Nerd Buys Virtual Island

Nickatilynx · 12-17-2004

Gamer buys $26,500 virtual land

Would you pay money for this virtual vista?
A 22-year-old gamer has spent $26,500 (£13,700) on an island that exists only in a computer role-playing game (RPG).
The Australian gamer, known only by his gaming moniker Deathifier, bought the island in an online auction.

The land exists within the game Project Entropia, an RPG which allows thousands of players to interact with each other.

Entropia allows gamers to buy and sell virtual items using real cash, while fans of other titles often use auction site eBay to sell their virtual wares.

Earlier this year economists calculated that these massively multi-player online role-playing games (MMORPGs) have a gross economic impact equivalent to the GDP of the African nation of Namibia.

Investment prospects

"This is a historic moment in gaming history, and this sale only goes to prove that massive multi-player online gaming has reached a new plateau," said Marco Behrmann, director of community relations at Mindark, the game's developer.

ISLAND PACKAGE

A unique castle (furniture not included)
Hunting
Mining rights
Taxation rights on hunting and mining activities
Income from the sale of land lots
The virtual island includes a gigantic abandoned castle and beautiful beaches which are described as ripe for developing beachfront property.

Deathifier will make money from his investment as he is able to tax other gamers who come to his virtual land to hunt or mine for gold.

He has also begun to sell plots to people who wish to build virtual homes.

"This type of investment will definitely become a trend in online gaming," said Deathifier.

The Entopia economy lets gamers exchange real currency into PED (Project Entropia Dollars) and back again into real money.

Ten PEDs are the equivalent to one US dollar and typical items sold include iron ingots ($5) and shogun armour ($1.70)

Gamers can theoretically earn money by accumulating PEDs through the acquisition of goods, buildings, and land in the Entropia universe.

MMORPGs have becoming enormously popular in the last 10 years with hundreds of thousands of gamers living out alternate lives in fantasy worlds.

Almost 200,000 people are registered players on Project Entropia.

Evil Chris · 12-17-2004

I can't even master Pac-Man for fuck sakes.

Bishop · 12-17-2004

Quote:

Originally posted by Evil Chris@Dec 17 2004, 09:51 AM
I can't even master Pac-Man for fuck sakes.

Don't feel bad .. Pac Man is really hard.. try Ms. Pac Man .. I always found it easier.. and you have those nice intermissions to take a break.

Forest · 12-17-2004

Quote:

Originally posted by Evil Chris@Dec 17 2004, 09:51 AM
I can't even master Pac-Man for fuck sakes.

you and me both chris

I was good at pong though

Rolo · 12-17-2004

The owners probably bought it themself - trying to spin the media (looks like it worked)

But yeah - I would probably invest in some games - some people are living more in the virtual game world, than in the real world - can´t see that changing in the next years...

Some domains have high price tag todays, and they were also looked as crazy investments in the begining ;-)

Nickatilynx · 12-17-2004

OMFG!!!

These nerds do have money.

Therefore there must be someway I can part them from it

;-)))

WTF!!!!!!

75 Warrior/70 Ranger/64 Samurai! Awesome Gear, Tons of AF, Awesome Subjobs, Summons (Fenrir) and More!!!

$999.99

TheEnforcer · 12-17-2004

There is some damn good money to be made selling virtual items for the MMORPG arena. From special weapons , armor, and the coin of the realm to stuff like property mentioned here.

TheEnforcer · 12-17-2004

http://www.ige.com/

They have shops for buying high leveled characters, money, etc for several MMORPG games.

SykkBoy · 12-17-2004

Quote:

Originally posted by Nickatilynx@Dec 17 2004, 12:39 PM
OMFG!!!

These nerds do have money.

Therefore there must be someway I can part them from it

;-)))

WTF!!!!!!

75 Warrior/70 Ranger/64 Samurai! Awesome Gear, Tons of AF, Awesome Subjobs, Summons (Fenrir) and More!!!

$999.99

I figure by 2006, it'll be bigger than porn....

Rolo · 12-17-2004

Quote:

Originally posted by Nickatilynx@Dec 17 2004, 09:39 AM
OMFG!!!

These nerds do have money.

Therefore there must be someway I can part them from it

;-)))

http://www.muchosucko.com/video-reno...rdscuffle.html

With all the high paying "nerd" jobs out there, then they have to use their money on something...

kre8t0r · 12-17-2004

I have a very reasonable Virtual Bridge for sale if anyone is interested... Or maybe the wonderful building plot in the Virtual Everglades. All offers concidered.

