How would a good deal look like for you then? I’m afraid even the best deal can look something like that you described if you look it the worst way possible.
You described the worst scenario, when greedy Blizzard uses poor, weak-minded Jito who can’t make good decisions. Let’s look at the deal from my perspective:
I enjoy raiding, and my guild usually finish the mythic progression at the end of the tier. I was constantly subscribed for WoW since the start of BFA. With these things in mind, I’d bet that I’l play in the next 6 months as well.
To summarise, this bundle saves me the price of 1 month sub and I get a gift as well. (most likely I woudn’t buy the standalone store mount, because I already have 400 mounts, so who cares about +1, but this way it’s a cool gift)
Also if you’re unable to spend your money carefully, shouldn’t you blame yourself instead of Blizzard? While there are predatory tactics for sure, I don’t think this is one. (for example, the BC deluxe edition would fit a lot better with your point, because if you’re just interested in the retail mount then you have to spend a lots of money on things you do not want but unfortunately for you we’re talking about this new store mount)
Also sorry for the bad english, I’m tired and can’t concentrate that much 
Just saw, speculation is it is a future store mount.
But the blue one is also technically a store mount 
Small indie dev gotta grab cash where it can I guess.
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Bringing out a yellow one I’d imagine now. Even just recolouring the store mounts.
Really feels like that they put more effort in that mount than in korthia zone 
Oh I won’t contest the fact that the bundle offer is a sweet deal for some people. It is.
I’m just saying that from a general consumer perspective this is not the kind of thing to cheer for.
There’s a reason why companies bundle things together. It’s because it’s good business to do so. It makes people spend more money on things they might not otherwise have spent money on, because they subscribe value to volume.
Ideally you should approach Blizzard when you need something from them, like:
“Hi Blizzard! I need a 1 month subscription. Give me a price!”
But instead Blizzard approaches you like this:
“We know you don’t really need a 6 months subscription, but if we give you a free mount, would you buy it then?”
The best deal is the deal closest to your actual consumption, because then you’re not paying for anything beyond what you need.
With Blizzard specifically I think the responsibility falls on them and them alone, because their video games are marketed to and played by kids and young people.
And it doesn’t matter whether it’s bundle offers in WoW or loot boxes in Overwatch. It definitely falls on Blizzard’s shoulders to conduct their business in a transparent manner and not exploit a weakness in spending of their customers. Again, customers of whom many are kids!
Blizzard are by no means the worst in the industry with regards to this, but they’re definitely not saints and their development over the years hasn’t been for the better.
So I think the criticism is fair. And if anything…late. Unfortunately.
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Phoenix Bundle is the name of the new 6 month sub, so amazingly, yes, I’d wager that mount number two is also a store mount.
It’s just impossible to defend their decision making currently, it is beyond lazy.
Not all streamers are miserable, ofc negativity sells much better but there are those who actually like the game.
WoW’s playerbase is a special breed, I swear. Guy is quitting the game and complains about not getting anything. He’ll stay playing for 4 more months a game he dislikes just because he paid for it… what even is this.
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If you think it’s worthless, don’t get one.
I like it and I appreciate the freebie for being a recurring subber.
But… it’s not really a freebie, and even then, it’ll be on the store within 6 months with a ‘buy it before it goes’.
Cash grab, that’s all.
Only plus, we can confirm that 9.2 won’t be out till 2022.
To you it isn’t a freebie, to me it’s a complete freebie.
I’m paying for a monthly recurring sub for the cheaper price. That is just supposed to cover my game time.
So now and then they throw in a free mount, toy, hideous transmog set. They are free. I don’t pay for them. I didn’t care when I got the hideous transmog set because it was a freebie, I certainly wouldn’t have paid money for it.
People also get the option to pay for them either in real money or convert gold to balance.
But it’s not ‘free’, you are paying for sub for a longer period of time, the mount is just the incentive chucked on top to give you the appearance of more value for money, it’s basic business 101. Give the impression of value and get them in for longer.
I am not paying for the mount. I know some people point blank can not accept that I am not paying for the mount, the mount is a freebie I get because I chose a cheaper subscription package.
I would still be on the same sub if they stopped doing these freebies tomorrow and only sold them in the shop because I sub for the game time. I sub at six months recurring because it’s cheaper.
Do you pay something. You do, ergo, you paid, free is making it earnable in the game and available to the wider playerbase but you aren’t the target that I concede, the target is the floating audience that maybe will sub for 1-2 months, play through the content and then leave.
It’s pure cash grab bait, yeah it’s cheaper on a month by month basis, but we’ve got you for 6 lots of that cheaper rate rather than 1 or 2. It’s pure marketing. Like sticking a buy one get one free on items that aren’t selling well so the consumer believes they’re getting a saving when in reality they’re being taken for a ride. Or a steam sale, or a prime day.
Basic business when you don’t truly have faith in the project you’re selling at the time but want the short term cash flow that’ll be provided.
You are arguing two different things.
It is no less free to me because I’m a regular subscriber. I have not paid for it, it’s a freebie.
Ofc Blizzard are trying to incentivize people to subscribe for the six monthly sub. Equally only a fool would part with his money on something he or she didn’t think they were going to be playing for that long. I tell everyone, if you’re not sure about the expansion/patch/long term interest in the game, just buy the mount if you really want it. Cheaper in the long run then unsub after a month or so until the next thing that takes your fancy brings you back.
As an already subscribing player who is already on the six monthly deal, who has played the game continously for years, it’s not costing me a bean to get a my free mount or hideous transmog. As someone who collects mounts it’s saved me quite a bit getting my freebies because they are all things I would have bought.
I’d say I’m arguing the same point, which is the perception of value.
I’m Blizzard, you are the regular subscriber, I am getting your cash regardless, so chucking a mount your way in an inadverted bonus to give a ‘freebie’ and go some way to giving you a bit more feeling of value for your cash, potentially helping to guarantee your subscription, not entirely free, just securing a future cash flow by making you feel value for your time.
Now, on the other hand, we have the target audience, but as a long time player you understand the importance of cosmetic, in this case, mounts. Making a hugely desirable product, a unique product, by far and above better than most of the newly released mounts, attached to a long term subscription fee is simply there to again, make a sense of value but also to tie down a player for a longer period of time.
If it was a true ‘freebie’ then it’s available to all, to be earned from the game that people already pay a box fee for, already pay a reoccuring subscription fee, not something that is attached as a side to having a player tied into a sunk cost for a longer period of time. It’s lazy.
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But they are wholly different. I am not being enticed in. I’m existing customer who for no extra money is getting a mount thrown in. Or a toy, or a hideous transmog set.
It is no less free just because you wish to twist it. I have not paid for a mount and in addition to getting a cheaper sub I’m also saving money on not having to buy a store mount. There is literally no down side to this arrangement for a regular player of World of Warcraft. If I start losing interest I will unsub. I will not stay subbed for a freebie but would probably just buy the mount upon my return.
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