Sony Mines Cash From Virtual Game Merchandise

Proof positive that supply and demand can create a viable market even when the merchandise is virtual. The results are in from the first 30 days of Sony’s Station Exchange, where players auctioned off and bid on items used to play Everquest II to the tune of about $180,000, according to CNET News.com. Sony gets a 10-percent commission, $1 per listing for currency and goods, and $10 per character listing. Sony isn’t planning to expand the program to other existing games but is considering making it a part of future multi-player games (MMOs).
Consider this: the average spent per player on the eligible servers was $70 in the first month. MMO expert Ed Castronova told CNET: “If you think about it, if you had an industry with 5 million active people (as there are in online games), and they spent $70 a person per month, that would be a $4 billion-a-year industry.” Even a lower monthly average could still mean real money.

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