In what’s yet another controversial move in a mounting laundry basket that’s already full of them, Blizzard has recently unveiled its pricing model for its upcoming World of Warcraft expansion, The War Within. This expansion, which marks the first chapter in the first saga of the trilogy, Worldsoul Saga, is scheduled to come out before 2024 ends, according to Blizzard. However, those eager to dive into Azeroth’s latest adventures early will have to pay a premium – $90 for a mere three days of early access.
This contentious strategy was announced at BlizzCon 2023, where Blizzard also revealed the two subsequent expansions in the Worldsoul Saga: Midnight and The Last Titan. Collectively, these expansions are poised to lay the groundwork for the future of World of Warcraft, building upon a rich two-decade-long legacy. This incoming expansion, which was met with applause, promises to bring players back to Northrend to confront formidable adversaries like the Void. Despite the excitement surrounding the storyline’s direction, the overshadowing issue has been the price point for early access to The War Within.
For players willing to forgo early access, Blizzard has offered a $50 base edition. A step up is the $70 heroic edition that includes a bonus mount, a transmog set, and other in-game items. But it’s the $90 epic edition, bundled with three-day early access alongside a host of digital goodies like beta access, 30 days of game time, a pet, a toy, a Hearthstone effect, and more, that has become the epicenter of controversy.
Naturally, the internet, specifically, MMO players, are up in arms. The words “disgusting”, “highway robbery”, as well as “beyond scummy” have been thrown around. Players worry that this sets a precedent for companies who want to take even more advantage of players who are afraid to miss out.
FOMO, the “Fear of Missing Out”, is a real thing; it’s something many industries take advantage of, but what Blizzard is planning is beyond predatory. The launch of a new expansion is a monumental event in the game’s lifecycle, especially for those who take World of Warcraft more seriously compared to others. This means that being left behind even by a few days can diminish the collective excitement and sense of discovery that accompany such releases.
The players involved in competitive raiding and high-level content sees the three-day head start as something that can significantly impact their preparedness and standing in the game. It’s not uncommon for players to take time off work and reorganize their personal schedules to optimize their characters for raiding and other endgame content. Because of this, the choice between the standard and epic editions becomes less about preference and more about necessity for many.
Furthermore, the $90 price tag for early access is stirring discussions about the dwindling value proposition offered by Blizzard. While early access has become a more frequent practice – Starfield, for example, flirted with controversy for having a week-long early access period – its application to a subscription-based MMO like World of Warcraft raises a unique challenge. Players already investing monthly subscriptions are now faced with an additional premium to experience content simultaneously with their peers.
With many players treating their involvement in MMOs akin to a second job, the commitment to keeping pace with the constant content releases and maintaining a competitive edge often blurs the lines between leisure and obligation. This phenomenon isn’t exclusive to World of Warcraft; it’s indicative of a broader trend in gaming culture where commitment and consumption can sometimes overshadow enjoyment.
As Blizzard navigates the backlash, the core issue remains unresolved. The pricing strategy not only sets a precedent for future expansions but also reflects on the broader monetization trends within the industry. Its players are making their discontent felt and heard, loud and clear. It remains unclear if Blizzard will heed the call or if the allure of Azeroth will compel enough players to fork out $90 to play The War Within three days ahead of everyone else.
