No plans for micro-trans in StarCraft II

By Robert Purchese Published 26 May, 2010

"Probably don't make sense," says Blizz.

Blizzard high warlord Frank Pearce has revealed that micro-transactions are not yet part of the StarCraft II plan.

"Not right now - no plans," he told GamesIndustry.biz. "But if you look at the micro-transactions for World of Warcraft as an example, as much as possible, we're not trying to do anything that impacts the gameplay experience, or affects the integrity of the game world at all.

"I think micro-transactions probably don't make sense for a game like StarCraft II. Unless we decide to do something much more extensive with player profiles, then maybe we'll evaluate it."

World of Warcraft offered players the option of buying a glowing Celestial Steed using real-life money. Predictably, the game's huger player-base gobbled the showy mount.

What Peace is most excited about seeing implemented in StarCraft II is a marketplace, he said - where fans can share their home-made maps.

Pearce went on to talk about the "hundreds" of single- and multiplayer achievements contained in StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty. Just like WOW, these awards entice players to attempt things they otherwise might not.

"There's one where you need to seek out a giant Zerg unit that you only see in the single-player, called the Brutilisk. It looks a little bit like a lobster and it's on the Volcano map," he said.

"There's an achievement for luring the Brutilisk out and getting it cooked by the lava - it's called 'Red Lobster' or something. There are a lot of ways to encourage players to try new types of gameplay using achievements systems - maybe that's an example of how we leverage things from other games."

StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty is due out on Mac and PC on 27th July.

Check out Eurogamer's piping hot hands-on impressions of StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty to find out more.

Picture of Robert.

About Robert Purchese

Bertie is Eurogamer's Senior Staff Writer. When he's not hunting down news stories he's often found playing with his kids or gabbling about fantasy games and strange online worlds.

Read more articles from Robert by visiting the Robert Purchese archive page.

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Comments (13) Latest comment 2 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • Ryboy #1 2 years ago

    "... then maybe we'll evaluate it."

    Maybe you should evaluate that you make more than enough fucking money as it is. You take your Auction House App and poke it up your arse.

    Money grabbing twats.

  • Eraysor #2 2 years ago

    Weren't they planning on charging for special maps at some point?

    Regardless, I'm fine with them selling things like the celestial horse; it's not like you're forced to buy it. It just makes the idiots/people with too much money on your server really obvious.

  • zoweewowee #3 2 years ago

    The achievements stuff sounds interesting and useful for once, probably more useful for new players who'll want to learn skills

  • levitate #4 2 years ago

    The Auction House application for WoW is more than just cosmetic though.

  • Optimaximal #5 2 years ago

    I suppose it's a good sign that Blizzard really are operating outside of Kotick's Constitution...

  • Rubarack #6 2 years ago

    "There's an achievement for luring the Brutilisk out and getting it cooked by the lava - it's called 'Red Lobster' or something. There are a lot of ways to encourage players to try new types of gameplay using achievements systems - maybe that's an example of how we leverage things from other games."

    This is the first time I've ever seen an achievement that enhances gameplay.

  • L0cky #7 2 years ago

    "Maybe you should evaluate that you make more than enough fucking money as it is."

    Unfortunately public companies are not allowed to do this.

  • Slipstream #8 2 years ago

    Key words here are "probably" and "Not right now..."

    If the games garners a large enough following they'll do it, of course they will, it's proven to be a successful business model for the company after all.

  • viper_h #9 2 years ago

    I love how everyone gets in such an uproar over paying for things like this.

    You have to remember, these companies are trying to make money, so they can be profitable and make more money. That's called business, and it's what keeps the companies going. You can never have "too much" money in business.

    Yes, it's a disgusting practice, morally, but it works, obviously! The people moaning about it are in the total minority because it is obviously working for the companies. Look at the MW2 DLC and this stupid horse thing as prime examples of why micro-transactions work.

    No amount of moaning about them on comments threads is going to make them stop.

    Bring on the neg rep.

  • ignatiusjreilly #10 2 years ago

    I love how people always come in the comments saying: "businesses aren't charities, they want to make money", like it is some kind of revelation. Everybody in this comments thread, and every other thread, is aware of this already, but it doesn't preclude criticism.

  • ziggy_played_guitar #11 2 years ago

    Perhaps because people in these forums are real people who actualy just might work for companies alike and need to buy real food.

  • ignatiusjreilly #12 2 years ago

    Do you mean those who criticise horse armour don't have to work for a living? Or were you making a different point, I'm not sure.

  • reinhart_menken #13 2 years ago

    Why the hell would micro-transaction be in a RTS game? Of course it doesn't make sense, who would even ask?