I personally feel ambivalent towards the gold AH. People always traded for items in D1 and D2, so this is another form of it. Sure, in D2, the best items sold for duped SoJs for the most part, or real money in the blackmarket, so at the moment swapping things for gold is not such a biggy. I know that if I wanted a particular item for my D2 toon, I traded for it if I couldn't find it.
I do agree though with the OP that basing the entire droprates on the AH is not the best idea for maximum fun factor. I am not keen on playing markets after my 5 years of EVE and getting sick of it in that game. I would prefer to have several viable options for gearing my toons. At the moment, wearing what is dropped is not as viable as crafting which is not as viable as farming money to buy gear.
I feel negatively towards the RMAH idea though and don't look forward to its release. I wish it weren't coming out at all to be honest. I dislike combining real money and ingame money. I also don't look forward to possibly more hacking and other security issues once the RMAH is in place.
Diablo 3 would be unplayable without the auction house.
The game is designed around AH/RMAH.
I don't think that is true. Without the AH, Blizz would stop tuning the drops to be worthless to the player that found them. Finding loot would become meaningful. That is what people are pointing out. Its not that the AH fixes the fact that you can't get good loot, its that because Blizz wants you to use the AH, they've made it so you can't get good loot. If you took out the AH, Blizz would adjust loot drops accordingly.
Diablo 3 would be unplayable without the auction house.
The game is designed around AH/RMAH.
I don't think that is true. Without the AH, Blizz would stop tuning the drops to be worthless to the player that found them. Finding loot would become meaningful. That is what people are pointing out. Its not that the AH fixes the fact that you can't get good loot, its that because Blizz wants you to use the AH, they've made it so you can't get good loot. If you took out the AH, Blizz would adjust loot drops accordingly.
Exactly. I have a level 52 Barbarian who has had 1 (one) legendary drop in all those levels. Even the drop rate of rares that are a good upgrade and not just random garbage stats have been tuned down to a ridiculous level just to cater to the AH/RMAH.
It's Blizzard's social experiment and we're paying for it.
"Social media gives legions of idiots the right to speak when they once only spoke at a bar after a glass of wine, without harming the community ... but now they have the same right to speak as a Nobel Prize winner. It's the invasion of the idiots”
― Umberto Eco
“Microtransactions? In a single player role-playing game? Are you nuts?” ― CD PROJEKT RED
Diablo 3 would be unplayable without the auction house.
The game is designed around AH/RMAH.
I don't think that is true. Without the AH, Blizz would stop tuning the drops to be worthless to the player that found them. Finding loot would become meaningful. That is what people are pointing out. Its not that the AH fixes the fact that you can't get good loot, its that because Blizz wants you to use the AH, they've made it so you can't get good loot. If you took out the AH, Blizz would adjust loot drops accordingly.
True, but what people meant is that CURRENT D3 would be unplayable without AH.
That's why AH / RMAH is wrong.
Kinda similar pattern like other microtransactions - like Cash Shops.
With revenue source like RMAH / CS, developers and managment OBLIGATION to investors is to make / wrap game around it to increase revenue.
That's why ideas like this alter games themself and gameplay they provide and exactly this is reason why they're bad.
Without AH/RMAH D3 would be just designed diffrently.
Being a barbarian with 7k armor 400 all resists 13k dps and 28k hp, with Warcry buff I'd be sitting at close to 10k armor 600 all resists and still have a super hard time getting through the beginning of act 2. Those stupid bugs shooting them little insects basically kills me having to avoid that with the other monsters chasing me makes it hard as is.
So I'm basically stuck with grinding out act 1 killing the butcher for better gear. I'd sometimes find some nice cheap rares through the AH, but then getting the stats on want on the gear I want you're looking at prices ranging from 5 million to 50 million. Having the AH has its uses, but I'll definitely not pay those prices for the gear I want.
Having the AH around isn't so bad either. I like it because there are times when I just get burned out running for loot. So if I can find something I want for a reasonable price in the AH I'd definitely take advantage of it just to make it more bearable.
With that said, I'm not even thinking about trying Hard core permadeath mode anytime soon.
Being a barbarian with 7k armor 400 all resists 13k dps and 28k hp, with Warcry buff I'd be sitting at close to 10k armor 600 all resists and still have a super hard time getting through the beginning of act 2. Those stupid bugs shooting them little insects basically kills me having to avoid that with the other monsters chasing me makes it hard as is.
