If Blizzard is trying to grab a few extra bucks from uber-devoted players for boosts and cosmetic pets, I don’t really think it’s anything to riot about. Other games would have you paying for armor, weapons, new character classes, the ability to skip respawn timers and more.

I understand the universal pushback against microtransactions as the system is often abused, but when kept mainly under the category of “optional cosmetics,” it’s rarely a significant issue. On the list of intrusive and annoying ways they could do so, boosts and cosmetics are pretty low impact, and a far cry for a real-money gear shop or a monthly subscription fee that unlocks loads of paywalled features. Given that Blizzard will have mostly exhausted its revenue streams from the game with the Auction House dead and nearly everyone that wants it owning a copy of the original game and its expansion, I don’t blame them for looking for a new way to monetize highly devoted players who are still playing after all this time. And others? Well, they even get a whiff of the word “microtransactions” and they’re running for the hills.ĭespite my usual disdain for microtransactions, I think Diablo 3 is far enough along in its lifecycle where I’m leaning toward being in the first camp where this all seems okay. Some are in the middle, saying that cosmetics are okay, but boosts invalidate the work of regular grinders, and extra character and inventory slots are quality of life improvements that should be granted to all. Some fans seem to have no problem with any of it, given that it’s all very, very far away from anything as awful as the Auction House where you could flat-out buy the best gear in the game for real-world cash. So, controversial? Naturally, there are opinions on both sides, and in the middle as well. Presumably, Asia/China will be used experimental ground for this new addition, and if it’s a success (given how little effort goes into things like experience boosts and character slots, I have to imagine it will be), we’ll probably see it come to the other regions even if right now they’re being told there are “no plans” to do so. Far from reinstating the Auction House system, it seems Platinum will be able to purchase things like timed experience boosts, cosmetic wings, pets and character portraits, and possibly extra stash and character slots.

So what are the new experimental microtransactions Blizzard is telling America and Europe not to worry about? They’re introducing a new currency in the form of “Platinum,” which will be able to be purchased with real world cash.

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