In the future, players could pay in the real world with a currency they earned in a game. Early MMOs are laying the groundwork for this.
Goldselling in WoW illegal, in Entropia Universe legal
It is not a new idea, but it is resurfacing and more relevant than ever: earning money in an online game and using it to pay in the “real” world.
In many mainstream MMORPGs like WoW, this is only possible through a “black market” that is monitored and sanctioned by the developer. Gold sellers sell in-game gold for “real money.”
But there are also official ways to do this: Since 2003, in the sci-fi MMORPG Entropia Universe, players can exchange their “game money” for “real money” at any time and vice versa. Entropia Universe relies on a “real money economy.”
Everything that exists in the game also has a dollar value. You can “earn your bread” by playing.
Entropia Universe is a niche MMORPG with a rather unique concept. Thus, it holds numerous records in the Guinness Book, such as the record for the “most expensive virtual object.” A player bought a space station for 335,000 US dollars.
In comparison, this purchase seems almost small: A player paid over €47,000 for a weapon
The phenomenon is still a curiosity at this time. However, that could change in the long term as it aligns with societal developments.
Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin or Ethereum as an addition for MMOs
In today’s times, “cryptocurrencies” like Bitcoin or Ethereum are becoming more important. These are virtual currencies that have a value in the real world. These currencies are created through complex calculations, referred to as “crypto-mining.”
These virtual currencies are already having an impact on the real world: Many attribute the boom in “crypto-mining” to the increased prices of graphics cards. Because graphics cards are necessary for mining certain newer currencies.
What is illegal elsewhere becomes the game principle here
The new mobile MMO “Lordmancer 2” is now seeking a direct connection to these currencies. You should be able to earn a cryptocurrency through the game.
The currency “Lord Coins” in Lordmancer 2 is based on Ethereum and can be exchanged for real money outside of the game.
Lordmancer 2 will start selling its Lord Coins in October. Currently, they are seeking funds from Chinese investors. Lordmancer aims to establish what is a black market in other games as part of its own game principle.
The ultimate vision is that players can earn a currency in “gamified jobs” in virtual worlds, which can then be used universally as a means of payment. However, this is still a distant prospect, as it would only work if it becomes widely accepted and reaches the mainstream.
While one cannot expect a game like Lordmancer 2 to trigger such a boom, it is still a sign that the foundations for such a future are being laid.
More about the future MMOs and what ideas we might expect there can be found here:
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