Blizzard Shutting Down Diablo 3 Auction House

[Methais]

Originally Posted by Blizzard Entertainment
When we initially designed and implemented the auction houses, the driving goal was to provide a convenient and secure system for trades. But as we've mentioned on different occasions, it became increasingly clear that despite the benefits of the AH system and the fact that many players around the world use it, it ultimately undermines Diablo's core game play: kill monsters to get cool loot. With that in mind, we want to let everyone know that we've decided to remove the gold and real-money auction house system from Diablo III.

We feel that this move along with the Loot 2.0 system being developed concurrently with Reaper of Souls™ will result in a much more rewarding game experience for our players.

We're working out the details of how the auction house system will be shut down, but we wanted to share the news as soon as we made the decision in order to give everyone as much advance notice as possible. Please note that the shutdown will occur on March 18, 2014. We will keep everyone informed as we work through this process.

Josh Mosqueira and I wanted to provide everyone with a little more information behind this decision, so please have a look at the video, and stay tuned to this site for further updates in the months ahead.

http://www.mmo-champion.com/content/3387-Blizzard-closes-down-Diablo-3-Auction-House

http://www.reactionface.info/sites/default/files/images/tumblr_lo2zqb6h5P1qzsyre.gif

[Gelston]

I wonder if anyone ever made a decent amount of money on that.

[Methais]

I wonder if anyone ever made a decent amount of money on that.

They're shutting down the gold auction house too, not just the RMAH.

But yeah I've always wondered that too. I've seen shit up there for like $200+ but have no idea if any of it sold.

[Gizmo]

When the RMAH first was released, people made bank. But after a few months, it died out.

[Atlanteax]

Heh, I think Methias and I posted about the same time (I was 5 minutes later, but in the D3 thread).

Cross-posting what I had commented on over there:


Wait wait wait... Blizzard is listening to the dedicated players?!?

This seems like a good move in preparing the game for a 'fresh start' with the eventual expansion.

-1 for Activision Greed, +1 for GamePlay

In the meantime, I wonder if we will learn how much $$ the RMAH earned for Activision Greed, and if there were players who were able to 'make a living' off the RHMAH.

Further, I had the impression that some form of RMAH was intended for SC2, with the map-based workshop system (players whose maps were heavily downloaded would make a little $$, with Blizzard getting the rest), but that got scrapped long ago (as no additional $$ are involved, as far as I last knew). Someone who plays SC2 heavily probably could shed light on this.


Oh, I just had a conspiracy theory thought ... what if this move was more about reducing server-related expenses on Blizzard/Activision's part ... where cost has recently been exceeding the $$ revenue from the RMAH.

With this announcement making a significant portion of the player-base happy (particularly the purists), it comes off as a win-win ... that could had been planned all along?

Then again, it could just simply be a PR move to support sales of the Expansion once it is out.

[Taernath]

I'd imagine there were a handful of people who made decent money off it. I also think removing it was more about reducing expenses and liability than anything else. It's one thing to have a server with in game gold and items hacked, it's quite another to have someone's CC info stolen or someone duping an item or gold to sell for real $$.

[Methais]

I'd imagine there were a handful of people who made decent money off it. I also think removing it was more about reducing expenses and liability than anything else. It's one thing to have a server with in game gold and items hacked, it's quite another to have someone's CC info stolen or someone duping an item or gold to sell for real $$.

I think it's more because it made people hate the game.

[subzero]

I think it's more because it made people hate the game.

Yeah, I somehow doubt Blizzard is fearing the server expense and potential liability with being hacked.

[Buckwheet]

So now people are just going to go back to the D2 trader sites to sell their good gear or what?

[Tgo01]

I might actually play Diablo 3 again when the expansion comes out. That's one thing I gotta give Blizzard credit for, they usually know how to fix their fuck ups. Most companies would just shrug and hope for the best.

[SHAFT]

Close down the ah and ramp up the difficulty.

[Jace Solo]

Seriously. The Auction house was one of the main reasons I dipped out. What a PITA.

[Taernath]

Yeah, I somehow doubt Blizzard is fearing the server expense and potential liability with being hacked.


I think it's more because it made people hate the game.

I'm just very cynical about video games nowdays. For example, I think there's a high probability that John Riccitello is Satan.

[Gelston]

Not really any new information, but I got this email from Blizzard..

We are writing tell you about an important change to Diablo III: we're going to be removing the gold and real-money auction house system from the game.

When we initially designed and implemented the auction house system, the driving goal was to provide a convenient and secure system for trades. But after much review and player feedback, it became increasingly clear that despite the benefits of the AH system and the fact that many players around the world use it, it ultimately undermines Diablo's core game play: kill monsters to get cool loot.

We're working out the details of how the auction house system will be shut down, but we wanted to share the news as soon as we made the decision in order to give everyone as much advance notice as possible. Please note that the final shutdown will occur on March 18, 2014. We will keep everyone informed as we work through this process, but feel free to check out our blog post on the subject, and stay tuned to Diablo 3.com for further details.

- The Diablo III team

Actually, it looks exactly like a cannibalized version of the blog post.

[Ceyrin]

Maybe Blizzard can be convinced to buy Simutronics.

[TheEschaton]

Now all they need to do is let me start on Inferno instead of having to play the game 3 fucking times before Inferno, and it'll be all good. I might level a 2nd class to 60.