So I'm basically stuck with grinding out act 1 killing the butcher for better gear. I'd sometimes find some nice cheap rares through the AH, but then getting the stats on want on the gear I want you're looking at prices ranging from 5 million to 50 million. Having the AH has its uses, but I'll definitely not pay those prices for the gear I want.
Having the AH around isn't so bad either. I like it because there are times when I just get burned out running for loot. So if I can find something I want for a reasonable price in the AH I'd definitely take advantage of it just to make it more bearable.
With that said, I'm not even thinking about trying Hard core permadeath mode anytime soon.
Because of the AH, the loot drops have been tuned to be next to worthless for the person who finds them which drives people to the AH. If there was no AH loot drops would be geared towards rewarding the player so you wouldn't need to grind for good gear unless you were going for something specific.
Being a barbarian with 7k armor 400 all resists 13k dps and 28k hp, with Warcry buff I'd be sitting at close to 10k armor 600 all resists and still have a super hard time getting through the beginning of act 2. Those stupid bugs shooting them little insects basically kills me having to avoid that with the other monsters chasing me makes it hard as is.
So I'm basically stuck with grinding out act 1 killing the butcher for better gear. I'd sometimes find some nice cheap rares through the AH, but then getting the stats on want on the gear I want you're looking at prices ranging from 5 million to 50 million. Having the AH has its uses, but I'll definitely not pay those prices for the gear I want.
Having the AH around isn't so bad either. I like it because there are times when I just get burned out running for loot. So if I can find something I want for a reasonable price in the AH I'd definitely take advantage of it just to make it more bearable.
With that said, I'm not even thinking about trying Hard core permadeath mode anytime soon.
Because of the AH, the loot drops have been tuned to be next to worthless for the person who finds them which drives people to the AH. If there was no AH loot drops would be geared towards rewarding the player so you wouldn't need to grind for good gear unless you were going for something specific.
And how was that any different from people selling/buying loot items on ebay and such other sites? Your choice paying real money or game money for items.
All game developers might as well get rid of AH from all games if that were the case.
I thought it was a great idea as a concept, but playing the game with it implemented it seems as if they created the loot tables so that people would be dependent upon the auction house, and with Blizzard taking in a 15% cut once the RMAH opens, I can't help but feel as though it is a money making scheme for them as opposed to a tool for the players.
Free to play = content updates for the cash shop. Buy to play = content updates for the cash shop. Subscription = Actual content updates!
Being a barbarian with 7k armor 400 all resists 13k dps and 28k hp, with Warcry buff I'd be sitting at close to 10k armor 600 all resists and still have a super hard time getting through the beginning of act 2. Those stupid bugs shooting them little insects basically kills me having to avoid that with the other monsters chasing me makes it hard as is.
So I'm basically stuck with grinding out act 1 killing the butcher for better gear. I'd sometimes find some nice cheap rares through the AH, but then getting the stats on want on the gear I want you're looking at prices ranging from 5 million to 50 million. Having the AH has its uses, but I'll definitely not pay those prices for the gear I want.
Having the AH around isn't so bad either. I like it because there are times when I just get burned out running for loot. So if I can find something I want for a reasonable price in the AH I'd definitely take advantage of it just to make it more bearable.
With that said, I'm not even thinking about trying Hard core permadeath mode anytime soon.
Because of the AH, the loot drops have been tuned to be next to worthless for the person who finds them which drives people to the AH. If there was no AH loot drops would be geared towards rewarding the player so you wouldn't need to grind for good gear unless you were going for something specific.
And how was that any different from people selling/buying loot items on ebay and such other sites? Your choice paying real money or game money for items.
All game developers might as well get rid of AH from all games if that were the case.
The difference is that if Blizz isn't running the AH then they wouldn't have forced singleplayers to play online so they could access the AH and more importantly drop tables wouldn't be geared towards making people go to the AH by having drops be near worthless to use by the people who've found them.
The difference is that if Blizz isn't running the AH then they wouldn't have forced singleplayers to play online so they could access the AH and more importantly drop tables wouldn't be geared towards making people go to the AH by having drops be near worthless to use by the people who've found them.
