detrimental to the game and that doesn't detract from the gameplay experience for players who choose not to use the service.

Plus...

How much of every Pandaren Monk pet sale will go to charity?

For each Pandaren Monk sale, we'll donate 50% of the $10 purchase price to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. For more information on this charity, visit www.wish.org.

 

Yes, Blizzard is an evil greedy corporation hell bent on world domination through the sale of digital sex changes and non-combat pets. /rolls eyes If you're going to be a troll/game-hater, at least do your homework and not come off as a retarded douchebag.

Exactly.

And to those of you complaining - why bother? You don't play the game anyway so it isn't your money. Is Blizzard forcing your hand? Nope. Do you have an option to buy them? Yes. Do you have too? Nope. Does this mean Blizzard will add game changing items? Nope (that is a slippery slope argument).

In the end, it doesn't matter. People who hate this won't play WOW anyway and those who do play don't care. Personally, I see it as a great way to raise some money for a wonderful charity and at a great time of the year.

Blizzard knows how badly micro-transactions + a sub fee can cause your game to crash and burn and I am not worried about them adding additional game-changing items any time soon. And if they do you and I can vote on it in the best way possible - cancel our accounts.

Originally posted by drajaic

Sometimes the overwhelming sheer stupidity exhibited by the lurkers of this site overwhelm me...

 

Why are you introducing this service?

The Pet Store provides a new way for players to obtain unique companion pets outside of the game, which is something that has been requested by many players who enjoy World of Warcraft's non-combat companions.

 

Does this mean you'll be introducing more services like this in the future? Will you be introducing the ability to buy epic weapons/etc. in the future, for example?

As with the pets, mounts, and other items players can obtain through Loot cards from the World of Warcraft Trading Card Game, Pet Store pets are purely cosmetic and just for fun. Like other paid services we offer, such as Paid Name Changes, Race Changes, and Character Re-Customizations, the Pet Store service is entirely optional and intended to provide players another means to enjoy World of Warcraft in a way that isn't detrimental to the game and that doesn't detract from the gameplay experience for players who choose not to use the service.

Plus...

How much of every Pandaren Monk pet sale will go to charity?

For each Pandaren Monk sale, we'll donate 50% of the $10 purchase price to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. For more information on this charity, visit www.wish.org.

 

Yes, Blizzard is an evil greedy corporation hell bent on world domination through the sale of digital sex changes and non-combat pets. /rolls eyes If you're going to be a troll/game-hater, at least do your homework and not come off as a retarded douchebag.

Are you that naive to think their main goal is charity?

Wake up dude, if that was the case they would donate 100% not 50%.... its a stupid minipet why do they need 5 dollars for it?

Its shamefull yes, it shows no character yes, will they expand it with more stuff, definately

Originally posted by drajaic

Sometimes the overwhelming sheer stupidity exhibited by the lurkers of this site overwhelm me...

 

Why are you introducing this service?

The Pet Store provides a new way for players to obtain unique companion pets outside of the game, which is something that has been requested by many players who enjoy World of Warcraft's non-combat companions.

 

Does this mean you'll be introducing more services like this in the future? Will you be introducing the ability to buy epic weapons/etc. in the future, for example?

As with the pets, mounts, and other items players can obtain through Loot cards from the World of Warcraft Trading Card Game, Pet Store pets are purely cosmetic and just for fun. Like other paid services we offer, such as Paid Name Changes, Race Changes, and Character Re-Customizations, the Pet Store service is entirely optional and intended to provide players another means to enjoy World of Warcraft in a way that isn't detrimental to the game and that doesn't detract from the gameplay experience for players who choose not to use the service.

Plus...

How much of every Pandaren Monk pet sale will go to charity?

For each Pandaren Monk sale, we'll donate 50% of the $10 purchase price to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. For more information on this charity, visit www.wish.org.

 

Yes, Blizzard is an evil greedy corporation hell bent on world domination through the sale of digital sex changes and non-combat pets. /rolls eyes If you're going to be a troll/game-hater, at least do your homework and not come off as a retarded douchebag.

Nice homework - a copy & paste from the WoW home site. BFD

If it's about charity - why isn't it BOTH pets, 100%, and not for a limited time?

WoW has made them BILLIONS.

Originally posted by wh0astar

Wow, you guys are really evil. I don't see how it's insulting to add charity to it. Good for them. It's not their fault they're successful. It's us people that made 'em successful, ever thought about that, hmm? I guess not. You guys are naive to realize the mere fact that it is just another game that people play, that you used to play... so get over it.

Because:

1. It's a function of the game that isn't needed. The move is purely for financial gain. They don't need financial gain. Vanity pets are elsewhere acquirable (TCG, collector's edition, etc), but now move to a paying system.

2. If they were doing a true fundraiser, because they don't need the money, they would move all profits to the charity in question.

1+2= 3. They are using a charity to make money, if viewed from the charity angle. That's insulting. No matter how you dice it.

Lets all give a big hand to the CEO of Actvision/Blizzard.

 I'd like to see 50% of all proceeds going to different charities based on the pet purchased. Sure, this can be interpreted as a grab at more money, and it is, but there is a side effect that could be used to better society.

Money and Politics are the root of all evil, but sometimes, you gotta play the game to make a difference.