The lights are on
Blizzard has revealed the cut it's taking out of every transaction. Will players find its demands reasonable?
If you're selling weapons, armor, accessories, or unique items using the in-game currency, Blizzard expects 15 percent of your profits. If you would rather receive real-world cash for the item, Blizzard will take $1.00 per transaction. With a minimum sale price of $1.25, that would net you a cool quarter. If you sell an item at the maximum value of $250, however, you get to keep $249.
When selling commodities like gems, dyes, or recipes, Blizzard takes 15 percent of the final transaction price regardless of whether you want in-game currency or real-world cash in return.
Once your transaction for real-world money is finalized, you can choose where to distribute your new funds. Electing to move the money into your Battle.net account accrues no additional fees. This balance can be applied toward other Auction House transactions or digital purchases of other Blizzard products. If you'd rather transfer the money into a PayPal account, Blizzard takes an additional 15-percent cut. That would turn your $249 into $211.65.
Do you think these transaction fees seem fair? To read more about how the Auction House works, check out the FAQ.
Email the author Matt Bertz, or follow on Twitter, Google+, Facebook, and Game Informer.
I have zero interest in an auction house, I just want to play the game and enjoy it. As long as this whole auction house angle doesn't interfere with that, I'm fine with it.
In case you didn't know, there are people who make real money off of items in Diablo II. I used to work with a guy who probably spent about $100 over a couple of years so he could have better equipment for farming and, later, dueling. Blizzard realizes there is a market, and they want their cut, nothing more. Just don't forget to claim this income on you taxes!
I think it's kinda cool I guess. I also think its a little greedy of Blizzard to take advantage of hardcore crazies that are willing to spend real money on virtual items. You know Blizzard wouldn't do it if there wasn't any profit in it for them. 15% of thousands of transactions add up.
It's going to print money.
It's their baby; they can raise it how they want.
Considering this is breaking new ground for allowing users to sell digitally procured items that don't necessarily belong to us (from Blizz's standpoint) I'd say this is completely fair.
The only stupid thing is being charged a fee for in game currency transactions.
It's good to see Activision going out of its way to make the most vital part of Diablo (the loot) meaningless.
this is great
what other games let u earn the moneyy
THEY allow u to earn it in their great game,why would u complain anyway
might as well just take the damn feature out BLIZZARD you bunch of leeches! Kotick you greedy ***!!!!!!