Curse

Inde · Apr 20, 2005, 03:09 AM // 03:09

http://eq2players.station.sony.com/n...&month=current
http://stationexchange.station.sony.com/

Rushing Wind · Apr 20, 2005, 03:36 AM // 03:36

So does this mean, like so many other games do (legit or not), that these players are able to start selling good on eBay and the like? or does this mean that there is a server for that game dedicated to those kind of transactions?

Last but not least, and it may sound like a dumb question, is it virtual stuff sold for real money or just in-game gold?

Lunarhound · Apr 20, 2005, 04:02 AM // 04:02

I think their intentions here are good. Introducing real money into a virtual ecnomy is, to my mind, outright cheating, but there really aren't many effective ways to curb it and many players have no problem with it. By allowing it on specific servers and providing a means to do it themselves, it may be that the company can solve a lot of the problems associated with this practice. Those who want to participate the trading of virtual goods for real money and those who dislike it now have the option to "stick to their own kind" and won't get in each others way.

I wonder, though, if they've really through this through. The problem I see with it actually being allowed and almost encouraged, is that the economy on those servers is going to be extremely weird. It may be that the true currency there will become RL money, and those who don't have enough of the real thing to get by won't be able to compete. So, what will they do? They'll turn to the servers where it's not supposed to be allowed and continue selling through ebay like they've always done.

Apr 20, 2005, 04:32 AM // 04:32

I smell trouble, lots of trouble.

Cyrus the Mighty · Apr 21, 2005, 01:02 AM // 01:02

Check out this article:

http://www.wired.com/news/games/0,21...tml?tw=rss.TOP

We see that SOE stands to make a lot of money off this. They might be saying they're doing it for other motives, but it's pretty obvious they're just doing it for the money. I'm concerned what the people from NCSoft and Blizzard said about it too. Just another example of gaming suffering because the publishers are greedy.

Lunarhound · Apr 21, 2005, 02:04 AM // 02:04

I really hope this sort of thing is never officially condoned or supported in Guild Wars. Unlike games such as EQ II and WoW, the game is meant to be one big world, so there's no way those who view the introduction of RL money into the game as cheating could even attempt to get away from the effects it would have on the economy. NCsoft's comments make me very nervous. I get the impression that ArenaNet wouldn't be in favor of something like this, but if their publisher decides it would be lucrative and insists on it...

permat · Apr 21, 2005, 02:26 AM // 02:26

Well I quit Everquest II as of today. I have to say I enjoyed the experience in Everquest, EQ2, Planetside, and Star Wars Galaxies (Yes I actually bought and payed subscriptions to them all at one time or another). This was a deal breaker for me. I got in on the last Beta Weekend and was rather impressed with Guild Wars. Furthermore, I like the idea of no subscription, but I obviously have no problem with spending my money on an experience I think is worthwhile. I hope that NCSoft and others do not follow suit and cheapen the experience as Sony has.

Mercury Angel · Apr 21, 2005, 03:01 AM // 03:01

Bear in mind, while the $$$ is a likely a major driving ulterior motive, in fact, almost a positive one, reasons they've given are not automatically invalidated because of this.

In the MMORPG's I've played where I got to chat with a couple of GMs, they say much of the same thing; a lot of time is spent dealing with investigating hacking-related cases, and many of them are fakes actually relating to the trade of in-game items for real life cash.

Only time will tell how it plays out though.

DarkIcePhoenix · Apr 21, 2005, 03:27 AM // 03:27

I thought Ultima Online already has that?

Rizzen Khalazar · Apr 21, 2005, 04:18 PM // 16:18

Its all about the dollars. It was inevitable that this was going to happen, it is a huge money maker, and they cant really stop it anyway, so why not help it along.

Rushing Wind · Apr 21, 2005, 04:58 PM // 16:58

After having read about it over at IGN.com I was not impressed at all! Its pathetic that they have made light of an impressive game just to find another way to make 100s of millions of dollars! They are pathetic and, IMO, I hope they dwindle and eventually fall apart because of their "cheap" methods! Thats just me. If its a game... keep it a game! When it becomes real-world money thats needed then it is no longer a game in my mind.

To put it sweet and simple... SONY sounds desperate and its pathetic!

Hiway · Apr 21, 2005, 05:25 PM // 17:25

I'll never buy or use another Sony product due to this. I already sent them feedback regarding that also.

Just design a game that doesn't depend so much on loot or gold to have fun. That's why I am looking forward to Guild Wars.