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MMOG Economies Examined
Overanalyzed.com has an interesting (short) piece up on the Economy of World of Warcraft, discussing the way that goods and money flow into and out of player's hands. Commentary is available at Terra Nova. From the article: "Let me preface this by saying that I personally approach MMOs in a different way than most people. While most play for personal enjoyment, I come to them looking to make money. Obviously, while I do still enjoy the time I spend playing the games, I'm much more interested in crossing the boundary and selling my expertise and services in game for real life money."
The end result of all this is that I stopped trading because fraud was too prevalent and made the practicality of making a living off of it impossible.
So what to do
How about getting a REAL job.
Or what if teams started paying money to get better players? Then the team with the most money would win!
I pick up a stack of feathers at the stables for 84 gil.
I walk a few meters to the Auction House and put them on for 150.
Some fletching-making crafter standing a few meters from me keeps buying them for 500.
He doesn't try to bid lower, just pays the going rate he sees in the price history.
He's too lazy to walk next door and buy them for 84.
It was so sad that I stopped doing it after a while.
What I've found out from all the online games I've been on?
Many people don't care what it costs, as long as they can afford it.