surf dtoid with 
Rising (10+)
People you follow
Inconsequential, IMO.
Unless people crunch numbers and find out that Blizzard is truly withholding gear to drive people to the Gold and RMAH, we won't know for sure. Either way, it's there if you need it; if not, the people who actually put the gear on the thing actually got it from gameplay.
With Diablo II, people grinded for gear in the same way, but you had a chance to get ripped off on eBay if you really wanted to buy something (which I never did, but still). Even worse, there was rampant duping in D1 and D2. I'll take an optional RMAH over that.
Unless people crunch numbers and find out that Blizzard is truly withholding gear to drive people to the Gold and RMAH, we won't know for sure. Either way, it's there if you need it; if not, the people who actually put the gear on the thing actually got it from gameplay.
With Diablo II, people grinded for gear in the same way, but you had a chance to get ripped off on eBay if you really wanted to buy something (which I never did, but still). Even worse, there was rampant duping in D1 and D2. I'll take an optional RMAH over that.
The best items aren't "locked" behind anything. What did we do acquire sweet loot do before internet play? Grind it out. Having an AH just adds an option to exchange money for time.
I really could not care that tehre is a auction house, but I do care as to why they haven't seperated it from the single player
however, my biggest gripe is that blizzard takes a cut from everything that you sell, and that's just plain cashgrab. period.
inb4 it's ''capitalism''
however, my biggest gripe is that blizzard takes a cut from everything that you sell, and that's just plain cashgrab. period.
inb4 it's ''capitalism''
Good for Blizzard once the RMAH comes out as they get a cut of stuff that, no matter what, would be sold for real cash anyways. I do hope that Blizzard does NOT somehow filter gear so that the best items are real cash. It doesn't make sense since what if on the of the best items in the game drops for me? I can totally sell it for in game coin vs real cash.
the AH is nice as I can sell decent gear that I cant use and potentially save for something I can use, or create something and chance it. Gold is worth something which is nice as D2 gold was useless beyond reviving your helping hand.
the AH is nice as I can sell decent gear that I cant use and potentially save for something I can use, or create something and chance it. Gold is worth something which is nice as D2 gold was useless beyond reviving your helping hand.
@Gorescream
I get why they would take 15% in the RMAH as they want their cut. They could have just left it alone like D2 and miss out on all the items being sold on websites but this is their way to combat it.
Why they would take their cut when I am using in game coin is just mind boggling. List item at 10k, get 8,500 for it....wtf?
I get why they would take 15% in the RMAH as they want their cut. They could have just left it alone like D2 and miss out on all the items being sold on websites but this is their way to combat it.
Why they would take their cut when I am using in game coin is just mind boggling. List item at 10k, get 8,500 for it....wtf?
The auction house is just a shortcut tbh. If you level your smither and jeweler and farm a lot then the potential is still there for you to get the best items by yourself for free, ontop of random drops.
What do you mean they want their cut? They aren't hosting new servers (which are cheap as dirt) or hiring new people to maintain the auction house. The whole game is built around the RMAH. Blizzard's only cut is the 60$ you've spent in order to buy it. That's it.
"That said, I have a feeling that, once the best items are inevitably locked behind real money, I'll politely stop playing."
Heres a side question: Did having to farm out/play a million games of Diablo -say- 2 ever stop you from having fun? Or, even Torchlight that actually allows you to have a cross character stash?
Cause this question also answers the articles question. My thing with the Diablo 3 auction house is that you don't need to use it to have a good time with the game.. And, actually, all the auction house is doing to those who feel they *need* to use it to have fun, is suck the life out of the game, when theres really no reason you can't simply ignore the AH and just play the damn game.
The auction house is just there for a little boost, it shouldn't be relied on like people are making it out to be. No ones putting a gun to your head and telling you you have to make 1 purchase per game session. Its just a completely backwards way for Blizzard to get people to play for longer then they normally would, and (in the case of the real money AH) make some more money off of those people while they do it.. And that's it.. If anything, the real AH is a ponzi scheme that you don't ever have to use, but most people will because they "want more power" or "Can't farm", meaning Blizzard's already locked people into it whether those people like it or not.