No it would have been online only either way. Integrating all their games into battle.net has been one of Blizzard's long term goals for over a decade. Drops aren't near worthless to the people who found them if you plan to play all classes. Drops have always been near worthless to people who aren't building something the drops are useful for. You didn't see many barbs carrying wands or stacking int items in D2. It may be more true now but I don't see that as a bad thing. You, of course, may disagree.
That it has been a long term goal doesn't change the connection between the AH and the way drops have been tuned, even for singleplayer. The AH and the way it is set up wasn't done to promote universal battle.net use, universal battle.net use is a goal to get people to be online so they have a greater opportunity to be marketed to.
Allow me to clarify, drops are near worthless to the character that finds them. That they may be useful to other characters I play doesn't change the fact that the AH and the resulting loot drop dynamic has taken away the thrill of finding loot because the loot isn't going to benefit the character I'm playing with EXCEPT to sell it for gold which I can then use to by useful gear on the AH.
I know you disagree, but in the context of a gear oriented, dungeon crawler, hack 'n slash, the AH and the way it has been implemented is clearly bad for the game in that it removes one of the large enjoyment dynamics of gameplay which is simply finding loot better than what you have.
I haven't used the AH once yet, even since hitting inferno. It's not necessary, but I appreciate that it helps out to balance the bad luck of some people that just aren't getting good drops. I don't think that's my case. I've pretty consistently found better drops in every run, approximately at one obvious big upgrade for each playthrough of an entire act at the highest difficulty I can overcome. That's not including the amount of gold and salvaged ingredients I earn to roll the dice on a coule crafted pieces of gear.
That's fine with me. Maybe it's not for others, and I can see how the AH might skew the balance for decent drops overall, but if it ever seems necessary for me to use it to progress then why not? I don't feel it's 'bad for the game'. It's just part of the game and I'll use it if I need it. I think I prefer just being patient and earning it myself though, bad luck or not.
I haven't used the AH once yet, even since hitting inferno. It's not necessary, but I appreciate that it helps out to balance the bad luck of some people that just aren't getting good drops. I don't think that's my case. I've pretty consistently found better drops in every run, approximately at one obvious big upgrade for each playthrough of an entire act at the highest difficulty I can overcome. That's not including the amount of gold and salvaged ingredients I earn to roll the dice on a coule crafted pieces of gear.
That's fine with me. Maybe it's not for others, and I can see how the AH might skew the balance for decent drops overall, but if it ever seems necessary for me to use it to progress then why not? I don't feel it's 'bad for the game'. It's just part of the game and I'll use it if I need it. I think I prefer just being patient and earning it myself though, bad luck or not.
You are either a DH, or full of it, or have no chance of making it in Act 2.
I haven't used the AH once yet, even since hitting inferno. It's not necessary, but I appreciate that it helps out to balance the bad luck of some people that just aren't getting good drops. I don't think that's my case. I've pretty consistently found better drops in every run, approximately at one obvious big upgrade for each playthrough of an entire act at the highest difficulty I can overcome. That's not including the amount of gold and salvaged ingredients I earn to roll the dice on a coule crafted pieces of gear.
That's fine with me. Maybe it's not for others, and I can see how the AH might skew the balance for decent drops overall, but if it ever seems necessary for me to use it to progress then why not? I don't feel it's 'bad for the game'. It's just part of the game and I'll use it if I need it. I think I prefer just being patient and earning it myself though, bad luck or not.
You are either a DH, or full of it, or have no chance of making it in Act 2.
lol you people are ridiculous. I post about enjoying the game on hell, and people say wait to inferno. I get to inferno and say I enjoy it, and people say wait until act 2. I get to act 2 and people say wait to act 3. When I get to act 3, people will say wait until act 4. I've already seen idiots that respond against people that beat inferno legitimately with "you used exploits, paid tons of gold on the auction house, must be just an OP class, must have no life to play it too much", etc. etc. Give me a break. You are wrong. End of story.
edit: oh, and my favorite one: "Beating Inferno normal isn't hard. Let's see him beat Inferno hardcore." <-- obviously not said to me, but funny how it escalates indefinitely.
I haven't used the AH once yet, even since hitting inferno. It's not necessary, but I appreciate that it helps out to balance the bad luck of some people that just aren't getting good drops. I don't think that's my case. I've pretty consistently found better drops in every run, approximately at one obvious big upgrade for each playthrough of an entire act at the highest difficulty I can overcome. That's not including the amount of gold and salvaged ingredients I earn to roll the dice on a coule crafted pieces of gear.
