*lol* so they want upfront (12x) money in order to continue making a joke of a once not so bad MMOG (Vanilla + BC) by throwing in another dumbed down former great game (Diablo 3), wow Blizzard I nerver thought you would go down this quick.
We need a MMORPG Cataclysm asap, finish the dark age of MMORPGS now!
"Everything you're bitching about is wrong. People don't have the time to invest in corpse runs, impossible zones, or long winded quests. Sometimes, they just want to pop on and play." "Then maybe MMORPGs aren't for you."
how exactly is it free if you have to pay for a years subscription to get it..some people just get duped by blizzards marketing. Diablo 3 costs less than a years sub to wow.
You seem to be assuming the player who takes this deal for some reason has no intention of playing the year of WoW, while obviously the opposite would be true. This deal is for players who anticipate playing WoW for the next year and also D3. Paying for a year of WoW by itself + paying for DE is rather significantly more expensive than this deal.
So then we must ask, what does Blizzard get out of this deal if players end up paying less for the same exact content. Well it's guaranteed money in their pockets up front, rather than the potentially shifty income from the common subscribe/unsubscribe every few months behavior many WoW players exhibit. They also hope to entice players who otherwise wouldn't consider the annual sub to actually go for it. Guaranteed money upfront is almost always preferred from a business point of view.
Blizzard has really become money grubbers havent they. They are also pretty clearly worried about how GW2 and TOR will impact their bottom line, try and snatch up a years worth of subs from people before its too late = lol
You are either trolling or intensly naive.
I bet you think Republicans sleep soundly in beds of money soaked with the sweat of the blue collar workers.
Buy a year of WoW sub and get D3 free, and then u have to sub to play D3 online aswell so they get you paying double subs nows thats bussiness
Q: What is a World of Warcraft Annual Pass?
A: The World of Warcraft Annual Pass is a twelve month World of Warcraft subscription which can be paid for in monthly installments.
Q: Who is eligible?
A: To participate, you must be 18 or older, have a valid credit card, and have registered a full version of World of Warcraft on or before 18.10.2011.
Q: When do I get Diablo III and the other exclusive benefits?
A:You'll be able to download and play Diablo III as soon as it's available and once you complete the one-year term, it's yours to keep, even if you cancel your subscription. Tyrael's Charger will be available with Patch 4.3, and beta access will go live with the beta launch.
If it included the MoP expansion then i'd probably have gone for it. Though it's nice I'd get D3 on day 1 (download) I would rather a physical box to hold in my hand if I am honest.
I quit WoW soon after Cat was released. I like this new direction they are taking WoW(world PVP back witha vengence!) so much so I signed up for the Annual. Can't wait. Going to play a Pandarian!!! Looks like so much fun!
It is as free as those 'free books and all sort of other c*ap" you get into mail every once in a while. "free" if you buy 180$ worth of something else.
This marketing technique is old, like really old. Guess some people will jump on bandwagon anyway.
If someone is actively playing WoW atm, then sure go with it. All other su... I mean clients just start thinking a bit before you enter your CC number
*lol* so they want upfront (12x) money in order to continue making a joke of a once not so bad MMOG (Vanilla + BC) by throwing in another dumbed down former great game (Diablo 3), wow Blizzard I nerver thought you would go down this quick.
Go down quick...? If 7 years and still millions of subs is going down quick i wanna know what slow is...
Learn to read for christs sake. Its not about your beloved WoW its about Blizzard as a whole maybe you don't know but Blizzard excisted long before they've made World of Warcraft, former known as Silicon Insinips.
We need a MMORPG Cataclysm asap, finish the dark age of MMORPGS now!
"Everything you're bitching about is wrong. People don't have the time to invest in corpse runs, impossible zones, or long winded quests. Sometimes, they just want to pop on and play." "Then maybe MMORPGs aren't for you."
*lol* so they want upfront (12x) money in order to continue making a joke of a once not so bad MMOG (Vanilla + BC) by throwing in another dumbed down former great game (Diablo 3), wow Blizzard I nerver thought you would go down this quick.
Go down quick...? If 7 years and still millions of subs is going down quick i wanna know what slow is...
Learn to read for christs sake. Its not about your beloved WoW its about Blizzard as a whole maybe you don't know but Blizzard excisted long before they've made World of Warcraft, former known as Silicon Insinips.
Ok... so about the falling fast thing? An i'm aware of their pressence prior to WoW... Silicon and synapse... made one of my favorite games of all time.. Rock n Roll Racing.
