Do you ever wish you could instantly regen by drinking a pot, just like you do in-game? A couple of WoW players and entrepreneurs have created a real life "potion" which has the effect of "+160 to mana" which is defined as "5 - 8 hours of smooth, jitter-free energy". This energy shot is called the Mana Energy Potion and is only available online, but will be available to adventurous gamers in the Los Angeles area soon.I haven't tried this stuff, but the spousal unit is anxious to order some with a fellow WoW player, so I did some reading. Here are some important details:
- Despite the large looking bottle depicted on the front page of the website (and to the right), the potion is only 40 ml which is less than 3 tablespoons.
- It is not regulated by the FDA because it is a supplement and not a drink, though the labeling is regulated.
- You have to be 12 years old or older to purchase.
- It is only available in the United States.
- It contains no sugar and is only 20 calories.
- It changes color.
- They cost $3.45 each, not including shipping and handling.
- It has a citrus flavor.
I have to say, there is a lot about this that worries me, even if I ignore my ripoff alarm. According to the About page, the potion changes color because the B12 oxidizes, but they promise that the potency of each potion remains the same. I would like to know how they ascertain the potency before and after oxidation.
And then there is the potency. They equate one Mana Energy Potion to 2 Red Bull energy drinks. That's a whole lot of caffeine. Do you really want to be consuming that much of a drug (and make no mistake, caffeine is a drug) without the FDA approving it?
Maybe I'm being overly squeamish. And maybe it's worth a few bucks just to have a mana/energy pot sitting on my desk. And maybe Blizzard won't mind the Tauren fan art on the buy page. And maybe it could become a collector's item if they do.
With 10 million potential customers, I can see why entrepreneurs are looking to tap into the WoW gamer market. What do you think of this idea? Have you tried a Mana Energy Potion? If not, are you tempted?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
1-31-2008 @ 1:09PM
bob said...
Good lord no. This is just another rip off 'energy shot' BS product. Drinking a bunch of caffine and B12 isn't going to give you hours of energy. It is going to make you jittery and give you a headache. That and the obvious targeted marketing/rip off factor. FTL.
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1-31-2008 @ 1:21PM
Axel323 said...
Might just be how you take caffeine.. I myself don't get a headache of any kind or feel jittery if I were to drink an energy drink or a soda with a large amount of caffeine. (Mountain Dew for example...)
Like as an example, I can't take Nyquil, it wakes me up and makes me feel jittery.. which is a complete opposite effect to what it should do..
1-31-2008 @ 2:32PM
Todd said...
Bawls is a much better energy drink, imo.
1-31-2008 @ 3:49PM
Lars said...
I have the same reaction, Axel.
Caffeine drinks don't do anything for me, except actually cure headaches. I can drink a 2-liter of Mountain Dew then go straight to sleep. But if I'm sick and take some Nyquil, I feel all antsy and can't sleep. It seems to especially affect my legs, it gives me an urge to keep moving my legs around.
1-31-2008 @ 1:11PM
Reise said...
Casually Hardcore on wcradio.com was sent some, and they tried it on air: "Our very first train wreck" archive, about 4 minutes in. We didn't hear too much about how long the energy lasted, but they didn't not like them. In later shows they said they still have the bottles and use them for other stuff...
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1-31-2008 @ 3:20PM
Beaverius said...
Iolite was bouncing off the walls!
1-31-2008 @ 1:14PM
MechChef said...
If anyone gets a proc in the checkout line and accidently winds up with a couple extra, let me know.
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1-31-2008 @ 3:39PM
Carl Q. said...
You dont get procs buying pots of the AH.
However, procs may be how they widen their margins... :)
1-31-2008 @ 1:19PM
ErsatzPotato said...
Take over the family finances and keep the spousal unit away from all funds.
They took the water and sugar out of an energy drink and put the remaining three drops in a WoW-ish wrapper. If you want to pay five bucks for a plastic fake potion bottle, go for it. Put it beside your hearth soap.
Sad thing is, they'll probably make a fortune.
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1-31-2008 @ 1:32PM
Adam said...
Lol I can see this having huge novelty item use... For instance my brother is a mage and just for S's and G's I could see myself sending him one with a nice little [Plain Letter] attached with simply one word written on it, "Newb." The possibilities are endless.
As far as actually consuming it? No thanks.
1-31-2008 @ 1:28PM
Khalent said...
I don't know...
Seems like basically a more expensive version of "5-hour energy" shots which, for me anyway, DO work. They're not slam packed with caffeine so it's not like taking one of those pills they sell at a gas station check-out counter, though. In fact, I never actually "feel" anything at all when I take them... I just suddenly realize 30-45 minutes after the fact that I'm not really tired anymore. That's it.
Sure, it could be placebo, but I'm arguably the most skeptical person I know, so I went into it with nothing but low expectations and was pleasantly surprised. They do pretty much what they claim to do.
Part of it is definitely dependant on the individual though. I know other people who they don't do a thing for, so it's all in how your body processes them and - to a larger extent, I'd imagine - the pre-existing levels of the ingredients already in your body before you drink one.
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1-31-2008 @ 4:12PM
Lars said...
I love how you're skeptical about your skepticism.
Certain energy drinks do work for me too, and I don't think it has anything to do with the caffeine.
1-31-2008 @ 1:34PM
kevan said...
I'm a huge fan of Rip-It energy drinks. Don't taste like butt and definitely give ya a little boost. Our troops use them overseas as well.
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1-31-2008 @ 1:44PM
William3954 said...
Wonder what the mana potion injectors will look like and will they stack?
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1-31-2008 @ 2:22PM
Medros said...
Yeah, I would get one for novelty, but not much more.
-Medros
http://www.allthingsazeroth.com/
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1-31-2008 @ 2:31PM
Todd said...
3 tablespoons? This is more like a Minor Mana Potion.
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1-31-2008 @ 2:49PM
p51baby said...
So if they ever come out with a healing potion, will you be able to drink both them both at the same time or will you have to wait 2 minutes for the cooldown to wear off? Let's just hope they don't come out with a Mighty Rage Potion as well since you'll be seeing a spike in road rage and work related assaults!
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1-31-2008 @ 2:54PM
Miyari said...
/yawn this seems so familiar...
http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/gaming/a-real-final-fantasy-potion-140427.php
Oh wait -they did it better. You've got to be kidding me - it's bad enough that everyone capable of marketing a beverage tries to capitalize on this whole "energy drink" craze; to see our own "kind" trying to rip us off from within our ranks. :(
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1-31-2008 @ 2:58PM
Ametrine said...
Hmm... 6.90 + 4.55 shipping/handling, for 2.
that's just under 5.75 each, all charges included.
HELL no. If I'm gonna drop that much on something that's not even three tablespoons of stuff, then it better have gold, cocaine, or aphrodisiacs in the ingredient list.
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2-02-2008 @ 10:31AM
Grindelwald said...
This comment is full of win, I agree 1000%.