That is a very reassuring thing to hear, exactly what was asked for. Straight to the point and not dancing around it.
I’d still want to comment a bit on the rest though.
Here, since it was said as “anytime soon”, not a complete denial, I want to add that any vehicle that is added to the auction this way should at the same time be available through different means.
So for example an ongoing event vehicle that can also be earned/purchased normally, a techtree vehicle that can be unlocked normally, or a premium vehicle that can be bought for a fixed price.
The issue is that as soon as auctions are the only current way to get a vehicle through the skin, you are no longer selling the skin with a bonus unlock of the vehicle. In that case you are playing into the lack of availability of a vehicle, which I don’t think should be done through auctions, but more accessible methods instead.
I am personally a fan of old event vehicles in the battle pass for example, and I’d appreciate seeing more of that instead of a shift to more limited means like the auction. Since these are through lootboxes I’d also suggest a GE puchasable reroll option, though that is a different topic.
But basically, I want to ensure that this
…always stays an extra option, and never the only one.
I’m personally not a fan of the auction as a mechanic, mainly because it may be a slippery slope towards more.
This game, like any other, has shifting priorities over the years. What once was no jets being sold is now limited to not selling the top BR or vehicle. Similarly, a shift from selling camouflages to auction exclusive vehicles will always seem to hide in the shadows.
I agree that it might seem appropriate for art, however when it comes to digital goods that theoretically come in infinite numbers I believe it is best to not artificially limit numbers to drive up the value.
It’s not necessarily the prices that bother me, it’s the (for lack of a better term) “gamble” around the price, and even around being able to buy in the first place. As well as that, a fixed end to the bidding period also favors certain regions over others for having more convenient times to check up on the bids before the end, which is not in the spirit of fairness either.
Instead, there are many other options you could consider. From more marketplace trophies, to weekly rotating “camouflage stores” as either GE option in-game or on the webstore like the recent esports camo packs, all of these have been suggested here and might create a more well received option to let user-made skins be sold.
They can still be time limited, but they would also have reassuring fixed prices and unlimited lots so long as they are available, which players can and will appreciate.
For the prices you could also work with the skin creators by having them either select their ideal price, or letting them choose from a few pre-selected options if that is easier. They don’t all have to be cheap, so long as they have fair fixed prices and unlimited lots.
Anyways, thanks for the detailed answer, this is the type of communication we need more of!