How Patch 10.1.5 Cross-Realm Trading Will Impact WoW Economy
As reported earlier, Blizzard is including cross-realm trading in Dragonflight Patch 10.1.5. And today, we are going to dive deeper into the possible impacts the feature may have on the WoW economy.
Cross-Realm Trading
For more information on cross-realm trading and its arrival, check out the article:
Needless to say, this change holds great importance in WoW going forward. The response from the community has been overwhelmingly positive. However, there will undoubtedly be a drastic shift with the introduction of realm-wide markets.
Pre-Cross-Realm Trading
Until Patch 10.1, the current situation in WoW is as follows: in low-population realms, sales may be slower, but prices tend to be higher. On the other hand, high-population realms experience smaller profits due to increased competition. But, they benefit from a wider audience who are craving much-needed items. Some astute sellers recognize this dynamic as an opportunity. And they are undoubtedly making a fortune out of it.
Players in WoW have two primary methods for acquiring gold by trading:
- The first method involves using gold to pay for server transfers. They purchase low-cost items in realms bustling with crowds. Then, they sell them at higher prices in fewer-player realms.
- The second method involves pet trading. Over time, it has become a favored method for transferring resources between servers.
As of now, each server has its own unique economy and special products. However, the arrival of the new realm-wide market is just around the corner. And so, things are about to change.
How Cross-Realm Trading Will Impact The WoW Economy
The introduction of region-wide commodities is expected to bring about significant disruptions. They are not limited to the overall economies but also affect individual servers.
Cross-server trading allows players to directly transfer gold and items between servers. And so, removing the need for complicated strategies or server transfers. At the time of publication, it is uncertain whether the feature is limited to trading or if there is potential for additional mailing options.
The feature also brings several benefits for players. Especially if they are interested in doing transactions at the BMAH. In case you are wondering what BMAH is, it stands for Black Market Auction House.
Transferring gold between realms plus less competition? That’s the recipe for convenience right there, especially if one is looking for specific items. However, as more and more players start using cross-server trading, some sellers are in for distress. The availability of various items will change. Meanwhile, prices and profits will likely decrease as competition increases across the entire region.
Adapting to Change: Embracing New Opportunities
WoW continues to undergo significant transformation. The game is gradually shifting towards a more globalized gaming experience. Features like the dungeon finder, merged Auction Houses, server sharding, and cross-faction play have brought players together as a unified community. Some aspects are still limited to the server. But the overall direction towards a more connected world is clear.
The prospect of competing on a regional scale may result in lower prices and narrower margins. However, it also opens up a multitude of choices and opportunities for gold makers. The traditional ways of gold-making are evolving. After all, just like in real life, change is inevitable. In this case, it keeps the game fresh and challenging for all. And so, it’s time for players to adapt and explore new opportunities.
Cross-realm trading is a reality soon to come. And so, it brings forth a thought-provoking question: “What about cross-faction trading?”
Let us know what you think in the comments!
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