WoW paid character customization button discovered, Brack confirms
by Samuel Axon 
Oct 13th 2008 at 4:00PM
Filed under: World of Warcraft, Betas, Fantasy, Business models, Expansions, News items
When curious World of Warcraft players investigated currently-unused images hidden in a build of the Wrath of the Lich King expansion, they uncovered a button labeled "UI-PaidCharacterCustomization" which was associated with the character selection screen. Needless to say, that discovery raised some eyebrows. At Blizzcon, Lead Producer J. Allen Brack was asked to clarify.
According to WarCry's write-up for the event, Brack first dodged the question, but eventually decided it was necessary to address it. He confirmed that a paid character customization service is in WoW's future, but said that the developers haven't decided what it will entail or how much it will cost yet.
Perhaps players will pay to make changes not supported by the barbershop, or perhaps all-new premium customization options will be introduced. If it's the former, then WoW is not headed towards a more microtransaction based future, as that sort of option is similar to the already-existing service that allows players to pay for a name change. If unique premium options are being introduced though, that's a whole different ball game.
According to WarCry's write-up for the event, Brack first dodged the question, but eventually decided it was necessary to address it. He confirmed that a paid character customization service is in WoW's future, but said that the developers haven't decided what it will entail or how much it will cost yet.
Perhaps players will pay to make changes not supported by the barbershop, or perhaps all-new premium customization options will be introduced. If it's the former, then WoW is not headed towards a more microtransaction based future, as that sort of option is similar to the already-existing service that allows players to pay for a name change. If unique premium options are being introduced though, that's a whole different ball game.
[Via Rock, Paper Shotgun]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
GameZig said on 5:03PM 10-13-2008
Either way, it's an optional enhancement - I don't really see what the problem is unless they totally gimp us on the customization already available.
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Medrin said on 5:28PM 10-13-2008
Wow, after this, DLC in Diablo 3, and SC2 being 3 games, I'm glad I'm off the Blizzard boat, WoW's gonna become a microtransaction game that you have to pay $15 a month to play as well. It's a clear indicator of the direction Blizzard wants to go.
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Abriael said on 5:30PM 10-13-2008
I wonder when wow players will wake up and tire of being farmed by blizzard...
Leshrac said on 7:18PM 10-13-2008
WoW is becoming a transactional game? You base this on what? Some vague story on WarCry? Get your head out of your biased ass before your post a statement like that.
If, they do offer some additional character customization options they will be purely cosmetic - similar to the name changes, server transfers, etc. People have been asking for quite a while for an ability to change sexes, races and factions - when Blizzard doesn't respond they're "not listening", and when they do they're being "greedy". I'm glad you're off the Blizzard bandwagon, the last thing they need is another emo'd up nerd rager on their forums.
They're a public traded company with stock holders, did you not graduate high school and fail to understand that?
NeuroMan42 said on 5:49PM 10-13-2008
Greed.
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PeterD said on 6:40PM 10-13-2008
Because clearly Blizzard isn't making enough money off World of Warcraft players already.
And GameZig? WoW's character customization is already gimp.
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Mr Angry said on 6:52PM 10-13-2008
I'm happy they will look to offer more customizations in the future hopefully. While I might not pay for it with my character, it will be nice to see people who have chosen to distinguish their toons.
If they offer peg legs and eye patches cosmetically, I'll be there. Also beardier beards and better long hair.
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Abriael said on 7:36PM 10-13-2008
@Leshrac: and how is offering paid for cosmetic options different from having microtransactions? Asian F2P games have them since ages. The only difference is that Blizzard would have people pay for their monthly fee AND for the microtransactions.
Which is honestly laughable, just as the fanbois that would fall for that or defend such greedy choices.
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Coldbrand said on 9:28PM 10-13-2008
Choo choo! What's that sound Jimmy? Oh no, oh God no! It's the fucking players in the ass train! Run Jimmy! Run for your life!
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Wjowski said on 11:33PM 10-13-2008
Watching the the ever-unpleasable MMO audience gripe about nothing is always amusing.
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Abriael said on 11:57PM 10-13-2008
About nothing? LOL. God forbid players being unhappy at a software house trying to combine the subscription model with the cash shop model to try and milk them even more, uh?
Just what we need, Blizzard showing other developers another way to squeeze money out of us with content that should definately be part of the subscriptions we already pay, because their fanboys would eat up every kind of scam from them and defend them on top of it
Wjowski said on 12:00AM 10-14-2008
It's optional and it doesn't affect gameplay. You're griping about nothing.
mikejl said on 9:38AM 10-14-2008
Agree with most on "it's optional and only cosmetic". I just wish WoW had armor dyes. Can't wait to level up a death clown.
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