Blizzard Entertainment intends to crack down severely on players purchasing in-game gold with real money in World of Warcraft: Forever. Senior game designer Josh Greenfield stated in a recent Q&A that the company plans to "very aggressively punish gold buyers" to maintain the integrity of the game's economy.
Historically, Blizzard has adopted a more lenient approach to real-money trading (RMT) and associated offenses. However, Greenfield acknowledged that past actions may have been too lenient, making it easier for players to circumvent penalties. He emphasized the seriousness of the current stance, warning players that account bans are a real possibility and not worth the risk of engaging in RMT. The intention is to prevent significant inflation and preserve the value of in-game economies and professions.
The developer highlighted that maintaining a healthy economy is crucial for the long-term player experience, particularly in a game where the level cap is permanent and content is continually added for characters of all levels. Blizzard has tools to manage supply and demand, aiming to keep the economic system balanced. The studio is aware of how quickly economies can become destabilized, drawing parallels to the challenges seen in other games with player-driven trading systems.