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| Online gamers enjoy a concert on the BBC's virtual
island |
The line between the real world and
online ‘virtual worlds’ is becoming increasingly
blurred with
gamers spending real money to buy
virtual commodities and even
real estate in digital worlds.
Welcome to the world of
MMOGs, Massive Multiplayer Online Games. For those who don’t
know, an MMOG is a computer game which thousands of people can play
simultaneously on the internet,
interacting or competing with
each other. Some of the most well-known MMOGs include Second Life, World of
Warcraft and Legend of Mir II.
Whilst many of these kinds of games involve role-playing and
fulfilling tasks, others simply offer an alternative
universe where players can socialise, earn money and
trade with each other.
In recent years ‘social’ MMOGs like Second Life and Project Entropia have
invited gamers to spend real money inside the game. And whilst many people might
find this strange, some online gamers have used their virtual
investments to make a profit .
A 23-year-old Australian gamer, known as Deathifier paid around ￡14,000 for
an island in the game Project Entropia in 2004 and within a year had
recouped his investment by selling land to
other gamers to build virtual homes on. The young entrepreneur
is highly confident that his digital assets will continue to be
profitable.
“The money made to date is only a taste of what can be achieved with my
virtual island purchase," said Deathifier, "There is still more room for growth
and revenue with the untapped resources
surrounding the land."
Here at the BBC we are never slow to embrace new technology,
and have rented a virtual tropical island within the game Second Life. The BBC’s
island has been used to stage online music festivals and
showcase new musical talent. It is hoped that it will also
bring gamers closer to their favourite artists.
BBC interactive editor, Daniel Heaf, said, “There may be opportunities to
have people like Justin Timberlake on spaces like this – that will allow a level
of interaction with the audience that we have never tried before."
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