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What is waiting for gamers in 2012? No one knows for
sure. But what we indeed observe is the transfer of the ownership and
use right of in-game items. It proceeds gradually but may cause huge
waves next year.
In the past, it was typical for MMO developers to grant
players the use right of in-game items but hold the ownership in their
own hands. However, they seem to loosen their fingers now. First in-game
auction house, then cash transactions via third party is tacitly
accepted. The ownership of virtual items is gradually transferred to the
players.
A Brief Analysis of the Present and Future of RMT in Online Games
Although micro-transaction has become a major mode in
MMO, cash transaction of virtual items is still illegal in many
countries. According to the law, game companies should not take part in
such deal, but also should adopt measures to stop players trading
in-game items via third party. Such rule and regulation may change too
in the future as the MMO industry has changed a lot since last
generation.
Diablo 3 may become the propellant. Its developer Blizzard has announced recently that the auction house in Diablo 3
will support real cash transactions, which means players will be able
to trade their in-game items with others for real money directly in
Diablo 3. This news attracted tones of attention and disputes
immediately after it was released. The fact that Blizzard will require a
handling charge for these cash transactions also becomes the spotlight
because Blizzard has built a base of 12 million subscribers by WoW.
Blizzard explained that they brought in such system for
the safety of players' property. In their opinion, item transaction is
evitable, so the best way to protect players from suffering property
loss which happens a lot during transactions via third party, is to
manage these deals by the company directly.
In Korea, similar trend
seems to come up to the surface. Publisher IMI, also Korea's biggest
trading platform for virtual items, has confirmed that in their upcoming
MMO Myengpum Online (translated), in-game items can be valued through a
specific evaluation system, and players will be able to buy or sell
them directly in the game with real money.
IMI also made an explanation. One of its officials said
"This system guarantees in-game items have a fair value. And by this
way, the time and effort spent by gamers will be recognized. MMO is not
just about fun. It should be related to value and investment too."
Although in-game cash transaction is a hot subject in
MMO industry now, it is still too early to estimate whether such mode
would succeed or not. Like some insider said, "If the publishers are
going to conduct cash transactions themselves, it will definitely cause
huge shocks in the market since these cash transactions are mostly done
via third party at present. But if the market is not ready to accept
this brand new mode, it would go to the opposite direction and those
third-party trading platforms would get their feet stronger."
sure. But what we indeed observe is the transfer of the ownership and
use right of in-game items. It proceeds gradually but may cause huge
waves next year.
In the past, it was typical for MMO developers to grant
players the use right of in-game items but hold the ownership in their
own hands. However, they seem to loosen their fingers now. First in-game
auction house, then cash transactions via third party is tacitly
accepted. The ownership of virtual items is gradually transferred to the
players.
A Brief Analysis of the Present and Future of RMT in Online Games
Although micro-transaction has become a major mode in
MMO, cash transaction of virtual items is still illegal in many
countries. According to the law, game companies should not take part in
such deal, but also should adopt measures to stop players trading
in-game items via third party. Such rule and regulation may change too
in the future as the MMO industry has changed a lot since last
generation.
Diablo 3 may become the propellant. Its developer Blizzard has announced recently that the auction house in Diablo 3
will support real cash transactions, which means players will be able
to trade their in-game items with others for real money directly in
Diablo 3. This news attracted tones of attention and disputes
immediately after it was released. The fact that Blizzard will require a
handling charge for these cash transactions also becomes the spotlight
because Blizzard has built a base of 12 million subscribers by WoW.
Blizzard explained that they brought in such system for
the safety of players' property. In their opinion, item transaction is
evitable, so the best way to protect players from suffering property
loss which happens a lot during transactions via third party, is to
manage these deals by the company directly.
In Korea, similar trend
seems to come up to the surface. Publisher IMI, also Korea's biggest
trading platform for virtual items, has confirmed that in their upcoming
MMO Myengpum Online (translated), in-game items can be valued through a
specific evaluation system, and players will be able to buy or sell
them directly in the game with real money.
IMI also made an explanation. One of its officials said
"This system guarantees in-game items have a fair value. And by this
way, the time and effort spent by gamers will be recognized. MMO is not
just about fun. It should be related to value and investment too."
Although in-game cash transaction is a hot subject in
MMO industry now, it is still too early to estimate whether such mode
would succeed or not. Like some insider said, "If the publishers are
going to conduct cash transactions themselves, it will definitely cause
huge shocks in the market since these cash transactions are mostly done
via third party at present. But if the market is not ready to accept
this brand new mode, it would go to the opposite direction and those
third-party trading platforms would get their feet stronger."
