World of Warcraft™

Ever since the Activison/Blizzard merger back in 2008 I have just had this terrible perseption that has recently come up in me that Activision has way to much of a hand in the way Blizzard's "profit" work's.

I've been a Blizzard fan boy since day 1 and probably always will be. I listen to a lot of podcasts, blizz related shows, etc. and I can't help but think that these other companies will be the downfall of my love for them. Yeah sure, blizz has always been an affiliate of Vivendi but they weren't persuaded in the way business was done. With this rush to get content out, keeping a $25 server transfer rate and other "store" bought items when it's obviously automatic now and maybe even keeping some thing's that cost money that probably shouldn't be in the game.

Maybe I just miss the old Blizzard when it was more of a focus on the game rather than the money. I'm not saying Blizzard doesnt care about the game's anymore, I just think their focus is more on profits due to Activision's vision (that sounds weird.)

Just wish Blizz was just Blizz. Maybe their focus would be different. Money breeds power and I think it's starting to get the best of them.

all i hear is QQ

01/27/2012 04:44 PMPosted by Pikaty

all i hear is QQ

That was quick.. alright just wanted to see if people felt the same way but I guess not. Bury the post. Ill go somewhere else.

01/27/2012 04:44 PMPosted by Pikaty

all i hear is QQ

Hes not complaining about anything.....in what way is that QQ at all?

Activision isn't the issue, WoW is. If Blizzard didn't have Activision to back them they'd be a lot more worried with the fact that WoW is losing so many subscriptions.

I believe the sole reason behind the Activision-Blizzard merger was to avoid a takeover once WoW died.

01/27/2012 04:52 PMPosted by Thek

If Blizzard didn't have Activision to back them

What do you mean by "back them?" Activision was actually losing profits because all they had was CoD producing revenue. Blizzard has a steady stream of profit from sub fee's and box price's and store items. The money issue isn't on blizzard's side.

01/27/2012 04:52 PMPosted by Thek

Activision isn't the issue, WoW is.

How do you figure? Yes, the game is 7 year's old now and is starting to show its age... but it still has ~10 MILLION subs. IDC if they have lost 2mil that is to be expected expecially for topping out at 12 million with no other game even coming close to that. People that went to rift, or most recently SWTOR, eventually come back and yes people are already coming back to wow from SWTOR. Why? Because no matter how you look at it, the game is a massive success because of to many things I really dont want to type out right now. The people that quit the game are the proof of the "ADD generation" which constantly need's new things to do. What other game on the market, not including MMO's will give you the amount of entertainment that WoW gives?

01/27/2012 04:58 PMPosted by Forman

If Blizzard didn't have Activision to back them

What do you mean by "back them?" Activision was actually losing profits because all they had was CoD producing revenue. Blizzard has a steady stream of profit from sub fee's and box price's and store items. The money issue isn't on blizzard's side.

Activision isn't the issue, WoW is.

How do you figure? Yes, the game is 7 year's old now and is starting to show its age... but it still has ~10 MILLION subs. IDC if they have lost 2mil that is to be expected expecially for topping out at 12 million with no other game even coming close to that. People that went to rift, or most recently SWTOR, eventually come back and yes people are already coming back to wow from SWTOR. Why? Because no matter how you look at it, the game is a massive success because of to many things I really dont want to type out right now. The people that quit the game are the proof of the "ADD generation" which constantly need's new things to do. What other game on the market, not including MMO's will give you the amount of entertainment that WoW gives?

I'm not talking about now. WoW is still doing well, but for how long?

I have yet to read or hear any convincing argument that the merger had a negative impact on Blizzard.

After the merge, Activision gradually put cheese into the game. They know that ppl love fast food.

01/27/2012 05:03 PMPosted by Fanahlia

I have yet to read or hear any convincing argument that the merger had a negative impact on Blizzard.

