Blizzard warns World of Warcraft: Forever players it will 'very aggressively' punish anyone who buys gold with real money

Blizzard Entertainment has signaled a stricter stance on real-money trading (RMT) in *World of Warcraft: Forever*, emphasizing the preservation of the game’s in-game economy as a top priority. Senior game designer Josh Greenfield acknowledged past leniency toward gold buyers but stated that this approach will change with the new expansion. He warned players that purchasing gold with real money will result in "very aggressive" punishment, likely permanent bans, to deter violations of the MMO’s End User License Agreement (EULA).

Greenfield’s remarks came during a Q&A addressing concerns about gold-based bidding systems, such as GDKP (gold dragon kill points), which allow players to bid on raid loot using in-game currency. He stressed that Blizzard is taking RMT seriously to prevent inflation and maintain the value of player-driven trading. The designer, who has played *World of Warcraft* for over two decades, cautioned players against risking their accounts, noting that losing access permanently is not worth the temporary gains from RMT.

The studio’s focus on economic stability reflects broader concerns about inflation in MMOs, where unchecked RMT can devalue in-game items and tradeskills. Greenfield highlighted Blizzard’s tools for balancing supply and demand, though he did not specify exact measures. The announcement suggests that Blizzard intends to enforce rules more strictly than in past iterations of the game, where temporary suspensions were common.

The shift in policy arrives as *World of Warcraft: Forever* prepares for its full release, with Blizzard aiming to protect the game’s long-term economy. While the beta phase has not seen widespread RMT, the studio’s proactive stance signals a commitment to addressing the issue before it escalates. Players are advised to avoid real-money gold purchases to prevent permanent account penalties.