Original Post Date: 8/2/11 (with new edits and additions below)
After years and years of anti-RMT posts, idealism, the lawsuits against RMT companies, and official statements regarding the negative impacts of RMT.. Blizzard is now joining them because the money is just too much to pass up.
We're all hypocrits, but it's even worse for those who situate themselves on high horses.
Blizzard even made an official "We would like to make a clear statement here.." anti-gold post at one point.. it was online for 3 years, but then promptly removed before making the D3 announcement; http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/info/basics/antigold.html
So, I've attached it here for your enjoyment. Oh, and this too [LINK]
So, what exactly has Blizzard had to say about RMT in the past? What were their ideals, beliefs, and values?* Blizzard says RMT has "detrimental effects they have on all players, including their own customers, as well as on the game environment as a whole."
* Blizzard says players who participate in RMT are supporting spamming, botting, and keylogging.
* Blizzard says that these activities diminish the gameplay experience for everyone.
* Blizzard says RMT encourages and increases botting, spamming, and account hacking.
* Blizzard says that people don't realize "the large impact it has on the game economy".
* Blizzard says RMT is unethical.
* Blizzard has even gone as far to say that RMT is "illegal".
* Blizzard considers it exploitative activity as it abuses the economy.
* Blizzard says RMT exchange "negatively impacts" the game environment by "detracting from the value of the in-game economy."
* Blizzard says RMT devalues everything in-game and it ruins the economy.
* Blizzard says as a result it also ruins the gaming experience for everyone.
* Blizzard stated that they're not interested in RMT.
* Blizzard has always had a firm opposition to RMT, but justifies the use of "cosmetic RMT" (that is, pet sales, texture changes, mounts, etc.) because it doesn't impact fairness of the game.
By the way, if you're a gamer, please don't use the word legal or illegal when referring to RMT. It's very embarrassing when I see forum or blog comments that say "Blizzard is now making it LEGAL to sell virtual items!"
There's a huge difference between internal company policies and actual law.
Here are some other related links for your enjoyment.
* "The Lawbringer: Legal gold sales? Not a Blizzard's chance in Hell" [LINK]
* "Blizzard Won't Support Legit RMT Service" [LINK]
* "You won't buy gold in World of Warcraft from Blizzard. You just won't." [LINK]
* Blizzard lawsuit v. RMT [LINK]
* "Blizzard has rules for their RMT.. they won't charge for any item that means anything in game -- cosmetic items and looks are fair game, but actual gear or "integral services" (whatever that means exactly) is a no for them." [LINK]
* Rob Pardo: No Microtransactions in D3, only WOW. [LINK]
* For other interesting stuff, just do a Google search for "Blizzard will never" and "Blizzard would never", etc. :)