You probably will eventually but officially, neither have I. This is a perception that a lot of people that I talk to or listen to and myself. Maybe I just have a little problem when other companies just merging with companies I love. Maybe it's just me but it feels like Blizzard has turned more towards a money focus, maybe not a big one but it's definetly there. EA/Bioware is a good example of this.. I feel so bad for Bioware right now.

01/27/2012 05:09 PMPosted by Tranhuntard

After the merge, Activision gradually put cheese into the game. They know that ppl love fast food.

LOL, this.. Thank you for finally solving my issue with this.. THAT'S what it is!

You probably will eventually but officially, neither have I. This is a perseption that a lot of people that I talk to or listen to and myself. Maybe I just have a little problem when other companies just merging with companies I love. Maybe it's just me but it feels like Blizzard has turned more towards a money focus, maybe not a big one but it's definetly there. EA/Bioware is a good example of this.. I feel so bad for Bioware right now.

I haven't seen any evidence that Blizzard is more money focused now than they were on day one.

Maybe that stigma comes from people failing to understand how companies work. They have to make money. They must make money or they simply do not exist, and neither do their products. I know it's hard for some people to wrap their head around that concept, but it can't be any other way.

01/27/2012 05:09 PMPosted by Tranhuntard

After the merge, Activision gradually put cheese into the game. They know that ppl love fast food.

Mmmm. Cheez.

I would like to interject some facts into this thread...
1) Activision does not own Blizzard.
2) Activision has no input to how Blizzard develops games.
3) Blizzard is currently owned by the same company it has been since '98.
4) Activision is Blizzard's sister company.

I haven't seen any evidence that Blizzard is more money focused now than they were on day one.

Maybe that stigma comes from people failing to understand how companies work. They have to make money. They must make money or they simply do not exist, and neither do their products. I know it's hard for some people to wrap their head around that concept, but it can't be any other way.

Yeah, ill agree with you there. They do have to make money. I just hope they don't go overboard when it comes to the future.

There are a few things they have added into wow and even other games that are going to give them better profit. Which is fine, but some things they could probably do without. $15/month for every sub should be able to cover more than it seems to. I know servers are VERY expensive but their profit margin per sub is probably very high, hence great profit revenue every year.

As has been stated MANY times in the past. Activision does not own Blizzard. The only thing that has changed, is that the owners of Blizzard now own Activision as well.

I would like to interject some facts into this thread...
1) Activision does not own Blizzard.
2) Activision has no input to how Blizzard develops games.
3) Blizzard is currently owned by the same company it has been since '98.
4) Avtivision is Blizzard's sister company.

Very good points. Thank you.

As has been stated MANY times in the past. Activision does not own Blizzard. The only thing that has changed, is that the owners of Blizzard now own Activision as well.

This is true, not going to argue with that. But the feeling lately is that they have a little more influence to how Blizzard runs and seems to be more apparent now more than ever. I like the casual play style they are going with so that isn't what i'm complaining about. It's more along the line of rushed schedules and micro transactions. This is where it my issues are.

Now im starting to get too QQ but thank's to everyone that has given me their input, just wanted to see how the community felt.

01/27/2012 05:23 PMPosted by Forman

I like the casual play style they are going with so that isn't what i'm complaining about. It's more along the line of rushed schedules and micro transactions. This is where it my issues are.

Well as far as microtransactions, it is just where the industry is going. My feeling is that if they can keep the sub fee at $15/month for another 7 years by selling a few mounts and pets at the store...more power to them.

Activision isn't the issue, WoW is. If Blizzard didn't have Activision to back them they'd be a lot more worried with the fact that WoW is losing so many subscriptions.

I believe the sole reason behind the Activision-Blizzard merger was to avoid a takeover once WoW died.

yet with AT LEAST 9+ million....9 PLUS million. stop screaming "oh noes its the end run!" you look silly.

01/27/2012 05:13 PMPosted by Fanahlia

I haven't seen any evidence that Blizzard is more money focused now than they were on day one.

Well they used to allow Spawn-Install on all their original games, and imagining them doing so now is laughable. In fact, they about to introduce one of the most restrictive DRM systems around.