Falling fast = losing integrity and being driven by former players fast. Since Activision came in they've gone in a completely different rout and its only 2 years? since Activision has become part of them.
I know their game will be "top of MMOGs" but still doesn't change the fact that they aren't the same which is really really sad cause I too loved RRR, Warcraft and Diablo.
We need a MMORPG Cataclysm asap, finish the dark age of MMORPGS now!
"Everything you're bitching about is wrong. People don't have the time to invest in corpse runs, impossible zones, or long winded quests. Sometimes, they just want to pop on and play." "Then maybe MMORPGs aren't for you."
It is as free as those 'free books and all sort of other c*ap" you get into mail every once in a while. "free" if you buy 180$ worth of something else.
This marketing technique is old, like really old. Guess some people will jump on bandwagon anyway.
If someone is actively playing WoW atm, then sure go with it. All other su... I mean clients just start thinking a bit before you enter your CC number
I agree this marketting technique is a huge trap when they get people to purchase tons of other stuff that they would never have otherwise purchased just for the sake of getting the one thing they actually want for "free." However, if you actually happened to be in the market for all of that other stuff, then the cumulative package turns out to be a good deal. While that's rarely the case for many of the typical deals you're talking about, this very well may likely be the case for those who are fans of both WoW and Diablo, making it a decent deal.
If I was still playing WoW like I was a few years ago, I'd be all over this. Having not played WoW for about 9 months (and even then I only came back for a couple months of Cata following an 8 month haitus,) and with GW2 on the horizon, I can safely say that my WoW glory days are behind me, puting this deal out of the question for me. Even if I intended to possibly try out the new expansion, my interest would be way too shakey to even consider a year's financial commitment. So if people like me (and presumably you) get excited and, in a moment of weakness, decide to commit to the year, then Blizzard tricked them and earned some real life phat lewtz. But if you're a current dedicated Cata gamer and a big Diablo fan, and you anticipate subbing to WoW for the next full year anyway, then this deal is a pretty darn good money saver.
They offer their fan to pay ~180$ instead of ~265$ plus a guarrentee beta acces.
That's a good deal.
It's not a act of desesperation, neither because they lost maybe 1M subs. They give you one game free. Period.
Obviously, if you're only interested in D3, it's not something you would look into. But if it's the case, just shut up already. This offer is aimed at the WoW Player. Not the dumb that insult a really good offert.
And WoW is still the best, most popular and succesful game out there, haters gonna hate but that fact won't change soon.
Have they offered something like this before? Just wondering as it's obviously a good idea and a great deal for those who plan on playing both games. It just seems to me this is the first time Blizzard has made such a drastic pre-emptive move before a big year of MMO releases.
Actually, doesn't look like desperation really. Looks like great marketing.
Figuring in how many people are already waiting for Diablo 3, and what Blizzard is likely to charge for it at retail, someone still playing WoW and having fun is naturally going to want to beta the expansion (READ: expansion) so it's really a pretty good deal.
I'd say its both. Great marketing but also desperation.
its great marketing. I dont see desperation. They are expanding into more asian countries other then china which should help there player base. that and they usually get players back when they do expacs.
The new anual pass thing is just an incentive for players lie me who have played wow for yrs and never lapsed on there subs. I wasnt planning on leaving wow even with tor coming out i was planning on playing both and subbing to both.
This just gives me some incentive to stick it out with diablo 3 for free and beta acess for mists of pandara and the free in game mount. Works for me since iw as gonna stay subbed for alot of reasons anyways.
The diablo 3 edition you get is not collector's, as shown in the pic. Also, the annual pass, as according to their site, can be paid at regular price of 14.95 a month. Battle.net is not currently allowing active accounts to sign up to get the annual pass, you must either unsubscribe or set it up with a new/inactive account. Also, the mists expansion is basically guaranteed invite to the beta. Anyone who guarantees to pay for a year more of wow will get the opportunity to play an incomplete game release, riddled with bugs, that may or may not be playable, online, or capable of handling the number of players this beta test could accrue.
Reading posters on the battle.net page, you would think blizzard walked on water to deliver these savings on to the community. In truth, this is possibly an even bigger affront than patch 4.1 was to the wow community. Not only are they trying to lure people in to guarantee they get money for a year, they sell digital software, yielding no real profit loss in distribution, as well as completely destroying the point of a beta test: not to play the game early, but to fix and bring bugs and issues to light of the developers as well as provide feedback on systems that need tweaking.
