Blizzard has mentioned that it is considering adopting a subscription system that is similar to the one practiced by Eve Online. This would involve allowing players to buy tradeable subscription tokens, and then trade it in-game with other players.
The idea is that it would allow players with limited playing time but access funds to trade for more desirable items, while players with more playing time and less money could fund their games by trading. Essentially, working class people wouldn’t be left behind by their lack of grinding time, while people with less disposable income and gold hoarders would be able to finance their game through the game.
Whether the system will end up abused by players is in question, as the last attempt to introduce real money into a Blizzard game backfired horribly with a broken auction house. Naturally, it should be expected that Blizzard has learnt from this mistake and has a better idea of how to get people to part with their money in-game.
Feedback is currently being solicited on the WoW forums about this change, along with a host of other plans that Blizzard has in store for the MMORPG in 2015. This includes an eSports option where players can host and participate in arena fights and community run tournaments.
[Source: WoW; via Ars Technica]
