tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-826986957606858027.post7644576846856640724..comments2023-06-19T10:45:56.724-04:00Comments on Player Versus Developer: Blizzard's Panda GambitGreen Armadillohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15564045048380177626noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-826986957606858027.post-52824045663776116202011-10-22T14:35:57.258-04:002011-10-22T14:35:57.258-04:00> I'm not 100% sold because I doubt that Pa...> I'm not 100% sold because I doubt that Pandaria will<br />> arrive with much, if any, time to spare out of the year<br /><br />Don't worry, the next year of WoW sub will be for the first D3 add-on. We can even expect them to split D3 into multiple parts, as they did with SC2, because they have to give away less for "free".Kringhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03128630042421602039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-826986957606858027.post-43789014975523895852011-10-22T08:31:59.838-04:002011-10-22T08:31:59.838-04:00I'm pretty happy with what I've seen so fa...I'm pretty happy with what I've seen so far. Interesting things that will add more flavor and a slightly different direction to things. The new race isn't anymore silly than walking talking cows ;)kaozzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15058067791146704803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-826986957606858027.post-52962656007221152322011-10-22T08:17:47.093-04:002011-10-22T08:17:47.093-04:00Indeed, why should we take Blizzard's lore mor...Indeed, why should we take Blizzard's lore more seriously then they do? I think I've been coming to the same conclusion over time. That's probably why I've been spending more and more time in LOTRO and less in WoW, and I may be cancelling the WoW sub.Indynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-826986957606858027.post-37343934329139363332011-10-22T04:48:09.367-04:002011-10-22T04:48:09.367-04:00When WoW goes F2P I will revisit my old characters...When WoW goes F2P I will revisit my old characters. In the unlikely event I feel like having a wander around before then I'll use the free-to-20 endless trial. The 12 month deal is meaningless to someone who only found three months' worth of interest in the game in the first place.<br /><br />Pandas I just don't get. We have them in EQ2 as an NPC race and I don't much like them there. I don't find real-life pandas especially cute or interesting either. I can think of literally dozens of animals I'd prefer to play or see used as NPCs. <br /><br />From a non-player's perspective, the whole announcement looks like the clearest possible path to maximizing both account retention and cash shop revenue. Both the pandas and the pet battle system speak to a deliberate intent to focus on the lower age-bracket of the WoW demographic. Even the Brewmaster fits that, really. <br /><br />In the MMO blogosphere we all talk about WoW's competition being the other AAA MMOs but I wouldn't be at all surprised if, from the Blizzard account department's point of view an equally significant aspect of competition is the likes of Club Penguin.Bhagpusshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03499162165023939880noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-826986957606858027.post-30875126353818974252011-10-21T23:52:36.282-04:002011-10-21T23:52:36.282-04:00I look at the pokemon pet battle system and think ...I look at the pokemon pet battle system and think of one thing: <br /><br />The pet store. <br /><br />Blizzard has already been getting players used to buying pets for real cash, and even then trading them in-game. With that as a foundation this new system is absolutely ripe for microtransactions, and I suspect it's one of the primary motivators for Blizzard. They're going to make a killing off selling unique pet skins for 10 bucks a pop. <br /><br />It really falls in that sweet spot for them. Something that players already accept and that Blizzard can at least argue doesn't affect the "core game" (whatever that is anymore).Fidjitnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-826986957606858027.post-65465204966209076462011-10-21T23:51:06.250-04:002011-10-21T23:51:06.250-04:00My theory on the bad Panda reaction is that so man...My theory on the bad Panda reaction is that so many people were dissatisfied with the underlying WoW experience that Pandas simply provided an obvious "jump the shark" moment that 40+ minute DPS queues for 2+ hour heroic wipefests in early Cataclysm did not. <br /><br />As you mention, Pandas aside, there were some exciting things going on. However, I'm pretending none of it will actually occur until it goes Live on the servers because Path of the Titans, Abyssal Maw, etc, all sounded cool too.<br /><br />By the way, the leaked release slate said MoP should be out in Q2 2012, i.e. the summer release you agree it needs. The zones look mostly done, and I predict the beta out 1-2 months after D3.Azurielhttp://inanage.comnoreply@blogger.com