That's fine with me. Maybe it's not for others, and I can see how the AH might skew the balance for decent drops overall, but if it ever seems necessary for me to use it to progress then why not? I don't feel it's 'bad for the game'. It's just part of the game and I'll use it if I need it. I think I prefer just being patient and earning it myself though, bad luck or not.
You are either a DH, or full of it, or have no chance of making it in Act 2.
lol you people are ridiculous. I post about enjoying the game on hell, and people say wait to inferno. I get to inferno and say I enjoy it, and people say wait until act 2. I get to act 2 and people say wait to act 3. When I get to act 3, people will say wait until act 4. I've already seen idiots that respond against people that beat inferno legitimately with "you used exploits, paid tons of gold on the auction house, must be just an OP class, must have no life to play it too much", etc. etc. Give me a break. You are wrong. End of story.
I haven't used the AH once yet, even since hitting inferno. It's not necessary, but I appreciate that it helps out to balance the bad luck of some people that just aren't getting good drops. I don't think that's my case. I've pretty consistently found better drops in every run, approximately at one obvious big upgrade for each playthrough of an entire act at the highest difficulty I can overcome. That's not including the amount of gold and salvaged ingredients I earn to roll the dice on a coule crafted pieces of gear.
That's fine with me. Maybe it's not for others, and I can see how the AH might skew the balance for decent drops overall, but if it ever seems necessary for me to use it to progress then why not? I don't feel it's 'bad for the game'. It's just part of the game and I'll use it if I need it. I think I prefer just being patient and earning it myself though, bad luck or not.
You are either a DH, or full of it, or have no chance of making it in Act 2.
lol you people are ridiculous. I post about enjoying the game on hell, and people say wait to inferno. I get to inferno and say I enjoy it, and people say wait until act 2. I get to act 2 and people say wait to act 3. When I get to act 3, people will say wait until act 4. I've already seen idiots that respond against people that beat inferno legitimately with "you used exploits, paid tons of gold on the auction house, must be just an OP class, must have no life to play it too much", etc. etc. Give me a break. You are wrong. End of story.
So you do play a DH then. Gotcha.
Never played a DH. I play monk and have only played a monk since release. Wrong again. Going for 3 strikes?
Although it is pretty funny how you went straight for the OP class card just as I had guessed. These forums are getting way too predictable.
I haven't used the AH once yet, even since hitting inferno. It's not necessary, but I appreciate that it helps out to balance the bad luck of some people that just aren't getting good drops. I don't think that's my case. I've pretty consistently found better drops in every run, approximately at one obvious big upgrade for each playthrough of an entire act at the highest difficulty I can overcome. That's not including the amount of gold and salvaged ingredients I earn to roll the dice on a coule crafted pieces of gear.
That's fine with me. Maybe it's not for others, and I can see how the AH might skew the balance for decent drops overall, but if it ever seems necessary for me to use it to progress then why not? I don't feel it's 'bad for the game'. It's just part of the game and I'll use it if I need it. I think I prefer just being patient and earning it myself though, bad luck or not.
You are either a DH, or full of it, or have no chance of making it in Act 2.
lol you people are ridiculous. I post about enjoying the game on hell, and people say wait to inferno. I get to inferno and say I enjoy it, and people say wait until act 2. I get to act 2 and people say wait to act 3. When I get to act 3, people will say wait until act 4. I've already seen idiots that respond against people that beat inferno legitimately with "you used exploits, paid tons of gold on the auction house, must be just an OP class, must have no life to play it too much", etc. etc. Give me a break. You are wrong. End of story.
So you do play a DH then. Gotcha.
Never played a DH. I play monk and have only played a monk since release. Wrong again. Going for 3 strikes?
Then you are simply full of it. A Monk at this infancy of the game has 0 chance of clearing inferno without using AH / Trading. Unless you beat it in the first few days of the game with the 4 monk invincible bug.
Never played a DH. I play monk and have only played a monk since release. Wrong again. Going for 3 strikes?
Then you are simply full of it. A Monk at this infancy of the game has 0 chance of clearing inferno without using AH / Trading. Unless you beat it in the first few days of the game with the 4 monk invincible bug.
