Diablo III's RMAH Is The Future of MMOs

I recognize the reasons, but hope this doesn't come true. RMAH makes me feel that not being willing to pay more hampers my game progression, and leaves a sour taste in my mouth.

Save your money and play Path of Exile.

I can understand why companies like Zynga have incentives to purchase in-game content; to progress and be competitive, you must pay out of pocket. The create an addictive game that nearly requires you to constantly shell out a few dollars at a time to get your fix. As someone who grew up with games like Civilization, Starcraft, and other RTS titles, I feel as if my effort towards becoming a better player pays off, versus paying off the developer to progress. It doesn't bother me that this happens in Farmville, it is a free game. Diablo III is not a free game, it will got upwards of 50 dollars to have the software, not including all fees associated with having competitive gear. What would happen in World of Warcraft if all it took to have your guilds gear be top notch was $19.99 per member? It completely changes and in my opinion, ruins the experience. It would sadden me to see premier titles change to this model, there will be no sense of accomplishment. Diablo III skybox.

I really don't see how this will hampy game progression, or ruin the game experience. Its not at all hard to just pay the 60 bucks for the game, and have a really good experience without another dime. Nobody is saying that you will not be able to get really, really good gear without the auction house. Play the game, kill the bosses a few times. That's the whole point of Diablo.

The only people this system will hamper are the people who feel they NEEEEEEEED to have the very very best stuff of anybody, because they have the driving need to try to be the best player ever. I guess there are a decent amount of people out there, but I never really understood that mentality. I'm never, -ever-, going to be the best at an MMO. Its an unattainable goal to all but 1 out of the millions and millions of players.

Look, I'm cheap. I know it. I -HATE- paying 15 bucks a month for a game that I already shelled out 50 or 60 bucks for. I bought the damn game, now I have to pay you just for the 'privilege' of playing it? This gives a cheapo like me a chance to enjoy the full game, and have fun with it. Not just play until level 20 and be forced to start over after only a quarter way through the game

The one thing I am curious about, however, is if because of this system they are going to somehow block player-to-player trades. In Diablo 2 they didn't have auction houses at all. You would find something really good, and you go to the main chat of battle.net. You tell the chat what you have, and people make an offer. Its not as efficient as an auction house, but it was free, and I got tons of good gear that way with minimal effort. Is there something prohibiting this in D3? If I decide to trade my Plate Mail of Uber Find Magic Items for 10 SOJ rings, is there a 'Blizzard Tax' on that as well, as no money is trading place? Thats what I am more concerned about.

Will they change the rules or pursue legal actions when someone within the rules theyve listed finds an exploit to make large amounts of real money? Someone always finds the loopholes, its just a matter of time.

Why do people think this is going to restrict game progression or stop you from being competitive? You're exactly the kind of market this is targeting because you feel like you HAVE to buy stuff to still enjoy the game. The items that will be available on the auction house are items that will be acquired in game originally, you have just as much of a chance to find these items in game as the person who is selling them.

It's not like they are locking areas to level up or blocking quests without you paying. The game could be enjoyed to it's fullest without shoveling $$ in the auction house. Unless you're the kind of power gamer that insists on having every maxed out epic item you can get before anybody else, in which case good for you, I'll enjoy my games and my money. Maybe you'll be giving your money to a casual player like myself for one of these power items.

Does any one know how much of a cut blizzard is going to be taking from the AH.Might be worth making a bunch of bots and just soloing dungeons, With as many nerds that play wow, spending money on stupid mounts. this actually might be a good thing, for Players to exploit other Players. I would be thrilled if i sold My plus 5 dagger of fire damage to some $12 yr old kid for $50 bucks........ second thing whats going to happen if people start exploiting the AH like Buying everything from The regular Ah and Forcing you to buy Items with real cash. From my understanding their is 2 AH one with gold and one for cash. all we need is the Diablo 3 Mafia A group of rich in game players that will tip the diablo economy

Im thinking similar to the first half of your post, never thought about a mob like group of rmah exploiters. Hehe you go back to town and the blacksmiths legs have been broken because you forgot to pay the bonus tip to the auctioneer.

i just cant seem to picture getting a check from Blizzard in the mail lol...they probably make you spend it in game. In which case it wouldnt be real money anymore? I thought i knew my stance on the issue, but then everyone here made some really great points, and now im torn :( i hope Drathbone is right...

BTW great article, it made for some great debate and consideration

Why not? They wouldn't be the first to do that. I have friends who quit their jobs to play Second Life full time, and pull in about $1500 every single week from Linden Labs just by creating clothing in-game.

When I first heard of this RMAH I thought: "Good, a way to make some money playing a game." No one seems to be as greedy as me though. If they have class exclucive equipment, and I think they do, then I'd rather get real money for it than in game gold.

Guaranteed the EULA will allow them to up the house take on all auctions if they end up paying out to people far more than expected. A very successful rmah will see credit card like percentages.