One of the most recent developments in extreme multiplayer online games is the sale of virtual goods. Players who have spent hours in the virtual worlds to amass items may wish to sell them for real-world money. That seems so strange. Anyway, in a move that will unquestionably annoy many MMORPG gamers, online auction house eBay has decided to ban virtual goods and items from the online games such as World of Warcraft, City of Heroes and many more.
Earlier, such gamers were able to make real-world money by building up skills for characters, acquiring items, and then selling those characters and items to players who don’t find enough time to play the games.
Experts have estimated the total value of this economy to be $250 million and $800 million US a year. Hani Durzy, a representative for eBay, said:
The seller must be the owner of the underlying intellectual property, or authorized to distribute it by the intellectual property owner.
But, eBay has exempted the Second Life from the ban as their policy states:
We think there is an open question about whether Second Life should be regarded as a game.
So, the sales of items in the virtual world second life won’t be affected by the eBay’s ban. If we take a look from other corner, it could intimidate the lively internet economy.
Via: CBCnews
