As long as gamers perceive that there's enough value to justify the purchase of digital goods, services will exist to facilitate those transactions. Choosing to legitimize the practice in Diablo III is a double-edged sword for Blizzard. On the plus side, those interested in using the RMAH will have an avenue other than dubious third-parties. As others have mentioned, however, it breaks the fourth wall (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fourth_wall) by including US Dollars as a currency available in-game. There are numerous other implications and effects that come with the RMAH, but I don't think we have enough information at this point to see the big picture. I for one am quite curious to see if the RMAH decreases in-game spam and third-party item sales as much as others have speculated.
It will also be interesting to see if people are willing to only sell on the RMAH. Most Diablo II players I knew were always trying to make deals to get better items, not money. Perhaps the reality of the currency will make a difference, though.
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It will also be interesting to see if people are willing to only sell on the RMAH. Most Diablo II players I knew were always trying to make deals to get better items, not money. Perhaps the reality of the currency will make a difference, though.