Like Chris pretty much said: Its inconsequential.
Heres a side question: Did having to farm out/play a million games of Diablo -say- 2 ever stop you from having fun? Or, even Torchlight that actually allows you to have a cross character stash?
Cause this question also answers the articles question. My thing with the Diablo 3 auction house is that you don't need to use it to have a good time with the game.. And, actually, all the auction house is doing to those who feel they *need* to use it to have fun, is suck the life out of the game, when theres really no reason you can't simply ignore the AH and just play the damn game.
The auction house is just there for a little boost, it shouldn't be relied on like people are making it out to be. No ones putting a gun to your head and telling you you have to make 1 purchase per game session. Its just a completely backwards way for Blizzard to get people to play for longer then they normally would, and (in the case of the real money AH) make some more money off of those people while they do it.. And that's it.. If anything, the real AH is a ponzi scheme that you don't ever have to use, but most people will because they "want more power" or "Can't farm", meaning Blizzard's already locked people into it whether those people like it or not.
Like Chris pretty much said: Its inconsequential.
The RMT sweatshops are already all over the game, the know every trick to undermining an online AH and they'll undermine this AH by deflation most likely. They'll do whatever they can to break the system and if they can't win there they hack accounts, steal them and sell them.
They don't give up, they don't stop and Blizzard has had eight years to beat them in WoW with no real success.
There is no reason for the AH and it only hurts legit players and, worse, prevents them from playing offline.
They don't give up, they don't stop and Blizzard has had eight years to beat them in WoW with no real success.
There is no reason for the AH and it only hurts legit players and, worse, prevents them from playing offline.
B.A.D.D.
Especially if drop rates are lowered and single player is attached exclusively to always on DRM.
Especially if drop rates are lowered and single player is attached exclusively to always on DRM.
As long as Blizzard forces a transaction fee, even if the item fails to sell, the RMAH will be perfectly fine. Besides that, a huge chunk of the games community will be removed from being able to use the RMAH due to financial concerns, being under 18, not having a credit card, etc.
People continually play up the RMAH as some sort of game destroying evil but it's 100% optional. It doesn't affect your game experience if you choose not to use it. Who cares if other players are wasting real money on some pixels that will be useless not 6 months from now.
The fact is that digital items have been sold for real money since digital items were a thing. I remember being mind blown back in 1997 that someone paid $1200 for a castle in Ultima Online. Players were going to sell items on the internet for cash regardless. Too many gamers ignore the fact that game companies are in the business of making money off the games they make.
Blizz gets a cut of the pie, big deal, it's their fucking game. If you don't like it, don't use it. Diablo 3 is great fun and allowing your experience to be spoiled because Johnny's parents bought him some new shiny toy is childish to the nth degree.
People continually play up the RMAH as some sort of game destroying evil but it's 100% optional. It doesn't affect your game experience if you choose not to use it. Who cares if other players are wasting real money on some pixels that will be useless not 6 months from now.
The fact is that digital items have been sold for real money since digital items were a thing. I remember being mind blown back in 1997 that someone paid $1200 for a castle in Ultima Online. Players were going to sell items on the internet for cash regardless. Too many gamers ignore the fact that game companies are in the business of making money off the games they make.
Blizz gets a cut of the pie, big deal, it's their fucking game. If you don't like it, don't use it. Diablo 3 is great fun and allowing your experience to be spoiled because Johnny's parents bought him some new shiny toy is childish to the nth degree.
@Gorescream
They are a business and they saw what happened with D2 and people spending real money outside of the game to buy stuff to use in game, Blizzard, unless opening their own website to sell gear did not see any profit from those sales. This time around they want profits from items being sold and turned it into an in game business model.
Sure items will still be sold outside of the RMAH, but it will have to be cheaper and people looking to buy will have to jump through more hoops to make a purchase rather than use the ingame method.
Blizzard just wants a piece of the pie, thought I still don't get why they shave off 15% of in game purchases with the fake money, that makes no sense to me really.
