The auction house in Diablo 3 allows players to buy and sell in-game items using real money or in-game gold. Players can search for specific items, place bids, or set buyout prices. The auction house is a platform for players to trade items and gear with others to improve their characters.
Basics of the Auction House in Diablo 3
The Auction House in Diablo 3 is a feature that allows players to buy, sell, and trade in-game items using real or in-game currency. There are two types of auction houses in Diablo 3 - the Gold Auction House and the Real Money Auction House (RMAH). The Gold Auction House uses in-game gold as the currency for transactions, while the RMAH allows players to use real-world money to buy and sell items.
Selling Items on the Auction House
Players can sell their items on the Auction House by selecting the item they want to sell from their inventory, setting a starting price, and optionally setting a buyout price. The starting price determines the minimum bid that can be placed on the item, while the buyout price allows players to purchase the item immediately at a set price. Sellers can also choose the duration of the auction, ranging from 1 to 36 hours.
Buying Items on the Auction House
Players can browse items listed on the Auction House by category, including weapons, armor, gems, and crafting materials. They can search for specific items using filters such as item type, level requirement, and stats. When a player finds an item they want to purchase, they can place a bid or choose the buyout option if available. If the bid is the highest when the auction ends, the player wins the item.
Using the Real Money Auction House (RMAH)
The Real Money Auction House in Diablo 3 allows players to buy and sell items using real-world currency. Players can deposit funds into their Battle.net account to use for RMAH transactions. When a player sells an item on the RMAH, they can choose to cash out the proceeds to their PayPal account or use the funds to buy items on the RMAH or the Gold Auction House.
Fees and Restrictions
Both the Gold Auction House and the Real Money Auction House charge fees for transactions. The Gold Auction House takes a percentage of the final sale price as a fee, while the Real Money Auction House charges a flat fee plus a percentage of the final sale price. There are also restrictions on certain items that can be sold on the Auction House, such as account-bound items, certain legendary items, and in-game currencies.
Impact on the Game Economy
The Auction House in Diablo 3 had a significant impact on the game economy and player experience. Some players found it convenient to buy and sell items on the Auction House to quickly gear up their characters, while others felt that it took away from the challenge and sense of accomplishment of finding rare items in the game world. In response to player feedback, Blizzard eventually decided to shut down the Auction House in 2014.