World of Warcraft opening in-game microtransaction store

The subscription-based World of Warcraft is adding a feature common to its free-to-play counterparts. In a post on the game's forums yesterday, a Blizzard community manager confirmed that the company is introducing an in-game storefront to World of Warcraft.

Blizzard has previously sold in-game items such as player mounts and animal companions, but it has done so through channels outside the game. This initiative will look to not only bring those transactions into the game world, but also add in additional "convenience-oriented items" to facilitate easier progress through the game. Among those offerings will be experience boosts to help players level up quicker, as well as lesser charms of good fortune.

"For players who are already interested in the in-game items we offer, such as Pet Store pets and mounts, the benefits of an in-game store are pretty clear," the community manager said. "We think everyone would appreciate the convenience of being able to make such purchases without having to leave the game, and ultimately that's our long-term goal for the system, though there's quite a bit of work involved in retrofitting those existing items into the new system."

Blizzard will begin testing its in-game store in Asian regions before expanding it to the rest of the world.