Just like I said you would, all you did was escalate it to a point where an honest person can't argue because I haven't 'cleared inferno' yet, even though I accurately stated you were wrong on your first couple attempts at guessing what I can't do with my monk yet. Just a matter of time. I love monk right now, in inferno, as it is, without any experience with the AH / trading. Doesn't matter if you believe me or not. Blizzard can see my progress and I say thank you for making a really fun game at this difficulty level.
edit' lol and no, I didn't use some monk invincible bug. I admit I haven't heard that one yet. Nice try though.
Never played a DH. I play monk and have only played a monk since release. Wrong again. Going for 3 strikes?
Then you are simply full of it. A Monk at this infancy of the game has 0 chance of clearing inferno without using AH / Trading. Unless you beat it in the first few days of the game with the 4 monk invincible bug.
Just like I said you would, all you did was escalate it to a point where an honest person can't argue because I haven't 'cleared inferno' yet, even though I accurately stated you were wrong on your first couple attempts at guessing what I can't do with my monk yet. Just a matter of time. I love monk right now, in inferno, as it is, without any experience with the AH / trading. Doesn't matter if you believe me or not. Blizzard can see my progress and I say thank you for making a really fun game at this difficulty level.
edit' lol and no, I didn't use some monk invincible bug. I admit I haven't heard that one yet. Nice try though.
I'm glad you enjoy the game. It's just sad that you have to blatantly lie on forums to try to convince other people this game is good. We'll make our own decisions on that thank you.
And to be more 'on topic', I don't understand why people think the game is only possible is you are using the AH. Where do you people think the items are coming from? I could probably sell some of the gear I found for pretty good profit because I think I had some pretty lucky drops all things considered, but I rather keep it for myself at least until I beat inferno. It's obvious these items are dropping for people. Of course a good drop is rare. That is what makes it good.
I was about to say "these items don't just appear out of thin air", but technically they kinda do lol
Never played a DH. I play monk and have only played a monk since release. Wrong again. Going for 3 strikes?
Then you are simply full of it. A Monk at this infancy of the game has 0 chance of clearing inferno without using AH / Trading. Unless you beat it in the first few days of the game with the 4 monk invincible bug.
Just like I said you would, all you did was escalate it to a point where an honest person can't argue because I haven't 'cleared inferno' yet, even though I accurately stated you were wrong on your first couple attempts at guessing what I can't do with my monk yet. Just a matter of time. I love monk right now, in inferno, as it is, without any experience with the AH / trading. Doesn't matter if you believe me or not. Blizzard can see my progress and I say thank you for making a really fun game at this difficulty level.
edit' lol and no, I didn't use some monk invincible bug. I admit I haven't heard that one yet. Nice try though.
I'm glad you enjoy the game. It's just sad that you have to blatantly lie on forums to try to convince other people this game is good. We'll make our own decisions on that thank you.
It's pretty sad you have to throw around insults and accusations at people just because they are happy with the way something is. You also don't need to state the obvious, "We'll make our own decisions.". By the same token, I think you've already showed enough of how your world works for everyone to see. I'm glad everyone here isn't like you.
Never played a DH. I play monk and have only played a monk since release. Wrong again. Going for 3 strikes?
Then you are simply full of it. A Monk at this infancy of the game has 0 chance of clearing inferno without using AH / Trading. Unless you beat it in the first few days of the game with the 4 monk invincible bug.
Just like I said you would, all you did was escalate it to a point where an honest person can't argue because I haven't 'cleared inferno' yet, even though I accurately stated you were wrong on your first couple attempts at guessing what I can't do with my monk yet. Just a matter of time. I love monk right now, in inferno, as it is, without any experience with the AH / trading. Doesn't matter if you believe me or not. Blizzard can see my progress and I say thank you for making a really fun game at this difficulty level.
edit' lol and no, I didn't use some monk invincible bug. I admit I haven't heard that one yet. Nice try though.
I'm glad you enjoy the game. It's just sad that you have to blatantly lie on forums to try to convince other people this game is good. We'll make our own decisions on that thank you.
It's pretty sad you have to throw around insults and accusations at people just because they are happy with the way something is. You also don't need to state the obvious, "We'll make our own decisions.". By the same token, I think you've already showed enough of how your world works for everyone to see. I'm glad everyone here isn't like you.
Me too, the world would be awefully boring. And blizzard would be bankrupt!
Never played a DH. I play monk and have only played a monk since release. Wrong again. Going for 3 strikes?
