World of Warcraft is establishment of a “trading post” full of in-game cosmetics, and from the description it looks like a nice alternative to the usual battle pass model seen in so many other (and younger) games today.
That’s partly because there’s no call to spend real money to speed up the switch, and no way to spend any in the first place. Players can also choose from the items on offer, rather than receiving a fixed reward at an arbitrary XP rank. The Trading Post will bring back items from past promotions and offer cosmetics normally available in the in-game store for real money. Transmogs for your gear will be available, along with pets and mounts, all on a monthly rotation.
This means a new currency is joining the game (sigh) but it is only usable at the trading post and, again, cannot be purchased. Additionally, every player with active game time on their account will receive 500 from this Trader’s Tender at the beginning of the month. They can earn more offers through a monthly set of themed activities, such as “Reviving Players” or “Soaking Zanzil’s Slow Poison”. They’ll also earn it just for regular play, like completing quests or running dungeons.
Image: Blizzard Entertainment
Trading Posts will be set up (“soon”, says Blizzard) in Stormwind and Orgrimmar – “just outside the mage quarter in Stormwind” and “next to Fort Grommash in Orgrimmar”. (Messages are not available in World of Warcraft Classic or both classic expansions.) The “Collector’s Cache” chest containing players’ free and won offers is located next to each post. Open it and get your money; Based on screenshots, 500 Trader’s Tender is good for a few small items.
“We will iterate on this new feature as we test on the [public test realm]“, Blizzard wrote. “Final merchant offer amounts are subject to change.”
Items offered in the Trading Post will expire and rotate, although players can select an item to keep while they win the offer to claim it, if they wish. “This is just the beginning of what we hope will be a rewarding new system allowing players to further customize their character and their experiences within World of Warcraft“says Blizzard.
