It's a list of some of my favorite posts, and I'll be adding more to it later when I get a chance.
By the way, that "World of Warcraft's Alternative Revenue Streams" post was eerily prophetic. :)
During August 2010, here's what TOD considered for future services:
Here are some other revenue streams that will probable still happen:
- Checking in-game mailboxes. Inventory, bank, character, and talent management through mobile.
- In-game chat with Guild, General Chat, Trade Chat, etc through mobile/remote.
- Integration with Battle.net to allow chat between accounts (e.g. SC2 and WoW players).
- Further integration with Facebook, linking the virtual world with your profile page.
- Depending on the success or failure of Cataclysm, we might see more non-vanity and game-effecting virtual items being sold. Elite hunter pets for sale? Change all vanity pets so that they can engage in special combat with each other (they level and grow) to sell even more vanity pets. This would be very easy to do.
- Guild Paid services for entire Guild Transfers or group/individual rates for multiple character transfers, realms transfers, renaming, and faction changes.
I really like the idea of vanity aesthetics instead of the usual mount and pet only. Actually, I think Diablo 3 did something like this for the Collector's Edition.. Tyrael wings wasn't it?
- Reduced price structure of existing Paid Account services to attract more players.
- More "community" integration between Battle.net's games and then once you're hooked: paid premium services.
- More virtual pets, mounts, and special character customizations only available for sale (special hair cuts, glowing eyes, imposing skull faces, exclusive dances, flaming horns, jewellery, fashion wear, etc.) I think there would be many people who would pay $5-10 for bright glowing eyes.
And, here's one idea he had that would be perfect if Blizzard were to introduce it after the "Pokemon" Pet Battle system is implemented:
Blizzard take note!
- Special virtual pets sold with very limited quantities so that people rush for
the one-time-only "elite pet" or charity pets for those with a soft heart.
This would be a great marketing item. A vanity (Pokemon battle) pet that's available in limited quantities and never to be sold again. Or, only available for a limited time.. that way, it encourages players to re-subscribe just to get the pet. :)