Game Time Changes

[arkanon]

"As of today, the Game Time options of 30, 90, and 180 days have been removed and Game Time is only available as a purchase of 60 Days."

Can anyone provide a logical reason for this change? Because on the surface, it doesn't look great.

[Azerate]

Game time is the only avenue for shady reselling that functions in WoW. They probably want to limit that. Reselling sites such as g2a are full of some russian game card times that you can buy for half the price you normally pay for the sub.

It seems it also allowed people to use the discount on the 6month option by buying it with in-game gold, which might also be a part of it.

[arkanon]

Game time is the only avenue for shady reselling that functions in WoW. They probably want to limit that. Reselling sites such as g2a are full of some russian game card times that you can buy for half the price you normally pay for the sub.

It seems it also allowed people to use the discount on the 6month option by buying it with in-game gold, which might also be a part of it.

This sounds pretty likely, that makes sense.

[Lochton]

"As of today, the Game Time options of 30, 90, and 180 days have been removed and Game Time is only available as a purchase of 60 Days."

Can anyone provide a logical reason for this change? Because on the surface, it doesn't look great.

Game time cards could easily be used for botting accounts to avoid getting your credit card blocked from Blizzard, as well as other shady usages.

Then again, someone playing the game would save money being subscribed.

[huth]

This sounds pretty likely, that makes sense.

More likely the least important reason. The other stuff would cost them far more money.

[arkanon]

More likely the least important reason. The other stuff would cost them far more money.

You might be right - this wasnt some hate thread, I was genuinely confused - things are a little different in my part of the world, and I dont involve myself with any of the shenanigans that go on with this sorta stuff, so I was genuinely confused what they were doing. Starting to understand it a bit more now though.

[Progenitor Aquarius]

"As of today, the Game Time options of 30, 90, and 180 days have been removed and Game Time is only available as a purchase of 60 Days."

Can anyone provide a logical reason for this change? Because on the surface, it doesn't look great.

Wait what!? Game time 30 days is removed?!

[arkanon]

Wait what!? Game time 30 days is removed?!

Game time, yes, but not subscriptions

[DarkAmbient]

Can anyone provide a logical reason for this change?

The Activision/Blizzard bean counters have determined that it will earn them more money. That's literally the only reason.

[D3athsting]

The Activision/Blizzard bean counters have determined that it will earn them more money. That's literally the only reason.

Yeah need moar money for Bobby's 200M fat prize

[Clozer]

It's to force people to subscribe rather than to buy game time directly. Because people are more likely to keep running a subscription than to buy new game time. Smart Bobby at work again.

[DarkAmbient]

Yeah need moar money for Bobby's 200M fat prize

Yacht maintenance costs are no joke man, have some sympathy.

[AkundaMrdal]

You still can cancel your sub right after paying it, but it just adds another annoying step. Scums at Blizzard wants to scam people who forget to cancel sub and would otherwise stop playing after 1 month on bought game time. Easy extra money.
/spit

[artline]

Why care about the moment, people losing jobs etc. Lets cut promotions and stuff cuz ur corporates need bigger bonus.
Really a decision to show how connected with reality they are.

[arkanon]

You still can cancel your sub right after paying it, but it just adds another annoying step. Scums at Blizzard wants to scam people who forget to cancel sub and would otherwise stop playing after 1 month on bought game time. Easy extra money.
/spit

This isnt anything to do with subs, just to be clear.

[Trollokdamus]

It seems it also allowed people to use the discount on the 6month option by buying it with in-game gold, which might also be a part of it.

This doesn't make sense though. Those who were buying six months in bulk because it was cheaper will now be buying one month at a time. People will no longer feel compelled to play for extended periods of time they paid for, so they will take a break whenever they want and as often as they want. This will result in them buying less game time on average which is counterproductive to Blizzard.

[SirReal]

Game time, yes, but not subscriptions

Thanks for this. I was reading them the same way the whole time. So are we assuming sub pricing stays the same?

[arkanon]

Thanks for this. I was reading them the same way the whole time. So are we assuming sub pricing stays the same?

Yeah, I think I made it clear to begin with it was a bit confusing for the average Jo, I think they should look at being a little clearer about it. Obviously the "everyone is stupid but me, I understood it all perfectly and if you don't, that's on you" crew hate this kind of talk, but honestly it was not well articulated at all.

[Kokolums]

Its a bad look that invites criticism.

[arkanon]

Its a bad look that invites criticism.

My issue is that it wasn't well articulated what the change actually is, and what the intention of the change is. I mean they are pretty up front when they make changes to impact scammers / bots, why not do the same here?

"to combat the individuals who are doing ABC with these cards, we are making XYZ changes to try and address these concerns."

I also think it would have been a good idea to focus much more on the fact this is NOTHING to do with the standard subscription based payments. I realise they say that, but I know it has caused a lot of confusion.