WoW Forever: the temporary economy hold against RMT, explained
Blizzard has added a Temporary Economy Hold to WoW Forever against RMT, the buying and selling of gold for real money. If your account is suspected of selling or receiving it, your trade, mail, guild bank and Auction House use is restricted while it is investigated. Here is what it means for a normal player, and what to do if it happens to you.
What the WoW Forever economy hold does
- What is restricted: trading between players, mail, guild banks and the Auction House.
- Why: stop suspicious gold before it is transferred or put into circulation, and give Blizzard time to investigate thoroughly.
- It is not a penalty: a hold alone leaves no permanent strike on the account unless RMT is later proven.
Normal player: should you worry?
- By playing normally, it is unlikely you will ever see this restriction.
- False positives are possible: the system is new and Blizzard says it will be fine-tuned, so an honest player can be held by mistake.
- If so, the hold is lifted automatically once the investigation finds the actions legitimate. Otherwise the account receives penalties.
How to avoid getting held
Blizzard does not detail its criteria, so nothing is guaranteed. Avoid behavior that looks like RMT: receiving large sums of gold from strangers, buying gold or services for real money, or moving unusual amounts through several accounts.
Why it matters for the game's economy
For a launch that aims at a healthy economy, bought gold distorts Auction House prices and professions. Blizzard adds that these tools will be deployed to all versions of World of Warcraft if they prove successful.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Temporary Economy Hold in WoW Forever?
A restriction on trade, mail, guild banks and the Auction House applied to accounts suspected of RMT while they are investigated.
Is an economy hold a penalty?
No. It is lifted automatically if the investigation finds nothing, and leaves no permanent strike unless RMT is proven.