This has me angrier than learning the next expansion is WoW: Kung-fu Panda.
This is just a deal, that you either take or don't, no one is forced to take this deal but those who do see themselves playing WoW for the next 12 month's then is quite a deal.
For me I do see myself playing WoW for the next 12 months, sure I'll take a month or two out but I wont take this deal as I want a boxed copy of D3, I don't want to get into beta and I could care less about an ingame mount. But other's will love all this.
Sure Blizzard are doing this cus they punched the numbers and financialy it looks good, and no doubt they can talk about subscription numbers again. But it's business, there's no con here, there no cloak and dagger going on.
Comments
They mean you get guaranteed access to the expansion beta.
I think the deal ain't bad. If you plan to buy Diablo 3, you can use this offer now and basically play WoW for half the price or something.
And if you play WoW anyway, you can just sub a year in advance and get Diablo 3 for free.
Let's play Fallen Earth (blind, 300 episodes)
Let's play Guild Wars 2 (blind, 45 episodes)
That sounds like a good deal.
*lol* so they want upfront (12x) money in order to continue making a joke of a once not so bad MMOG (Vanilla + BC) by throwing in another dumbed down former great game (Diablo 3), wow Blizzard I nerver thought you would go down this quick.
We need a MMORPG Cataclysm asap, finish the dark age of MMORPGS now!
"Everything you're bitching about is wrong. People don't have the time to invest in corpse runs, impossible zones, or long winded quests. Sometimes, they just want to pop on and play."
"Then maybe MMORPGs aren't for you."
You seem to be assuming the player who takes this deal for some reason has no intention of playing the year of WoW, while obviously the opposite would be true. This deal is for players who anticipate playing WoW for the next year and also D3. Paying for a year of WoW by itself + paying for DE is rather significantly more expensive than this deal.
So then we must ask, what does Blizzard get out of this deal if players end up paying less for the same exact content. Well it's guaranteed money in their pockets up front, rather than the potentially shifty income from the common subscribe/unsubscribe every few months behavior many WoW players exhibit. They also hope to entice players who otherwise wouldn't consider the annual sub to actually go for it. Guaranteed money upfront is almost always preferred from a business point of view.
You are either trolling or intensly naive.
I bet you think Republicans sleep soundly in beds of money soaked with the sweat of the blue collar workers.
Only thing that = lol is your post.
There's probably going to be some catch to this.
For example, you only get to keep playing your "free" copy of Diablo 3 so long as you have an active WoW subscription.
Q: What is a World of Warcraft Annual Pass?
A: The World of Warcraft Annual Pass is a twelve month World of Warcraft subscription which can be paid for in monthly installments.
Q: Who is eligible?
A: To participate, you must be 18 or older, have a valid credit card, and have registered a full version of World of Warcraft on or before 18.10.2011.
Q: When do I get Diablo III and the other exclusive benefits?
A: You'll be able to download and play Diablo III as soon as it's available and once you complete the one-year term, it's yours to keep, even if you cancel your subscription. Tyrael's Charger will be available with Patch 4.3, and beta access will go live with the beta launch.
Fail much?
caveat emptor
TRUST THE COMPUTER! THE COMPUTER IS YOUR FRIEND!
Stay Alert! Trust No One! Keep Your Laser Handy!
Yellow Clearance Black Box Blues!
If it included the MoP expansion then i'd probably have gone for it. Though it's nice I'd get D3 on day 1 (download) I would rather a physical box to hold in my hand if I am honest.
I quit WoW soon after Cat was released. I like this new direction they are taking WoW(world PVP back witha vengence!) so much so I signed up for the Annual. Can't wait. Going to play a Pandarian!!! Looks like so much fun!
It is as free as those 'free books and all sort of other c*ap" you get into mail every once in a while. "free" if you buy 180$ worth of something else.
This marketing technique is old, like really old. Guess some people will jump on bandwagon anyway.
If someone is actively playing WoW atm, then sure go with it. All other su... I mean clients just start thinking a bit before you enter your CC number
Learn to read for christs sake. Its not about your beloved WoW its about Blizzard as a whole maybe you don't know but Blizzard excisted long before they've made World of Warcraft, former known as Silicon Insinips.
We need a MMORPG Cataclysm asap, finish the dark age of MMORPGS now!
"Everything you're bitching about is wrong. People don't have the time to invest in corpse runs, impossible zones, or long winded quests. Sometimes, they just want to pop on and play."