TheEnforcer · 12-17-2004

Quote:

Originally posted by Nickatilynx@Dec 17 2004, 12:39 PM
OMFG!!!

These nerds do have money.

Therefore there must be someway I can part them from it

;-)))

WTF!!!!!!

75 Warrior/70 Ranger/64 Samurai! Awesome Gear, Tons of AF, Awesome Subjobs, Summons (Fenrir) and More!!!

$999.99

And people will pay it because otherwise it would take a nrmal gamer 6 months to a year or more to gte a character leveled that high depending on how often they play.

Dravyk · 12-18-2004

Maybe we can create a virtual company in their world and shave them?

Oh no! But then, we could get caught and spend our days in a virtual prison! LMAO!!

12-17-2004	#2
Evil Chris Looking Job #6 for the Year Respin bullshit press Your Comments Are Welcomed Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 2,786	I can't even master Pac-Man for fuck sakes. __________________ *I will talk shit about you if I think you wont find out.*

12-17-2004	#5
Rolo Members Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Six Feet Under Posts: 2,150	The owners probably bought it themself - trying to spin the media (looks like it worked) But yeah - I would probably invest in some games - some people are living more in the virtual game world, than in the real world - can´t see that changing in the next years... Some domains have high price tag todays, and they were also looked as crazy investments in the begining ;-) __________________ "Chaos is the law of nature, order is the dream of man." ~Henry B. Adams (Historian) 1838-1918

12-17-2004	#11
kre8t0r Members Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 51	I have a very reasonable Virtual Bridge for sale if anyone is interested... Or maybe the wonderful building plot in the Virtual Everglades. All offers concidered. __________________ ADULT AD SPOTS Gallery Spots, Banner Ads, and More! Link Trades always wanted! ICQ - 43191034

12-18-2004	#13
Dravyk Easy Like Sunday Morning Want to see your own Advertising Here! Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Behind a couch, somewhere in Philly Posts: 7,628	Maybe we can create a virtual company in their world and shave them? Oh no! But then, we could get caught and spend our days in a virtual prison! LMAO!! __________________ All Of 'Em Mainstream Webmasters New: WebmasterConventions.com

12-17-2004	#1
Nickatilynx Banned Want to see your own Advertising Here! Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Vancouver Canada Posts: 15,115	Gamer buys $26,500 virtual land Would you pay money for this virtual vista? A 22-year-old gamer has spent $26,500 (£13,700) on an island that exists only in a computer role-playing game (RPG). The Australian gamer, known only by his gaming moniker Deathifier, bought the island in an online auction. The land exists within the game Project Entropia, an RPG which allows thousands of players to interact with each other. Entropia allows gamers to buy and sell virtual items using real cash, while fans of other titles often use auction site eBay to sell their virtual wares. Earlier this year economists calculated that these massively multi-player online role-playing games (MMORPGs) have a gross economic impact equivalent to the GDP of the African nation of Namibia. Investment prospects "This is a historic moment in gaming history, and this sale only goes to prove that massive multi-player online gaming has reached a new plateau," said Marco Behrmann, director of community relations at Mindark, the game's developer. ISLAND PACKAGE A unique castle (furniture not included) Hunting Mining rights Taxation rights on hunting and mining activities Income from the sale of land lots The virtual island includes a gigantic abandoned castle and beautiful beaches which are described as ripe for developing beachfront property. Deathifier will make money from his investment as he is able to tax other gamers who come to his virtual land to hunt or mine for gold. He has also begun to sell plots to people who wish to build virtual homes. "This type of investment will definitely become a trend in online gaming," said Deathifier. The Entopia economy lets gamers exchange real currency into PED (Project Entropia Dollars) and back again into real money. Ten PEDs are the equivalent to one US dollar and typical items sold include iron ingots ($5) and shogun armour ($1.70) Gamers can theoretically earn money by accumulating PEDs through the acquisition of goods, buildings, and land in the Entropia universe. MMORPGs have becoming enormously popular in the last 10 years with hundreds of thousands of gamers living out alternate lives in fantasy worlds. Almost 200,000 people are registered players on Project Entropia.

12-17-2004	#7
TheEnforcer Scored VIP to Anton's Piss Tank Want to see your own Advertising Here! Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 8,781	There is some damn good money to be made selling virtual items for the MMORPG arena. From special weapons , armor, and the coin of the realm to stuff like property mentioned here.