A Gamer Has Spent $26,500 on Virtual Property
by Mary Zul Enly · in General Discussion · 08/04/2005 (12:55 am) · 29 replies
A 22-year-old gamer has spent
$26,500 (￡13,700) on an island that exists
only in a computer role-playing game (RPG).
The Australian gamer, known only by his
gaming moniker Deathifier, bought
the island in an online auction.
The land exists within in a RPG which allows
thousands of players to interact
with each other.The virtual island includes
a gigantic abandoned castle and
beautiful beaches which are described as ripe
for developing beachfront property.
According to Game Money Research ,a virtual currency price
research site,this is almost
the biggest transaction in the virtual
world untill now.
"This is a historic moment in gaming history,
and this sale only goes to
prove that massive multi-player online gaming
has reached a new plateau,"
someone said.
$26,500 (￡13,700) on an island that exists
only in a computer role-playing game (RPG).
The Australian gamer, known only by his
gaming moniker Deathifier, bought
the island in an online auction.
The land exists within in a RPG which allows
thousands of players to interact
with each other.The virtual island includes
a gigantic abandoned castle and
beautiful beaches which are described as ripe
for developing beachfront property.
According to Game Money Research ,a virtual currency price
research site,this is almost
the biggest transaction in the virtual
world untill now.
"This is a historic moment in gaming history,
and this sale only goes to
prove that massive multi-player online gaming
has reached a new plateau,"
someone said.
#22
Normally I would pass this off as a "no way" situation.
But after Hot Coffee I more willing to believe this situation possible.
Especially with Bush in office ...
08/05/2005 (5:45 am)
Quote:I'm pretty sure governments around the world will soon move to either (a) outlaw it (b) tax it
Normally I would pass this off as a "no way" situation.
But after Hot Coffee I more willing to believe this situation possible.
Especially with Bush in office ...
#23
It's got nothing to do with hot cofee, and nothing do with any specific politician or political affiliation.
If there's money changing hands, sooner or later the government will tax it. If there's money to be made, you can count on it.
08/05/2005 (7:23 am)
No offense, but that seems a bit naive'.It's got nothing to do with hot cofee, and nothing do with any specific politician or political affiliation.
If there's money changing hands, sooner or later the government will tax it. If there's money to be made, you can count on it.
#24
Virtual land has no such limitations. It is, in essence, worthless because it is infinitely abundant.
The mind boggles.
08/05/2005 (7:26 am)
The thing that really amazes me about this issue is that the reason land prices are what they are is the inherent lack of land. You can't make more land, so it becomes a valuable commodity.Virtual land has no such limitations. It is, in essence, worthless because it is infinitely abundant.
The mind boggles.
#25
I believe this would be where the old adage "location, location, location", comes in.
For instance, would you rather have a small storefront in a game like EQ, or a large island in a game no one ever heard of.
08/05/2005 (9:37 am)
@Dustin, thats a good point...I believe this would be where the old adage "location, location, location", comes in.
For instance, would you rather have a small storefront in a game like EQ, or a large island in a game no one ever heard of.
#26
I wouldn't buy it on a bet.
EDIT: Whoa, touch of dyslexia there... I had intended to use the same dollar amount as the article. Ah well, the point remains. lol
08/05/2005 (9:51 am)
I suppose the land isn't necessarily "infinite", but its size IS left up to the developers. Imagine dropping $25,600 to "own" a city in EQ, only to have them release 8 or 9 expansions in the next year. Suddenly, your city loses its population to the newer, flashier cities.I wouldn't buy it on a bet.
EDIT: Whoa, touch of dyslexia there... I had intended to use the same dollar amount as the article. Ah well, the point remains. lol
#27
All us geeks slaver over the virtual worlds stories of William Gibson et al,
and i think that having a tangible exchange rate between the real world and our flimsy virtual worlds is the largest step yet towards um.. social legitimization of those worlds. Possibly a wrong and upsettingly tawdry step, yes, but definitely a significant one.
08/05/2005 (10:33 am)
It's kind of neat.All us geeks slaver over the virtual worlds stories of William Gibson et al,
and i think that having a tangible exchange rate between the real world and our flimsy virtual worlds is the largest step yet towards um.. social legitimization of those worlds. Possibly a wrong and upsettingly tawdry step, yes, but definitely a significant one.
#28
What I see here is someone foolishly setting a new world standard. We already pay $15 a month to rent avatars in virtual worlds for MMORPG's... Now will we be expected to buy their clothing and furniture out of pocket?? Game economies mean less and less the more real-world economies are pushed into gaming. Eventually, only the very rich will be able to game to any successful degree. I do not like the trend at all.
08/05/2005 (10:36 am)
Indeed, but terrible tragedies are often significant.What I see here is someone foolishly setting a new world standard. We already pay $15 a month to rent avatars in virtual worlds for MMORPG's... Now will we be expected to buy their clothing and furniture out of pocket?? Game economies mean less and less the more real-world economies are pushed into gaming. Eventually, only the very rich will be able to game to any successful degree. I do not like the trend at all.
#29
-Ajari-
08/10/2005 (2:08 am)
I think it's really stupid. If I had to pay a dime more than my monthly fee to keep the servers going my character would be butt ass naked and fighting off monsters with sticks and rocks. I refuse to play a game that tries to hit me over the head with a heafty fee for every step I take and every sword I pick up. Don't worry Dustin. A game like that may have a small following playing it but it will never become main stream. I doubt you'll ever officially see anything like that in EQ, WoW, or FFXI.-Ajari-
Torque Owner Dreamer
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Nuff said. :)