They are a business and they saw what happened with D2 and people spending real money outside of the game to buy stuff to use in game, Blizzard, unless opening their own website to sell gear did not see any profit from those sales. This time around they want profits from items being sold and turned it into an in game business model.
Sure items will still be sold outside of the RMAH, but it will have to be cheaper and people looking to buy will have to jump through more hoops to make a purchase rather than use the ingame method.
Blizzard just wants a piece of the pie, thought I still don't get why they shave off 15% of in game purchases with the fake money, that makes no sense to me really.
with in game gold yes. Buying and selling for real gold? Hell no, it opens up such a gigantic can of worms its basicly the premise for a HP Lovecraft story
Should be treated like all games with IAP. If the game is balanced and fun without spending extra money it's fine; if the game is rigged so you need to consistantly make small purchases to advance, it is garbage and should be treated no better than Zynga games.
Protip: The auction house has no effect on you if you don't use it. That's the glorious thing about it. Your game will not be impacted in any way. Yeah your friends might use it, but what bearing does that have on your character?
Also, it's nice to see someone with some brains writing for this place. And I'm referring to Chris Carter.
Also, it's nice to see someone with some brains writing for this place. And I'm referring to Chris Carter.
It's pointless.
Nobody asked for it. It was only implemented to introduce need for "security" as an excuse to implement always-on.
Now, not only have we legitimized shitty gamers buying their way through the game instead of earning gear themselves, we have a single player game that lags and disconnects.
Nobody asked for it. It was only implemented to introduce need for "security" as an excuse to implement always-on.
Now, not only have we legitimized shitty gamers buying their way through the game instead of earning gear themselves, we have a single player game that lags and disconnects.
Play Diablo II online in a public game for 20 minutes. The real-money-for-items scenario is already in full-swing and has been for years. The only difference now is that you don't have to start a shady website and script annoying bots to take part.
On one hand, I love to shop but on the other, I'm worried about the security of the darn thing and how it will affect players' ability to equip themselves.
Don't like it. There's so much potential for abuse, and it's at the root of many of my problems with Diablo 3 (why they need the DRM). Also, now Chinese prisons will have legitimate channels to hawk their goods, so that's just going to get worse.
And there's one other thing I don't think anyone's considered. How do we know that some of the items on the auction house aren't going to be directly created and sold by Blizzard, priced to undercut all other competitors? Unless I hear about some part of the EULA that says they DON'T do that, I'm going to assume they won't give up the opportunity for virtually unlimited free money.
And there's one other thing I don't think anyone's considered. How do we know that some of the items on the auction house aren't going to be directly created and sold by Blizzard, priced to undercut all other competitors? Unless I hear about some part of the EULA that says they DON'T do that, I'm going to assume they won't give up the opportunity for virtually unlimited free money.
It really all depends on how it's being handled. Some people want to pay money for sweet loot, while others would rather grind for it. As long as you can still get it without paying extra, I don't see it as a problem. My opinion probably doesn't matter too much though, since I don't care for Diablo myself.
Jim, I think you might be misinterpreting how the RMAH actually works. Items can't be "locked" into the RMAH.
Step 1: Sell gold for "real money" in-game currency.
Step 2: Use "real money" in-game currency to buy items from the RMAH.
Problem solved.
"Why they would take their cut when I am using in game coin is just mind boggling. List item at 10k, get 8,500 for it....wtf?"
It's called a "gold sink" and it's a response to a problem called "inflation". You might want to google those terms.
Step 1: Sell gold for "real money" in-game currency.
Step 2: Use "real money" in-game currency to buy items from the RMAH.
Problem solved.
"Why they would take their cut when I am using in game coin is just mind boggling. List item at 10k, get 8,500 for it....wtf?"
It's called a "gold sink" and it's a response to a problem called "inflation". You might want to google those terms.
I'm not using the RMAH.
I don't like it, because I partially blame the constant connection for a single player game on defending it's integrity.
But I will refrain from lighting my torch and sharpening my pitch fork until a body of evidence is compiled that high volume RMAH users get better drop rates.
