WotLK Beta Slot: How much would you pay?

[mavric240]

Warcraft testers pay big for access


Testers shelling out big bucks for beta

By Mike Smith


Would you have paid $1,000 to see Indy 4 a few months early?

Unless you're a real hardcore Harrison Ford fan, probably not. But that's the conundrum facing the 10 million players of smash online RPG World of Warcraft, some of whom are forking out hundreds of dollars for a several-month-long preview of the game's latest expansion.
Wrath of the Lich King, Warcraft's second expansion, is due to launch later this year, and in the last few weeks it began "beta testing," becoming accessible to a small group of specially-selected subscribers via an online key code system, to help the developers find bugs and game balance problems. And although this role is often filled with professional, paid game testers, Blizzard isn't short of volunteers who'll do it for free -- or even pay for the privilege.

Even though beta-test servers are typically wiped altogether just before the release of the completed game, fans are still eager for a sneak peak of Lich King's new continent, new playable class, and a host of other enhancements to what's become the most successful online game in history. Demand is so high that key codes for the beta test are currently selling for between $400 and $500 on Ebay and, according to Eurogamer, fetching the equivalent of about $1,000 in the UK.

Lich King is expected to be released before the end of the year. Once it's on the streets, it'll be accessible to anyone for a mere $40 purchase -- and all the characters, gold, and experience of the testers will have vanished.

[Devicus]

For a pro gamer and I mean "has sponsorship" pro, I could see it being important, the experience *doesn't* vanish, you know the raid bosses, etc etc. Having the strats and knowing the gear requirements is a huge head start.

However for most casual, semi casual and even hardcore gamers, the final product will vary from what the beta testers experience until right at the end. So I know I'm happy to sit and drool and speculate over changes, it's actually sort of fun to do. learning tactics which may be broken by Wrath of the Lich King seems pointless, but I guess knowing how the endgame content works *would* be an edge for serious players.

Guess the same applies to pvp.

[Pernicious]

$5.43 and not a penny more.

While it would be fun to mess around with things ahead of time, I do not feel the urge to take out a small loan to do so.

[Theleb]

I'm desperate to see Wrath of the Lich King and get some hands-on experience with DK's but I wouldn't pay $500 for it - my good looks and abrasive nature should be enough

[Paalders]

I wouldn't pay a penny... Sure i'd like to see all the new stuff, but i've better places to spend the money on Especially when all the stuff you did in the few months is gone. You have to do the exact same things again....

[Akasha]

As much as I want the Beta both for the ability to see all the new shiney stuff, and more for the ability to help the site with the latest news, I couldn't part with any real life money to do so. Ignoring the fact I have none lol, even if I did, there are so many better things I would use it towards. $400 or more towards the pergola, landscaping, the last of the curtains or even some clothes for the little one (STOP GROWING!) would last a lot longer than the beta time...

I wonder if the people who do buy the beta keys are either the 'live and breath WoW' crowd, or just have enough spare dollars lying around that it's not a noticeable dint. I wish I knew what that second one was like lol.

[neej]

I read about people who were hardcore and won/bought The Burning Crusade keys and after leveling to 70 on Beta didn't have any motivation to do it again and left WoW.
I optet-in but I'm scared to actually get a beta account...

[Utumaelen]

As was already stated, I could see it if you were a "sponsored" player. I could also see that happening if you were a writer for a gamer magazine /website where that $500 spent would actually yield some returns. Otherwise Im content to read about all the new goodies online thru here and other sites.

As a side note, thanks to all the people that are working hard to keep us up to date with the info.

[Evilums]

I remember when the Wii came out. Mom was working werid times like 5 to 3 and 6 to 4 thur the hoildays. There were grandparents with smaller kids, like 8 to 9 years old, lined up outside Kmart to try for the drawning for the 3 or 4 systems they got in that week. AND IT WAS COLD COLD COLD!! I think some people well do just about anything for something they think they want.

[mavric240]

As for me I'm in the same boat with Akasha in regards to cash, But even if my pockets were not empty I don't think I would pay that kinda price.