| I think NPR did a report on the online economy. The interviewed and economist and a "proffesional" Star Wars Galaxies player. He made items in the game, and sold them for real US dollars. It would be intresting to see how an online economy like this would decelope. The game design company would have total control over the industry, so it might even benifit them.
To answer the first question, most people play video games because they are fun, not because they have good gear. |