I don't like it, because I partially blame the constant connection for a single player game on defending it's integrity.
But I will refrain from lighting my torch and sharpening my pitch fork until a body of evidence is compiled that high volume RMAH users get better drop rates.
Bad.
* It's the reason we have no modding.
* It's the reason we have always-online DRM.
* It encourages hackers to go after user accounts.
* It will be a nightmare to moderate and secure.
* Game patches could render a purchased item worthless.
* It's all about Blizzard making $$, not *gameplay*.
Basically, it adds little to the game and forces design decisions that hurt the game as a whole.
* It's the reason we have no modding.
* It's the reason we have always-online DRM.
* It encourages hackers to go after user accounts.
* It will be a nightmare to moderate and secure.
* Game patches could render a purchased item worthless.
* It's all about Blizzard making $$, not *gameplay*.
Basically, it adds little to the game and forces design decisions that hurt the game as a whole.
Everyone who doesn't like it: Just buy ATVI stock before next earnings announcement and then you will focking LOVE IT!
@flintmech
Why does it matter to you if "shitty gamers" can buy their way through the game? Not everyone can be a gifted gamer. Nor does everyone have the time to grind Diablo 3 to acquire the gear to become competant in the later difficulties.
Are your achievements invalidated because an inferior gamer beat the game assisted by his hard earned money? Is the game any less fun due to the knowledge that someone worse at gaming than you is buying gear that you ground hours upon hours for? If so, I think maybe you need to take a deep breath, and stop stressing out over things that don't affect your life in anyway shape or form.
I used to think that buying things in game was cheating and people that spent money on digital items were stupid. Then I grew up, got a career and realized "Hey. I have a limited amount of time on this Earth before I die. Time = Money. I could either waste my time grinding hundreds of hours in a video game or I can drop a couple bucks that takes me less than an hour to make."
A little perspective goes a long way. People have all sorts of lifestyles but still want to play video games. Sometimes that means using real money to make up for your lack of time and/or skill. Is it a bad thing that someone out there is enjoying a video game because they spent extra money on it? No.
Why does it matter to you if "shitty gamers" can buy their way through the game? Not everyone can be a gifted gamer. Nor does everyone have the time to grind Diablo 3 to acquire the gear to become competant in the later difficulties.
Are your achievements invalidated because an inferior gamer beat the game assisted by his hard earned money? Is the game any less fun due to the knowledge that someone worse at gaming than you is buying gear that you ground hours upon hours for? If so, I think maybe you need to take a deep breath, and stop stressing out over things that don't affect your life in anyway shape or form.
I used to think that buying things in game was cheating and people that spent money on digital items were stupid. Then I grew up, got a career and realized "Hey. I have a limited amount of time on this Earth before I die. Time = Money. I could either waste my time grinding hundreds of hours in a video game or I can drop a couple bucks that takes me less than an hour to make."
A little perspective goes a long way. People have all sorts of lifestyles but still want to play video games. Sometimes that means using real money to make up for your lack of time and/or skill. Is it a bad thing that someone out there is enjoying a video game because they spent extra money on it? No.
I'll be using the RMAH to sell items that would fetch a decent amount, but I don't see myself using the RMAH for purchases. Everyone forgets that the items on the RMAH are put there by the players, not Blizzard.
I second you on these points Jinx 01!
Jinx 01
Bad.
* It's the reason we have no modding.
* It's the reason we have always-online DRM.
* It encourages hackers to go after user accounts.
* It will be a nightmare to moderate and secure.
* Game patches could render a purchased item worthless.
* It's all about Blizzard making $$, not *gameplay*.
Basically, it adds little to the game and forces design decisions that hurt the game as a whole.
Jinx 01
Bad.
* It's the reason we have no modding.
* It's the reason we have always-online DRM.
* It encourages hackers to go after user accounts.
* It will be a nightmare to moderate and secure.
* Game patches could render a purchased item worthless.
* It's all about Blizzard making $$, not *gameplay*.
Basically, it adds little to the game and forces design decisions that hurt the game as a whole.
