Around WoW there is currently a lot of criticism regarding a set in the cash shop. Cortyn from MeinMMO finds it hard to understand.
Barely a week after the launch of Patch 9.0 the joy over the new character customizations in World of Warcraft has faded. Instead, a new wave of anger is currently rolling through the official forums and the WoW subreddit. The point of contention is the new transmogrification set Grimmlingflitzerflügel, which has been available for purchase in the shop for a few days.
Extremely poor reviews: The video with the announcement has sparked significantly negative reactions. With only around 2,600 positive ratings and over 19,000 thumbs down, the opinion is clear. Even with the German version of the video, it is rather negative, with 200 positive responses and over 500 thumbs down (as of: 22.10., 12:30 PM).
I don’t want to blindly rush in and take “Blizzard’s side”, but I still think that some of the criticisms raised are quite silly or ill-considered.
Shadowlands delayed to make more money?
Time and again, one reads, often with a distinctly sarcastic undertone: “Oh, that’s why Shadowlands was delayed, so they can make a little more money” or “Shadowlands is not finished, but you have time for such a set?”
At first glance, that may seem like a valid criticism, but with a little thought, it falls apart. The developers responsible for the art and visual design are basically done with their work regarding Shadowlands. The game as such is complete. The beta has been extended to fine-tune the endgame content. So those designing sets have very little to do.
Let’s help Blizz fund Shadowlands. from r/wow
However, the second point is much more important: The set has been in the game for almost a year. The items were not just added with Patch 9.0. The Grimmlingflitzer set was already found in the game data in Patch 8.2.5 and Patch 8.3. So it is not something new that Blizzard has just “spontaneously inserted”. The set has existed as such.
What was the set intended for? There are also some indications that the set was never meant to be released in the shop. Although there is no concrete evidence, there are some good considerations. The most likely one is that Blizzard had planned the set as a bonus for the virtual ticket. Because originally, they were supposed to hold a BlizzCon 2020, which is canceled due to the ongoing Corona situation. Instead, there will be a BlizzConline in February.
At least traditionally, that would fit, as last year there was a cosmetic set that looked rather “silly”.
A second option could be that the set was intended for a questline that never made it into the game. Because in Patch 8.2.5, there was a – not fully implemented – questline about a murder mystery in the Druid Grove. That would at least fit visually, as the questline also involved Sparkles – a well-known faerie dragon.
However, it is also possible that the questline, along with the set, was intended for another promo event.
The fact that the set was actually planned for something other than the cash shop is also suggested by the style of the announcement video. Because it seems rather hurriedly put together at the last minute and does not match the quality that Blizzard usually presents for such items in the shop. A few dancing characters are indeed the minimal effort.
Of course, there is also the possibility that the set was meant for the shop from the very beginning. We simply do not know and will probably not find out so soon.
“Such silly things ruin the beautiful game!”
Another point that is often mentioned goes something like this: “This does not fit into World of Warcraft at all, this game is ruined by such things.” What is meant by this is that such rather “silly” armor pieces are a problem as they make the game world less appropriate and distract from the seriousness of the respective situation – such as the threat posed by Shadowlands.
Here too, I have to ask: Really? Have you ever looked around in World of Warcraft with open eyes? I have at least 50 different items in my toy collection that can transform me into some nonsense. From other characters, to huge murloc eggs, to a night elf guardian or a naked mermaid from the shell, everything is really included. If I want, I can even take on the appearance of my battle pets or walk through the game world as a giant tree.
Currently, the Hallow’s End event is also running, where everyone is running around as a zombie, banshee, or leper gnome anyway. Or is that just silliness that we have gotten used to? If yes: Then we will also survive the faerie dragon set.
Less complaining or drawing consequences
I personally find the set quite funny and will definitely wear it on some occasions – simply because it will surely contribute to the entertainment in Discord among friends.
What criticisms remain? In the end, there is of course also justified criticism. That such an elaborate set is only available through a subscription or the direct spending of money is unfortunate. This is especially true since it is the first set that has earlobes for elves and other races. They do not just clip through the hat but look really good on these races. Other sets in the game do not have that, and that is a shame.
This. THIS is what makes this feel so bad. from r/wow
The “longstanding” criticism remains in place. WoW is after all a game with purchase costs for each new expansion and a subscription model. Some find that this alone is reason enough not to have a cash shop in the game. Anyone who pays monthly for a game should be able to access all content.
At least I can understand this last point well. But it must also be said that the shop has been a fixed part of the game since Mists of Pandaria. Why one is still so upset about this, over 8 years later, as if this were something entirely new is baffling to me. Especially since the set is “free” anyway if you are a loyal WoW player with a perpetual subscription.
Perhaps it’s time to draw consequences and simply stop playing WoW. Because the practice of having an in-game shop is unlikely to change – neither in World of Warcraft nor in other MMORPGs.
In the end, everyone has to decide for themselves how they feel about such items in the shop or as a bonus for loyal subscribers. Yet all the hate the development team is currently receiving for this, I find simply silly.
What do you think?
