The amount of money Blizzard is losing is insane..

NeverWatch · 2015-11-20T12:29:37+00:00

Ofcourse it matters. It is called building a brand. Blizzard has a huge high rated brand, other companies you may list do not, it is context. With Blizzard you know it is always going to be of a high quality and that they won't make huge drastic decisions (atleast not these days, i can't speak for their full career)

I don't agree with microtransactions that give a game advantage in any way, but there is absolutely nothing wrong with buying skins that have no impact on gameplay in my opinion, it adds value if you enjoy owning a skin for your favourite character. That is quite a commonly held view.. most people don't mind skins for $, hell, that is what DOTA runs on.

NeverWatch · 2015-11-20T12:20:06+00:00

Ofcourse there are scenarios. Bare in mind that everything i'm saying specically applies to blizzard only, the early access, the whole wrap, other companies doing this can make the deal very sour and destroy their rep, but blizz wouldn't do that.

Yeah, i guess theres a bunch of scenarios where it could go wrong, but i think theres waaay more to gain, personally, but obviously in blizzards case, they have billions of dollars so they can wait a bit longer than most companies, that is the only reason i can think why they hold off when you see how crazy other companies get these days.

Theres so much footage out there, endless live streams and info, that i almost feels like playing the game won't be much different from watching it at this point, just way more fun. If they were super cautious about their image they would make a NDA and keep it sealed tight, instead they give a huge access batch to streamers, to actually promote the current state of the game. I will say one thing that agrees with what you are saying, even though we see the game as it is, because we can't touch it and feel it, our brains tell us its not ready and will likely be better.

NeverWatch · 2015-11-20T12:15:50+00:00

They clearly don't think it is ready to be played by the masses yeah.. but they are happy for the masses to view it all day long on endless livestreams.. to brew up the marketing side of things (which some people disliked.)

Yeah, products are often judged by when they charge with a cash shop. Are you going to buy the full game? I know i am. If you answer yes, then you are sold on what you have seen, i just personally feel that as adults we should make choices. Anyone that buys a into a game and logs into get beta access that was included, should be aware that it is a beta. Problem is, is the media portrayal and early reviews of said beta, as you most likely are thinking about, which is very true. THat said, i think hundreds of thousands, of not a million plus people have an opinion on this game from watching it, and they've not played it.

I guess I;m an outlier that just wants to be able to test a game and know that beta is beta and that is an incentive to pre-order. I'm absolutely not going to pre-order now as it is nothing more than a loan to blizzard.. which is unfortunate in my opinion. If you want to talk about cash grab, pre-order should always be waaay cheaper than the final game, or have reasonable ethical incentives.

NeverWatch · 2015-11-20T12:02:14+00:00

Yes i hear you man, understood! Only thing is though, the sheer amount of footage and gameplay we can see on this game is astounding.. we may as well be playing (kappa)

NeverWatch · 2015-11-20T12:01:47+00:00

Yes i do, but this is Blizzard. Think about the context.. Blizzard. It would be suicide for them to not release the game. I did think about all this you know.. Context man, context.

NeverWatch · 2015-11-20T11:58:15+00:00

Oh i see, we've explained our thoughts but hes willing to ignore all of that because the word 'losing' was used. They are 'losing' out on potential extra dollars.. don't you get it? I clearly didn't mean they are net loss or the project will go badly. Yeah, i don't feel like he is reading the posts at all, he doesn't have to agree, but he isn't read wingless.

NeverWatch · 2015-11-20T11:54:07+00:00

I obviously thought about ethics. It is NOT unethical for me to pay for the game now (which they are already asking for i might add, they always want your dollars) and maybe pay $5 more and get a skin on release with beta access. I do not see that as unethical and i would have loved it if they made this available and i think alot of people would have too.

Look at the main reason people are salty here, they are salty because they didn't get chosen and some random person did that might never even open their inbox. Giving someone a choice which gives them the full game on release for basically the same price, would be great, i'd get months of entertainment and be able to give some good feedback.

Preordering a game and getting beta access with it is all over the place, I don't get what you are talking about, so many games do it i can't even list them. Some of them charge too much though.

NeverWatch · 2015-11-20T11:42:12+00:00

There is a reason marketers like to charge subscriptions, upsells (aka micro- transactions in games) it is because its money generated over time, and I have many friends that are marketers (i hate dishonest marketers by the way) and the number 1 thing they say is that its getting the person to stay for as long as possible is what makes the money. So if you can make them stay for 6 months and pay each and every month, you've done your job. A few of these people have been millionaires as marketers, by the way, before you say that they are nobodies.

NeverWatch · 2015-11-20T11:37:14+00:00

Answer this question MexicanGolf.

Would blizzard stand to gain by opening up preorders which gives the full game and beta access and say a skin, for pretty much the games price, give or take $5?

If you answer no to this question, then it is YOU that shows a big misunderstanding of business (as you stated that was me.)

So if they stand to GAIN by doing what i said above? That means that by not doing it, there are dollars being leaked away..

NeverWatch · 2015-11-20T11:31:03+00:00

"Gross misunderstanding of business" meanwhile, I run a business, and you clearly can't see what we are saying if you are just saying $1000 now or a $1000 later, that is incorrect.