I grind for my gear. Period. If I ever use the Real Money Auction House - or the gold one, for that matter - I'll be the profitable end.
It requires always on DRM that kicks you out of a game if you disconnect from the internet while playing single player in order for it to be implemented, it allows Blizzard to control the rarity of in game loot that you can get in order to control the in game economy (something they've publicly admitted they can and will do if "need be"), and it's just another way for them to make even more money off its user base.
Clearly bad. This isn't even an argument. I'm tired of the Blizzard apologists who claim that we "need" always on DRM to prevent piracy and the in game auction house to prevent out of game scams, as if either of those things are OUR problems as consumers or that the lack of them somehow made Diablo II a bad game. I'm even more tired of the people who pretend that it's not a big deal and that it "doesn't affect me" when it clearly does. Your arguments are patently illogical and have zero basis to be made.
If we as an industry don't stand up against anti-consumer practices, they're going to continue to get worse and worse. Grow some fucking balls, kids.
Clearly bad. This isn't even an argument. I'm tired of the Blizzard apologists who claim that we "need" always on DRM to prevent piracy and the in game auction house to prevent out of game scams, as if either of those things are OUR problems as consumers or that the lack of them somehow made Diablo II a bad game. I'm even more tired of the people who pretend that it's not a big deal and that it "doesn't affect me" when it clearly does. Your arguments are patently illogical and have zero basis to be made.
If we as an industry don't stand up against anti-consumer practices, they're going to continue to get worse and worse. Grow some fucking balls, kids.
I was going to say say bad, but really I was only about to because of a fear that if it is successful these real money transactions will seem justified in the eyes of the game industry. Justified, meaning that many of EA's actions and that the Mega Man X ios travesty were good for the industry.
But, for Diablo III it is good. It's optional, helpful to the game, brings in money, and probably discourages real money transactions being made second hand. (A problem in MMOs.) And since D3 isn't an MMO it won't hurt the "economy" as there is none.
But, for Diablo III it is good. It's optional, helpful to the game, brings in money, and probably discourages real money transactions being made second hand. (A problem in MMOs.) And since D3 isn't an MMO it won't hurt the "economy" as there is none.
Ya know, a whole lot of people really need to fuck right off and stop trying to tell the internet what to spend their money on and what games they're allowed to buy. The handful of you guilt of this know who you are and don't need me naming names, but yeah, seriously. Fuck off with that.
I like the gold auction house a lot, after the mess of item spammers and "pay to play" in diablo II's meta game, this isn't bad. I am wary about how i'll feel about the real money transactions once they're in place and gold is old news.
The Gold Auction House is awesome in my opinion at least, so many times I get loot that has all the wrong stats for my class, so I can just sell it to someone who can make better use of it, and in turn buy something I CAN use. I don't see why people are griping about this.
As for the Real Money Auction House... just gotta see how that plays out, as long as prices are limited realistically (I'm thinking $10 for a really good max level item) maybe they should ban purchased items from PvP, wouldn't be too difficult to implment and would obliterate any Money=Power.
As for the Real Money Auction House... just gotta see how that plays out, as long as prices are limited realistically (I'm thinking $10 for a really good max level item) maybe they should ban purchased items from PvP, wouldn't be too difficult to implment and would obliterate any Money=Power.
I take issue with the Auction House purely because of the strictures put upon it. Especially when real money gets involved, only being able to list ten items is ridiculously small, considering that there's a good chance that people will be posting gold and cash items simultaneously. Also, not being able to specify time frame for the auction? If an item doesn't sell in the first day, does the second day really add that much of a chance?
I also don't agree with how they made legendary and set items uber-rare. I understand that it's possible Blizz thought those would be big-ticket items, but at the same time, didn't they know that the market would be able to weed out the trash items, so to speak?
There just seems to be a lot of hand-holding, and Blizzard making arbitrary decisions regarding how they want their economy handled.
As a side-note, I imagine that once the PVP aspect of the game comes online, there will be a spike in RMAH purchases for the highest value gear. To bring a more personal opinion into this, I hate PvP.
