It looks like World of Warcraft may be preparing to resurrect one of its most talked-about premium items — the $90 Trader’s Gilded Brutosaur mount. New data found in the World of Warcraft: Midnight alpha build hints that Blizzard could be planning to bring the gold-plated Brutosaur back to the in-game cash shop, reigniting discussions among players about high-priced digital collectibles.
The Trader’s Gilded Brutosaur first made headlines when it appeared in the World of Warcraft cash shop between December 20, 2024, and January 6, 2025. Despite its staggering $90 price tag, the mount reportedly sold remarkably well, with an estimated 188,000 players purchasing it — earning Blizzard roughly $15 million in revenue in just over two weeks.
🐉 Datamined Clues Suggest a Brutosaur Comeback
According to a recent Icy Veins report, a new entry in the World of Warcraft: Midnight alpha build’s InterfaceManifestationData table includes a reference titled:CatalogShopWideCardBrutosaurComebackROW.BLP.
This datamined file path is tied directly to the in-game shop interface, and the “Comeback” phrasing in the file name has fueled speculation that the Trader’s Gilded Brutosaur will soon make its return — possibly as part of an upcoming anniversary or promotional event.
While Blizzard has not made any official announcements, the timing of this discovery is noteworthy. The mount originally launched to celebrate World of Warcraft’s 20th Anniversary, so its reappearance during the same period in 2025 would make perfect marketing sense.
Still, it’s important to note that database entries are not official confirmations. Blizzard often experiments with placeholders or future promotional assets that may or may not make it into the final game.
💰 Why the Trader’s Gilded Brutosaur Sparked Controversy
The Trader’s Gilded Brutosaur isn’t just another flashy ride. What made this towering golden creature so desirable — and so controversial — was its functionality. Like the rare Mighty Caravan Brutosaur from Battle for Azeroth, it came equipped with an onboard Auctioneer NPC, allowing players to buy and sell items without visiting a city hub.
However, this version took things even further. The Trader’s Gilded Brutosaur also featured an integrated mailbox NPC, making it the only mount in World of Warcraft to include both utilities in one package. Its exclusivity and convenience made it a dream purchase for collectors and traders alike — and a symbol of “pay-to-convenience” in Blizzard’s growing in-game economy.
Critics argued that charging nearly $90 USD for a single mount blurred the line between microtransactions and premium monetization, especially when the price was equivalent to pre-ordering the Epic Edition of World of Warcraft: Midnight. Yet, others defended the purchase, claiming it was a cosmetic luxury aimed at devoted players, not a necessity.
🏠 The Future of the WoW Cash Shop and Midnight Expansion
The timing of this datamine discovery also aligns with Blizzard’s broader push to expand World of Warcraft’s digital storefront ahead of the Midnight expansion, scheduled for early December 2025.
Patch 11.2.7, launching on December 2, will introduce the long-requested player housing system — a major feature that lets players decorate their own spaces. While most furniture and decorative items can be earned through gameplay, Blizzard confirmed that some exclusive housing content will also appear in the in-game store, potentially setting a new precedent for premium customization.
With Blizzard increasingly blending gameplay features and cosmetic monetization, many players wonder whether the return of the Gilded Brutosaur will mark a broader shift toward more frequent high-value store items.
Whether seen as a luxury collectible or an example of overpriced digital exclusivity, the possible comeback of World of Warcraft’s most infamous mount has already reignited debate across the community.
As of now, Blizzard has not officially commented on the datamined file, but given its naming convention and timing, fans may not have to wait long to find out if the Trader’s Gilded Brutosaur truly stomps its way back into Azeroth.
