For several years now, a secondary market to the popular MMORPG genre involving the sale and trade of in-game virtual items and currency has generated some $200 million in sales, according to a PC Magazine article not yet available online. I have to admit patronizing companies like IGE from time to time to get over minor obsacles. Looks like Sony has had enough with its release of its Station Exchange, effectively giving control of most of their games’ real money markets while at the same time giving them a cut of the profits. In my opinion, this is long overdue. After playing Final Fantasy XI for some time, I found it rather easy to us the in-game economy of eight-year-olds to generate large quantities of “gil” I was able to turn around to IGE, generating enough real money eventually to pay for my game subscription for a short time. I managed to do this without making it my number one gaming priority, too, contrary to what the warehouses of kids in Chinese virtual gaming companies do. In countries where the minimum wage is less than a dollar an hour, it’s easy to see how a business could based on such an activity. There are several articles written on just how big this secondary market is becomming.
Interesting Articles
More Detailed Discussion
The Wild Ones
The Best Way to Protect Sales of Virtual Goods Can Be Found Inside the Game, Itself
IGE President on the Emerging Secondary Market for MMOs
I heard from my mom and dad last night that Tom McRae died in a motorcycle accident last Monday. Tom was the original founder and host of the Great Race, that cross-country antique car rally I always went on for two weeks every summer with my uncle. Tom had such a moving and diverse conglomeration of life events that shaped him into one of the most endearing and colorful personalities I have ever experienced. Although they may not necessarily know his name or remember in great detail their interaction, I know people across the country would find familiar Tom’s engaging personality as they saw him at race stops across the country.
In 1983, he went against the grain when he founded the Great Race by refusing to accept sponsorship from any alcohol or tobacco company, as his personal experiences left him with a profound sense of family values. With such companies providing some 95% of event sponsorships, in almost every situation, this is simply impossible to do. Tom made it work, though, and over the years the Great Race taught me a lot about things ranging from team work and perseverance to the beauty of our country and the awesomeness of democracy. I’m not kidding in the slightest. Although I can’t make the entire race this year with my career starting off and all, I will be meeting up with the group on the 28th and 29th when they’re in Illinois. Chatting with Tom was something I was really looking forward to, especially since he’s seen me go through high school, college, and dental school–I really wanted to see him now that I’m done. Tom has already filled my heart and mind with fond memories, and I know the race will continue to do so for years to come. He is already truly missed.
A Costa Rica adventure summary was planned, but it took a bit of a back seat once I got this news.
Although I usually make a point to stay away from technology whilst on vacation, the guys and I decided to visit an internet cafe and shoot an e-mail to our parents letting them know we made it ok. Although we’re only staying 10 minutes, we decided to splurge and pay the whole 6 cents for the hour. I doubt I’ll be playing with computers anymore on my break, but I thought it would be neat to make an entry from San Jose´ while I’m here.
We went white water rafting today, and it absolutely kicked ass! I originally thought it would just be another thing to do, but it was way awesome. Lucjan brought his underwater camera housing for his S500, so we have plenty of pictures and even some movies of some class IV runs. We also got to enjoy throwing ourselves overbhoard and floating through a canyon cutting through the rainforest. What an incredible peaceful yet exhilerating experience! The entire operation was incredibly well-run. They did an absolutely wonderful job of picking us up in the morning, teaching us how to operate the raft, feeding us two meals, and returning us safely to the hotel (more like a hostel) with digital photos en route via e-mail.
Oh, and then a car rear-ended our van on the highway and was totaled. The van had absolutely minimal damage. Aparently, an oncoming car was passing around a mountain curve when oncoming traffic was barreling around the corner. Deciding to go for mud instead of the passing car, an SUV swerved in the rain and rolled, causing a halt in traffic. Our van rounded the curve quickly to see a line of cars backed up and had to stop suddenly. The guy behind me said, “Someone is totally going to round that curve and ram us.” About two seconds later, I heard an “oh, shit!” followed by a BAM! That guy’s engine was on his lap. Everyone made it out without a scratch, but we are all taking driving these roads far more seriously now.
On a good note, our 10 minute break turned into 15, and it’s time to return to the 30 cent beers, which are quite good, by the way.
Pura vida!
Still hanging on…
I live in Little Italy. The hood is nearby. There was absolutely no media coverage of the drive-by–tv or print. The victim was actually hit many times, and there were no stray bullets found. Perhaps the neighborhood association took matters in their own hands to elliminate an unwanted intruder?
