So there's been a lot of threads about micro-transactions and we're all tired with them so I'm creating another one. The main problem with the majority of the suggestions is how intrusive they are to gameplay, so in my mind a good suggestion is something visible enough that it holds value to the player, but not so intrusive that it affects gameplay.
So I'd like to suggest custom critters. For those that don't know what Critters are here's an infomercial explaining. + Show Spoiler +
So here's the basic outline of all custom critters. They spawn near your initial Townhall and move around slowly near your first three expansions, so they're visible but not distracting. The AI would have to be coded in a way that if buildings are built or landed it moves itself or dies if it's an enemy building. Critters can be killed like the current critters, they all have sounds that relate to the critter when clicked on.
They've got different ratings.
Basic: It's just a custom critter, nothing special.
Rare: A custom critter but with three different changes that pertain to each race, you can pick which race skin you want so you can have the Protoss skin even if you're playing Zerg.
Epic: A win based Critter, it has different levels of skin you can unlock based on how many wins you have whilst it's equipped. 10/25/50/100/250/500/1000 ect like the rare critter you can pick which skin you want from the ones you've unlocked.
Legendary: This one could be pretty much any idea, and any suggestions are welcome I've been thinking about something like an Epic critter but with an added particle effect or a once per game global voice effect (Sbenu SPLASH) Eitherway something that makes it even more special.
Anyway I thought I'd throw this idea out there and see what people think, I think this fits the criteria of a good micro transaction product.
edit - Quick breakdown of how I think the money should/would be spread, Blizzard will make their money from the sales of the actual game they don't require a large portion of the money but a small one just to supplement their team something like 20% the other 80% going to the makers of the Critter so you could have one for each team in Proleague, Proleague could have one for each season it could level up based on how many Proleague games you watch or predict correctly. There's so many different routes you can go with this.
On October 08 2015 23:03 Ovid wrote: So there's been a lot of threads about micro-transactions and we're all tired with them so I'm creating another one.
hahaha that's a great intro love it, and this infomercial is top tier -___-
Can it be that one of the custom maps had something like this? It might have been one of the observer maps (where two players play each other while the rest observes, and then switches out after each game). I think I remember something like that.
If that would go live and that critter blocks one of my buildings from starting just once, then I would find you and then I would give you an epic custom skin.
On October 08 2015 23:50 Big J wrote: If that would go live and that critter blocks one of my buildings from starting just once, then I would find you and then I would give you an epic custom skin.
That issue is listed in the start of the post, the critter AI would move out the way or die.
On October 09 2015 00:02 rotta wrote: Things I've learned from the Man Toss: always kill critters + Show Spoiler +
https://youtu.be/GXySWkf4dUc?t=9m38s
Just fixed the link to get to the critter bit.
On October 09 2015 00:30 TimeSpiral wrote: Good idea, Ovid! I like it.
LotV is not really a freemium model, so I'm not sure micro-transactions will play well, but if they are introduced, I think this is a no-brainer.
You could also skin your units and buildings in such a way that only you see it.
If they split the custom and ranked ladder, you could have in-game visible skins on both sides, cuz there is no ranking.
The problem with making skins that the opponent can't see is that the value is lessened. In my eyes the best micro-transaction products are portraits and huds/voiceovers.