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The Economics Of Gender In Everquest

Posted by simoniker on from the girls-who-like-boys-who-like-girls dept.

Obscure Economist writes "The Social Science Research Network has just posted a new paper of mine that follows up on some issues from a previous paper I wrote about MMORPG Everquest's economy. The new paper asks: If two equivalent avatars were being offered for sale, and the only difference was that one was male and the other female, which one would have the higher price? As it turns out, female avatars sell for about 10 percent less than male avatars, holding all other characteristics equal. Most gamers are men, so this seems to suggest that men do not like being treated like women. Of course, just why that is, and what it might mean in a broader context, is open to debate."

3 of 37 comments (clear)

  1. highly valuable research by mikeburke · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Could it be that most men prefer to role play male characters, therefore creating a higher demand, therefore resulting in a higher price ?

    Hell no! There are huge, huge ramifications on a broad socio-economic scale that will justify at least 2 dozen more essays written by a social science student with a closet EQ addiction.. which will all unfortunately be posted on slashdot.

    mike

  2. Actually... by MrKinkade · · Score: 5, Interesting

    ... quite a fair few blokes in online games like EQ UO et al play female characters. Female characters get treated better and tend to get away with a lot more. You will find it a lot easier to get help from somebody if you have a female avatar than if you had a male one.

    Some people (including ones I know) use this to exploit other gamers. But, talking about sold accounts is a little different. If you are buying a well developed character you wouldn't likely need to exploit the female avatar to further your character developement or loot whoring.

    If I used female character I would have to play a lesbian role :P

  3. LOGIC ALERT! by notque · · Score: 5, Funny

    Could it be that most men prefer to role play male characters, therefore creating a higher demand, therefore resulting in a higher price ?

    You have just displayed logic, and forethought in a slashdot post. Please cease all communication until this has been corrected.

    HUGE ramifications on a socio-economic scale.

    --
    http://use.perl.org