Then you are simply full of it. A Monk at this infancy of the game has 0 chance of clearing inferno without using AH / Trading. Unless you beat it in the first few days of the game with the 4 monk invincible bug.
Just like I said you would, all you did was escalate it to a point where an honest person can't argue because I haven't 'cleared inferno' yet, even though I accurately stated you were wrong on your first couple attempts at guessing what I can't do with my monk yet. Just a matter of time. I love monk right now, in inferno, as it is, without any experience with the AH / trading. Doesn't matter if you believe me or not. Blizzard can see my progress and I say thank you for making a really fun game at this difficulty level.
edit' lol and no, I didn't use some monk invincible bug. I admit I haven't heard that one yet. Nice try though.
I'm glad you enjoy the game. It's just sad that you have to blatantly lie on forums to try to convince other people this game is good. We'll make our own decisions on that thank you.
It's pretty sad you have to throw around insults and accusations at people just because they are happy with the way something is. You also don't need to state the obvious, "We'll make our own decisions.". By the same token, I think you've already showed enough of how your world works for everyone to see. I'm glad everyone here isn't like you.
Me too, the world would be awefully boring. And blizzard would be bankrupt!
lol no argument there.
I don't have a problem with the AH yet, but the RMAH is another story. I'm not looking forward to the day that comes out. I can't think of a necessarily sound argument against AH versus RMAH (because we all paid cash already for the game and it's contents) but I don't like the sound of it.
I guess many MMOs have been doing it for years already, but it just seems completely wrong in an ARPG. Then comes the argument about whether D3 is like an MMO or totally shouldn't be on this site even... I don't want to even get in to that.
Being a barbarian with 7k armor 400 all resists 13k dps and 28k hp, with Warcry buff I'd be sitting at close to 10k armor 600 all resists and still have a super hard time getting through the beginning of act 2. Those stupid bugs shooting them little insects basically kills me having to avoid that with the other monsters chasing me makes it hard as is.
So I'm basically stuck with grinding out act 1 killing the butcher for better gear. I'd sometimes find some nice cheap rares through the AH, but then getting the stats on want on the gear I want you're looking at prices ranging from 5 million to 50 million. Having the AH has its uses, but I'll definitely not pay those prices for the gear I want.
Having the AH around isn't so bad either. I like it because there are times when I just get burned out running for loot. So if I can find something I want for a reasonable price in the AH I'd definitely take advantage of it just to make it more bearable.
With that said, I'm not even thinking about trying Hard core permadeath mode anytime soon.
Because of the AH, the loot drops have been tuned to be next to worthless for the person who finds them which drives people to the AH. If there was no AH loot drops would be geared towards rewarding the player so you wouldn't need to grind for good gear unless you were going for something specific.
And how was that any different from people selling/buying loot items on ebay and such other sites? Your choice paying real money or game money for items.
All game developers might as well get rid of AH from all games if that were the case.
The difference is that if Blizz isn't running the AH then they wouldn't have forced singleplayers to play online so they could access the AH and more importantly drop tables wouldn't be geared towards making people go to the AH by having drops be near worthless to use by the people who've found them.
So for example, you've made a game, you've profited from selling digital DL's and game boxes. But then Some people are making money off of YOUR creation. That doesn't make you furious? It doesn't make you feel cheated that some above average nerd makes BoT programs using your game for profit? All your hard work put into that game just to see people who didn't even spend any time working on it with you make money.
Sure Blizz is going to make money off the AH, but its THEIR game, they deserve to. Anyone that disagrees shouldn't be playing their games. In doing so they are legitimizing the sales. When you purchase in game items from any other site is illegal. A company taking charge of their own game and getting flamed for it doesn't seem logical at all, especially when there's people already doing it and didn't spend years thinking up the ideas for making the game.
If it was my game, I'd be damn sure I make as much money as I can. I deserve it.
Comments
I personally feel ambivalent towards the gold AH. People always traded for items in D1 and D2, so this is another form of it. Sure, in D2, the best items sold for duped SoJs for the most part, or real money in the blackmarket, so at the moment swapping things for gold is not such a biggy. I know that if I wanted a particular item for my D2 toon, I traded for it if I couldn't find it.
I do agree though with the OP that basing the entire droprates on the AH is not the best idea for maximum fun factor. I am not keen on playing markets after my 5 years of EVE and getting sick of it in that game. I would prefer to have several viable options for gearing my toons. At the moment, wearing what is dropped is not as viable as crafting which is not as viable as farming money to buy gear.
