We need an AH

[Elexia]

I wasn't stating opinion though. An NPC-less model would be objectively better. There's some flaws that the current model introduces that cannot be solved at all, whereas any new features that this model also introduced can be replicated without the use of NPCs.

You are indeed stating an opinion. Some MMOs from the past and even now a lot of direct trade goes through bazaar &trade/"market centers", especially depending on which AH model was used therefore it's purely opinion on what is "better", since as proven some people like the MW and they continue to work on it/improve it.

[Wolfie]

You are indeed stating an opinion. Some MMOs from the past and even now a lot of direct trade goes through bazaar &trade/"market centers", especially depending on which AH model was used therefore it's purely opinion on what is "better", since as proven some people like the MW and they continue to work on it/improve it.

I don't think you quite understand what I mean by objectively better. Your points basically consist of "Other MMOs have bad market systems" and "some people like MW". Those are not things that make a system good.

NPC based wards have introduced the following problems:

Ward limits on retainers
Difficulty selling different kinds of items
Forced zoning when buying different kinds of items
Loss of access to 90 storage slots due to retainers being placed in a ward
Having to manage multiple retainers

These are all legitimate, measurable problems with an NPC model that would simply vanish the moment NPCs were taken out of the equation.

But there is no functionality that the NPC model has brought that can't be replicated in a system without NPCs. That's why it's objectively worse.