Blizzard Clarifies Diablo III's Auction House and Regional Settings

[News Portal]

Blizzard have released two new FAQs that cover the specifics of Diablo III's Real-Money Auction House, and of how players will be sorted geographically. As Australians our "Home Region" will be "The Americas", but we'll be able to play anywhere anytime if we want to - the only difference is that the RMAH will only work in our Home Region.

The RMAH's pricing model has been clarified as well: Blizzard takes a flat $1 AUD fee on all equipment transactions, and a 15% fee on all 'commodity' transactions (defined as "gems, gold, and other 'stackable' items"). You can choose to receive your funds as Battle.net balance, or take them out via PayPal for another 15% fee on top of Blizzard's.

Read more about the region sorting here, or about the auction house here.

Source: Press Release

Read full article by GON News

[Yurtles]

The auction house stuff is the only part of the game that has me a bit apprehensive. Any time I think about their setup I can only think it'll end poorly for the average gamer - Having the real money AH essentially linked to the game gold one is going to make it so that realistically the only way you'll ever be able to buy anything noteworthy is with real money.

[hellboy1975]

I don't really intend to spend real money buying stuff in this game anyway. Call me a purist but it seems like a form of cheating to me.

[kargar]

15% + 15% = 30% taxed that number is a little bit to high for my likeing.

[jerichosainte]

I think its a great addition to the game. It will be good if your struggling to get a drop on a rare item that is part of a set.

I wouldn't really consider it cheating eg you could go and purchase the best equipment in the game but your not going to be able to use it till you get to the required level for said equipment.

From playing the beta I think this will be balanced well. In the end you still have the option not to use it.

[krapma]

I've always thought the RMA is an absolutely brilliant idea... for Blizzard... and, consequently, for us as gamers, regardless of wheather or not you will use it personally.
This is the best way for Blizz to monetize Diablo without charging a subscription fee, and if Blizz makes money off it then they will continue to develop for it and also continue to bring out top quality games.

It's win, win, win imo.

[revengous]

15% + 15% = 30% taxed that number is a little bit to high for my likeing.

It actually sounds like the 2 lots of 15% will be taken out at seperate times, so it will actually be
closer to 25%. Its still quiet a bit, but seems fair since you could make some real money simply by laying the game

[kargar]

15% + 15% = 30% taxed that number is a little bit to high for my likeing.

It actually sounds like the 2 lots of 15% will be taken out at seperate times, so it will actually be
closer to 25%. Its still quiet a bit, but seems fair since you could make some real money simply by laying the game

ya my bad with the maths (never use half the stuff I learnt in school since then so a bit rusty lol) it isnt to bad but what about when the government wants a slice also as it could be counted as a form of income?.

[Auld]

It will only effect you if;

1) You PvP and someone is smoking your **** with bought gear.
2) You let it.

If you don't PvP, then it can't possibly hurt how you play the game. It will still be all about pwning mobs and finding exciting fat lewt.

In my case I look forward to trying to sell enough stuff to buy SC2 HoTS for free.

edit: cause its still in "Blizz $$" you dont cash it out to Paypal so you dont get burnt with the extra %15 fee. Although arguably you do get hit with crazy Bnet pricing.

[Naduk]

i am very much looking forward to playing an online RPG with out Chinese gold farmers harassing the **** outa me

[Snootle]

15% + 15% = 30% taxed that number is a little bit to high for my likeing.

It actually sounds like the 2 lots of 15% will be taken out at seperate times, so it will actually be
closer to 25%. Its still quiet a bit, but seems fair since you could make some real money simply by laying the game

ya my bad with the maths (never use half the stuff I learnt in school since then so a bit rusty lol) it isnt to bad but what about when the government wants a slice also as it could be counted as a form of income?.

Yeah, since it's going straight into your bank account you'll probably have to declare it, no real way of hiding it since it's not cash in the hand.

[vcatkiller]

I was never really interested in the RMA to begin with. Still I guess it could turn into a nice small income stream on the side once you get to the hardest difficulty levels and find all the nice loot. Farm items, sell on auction, hopefully make a few bucks selling to folks still on the easier difficulty levels. You probably wouldn't earn enough to get filthy rich but maybe enough to power a WoW sub at least?

[BurntToast]

*considers career as australian version of korean gold farmer*

[Mugsy]

I must say that the premise of being able to make money by selling cool stuff intrigues me... but I'd be far better off with using my uni quals to get a six digit salary that at least begins with the digit '2'.

[Novocaine]

i am very much looking forward to playing an online RPG with out Chinese gold farmers harassing the **** outa me

Don't count on it. They will still be on every region trying to hock their wares.

Tapatalkin' like a boss