I feel negatively towards the RMAH idea though and don't look forward to its release. I wish it weren't coming out at all to be honest. I dislike combining real money and ingame money. I also don't look forward to possibly more hacking and other security issues once the RMAH is in place.
Playing MUDs and MMOs since 1994.
Diablo 3 would be unplayable without the auction house.
The game is designed around AH/RMAH.
I don't think that is true. Without the AH, Blizz would stop tuning the drops to be worthless to the player that found them. Finding loot would become meaningful. That is what people are pointing out. Its not that the AH fixes the fact that you can't get good loot, its that because Blizz wants you to use the AH, they've made it so you can't get good loot. If you took out the AH, Blizz would adjust loot drops accordingly.
Exactly. I have a level 52 Barbarian who has had 1 (one) legendary drop in all those levels. Even the drop rate of rares that are a good upgrade and not just random garbage stats have been tuned down to a ridiculous level just to cater to the AH/RMAH.
It's Blizzard's social experiment and we're paying for it.
“Microtransactions? In a single player role-playing game? Are you nuts?”
― CD PROJEKT RED
True, but what people meant is that CURRENT D3 would be unplayable without AH.
That's why AH / RMAH is wrong.
Kinda similar pattern like other microtransactions - like Cash Shops.
With revenue source like RMAH / CS, developers and managment OBLIGATION to investors is to make / wrap game around it to increase revenue.
That's why ideas like this alter games themself and gameplay they provide and exactly this is reason why they're bad.
Without AH/RMAH D3 would be just designed diffrently.
Being a barbarian with 7k armor 400 all resists 13k dps and 28k hp, with Warcry buff I'd be sitting at close to 10k armor 600 all resists and still have a super hard time getting through the beginning of act 2. Those stupid bugs shooting them little insects basically kills me having to avoid that with the other monsters chasing me makes it hard as is.
So I'm basically stuck with grinding out act 1 killing the butcher for better gear. I'd sometimes find some nice cheap rares through the AH, but then getting the stats on want on the gear I want you're looking at prices ranging from 5 million to 50 million. Having the AH has its uses, but I'll definitely not pay those prices for the gear I want.
Having the AH around isn't so bad either. I like it because there are times when I just get burned out running for loot. So if I can find something I want for a reasonable price in the AH I'd definitely take advantage of it just to make it more bearable.
With that said, I'm not even thinking about trying Hard core permadeath mode anytime soon.
Because of the AH, the loot drops have been tuned to be next to worthless for the person who finds them which drives people to the AH. If there was no AH loot drops would be geared towards rewarding the player so you wouldn't need to grind for good gear unless you were going for something specific.
And how was that any different from people selling/buying loot items on ebay and such other sites? Your choice paying real money or game money for items.
All game developers might as well get rid of AH from all games if that were the case.
I thought it was a great idea as a concept, but playing the game with it implemented it seems as if they created the loot tables so that people would be dependent upon the auction house, and with Blizzard taking in a 15% cut once the RMAH opens, I can't help but feel as though it is a money making scheme for them as opposed to a tool for the players.
Free to play = content updates for the cash shop. Buy to play = content updates for the cash shop.
Subscription = Actual content updates!
The difference is that if Blizz isn't running the AH then they wouldn't have forced singleplayers to play online so they could access the AH and more importantly drop tables wouldn't be geared towards making people go to the AH by having drops be near worthless to use by the people who've found them.
That it has been a long term goal doesn't change the connection between the AH and the way drops have been tuned, even for singleplayer. The AH and the way it is set up wasn't done to promote universal battle.net use, universal battle.net use is a goal to get people to be online so they have a greater opportunity to be marketed to.
Allow me to clarify, drops are near worthless to the character that finds them. That they may be useful to other characters I play doesn't change the fact that the AH and the resulting loot drop dynamic has taken away the thrill of finding loot because the loot isn't going to benefit the character I'm playing with EXCEPT to sell it for gold which I can then use to by useful gear on the AH.
I know you disagree, but in the context of a gear oriented, dungeon crawler, hack 'n slash, the AH and the way it has been implemented is clearly bad for the game in that it removes one of the large enjoyment dynamics of gameplay which is simply finding loot better than what you have.
