Originally posted by BarakIII

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I'm pretty sure they gave 100% of the proceeds away on the Panderen Monk. You're right that it was for a limited time though. Also, you can't have it both ways. It's either good that they gave 50% away, or it isn't. The bottom line is if they didn't make the offer the charity wouldn't get the income. Blizzard didn't have to do it and they aren't likely to make that much extra from the deal, otherwise they would make these kinds of offers all the time and they would remain up there rather than being limited time deals.

It was only ever 50%. You can still find news articles about it by searching on google.

As per the whole "good bad" thing, it's a grey area. Yes it's nice that charity is getting something, but it's one of those "with strings attached" deals.

My stance is basically that Blizzard shouldn't get a pat on the back for doing something out of self-benefit, simply because by proxy some of the money goes to a charity. These pets took relatively no effort to create, and this whole thing is being used by Blizzard to benefit their own image with good PR. Not saying what Blizzard is doing is bad, but rather that they shouldn't be praised for doing something they're doing out of motivation for their own gain, with extremely little cost to themselves in the process. If on the otherhand the majority or 100% of the proceeds went to charity, that would be different, because they wouldn't also be making an absurd profit off said item/s.

If a company runs a 'some proceeds go to charity' event, and breaks even or runs it at their own loss, then it truly is a positive thing. If they run such an even and are actually making a decent profit out of it, then it's kind of sleezy, and that's where Blizzard falls.

Originally posted by bansan

No, whether people are idiots are not is not the point.  You don't have to be an idiot to be manipulated, or to use a less harsh word, convinced to do something you would not normally do.  In this case (as in most charity giveaways), they are banking the double of getting something and feeling you've given something at the same time.

It's pretty obvious, but if you want to use the argument that if you wouldn't do it, then other people wouldn't either...you have a long way to go in understanding people.  Your arguments are only on what you know about yourself, and YOU are the one assuming it is the same for others.

As for the GM, I doubt he was referring to your use of "naive."  He was probably talking to the dude who somehow introduced politics into the thread.

No, I won't get it because I'm on a limited budget, the same reason I won't get several of the pets they have...as well as the mount. Twentyfive dollars is really too much for that thing anyway. If I were willing to let go of the money I would feel better about just giving it directly to the charity. A vitual pet, while I might like to have it, just seems too wasteful to me on my budget.

Originally posted by Ceridith

If a company runs a 'some proceeds go to charity' event, and breaks even or runs it at their own loss, then it truly is a positive thing. If they run such an even and are actually making a decent profit out of it, then it's kind of sleezy, and that's where Blizzard falls.

But see, most companies will make a profit even when it appears they do not and very few will accure a loss at this point even for charity. Giving has fallen to miniscule amounts and most people give now because there is something in it for them - be it recognition or gifts or benefits of some sort. A lot times those benefits are intangibles and do not involve a price tag. Usually the 100% of proceeds go to charity occur on a local level where through donations can be gotten in the community to help out.

It would be great if Blizzard donated more money to charity. heck, I would love to be able to give my whole paycheck to charity but I require money to live and function. My argument is that ANY donation is good when it goes to charity and I guarantee Make-a-wish will be happy to get it. Donating about charity is not about how much, its about giving.

Blizzard could just sell the pet and not even bother with charity but they do not. At least they care enough to give part of the proceeds where most companies don't even bother.

Originally posted by Ceridith

It was only ever 50%. You can still find news articles about it by searching on google.

As per the whole "good bad" thing, it's a grey area. Yes it's nice that charity is getting something, but it's one of those "with strings attached" deals.

My stance is basically that Blizzard shouldn't get a pat on the back for doing something out of self-benefit, simply because by proxy some of the money goes to a charity. These pets took relatively no effort to create, and this whole thing is being used by Blizzard to benefit their own image with good PR. Not saying what Blizzard is doing is bad, but rather that they shouldn't be praised for doing something they're doing out of motivation for their own gain, with extremely little cost to themselves in the process. If on the otherhand the majority or 100% of the proceeds went to charity, that would be different, because they wouldn't also be making an absurd profit off said item/s.

If a company runs a 'some proceeds go to charity' event, and breaks even or runs it at their own loss, then it truly is a positive thing. If they run such an even and are actually making a decent profit out of it, then it's kind of sleezy, and that's where Blizzard falls.

Ah, you are indeed right that it was only 50%. Still, that only reinforces my argument that these deals are not more profitable than if they had done it without the charity, otherwise they would not be limited time things.

Let's face it, Blizzard is going to sell these things one way or another, it can only be a good thing if they give half the proceeds away, even for a limited time. I'm not trying to pat them on the back, but I will indeed defend them or any business from those who try to twist this type of charity into some sort of evil thing.

Real charity is really hard to find now a days. You reallly have to look hard to find an honest charity organization that doesn't put easily up to 80% of what is given in its own pocket. It has become a capitalistic buisness model plain & simple.

Nobody is contesting that some of the money gets through & does help people in need & thats a good thing.

The bottom line is this though; They are wolfs in sheeps clothing, evil hiding behind a mask of goodness.

You want to be charitable? Then move your sorry ass & go help someone yourself. Be a benevole for one a the few true charity groups or do your research as to where your money really goes before trying to buy your way to good concience.

Originally posted by Nekrataal

Real charity is really hard to find now a days. You reallly have to look hard to find an honest charity organization that doesn't put easily up to 80% of what is given in its own pocket. It has become a capitalistic buisness model plain & simple.

Very true. I would guess the average pocket rate for charities is around 75% or so (75% for admin costs and 25% for giving). The best ever rate I have seen is 10% admin and 90% giving - of course that was a small organization and very local.

And remember the larger the charity the more they will keep for admin costs.

