Recent MMOs like The Division or Black Desert have announced in the past few weeks: There is no player trading with us. What do you think about that?
Once again, we have successfully completed a week and are starting the three most beautiful days. What better way to pass the time than with a few hours of relaxing farming, to then craft some weapons, armor, or bags for your beloved character?
But if you’ve already done that, should you be able to trade the goods? Or should trading in MMOs even be a necessity to obtain certain resources?
The Functions of Trade
Trading systems can fulfill many functions:
- First and foremost, they allow players who are favored by luck or particularly diligent to sell their surplus items. So it’s an indirect reward.
- At the same time, such a system can also serve for regulation, because those who cannot gather all items themselves will take longer to obtain the coveted armor pieces.
- Lastly, there is the social component: Trade always requires a minimum of communication between players – in some games, even trust.
On the other hand, forced trading can also put players under stress. Not everyone wants to make their personal progress dependent on other players, and those who once fell into the clutches of a player who has established a monopoly on certain resources know the frustration.
Most trading systems have restrictions anyway, to eliminate possible downsides: Strong items can rarely be directly traded. They are better found by oneself, otherwise the motivation would quickly disappear. Usually, only consumables or crafting items can be exchanged.
What do you think of a trading system? Is it a requirement in every MMO, or could you imagine a (virtual) world without such trade?
Cortyn says: For me, trading is an essential part of MMORPGs. Buying and selling resources in an auction house in Star Wars: The Old Republic is just as much part of the game as directly negotiating with an enchanter in World of Warcraft to make the weapon glow in the trading window (does anyone besides me still know that this is possible?).
Only the possibility of trading gives me a real sense of “togetherness”. Because if I cannot help my fellow players, it feels more like playing a single-player game where everyone is just playing along. Only trade gives me the opportunity to engage with the character development of other players. Additionally, there is the opportunity to give gifts – with no other gesture can the virtual ice break as quickly as with a small token of appreciation.
But enough about me – what kind of trading system do you like in your MMOs? Is it an indispensable feature, or would you prefer to achieve everything independently? Let us know in the comments!
