Blizzard Exploring Diablo 3 Microtransactions, But Not in the West (Yet)

Blizzard recently previewed what we can expect to see in the next patch for Diablo III. With that update nearing release on public testing servers, the company is now getting out ahead of some discoveries players could make--namely, the addition of microtransactions for non-American and European regions.

Knowing that data mining invariably reveals features that are being worked on, Blizzard has published a list on its forums with some new features that are buried in the patch's files. However, it makes it clear these new feature "will not apply to all regions," meaning that microtransactions are something that are only intended for players in other markets.

The list of features that "will not apply" to the Americas or Europe:

• A new currency called "Platinum"
• Timed experience boosts
• New cosmetic items including wings, non-combat pets, and character portraits
• References to stash space and character slot expansions
• A new UI interface that references the above information

Thankfully, based on what Blizzard offers there, it doesn't sound as if microtransactions would be tied to item drops in any way. Were they to be added, experience boosts, cosmetic changes, and additional stash space sound like relatively inoffensive ways of working in microtransactions, particularly to someone like me who can't help but hoard items.

If the thought of microtransactions in the game does worry you--and considering how the auction house was handled prior to its shutdown, no one could blame you--there's little reason to fret, at least right now. "We recognize that many players have expressed an interest in microtransactions being added to Diablo III," Blizzard says. "While we may explore this model in some regions, we have no immediate plans to implement such purchases anytime soon for the Americas region." A matching statement on the European forum says the same for that region.

As for what you can count on seeing in the upcoming 2.2.0 patch in the Americas and Europe, check out our full rundown.