Blizzard seemingly brings in WoW money-trading scheme

A new pet introduced to the WoW store can be purchased with cash then traded on the auction house for in-game currency.

Blizzard has struggled for years to curb the effects of gold farmers on its in-game economies, and this new measure may represent a new attempt to cut down on illegal gold purchasers.

The new pet, a cosmetic pet called the Guardian Cub can be purchased for $10, and since the items doesn't bind to your account like most pets, it can then be sold on the auction house in your realm.

As of now, it doesn't seem like a mistake either. Blizzard seems to be alright with this new measure. Right now it seems like a way to cut down on gold farming as well as help players without extra cash get some cool pets.

This is what Blizzard had to say about the situation, “since the introduction of the Pet Store, many players have been asking for ways to get the companions we offer there without having to spend real-world cash. By making the Guardian Cub tradable (much like the BoE mounts from the World of Warcraft Trading Card Game), players interested in the new pet will have fun, alternative in-game ways to get one. In addition to trading the pet, players can give the Guardian Cub as a gift to another character for a special occasion; guild leaders can use them to reward members for a job well done; and so on. We also hope this change will help reduce the number of incidents of scamming via trading for invalid pet codes.”

Hopefully the going rate for these pets wont get too high, as that could represent a tilt towards a pay-to-win strategy.

Thanks, Rock, Paper, Shotgun!