"Then maybe MMORPGs aren't for you."
Falling fast = losing integrity and being driven by former players fast. Since Activision came in they've gone in a completely different rout and its only 2 years? since Activision has become part of them.
I know their game will be "top of MMOGs" but still doesn't change the fact that they aren't the same which is really really sad cause I too loved RRR, Warcraft and Diablo.
We need a MMORPG Cataclysm asap, finish the dark age of MMORPGS now!
"Everything you're bitching about is wrong. People don't have the time to invest in corpse runs, impossible zones, or long winded quests. Sometimes, they just want to pop on and play."
"Then maybe MMORPGs aren't for you."
Well played Blizzard. Definitely well played.
I agree this marketting technique is a huge trap when they get people to purchase tons of other stuff that they would never have otherwise purchased just for the sake of getting the one thing they actually want for "free." However, if you actually happened to be in the market for all of that other stuff, then the cumulative package turns out to be a good deal. While that's rarely the case for many of the typical deals you're talking about, this very well may likely be the case for those who are fans of both WoW and Diablo, making it a decent deal.
If I was still playing WoW like I was a few years ago, I'd be all over this. Having not played WoW for about 9 months (and even then I only came back for a couple months of Cata following an 8 month haitus,) and with GW2 on the horizon, I can safely say that my WoW glory days are behind me, puting this deal out of the question for me. Even if I intended to possibly try out the new expansion, my interest would be way too shakey to even consider a year's financial commitment. So if people like me (and presumably you) get excited and, in a moment of weakness, decide to commit to the year, then Blizzard tricked them and earned some real life phat lewtz. But if you're a current dedicated Cata gamer and a big Diablo fan, and you anticipate subbing to WoW for the next full year anyway, then this deal is a pretty darn good money saver.
So many dumb people in this thread, it's funny.
They offer their fan to pay ~180$ instead of ~265$ plus a guarrentee beta acces.
That's a good deal.
It's not a act of desesperation, neither because they lost maybe 1M subs. They give you one game free. Period.
Obviously, if you're only interested in D3, it's not something you would look into. But if it's the case, just shut up already. This offer is aimed at the WoW Player. Not the dumb that insult a really good offert.
And WoW is still the best, most popular and succesful game out there, haters gonna hate but that fact won't change soon.
lol 2 sub par games for the price of $12.99x12= $155.00. No Thanks.
Have they offered something like this before? Just wondering as it's obviously a good idea and a great deal for those who plan on playing both games. It just seems to me this is the first time Blizzard has made such a drastic pre-emptive move before a big year of MMO releases.
I'd say its both. Great marketing but also desperation.
its great marketing. I dont see desperation. They are expanding into more asian countries other then china which should help there player base. that and they usually get players back when they do expacs.
The new anual pass thing is just an incentive for players lie me who have played wow for yrs and never lapsed on there subs. I wasnt planning on leaving wow even with tor coming out i was planning on playing both and subbing to both.
This just gives me some incentive to stick it out with diablo 3 for free and beta acess for mists of pandara and the free in game mount. Works for me since iw as gonna stay subbed for alot of reasons anyways.
Reading posters on the battle.net page, you would think blizzard walked on water to deliver these savings on to the community. In truth, this is possibly an even bigger affront than patch 4.1 was to the wow community. Not only are they trying to lure people in to guarantee they get money for a year, they sell digital software, yielding no real profit loss in distribution, as well as completely destroying the point of a beta test: not to play the game early, but to fix and bring bugs and issues to light of the developers as well as provide feedback on systems that need tweaking.
This has me angrier than learning the next expansion is WoW: Kung-fu Panda.
you will ne invited to beta, its beta, of course there's gona be bugs etc, not free pre game play.
release in buggy state? this is blizz we talking about here, stop making all the un-founded hate thread here.
RIP Orc Choppa
This is disgusting, sorry.
So much crying.
This is just a deal, that you either take or don't, no one is forced to take this deal but those who do see themselves playing WoW for the next 12 month's then is quite a deal.
For me I do see myself playing WoW for the next 12 months, sure I'll take a month or two out but I wont take this deal as I want a boxed copy of D3, I don't want to get into beta and I could care less about an ingame mount. But other's will love all this.
Sure Blizzard are doing this cus they punched the numbers and financialy it looks good, and no doubt they can talk about subscription numbers again. But it's business, there's no con here, there no cloak and dagger going on.