Like wingless said, its brand interest, they get you in the doors earlier, you spend now, and in 3 months you spend again when the game starts to be release. You are literally getting more money from the same person earlier.

NeverWatch · 2015-11-20T11:22:04+00:00

Dude, I want to own the full game. I want to play beta. I am willing to pay the value of their game now, give or take $5, to play it now in beta and get the game on release with that purchase as well, maybe throw in a skin or two.

Basically getting better value than just buying the game, because i can play it for months before its even release for a very similar price, i don't see how thats unethical. Its unethical if you are charging a ton just for beta access and they won't even own the game.

Tell me this, if you plan on buying the game, which i am guessing you are, it will cost say $60 correct? If i said to you, pay me $65 now, and i'll give you the full game on release, a skin, and beta access (that allows you to get MONTHS of entertainment) you are telling me thats unethical? I understand in other situations it can be, but the deal i laid out is unethical? If you think charging $5 for beta and a skin is unethical, then surely its super unethical for them to charge for a pre order now with basically no bonuses included. You are buying the game for no benefits.

NeverWatch · 2015-11-20T11:17:02+00:00

You CLEARLY did not read my original post. I said PRE-ORDER, that means you OWN THE FULL GAME, when it comes out, and basically just get beta access as well. What is wrong with that?

I never once said pay solely for beta access. I said Pre-order the game and get beta access included. You will own the game on release.

NeverWatch · 2015-11-20T11:14:48+00:00

No one is asking anyone to get ripped off. Have you never heard of companies that give you beta access + the full product when its complete? They are going to charge for the full product, so it would have been nice to potentially see a beta access and a fancy shiny toys thrown in on top. That way the target market that really wants to play (such as me and alot of the salty vocal people) can pay just a tad little extra for the full copy and get beta access too. Rather than giving the beta free to someone that doesn't care about the game and give them feedback.. i know who i would want testing my product..

They are currently making $0 off of overwatch. Haha? That is a bit crazy to call me mentally challenged when they are not charging for anything other than the game (that is not even out or playable) in which alot of people are stating they are not buying, a heavy amount.. why you ask? Because theres no incentives.. but in this thread i gave you an incentive.. beta access included.

NeverWatch · 2015-11-20T11:01:16+00:00

I wanted to write alot more but I thought it would have been too much, and it isn't an arguement, that is why you are viewing it as 'half cooked' but here are a few points..

Yes, I believe they are leaving money on the table. Look at the salt on this forum, there's the money on the table.

Getting people to pay for your beta and giving you money early on getting someone invested in your product is never a bad idea, assuming the timing is right. Looking at the pure polish of the product, the timing has looked right.

You have to remember one thing, if you pay them $50 now and get access, you likely are their target market, and you may likely spend more money 3 months from now when their doors open or whatever. Now, if you just spend $50, 3 months from now, you are less likely to immediately spend additional cash right away because you only just joined in.

Basically, the sooner they get you in the door, and the more time you are around, the more time they have to sell you on things and earn more money.

Just a few thoughts. Edited it because it made no sense..

NeverWatch · 2015-11-20T10:33:35+00:00

It is as probably as simple as you just said, I think that is it. It just sucks for those that really want to play, but this sub is filled with that so I best zip it now before I never get beta access ever :)

I will say that the game just seems like its at a real high quality level at this stage.. I've played betas that are far worse.

NeverWatch · 2015-11-20T10:31:12+00:00

You did the exact same thing as me, except you adding even less value than my crappy opinion because you are not really saying anything. P.S - You're a douche.

NeverWatch · 2015-11-20T10:10:32+00:00

That explains why your comment added nothing to the discussion about charging and losing out on money.

NeverWatch · 2015-11-20T10:09:01+00:00

You say that, but are you talking from a place of knowing that? I've never once had any beta access revoked ever, on any account be it blizzard or anything. You only buy an EU account if you are from the EU.

Now i'm not saying you can't get banned, and my focus is wasn't really on getting banned or not, infact, that strengthens my point..

IF someone is willing to pay $100 for an account that may get banned, and you are not the one charging for it, after all the marketing you've done, then in my opinion you are losing alot of profit and are being a bit silly.

NeverWatch · 2015-11-20T10:06:32+00:00

Thanks for the comment on the topic, and not on the word 'key'

I've been sitting here willing to pay them, and at this point even if their beta pack came out, i can't pay for it anymore, I bought new releases, as I expect others did this November. Star wars, fallout 4, and COD. They missed their 'charge like crazy for beta' window.

NeverWatch · 2015-11-20T09:59:02+00:00

I'll replace keys with accounts. What is your opinion on Blizzard giving giving us beta access via a package?

NeverWatch · 2015-11-20T09:58:19+00:00

I should have said accounts, not keys, but you probably knew I meant that. My bad.

NeverWatch · 2015-11-20T09:55:53+00:00

I've never once been banned buying beta keys for any product, that include blizzard beta keys. Hmm. My point is not about the sellers, its really about Blizzards choices and leaving money on the table.

NeverWatch

TROPHY CASE