Dear Blizzard Team,
The decision to ban GDKPs in Classic WoW has stirred strong reactions within the community. While I understand the concerns that may have prompted this move—such as gold buying and its impact on the in-game economy—I urge the developers to reconsider. GDKPs are not just about gold; they are a unique, community-driven system that offers benefits to a wide range of players.
Why GDKPs Matter
- Inclusivity for All Players
GDKPs provide a way for players of all levels of gear and skill to participate in end-game content. Those who may not yet have the gear or performance for a progression guild can still join GDKP runs and benefit by either acquiring items or earning gold to fund their future endeavors. This dynamic fosters a more inclusive raiding environment.
- Reward for Effort and Time
In GDKPs, every player walks away with something. Even if a player doesn’t win loot, they are compensated with gold, which can be used to buy consumables, enchants, or even fund their next GDKP run. This system ensures that time spent raiding is always rewarded, addressing frustrations around time investment with no tangible return.
- Player-driven Economy
GDKPs are a testament to the strength of Classic WoW’s player-driven economy. They give players a reason to farm, trade, and engage with the game world in meaningful ways. By removing this system, the game loses a key feature that makes the Classic experience so vibrant and player-centered.
Addressing the Concerns
While I understand the link between GDKPs and gold-buying, banning GDKPs punishes legitimate players who participate fairly. A better approach would be to target the root issue—gold buying—through enhanced detection and harsher penalties for offenders.
Consider the following solutions:
- Improved Anti-Gold-Buying Measures: Strengthen efforts to detect and ban gold buyers and sellers, rather than removing gameplay systems that rely on gold.
- Transparency in Transactions: Implement raid logs that track GDKP transactions, making it easier to flag suspicious activity.
- Education and Encouragement: Promote ethical gold farming strategies within the community, showcasing how players can earn gold fairly.
The Community Speaks
The GDKP system has grown organically over the years as a solution to loot disputes and as a way to reward participation in raids. Removing it feels like stripping away part of what makes Classic WoW unique. Many of us chose Classic for its rich social systems and player-driven mechanics—GDKPs embody these ideals.
A Balanced Solution
Instead of banning GDKPs outright, why not work with the community to refine and regulate them? Perhaps introducing tools or safeguards could alleviate the concerns while preserving the system. For example:
- Raid Moderation Tools: Introduce optional GDKP tracking tools that players can use to keep runs fair and transparent.
- Gold Caps on Bids: Implement optional bid caps to prevent excessive inflation.
By addressing the underlying issues without removing GDKPs entirely, Blizzard can uphold the integrity of the game while respecting player agency.
Final Appeal
GDKPs are a hallmark of the creativity and ingenuity of the Classic WoW community. They add depth to the economy, reward effort, and foster inclusivity in raiding. Removing them entirely feels like an overcorrection that hurts legitimate players more than it addresses the problem.
I urge you to reconsider this decision and work with the community to find a solution that preserves the spirit of Classic WoW while tackling the issues at hand.
Sincerely,
Shredded
11 Likes
in reality GDKP is “you didnt contribute enough, no pot for you”. “you didnt bid enough, no pot for you”. “you’re too poor to join”.
55 Likes
Swipers continuing to seethe.
58 Likes
OP, Why do I feel like I just showed up late to a corporate meeting?
22 Likes
I get where you’re coming from, and I think those criticisms are valid depending on how the GDKP is run. That said, I think the system has pros and cons, and its success really depends on the group dynamics and how fairly things are managed.
- “You didn’t contribute enough, no pot for you”: This can definitely happen if the group leaders don’t communicate clear expectations upfront. A good GDKP should reward everyone for their time and effort, even if some players outperform others. Contributions should be considered holistically, not just based on numbers.
- “You didn’t bid enough, no pot for you”: I agree this can feel rough, but it’s part of the auction mechanic. It’s meant to create competition for loot, but I do think it works best when there’s a balance—e.g., people who don’t win loot still get a fair share of the pot.
