The upcoming expansion for World of Warcraft, titled Midnight, will introduce a housing feature that includes costs beyond the existing monthly subscription and the expansion itself. Certain housing items will require a new virtual currency named “Hearthsteel,” which players will need to purchase using real money.
World of Warcraft already operates with a complex currency system, featuring numerous types of currencies. For reference, at one time, the game’s main currency, gold, had a higher value than the Venezuelan bolivar.
In an announcement detailing Hearthsteel, Blizzard clarified that this currency will be specifically for housing items and will not apply to other areas like the Trading Post or mounts. Additionally, the company emphasized that not all housing items will necessitate Hearthsteel; the majority can still be earned through gameplay. Blizzard stated, “The vast majority of Housing items are (and will continue to be) earnable in-game. Only a small fraction is available for purchase from the shop. Comparing this number against collectibles such as mounts is a good metric here, with more than a thousand mounts earnable in-game and only a few dozen from the shop.”
The inclusion of an in-game currency for specific features raises questions about the overall impact on gameplay and player engagement. Will players find this additional layer of currency management beneficial or burdensome?
Source: https://www.theverge.com/news/816714/world-of-warcraft-player-housing-hearthsteel-currency