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."

Comments

Terms of Service

[jothaxe]

The Terms of Service for the World of Warcraft indicate that all items in game are property of Blizzard (lame, yes.) They also ban accounts of users caught selling items for real money. I disagree with the policy, but thats how it is for now.

Re:Terms of Service

[fyrewulff]

because your character is property of Blizzard, unless you modeled, drew, and animated it yourself...

Re:The Key: Transfer not Sale.

[Poseidon88]

Try actually reading the TOS.

H. You may not exploit World of Warcraft for any commercial purpose, including, but not limited to, performing "power leveling" services to other users of World of Warcraft for "real" money.

Good article, but it's a liitle moot for WoW

[Anonymous Coward]

Blizzard has done a lot of work to prevent selling in-game content. Most equipment earned in instances (dungeons) can't be traded to other players. All equiptment earned from quests can't be traded once they've been equipped. This leaves you with equipment you win but don't want to sell, gold, and stuff crafted with a tradeskill. Also all items have a min. level, so if a low-level character buys an item, they won't be able to use it.

Re:No... Wrong..

[NaugaHunter]

I'm not really certain what you're quoting, but the EULA is not what Blizzard would use. They would use the Terms of Service you have to agree to to play online. That is an enforceable contract, or all online business is unenforceable. The EULA mostly has points about the software, not the online service.

It really has nothing to do with IP or copyright. It states clearly you will not attempt to make money off of your online playing in any manner. It's the same as a contract to use a golf course that has a clause saying you can host your own tournament.