I also don't agree with how they made legendary and set items uber-rare. I understand that it's possible Blizz thought those would be big-ticket items, but at the same time, didn't they know that the market would be able to weed out the trash items, so to speak?
There just seems to be a lot of hand-holding, and Blizzard making arbitrary decisions regarding how they want their economy handled.
As a side-note, I imagine that once the PVP aspect of the game comes online, there will be a spike in RMAH purchases for the highest value gear. To bring a more personal opinion into this, I hate PvP.
Finding gear on my own is what keeps me playing. I don't need either auction house.
My question is what is PVP going to be like? Level 60 twinks vs everyone else? I can hear the cries of "unbalanced" already.
My question is what is PVP going to be like? Level 60 twinks vs everyone else? I can hear the cries of "unbalanced" already.
@MRR
Gold sink is a new term for me, inflation is not but thanks for information in the right direction!
Gold sink is a new term for me, inflation is not but thanks for information in the right direction!
It will be interesting to see how it plays out. I personally don't have an issue with a developer attempting to control the assets they create and potentially profit from those that try to profit from those assets.
I actually think they could care less about profit from item sales....they just want to make it difficult for gold sellers to exist in the game economy (by ironically, taking their place...). I'm not sure there is another way to put gold sellers out of buisness than make their business unprofitable by allowing players to sell gold (and taking a cut in the process is just not-stupid).
I actually think they could care less about profit from item sales....they just want to make it difficult for gold sellers to exist in the game economy (by ironically, taking their place...). I'm not sure there is another way to put gold sellers out of buisness than make their business unprofitable by allowing players to sell gold (and taking a cut in the process is just not-stupid).
You're welcome.
It's also worth considering that, if there -wasn't- a cut in the gold-based AH (GAH), we could see some fairly strange things develop in the balance between the RMAH and the GAH. In theory, they will balance each other out: if something is priced at certain value on the GAH, the exchange rate between gold and money will help to ensure that it stays near that value. A lack of a cut in the gold-based auction-house might skew the balance somewhat.
It's also worth considering that, if there -wasn't- a cut in the gold-based AH (GAH), we could see some fairly strange things develop in the balance between the RMAH and the GAH. In theory, they will balance each other out: if something is priced at certain value on the GAH, the exchange rate between gold and money will help to ensure that it stays near that value. A lack of a cut in the gold-based auction-house might skew the balance somewhat.
Gem shopping is borked. Thats the only real use I have for the AH at this point, and I can't even use it for that.
that brings up a good point with pvp. if one were to simply buy the best gear wouldn't someone else who didn't buy that gear feel a little on the cheated side for what amounts to basically losing because you paid 60 for the game and the other guy paid 120 (totally ballparking that)?
i dunno, i suppose it goes into some pretty grey territory because now it seems like someone can pay to get an edge over another person (pay to win) whereas with pve it does seem like more of a time/money tradeoff.
i dunno, i suppose it goes into some pretty grey territory because now it seems like someone can pay to get an edge over another person (pay to win) whereas with pve it does seem like more of a time/money tradeoff.
The Auction House as it is now is fine. Finding little in game to spend my money on, I am more than happy to buy some cheap rares from the AH using all this in game gold that isn't doing anything. However, I won't be spending a dime in the real money AH. There's no reason to do it. You can find some ok items in game and still survive, having a one of a kind piece of equipment is by no means necessary or needed (for anything other than stretching e-peen).
I agree with Jinx.
Also lol-ing @ Tristix's comment. No one is telling anyone how to spend anything that I've seen. But an interest will always be taken because when retards buy everything under the sun thrown at them we get shit like on-disc DLC and always-on DRM. So yes, other people's purchases do effect my enjoyment of the hobby when the masses tell publishers this is all okay with their wallets.
Also lol-ing @ Tristix's comment. No one is telling anyone how to spend anything that I've seen. But an interest will always be taken because when retards buy everything under the sun thrown at them we get shit like on-disc DLC and always-on DRM. So yes, other people's purchases do effect my enjoyment of the hobby when the masses tell publishers this is all okay with their wallets.
follow
