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Massively Speaking
Host: Michael, Shawn and More
Massively Speaking

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Massively Speaking Podcast Episode 36
Wed, 17 Dec 2008 15:00:00 EST [download/play]

Filed under: Culture, Massively meta, Massively Speaking

Massively Speaking Episode 35 continues our 'week in the news' return, tackling yet another busy week in MMO gaming. Dan O'Halloran (co-lead of WoW Insider and Massively staffer) joins Michael and Shawn for a heaping helping of news fallout. We're still dealing with last week's big announcements, with chat about SWTOR, Warhammer, the SOE microtransaction system, and tons more. Join us for all the discussion you can shake a stick at!

Have a comment for the podcasters? Shoot us an email to podcast AT massively DOT com. Maybe we'll read your letter on the air!

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Continue reading Massively Speaking Podcast Episode 36

Massively Speaking Podcast Episode 36 originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 17 Dec 2008 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Episode 36 Discussion Thread

'Show' by MrGutts

Submitted on 2008-12-21 00:13:28 CST
Great show guys..

Can't wait till we here more details on ToR...

'Micro-Transations.. Coronado Bridge Toll' by barb
Submitted on 2009-03-11 03:25:42 CST
I listened to your show #36 with great interest. I like all your shows but the announcement that TOR will follow a micro-transaction pay model was the focus of my attention. On the surface, small fee transactions would seem like a good idea and indeed they may turn out to be a good idea in the case of StarWars. Still, I have a nagging feeling about them that has caused me a load of pause... I'm not, for instance, mining right now in EVE as I would normally be doing... instead I'm concentrating on this. I had to search my memory for the root of this feeling... it wasn't something on the surface. A bridge kept coming to mind... then it struck me why.

San Diego Coronado Bridge was built in the late 60's; the DOT (Dept of Transportation) wanted to make it a toll bridge against the will of the people of San Diego. Their attempts to push it through failed until they came up with the brain scheme that they would make it a toll bridge temporarily to pay for the bridge... the citizens wouldn't have to pay a dime otherwise. It was projected that the bridge would be paid for in a mere 10 years of tolling and then the toll would be dropped. Citizens rejoiced - the measure passed.

Fast forward 10 years and beyond; the toll is still in place to this day; attempts to get them to stop have failed. They claim the tolls are still needed to maintain the bridge. The worst part is repeatedly DOT has gone back to the state and city for tax hikes (wheel taxes, property taxes, gas taxes) to pay for bridge and highway maintenance. These funds go in part to maintain the Coronado Bridge as well as others. Politician's counted on our short collective memory to facilitate their funding win-fall.

Sure micro-transactions seem like a good idea now... My fear is that eventually we'll all be paying subscription fees, buying upgrades, and still have to pay micro-transaction fees to get better stuff in our games. It may not start that way... but my feeling is that MMOs are just another Coronado Bridge with a soon to be enforced toll.

Barb