#0 - April 21, 2010, 12:09 p.m.
Let's throw out the facts though.
- This Mount does not provide ANY in-game enhancements / unfair advantages to those who purchase it.
This Mount does not impede your game play in any way.
This Mount is not compulsory.
This Mount is simply for aesthetics.
Now, let's see some other instances of where company's use aesthetics.
Red Bull
Everyone is familiar with Red Bull. It's the Taurine based energy drink manufactured by Red Bull GmbH.
Currently in the UK it's price-range goes from £1.30 - £1.49 (Based on the area where I live.)
There are currently various different energy drinks which have the same properties / caffeine mg/ml as Red Bull, but for a fraction of the price. However people still buy Red Bull, why?
People believe it tastes better, or is somehow "superior" to other energy drinks however if you read the contents, they're literally the same. So you're paying up to £1.00 more for the Red Bull label.
Fashion
There are many many different varieties of clothing around. Yet they - in one way or another - serve the same purpose as one another.
For example, you can compare 2 sets of Jeans. You could go for, say, Burton's jeans, and a pair of Henley jeans. Their price-difference is absurd;
You can pay £10-25 for a pair of no-label jeans, that are not "cheap" and serve their purpose well, or you can pay £50-150 for a pair of Henley jeans, that do the same as the Burton's jeans, but bear a different label.
Vehicles
If you can afford an expensive car, and you want an expensive car, then you can and will buy it.
If you can't, you buy a cheaper alternative.
Both serve the same purpose, again. To get you from A to B.
Tickets for Concerts / Football games.
If you pay more for your ticket, you will get better seats. What you're watching still remains the same for everybody, some just have a nicer view.
--
The Celestial Steed is available for EVERYONE. You may not be able to afford it, but it is still available for you, just like any other mount in-game.
The Swift Alliance Steed, Mimiron's Head, Ashes of Al'ar, they are all available to each and every one of you. You just have to put the time/effort in to be rewarded.
Blizzard is a company, like any other. They are interested in their product, their profits and how they can make more money. This is not wrong, bad or unprofessional, it's just business. If they see a way to make money with little to no effort (Not undermining your development teams here, Blizzard. I'm sure it wasn't easy-peasy.) then they will.
Should you cry out to the world that this is injustice at its very finest? No.
Are Blizzard forcing you to buy this mount? No.
People do, and will always continue to pay more for something that appeals to them. If they have the money to spend on the Celestial Steed, and they wish to do so - who then are you to vilify them for it?
If you can't afford to buy the Mount, then swallow your e-Rage and get on with your game.
I have the money to buy the Mount, but I haven't - because it just doesn't appeal to me. If they brought out a future Mount that DID appeal to me, I would probably buy it. However, does this then mean that because I didn't buy the Mount, when I see someone with it, I should send them a whisper calling them all manner of ill-begotten names?
No, they chose to buy the Mount, it's their business not mine. It doesn't disrupt my play style, it doesn't disrupt the service I pay for. In short - it does NOTHING to affect me in any way, shape or form.
Most of you are stating that this "Is the beginning", that Blizzard will undoubtedly release more through their Virtual Store, possibly resulting in players to be able to buy items/gear/whatever through it. Blizzard have already stated it is their intentions NOT to do so. But then again, who really knows?
Maybe they will, maybe they'll never release anything again.
TL;DR - If you have it, enjoy your purchase. If you don't, bite your tongue and play your own game.