- “You’re too poor to join”: This is probably the hardest part to solve. Some GDKP groups do have gold requirements, which can exclude players. At the same time, GDKP can be a way for less wealthy players to earn gold if they join fair groups and contribute.
Ultimately, GDKP isn’t perfect, but it can work well if the group is transparent and fair. If you’ve had bad experiences, that’s more a reflection of the people running it than the system itself. Finding a solid GDKP team can make all the difference.
2 Likes
Maybe put this much effort into your real life career and you won’t need to sell gdkp pots. Cheers
34 Likes
Haha, appreciate the career advice, but I think I’m doing okay—two degrees under my belt, working on my third, and grinding six days a week IRL. GDKP is just my version of unwinding after all that hustle. Cheers! 
1 Like
GDKP promotional propaganda never gets old.
25 Likes
Yep 
I feel like this was written by Chat GPT.
15 Likes
With all that time spent irl grinding, there’s no way you could afford gdkps!!!
Unless… 
Guildless gdkper that wants to remain guildless and just swipe.
Nothing to see here.
13 Likes
I have not experienced that (So far) but I have only done 5 GDKP’s now, so I don’t have any negative experiences but also I am very careful with any run I go on so have not seen this.
Basically what I measure any run by is how much a sketch-o-meter measurement I get from talking to the lead. If I get any funky vibes I do not waste my time.
1 Like
I hated WOW’s need/greed loot system from the day I ran my first dungeon Wailing Caverns. GDKP’s are 100X better than rolling on loot and man child’s crying over gear.
Blizzard has a solution to stopping gold buyers, hire some GM’s to patrol the servers.
I’m starting to think an employee or multiple employee’s are in on the gold selling, cause people are still buying gold on fresh anniversary realms. I have come across several bots already, could have easily banned em if I was a GM.
5 Likes
Interesting take, but no swiping here. Just good old-fashioned grinding, both in-game and IRL—two degrees, a third in progress, and six days a week at work. GDKPs are just a way to make my limited playtime count. 
GDKP’s are fine on paper but you know, I know, and everyone knows that player behavior is the reason GDKP’s have gotten the extremely negative reputation it has today.
3 Likes
You’re absolutely right—GDKPs as a concept are solid, but it’s always player behavior that can make or break the system. When people turn it into a pay-to-win fest or exclude others based on wealth, it’s no surprise the reputation takes a hit. A good GDKP group with fair and transparent rules is a completely different experience, though—just gotta sift through the drama to find it.
Ive seen the same exact excuse for buying gold.
That’s not an accusation on my part but its the same justification.
Limited play time should come with limits on expectations. Meaning, if you can’t (or won’t) commit to a raid you shouldn’t expect raid gear. At the very least, not on par with someone who does actually commit.
If you have enough time to farm gold for GDKPs it stands to reason you have enough time to raid. There’s just too many holes in GDKP theory to make it more than what it is - just another loot system - and a transactional one at that.
17 Likes
So can DKP or Loot Council, though. In such a perfect scenario, any system will work.
11 Likes
Fair point, but I think it depends on perspective. GDKPs let players like me—who can’t commit to consistent raid schedules—still engage with endgame content without disrupting a guild. Sure, it’s transactional, but it also respects different playstyles. Farming gold for GDKPs fits into my limited playtime better than locking into a raid schedule, which might not be fair to a team.
It’s not perfect, and like any system, it has flaws, but for some of us, it’s a good compromise between enjoying the game and balancing real-life commitments.
I am with you in spirit but the problem is I see better than I hear…and I hear talk of improving RMT issues but I see Blizzard is incapable of doing it
1 Like
True, any system works in an ideal world. But GDKP shines because it’s self-regulating—effort in or gold in equals rewards out. DKP and Loot Council can work, too, but they often rely heavily on trust and fairness, which not every group gets right. At least with GDKP, there’s less room for subjectivity.