Bentleys for the make a wish foundation, Bentleys for Bobby Kotick's garage. its win-win-lose. They win, we lose.

This, as some people have said, is a stunt. Greedy or not, they are a company, and are out to make money. I believe they are pulling the "charity" strings as an advertisement.

I agree with the people who say they don't have to donate anything at all, and 50% is better than nothing - Here's what comes to my mind - Blizzard make so much money that no matter what they do, people will complain. If they donated $2,000,000 people would probably say "they can afford so much more than that!" etc. So instead they are trying to give the players a chance to donate and be part of a charitable community. A lot of people would not just donate to a charity of their own back, but advertising these pets with some of the proceeds going to charity just opens their eyes and brings it to the front of their attention. People will buy these pets for a lot of different reasons.

They will more than likely make money off this, but who is to judge them for that? Why complain that they are making money, when that is what they do as a company? You're complaining that they are manipulating people into buying useless things that could be free for a ridiculous amount?

One - That's what they do. I'm sure you might have worked that out by now.

Two - If people can't see it for what it is (an advertisement that will make them Blizzard money, but also raising funds for a charity) then they are very short sighted.

Three - These pets that could be free of charge are collectables, people will pay for them either way. Adding the charity string just brings in those few more customers that they might have missed out on.

On a completely different note - I agree, they are ugly. More bug like than anything else. But I can see where they tried to make them "cute", as some people will say they are.

Funny part is, Blizzard actually donates none of their actual money whatsoever. They have the playerbase donate for them via buying the pets. If noone bought the pets, there would be no donation on Blizzard's part.

Originally posted by skoupidi

Originally posted by Oy-jord

Originally posted by Jakdstripper

there are already a ton of in game pets that dont cost anything, they even give you some without you doing absolutely anything....why would anyone want to pay for these? ....then again why would anyone wanna pay for that celestial steed it's beyond me.

 

Because some of us work hard and have money to spend, and you clearly don't.  Don't be a hater.

If you actually worked hard and made your own money, you wouldn't waste it on kid pets for no reason.

What a sallow, vapid argument.  I do work for a living, and support a family doing so.  I happen to have worked hard and am now highly educated, so the living I make is good, and therefore the piddly $10 here or $10 there is meaningless to me.  Granted, I don't want the pets, so I didn't buy them.  But if I DID want them, I'd buy them in a heartbeat.  The fact that some proceeds go to charity is nice, but not a factor in my decision making process.

So give Blizz a break, and perhaps go back to school so you, too, can have disposal income.  Dispose of it the way YOU want.  I thank Blizz for giving me options to have fun that in no way destablize the economy or the balance of WoW.

Originally posted by BarakIII

It's a win for all involved, you get a cute pet, Blizz gets parts of the proceeds, and a charity gets parts of the proceeds.

And yes, they have given the full proceeds for a virtual pet before. To complain that they only gave half the proceeds this time is stupid. Afterall they don't have to give any at all.

Well said!

I am going to get a couple of those pets soon. I love the "Cute" in anything! :D

I want little Ragnaros, he sets critters on fire, can be a campfire :D, and is supere cute, however...I don't want to pay for it.

For the Moonkin, I think they are cute, but I don't want one.

Another great way for Activision to destroy Blizzard's former great reputation. *lol* @ everyone supporting this BS you're paying a monthly fee and paying extra $ for pets that should be FREE cause the game is not a F2P game.

Sorry to break your mindset but this by far not real charity. If you want to do real charity,donate on your own Blizzard is using charity as a poor excuse for advertising their item shop.

This company has turned into a greedy bunch of moneywhores.

Originally posted by bansan

Originally posted by BarakIII

*snip*

I think you are naive. *snip*

  There's already a poster up top that said he may be tempted to buy because of the donation.  A couple posters gushing about how great they are for donating.

You have absolutely no idea how effective good marketing is to getting people to open their wallets.  The human psyche is easy to manipulate.  People want things, but common sense gets in the way ("I'm not paying $10 bucks for pixels!").  Give them a reason to buy that makes them feel good, and they'll come running.

As for cost, even if it took more time, I cannot see that it'll take more than $10,000, and that's stretching it alot.  It costs them absolutely nothing as they sell more "units."  With the sales they'll get, they'll really be giving away nothing.

[Mod Edit]

 From what you are writing I am sure you do not know how marketing works. Did you do marketing at uni or something or do you work in a marketing department? Customers are not easy to manipulate. True, businessses try to manipulate customers (i personally wouldn't use this word but whatever) but it's not easy, not by a long shot.

So from 3-4 hours worth of pay we got to 10k ? Hmmm, interestingggggg.....waffles....nom...nom...nom

And this > 'it costs them absolutely nothing as they sell more 'units'. The number you pulled out of your backside - 10k - is the investment. 10 000 =/= nothing. And to say that something costs nothing just because your profit > expenses is just hilarious.

They are making this for their company (monetary compesation, aka profit, and some other intangible assets as you pointed out - goodwill) and the charity aspect. They are not a charity organisation.

New Pets Arrive:  lol... more candy for the kiddies!

Its sad to see that people now a days are so lost & disconnected that they confuse buying their way into good concience, bitting to a marketing trick, with charity.

/sigh

Ohhh noes Blizzard like many other rich people, organizations and companies is engaging in philanthropy!! WTF ON NOES! Because giving and being charitable is deemed a good thing in our morals these terrible terrible people are using this good action to make themselves look good! OHH NOES THE KIDS ARE GETTING MONEY!!!111!!! Oh nooooo they found out a way to motivate us to give to charity ohhhh noooo. What has come of this world?! Companies engaging in ways to make more money!?!?!? MADNESS!!!!!!!!!!!

Yup the WoW haters are out in full force in this thread.