I haven't used the AH once yet, even since hitting inferno. It's not necessary, but I appreciate that it helps out to balance the bad luck of some people that just aren't getting good drops. I don't think that's my case. I've pretty consistently found better drops in every run, approximately at one obvious big upgrade for each playthrough of an entire act at the highest difficulty I can overcome. That's not including the amount of gold and salvaged ingredients I earn to roll the dice on a coule crafted pieces of gear.
That's fine with me. Maybe it's not for others, and I can see how the AH might skew the balance for decent drops overall, but if it ever seems necessary for me to use it to progress then why not? I don't feel it's 'bad for the game'. It's just part of the game and I'll use it if I need it. I think I prefer just being patient and earning it myself though, bad luck or not.
You are either a DH, or full of it, or have no chance of making it in Act 2.
lol you people are ridiculous. I post about enjoying the game on hell, and people say wait to inferno. I get to inferno and say I enjoy it, and people say wait until act 2. I get to act 2 and people say wait to act 3. When I get to act 3, people will say wait until act 4. I've already seen idiots that respond against people that beat inferno legitimately with "you used exploits, paid tons of gold on the auction house, must be just an OP class, must have no life to play it too much", etc. etc. Give me a break. You are wrong. End of story.
edit: oh, and my favorite one: "Beating Inferno normal isn't hard. Let's see him beat Inferno hardcore." <-- obviously not said to me, but funny how it escalates indefinitely.
So you do play a DH then. Gotcha.
Never played a DH. I play monk and have only played a monk since release. Wrong again. Going for 3 strikes?
Although it is pretty funny how you went straight for the OP class card just as I had guessed. These forums are getting way too predictable.
Then you are simply full of it. A Monk at this infancy of the game has 0 chance of clearing inferno without using AH / Trading. Unless you beat it in the first few days of the game with the 4 monk invincible bug.
Just like I said you would, all you did was escalate it to a point where an honest person can't argue because I haven't 'cleared inferno' yet, even though I accurately stated you were wrong on your first couple attempts at guessing what I can't do with my monk yet. Just a matter of time. I love monk right now, in inferno, as it is, without any experience with the AH / trading. Doesn't matter if you believe me or not. Blizzard can see my progress and I say thank you for making a really fun game at this difficulty level.
edit' lol and no, I didn't use some monk invincible bug. I admit I haven't heard that one yet. Nice try though.
I'm glad you enjoy the game. It's just sad that you have to blatantly lie on forums to try to convince other people this game is good. We'll make our own decisions on that thank you.
And to be more 'on topic', I don't understand why people think the game is only possible is you are using the AH. Where do you people think the items are coming from? I could probably sell some of the gear I found for pretty good profit because I think I had some pretty lucky drops all things considered, but I rather keep it for myself at least until I beat inferno. It's obvious these items are dropping for people. Of course a good drop is rare. That is what makes it good.
I was about to say "these items don't just appear out of thin air", but technically they kinda do lol
It's pretty sad you have to throw around insults and accusations at people just because they are happy with the way something is. You also don't need to state the obvious, "We'll make our own decisions.". By the same token, I think you've already showed enough of how your world works for everyone to see. I'm glad everyone here isn't like you.
Me too, the world would be awefully boring. And blizzard would be bankrupt!
lol no argument there.
I don't have a problem with the AH yet, but the RMAH is another story. I'm not looking forward to the day that comes out. I can't think of a necessarily sound argument against AH versus RMAH (because we all paid cash already for the game and it's contents) but I don't like the sound of it.
I guess many MMOs have been doing it for years already, but it just seems completely wrong in an ARPG. Then comes the argument about whether D3 is like an MMO or totally shouldn't be on this site even... I don't want to even get in to that.
So for example, you've made a game, you've profited from selling digital DL's and game boxes. But then Some people are making money off of YOUR creation. That doesn't make you furious? It doesn't make you feel cheated that some above average nerd makes BoT programs using your game for profit? All your hard work put into that game just to see people who didn't even spend any time working on it with you make money.
Sure Blizz is going to make money off the AH, but its THEIR game, they deserve to. Anyone that disagrees shouldn't be playing their games. In doing so they are legitimizing the sales. When you purchase in game items from any other site is illegal. A company taking charge of their own game and getting flamed for it doesn't seem logical at all, especially when there's people already doing it and didn't spend years thinking up the ideas for making the game.
If it was my game, I'd be damn sure I make as much money as I can. I deserve it.