Blizzard To Shutdown The Auction House in 2014

"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. "

I think many players will be really happy about this, myself included. The best way I found to get great gear in Diablo III is to grind for gold and buy items. I am happy to see the new loot 2.0 system as well and can't wait for the axe to fall on the Auction House.

The Auction House will end on March 18, 2014.

http://us.battle.net/d3/en/blog/10974978/

Travis Admin wrote on 09/17/2013 at 06:23pm

You keep posting things that I was going to post :)

I'm looking forward to Loot 2.0. If it works the way they say it will, I won't have any reason for the Auction House anyway.

Travis Admin wrote on 09/17/2013 at 06:37pm

That said, if Loot 2.0 does let you easily play the game to get upgrades, and you can have fun that way, I don't see the harm in keeping around the AH. Now people are just going to go to third-party trading sites, get scammed, etc. Having it as an option isn't a problem, but it being practically a necessity definitely was/is.

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 09/17/2013 at 06:54pm

Even with Loot 2.0 the best way to gear would still be the Auction House. So, yeah, if they want D3 to be a game where you grind for gear, then they need to cut it loose.

Travis Admin wrote on 09/17/2013 at 07:09pm

The best way, sure, but not practically the only viable way like it is now.

After they cut out the AH, though, the best way to gear will be D2jsp or other third-party trading. Most people won't do that, but more people will be getting scammed. The AH provided a way to do what people already did in D2, only more safely. The problem, in my opinion, was that they made it too much the focus.

Overall, it's a net positive I think. Lots of good but a little bad. If that makes sense.

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 09/17/2013 at 07:27pm

Yeah it does. I am happy they are making some sweeping changes to the game as it got stale and still kind of sits in that spot for me. I know you got tons of play late game, so I am not saying my experience "means much" :D

That said, didn't they promise PVP with the original game? They did that one map but isn't that still coming too?

Travis Admin wrote on 09/17/2013 at 08:45pm

I honestly have no idea what they're doing with PVP. Hopefully brawl won't be the end of it, though brawling is pretty fun.

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 09/18/2013 at 12:18am

It is a bit of fun, but yeah they had an elaborate PVP system they said would be coming after launch and added brawling in the meantime. Kind of cool they launched when they did, but I wonder how much attention it's getting.

hardeyez wrote on 09/18/2013 at 05:28am

I just wish that they made it opt-in... and I could opt-in now :)

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