Massively http://massively.joystiq.com Massively http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Massively http://massively.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[TERA's new launch features section adds economic changes]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/11/tera-new-launch-features-section-adds-economic-changes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/11/tera-new-launch-features-section-adds-economic-changes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/11/tera-new-launch-features-section-adds-economic-changes/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Screenshot -- TERA
TERA's May release date is less than a month away now, and En Masse Entertainment is filling the days leading up to the big event by unveiling a series of new launch features. Today's piece is focused on a number of adjustments that have been made to the game's economic system.

For starters, the trade broker has been vastly improved with "robust search features," while private stores have been abolished in order to make the broker the true hub of the game's economy. Enchanters will be pleased to know that the penalty for failing an enchantment has been removed, so while an enchantment can still fail, it won't weaken the target piece of equipment in the process. And to top it off, the currency demoninations have been changed up to prevent players from having to deal with astronomical amounts of gold. The full details, as well as previous new launch features, can be found over on the game's official site.

MassivelyTERA's new launch features section adds economic changes originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 11 Apr 2012 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ahauction-houseblueholebluehole-studiosbrokereconomicseconomyen-masseen-masse-entertainmentfantasyprivate-storeprivate-storesteratrade-brokerWed, 11 Apr 2012 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Evolved: Five scams to avoid]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/04/eve-evolved-five-scams-to-avoid/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/04/eve-evolved-five-scams-to-avoid/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/04/eve-evolved-five-scams-to-avoid/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

EVE Evolved title image
Anyone who's familiar with EVE Online will have heard stories of the game's criminal underworld, from devastating corporate infiltration to the daily grafting of common con artists. Most players will never perpetrate a scam, but those who do are constantly coming up with new tricks to part you from your hard-earned ISK. For every genuine smooth-talking con-artist who comes up with new schemes and socially engineers his way to a fortune, you'll find dozens of copycats who flood popular chat channels with scams they've seen perpetrated in the past.

On an average day, over 90% of the chat in Jita's local channel is people posting copycat scams, with legitimate offers completely drowned out. There may not even be anyone at the helm with these scams, as a script could easily paste the scam message every few minutes for an entire day. Not confined to Jita, these scams are often replicated across all of the game's main trade hubs and popular mission-running systems. Knowing how these scams work is the first step to protecting yourself from making an expensive and extremely embarrassing mistake.

In this week's EVE Evolved, I explain the trick behind five of EVE's most common copycat scams and how to protect yourself from them.

Continue reading EVE Evolved: Five scams to avoid

MassivelyEVE Evolved: Five scams to avoid originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 04 Mar 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpccp-gamescontractseconomicseconomyeveeve-evolvedeve-onlinefeaturedguidemarketopinionsandboxscamscamssci-fiSun, 04 Mar 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Star Wars: The Old Republic announces economic adjustments]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/01/star-wars-the-old-republic-announces-economic-adjustments/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/01/star-wars-the-old-republic-announces-economic-adjustments/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/01/star-wars-the-old-republic-announces-economic-adjustments/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Screenshot -- Star Wars: The Old Republic
Economic upheaval is coming to the galaxy in Star Wars: The Old Republic's patch 1.1.5. A series of rumors and announcements from major organizations across the galaxy have been published on the official site in order to give players some insight into the upcoming changes. From all of the delicious lore tidbits, we find out that the speeder manufacturer Korrealis is retiring its Sovereign, Prince, Baron, and Commander speeders, while the Tirsa Industrial Consortium has quietly removed its Prime model speeders from the market. As a result of this decision, all of the aforementioned models are now steeply discounted, so grab them while they last.

Meanwhile, the Republic Senate's Committee on Transportation and Public Safety has decided to lower the cost of speeder licenses. Speeder purchase taxes, however, are being raised in response to this move. The Imperial Transportation Authority recently passed a similar law. To top it off, the Republic has recently come into possession of some previously Empire-owned purple color crystals, and both Republic and Empire merchants have some into possession of some very rare -- and very expensive -- white color crystals. Market speculators, start your engines; there's money to be made!

MassivelyStar Wars: The Old Republic announces economic adjustments originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 01 Mar 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowarecolor-crystalseaeconomicseconomyelectronic-artsgalactic-marketin-game-economylorelucasartspurple-color-crystalssci-fispeederspeeder-licensespeeder-licensesspeedersstar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicsubsubscription-feeswtorthe-old-republictorwhite-color-crystalsThu, 01 Mar 2012 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EA reveals SWTOR subscription and sales numbers, beats financial predictions [Updated]]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/01/ea-reveals-swtor-subscription-and-sales-numbers-beats-financial/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/01/ea-reveals-swtor-subscription-and-sales-numbers-beats-financial/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/01/ea-reveals-swtor-subscription-and-sales-numbers-beats-financial/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Screenshot -- Star Wars: The Old Republic
It looks like Star Wars: The Old Republic didn't let its daddy down, as EA has reported much better sales than expected for the December quarter, largely thanks to the runaway sales of the new MMO title (as well as many of EA's other heavy-hitters). The company ended up earning an adjusted $344 million for a total net loss of $205 million, which isn't too shabby if you consider how much money just went into the development and launch of The Old Republic.

Perhaps most interestingly to players, however, is the fact that EA has reported sales of more than 2 million units of The Old Republic with about 1.7 million subscribers. Those are the highest (and the hardest) numbers we've heard so far. EA's Chief Financial Advisor, Eric Brown, stated in an interview that EA managed to pull in more SWTOR subscribers than the studio had initially anticipated. He added that at launch, the studio was able to add a great number of users per server courtesy of some technical improvements. If you're economically minded and want to get the full, dirty, stock market details, just click past the link below.

[Thanks to Gabriel for the tip!]

[Update: Darth Hater has compiled some additional TOR-related statistics and Q&A from today's EA earnings call: "2,000,000+ copies sold, 40% sold through Origin; 1,700,000+ active subscribers, 1 million concurrent." The company also notes that "Active subscribers means anyone paying OR in their trial period. MOST of those 1.7m are paying at this point."]

MassivelyEA reveals SWTOR subscription and sales numbers, beats financial predictions [Updated] originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 01 Feb 2012 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowareeaearningseconomicseconomyelectronic-artsfinancesindustrynumberssalessales-numbersso-many-numbersstar-wars-the-old-republicsubscription-numbersswtorthe-old-republictorWed, 01 Feb 2012 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Funcom tops Oslo stock exchange, invests heavily in The Secret World]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/02/funcom-tops-oslo-stock-exchange-invests-heavily-in-the-secret-w/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/02/funcom-tops-oslo-stock-exchange-invests-heavily-in-the-secret-w/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/02/funcom-tops-oslo-stock-exchange-invests-heavily-in-the-secret-w/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

The Secret World - Dude with a big shotgun
Funcom's future is looking pretty bright according to a report at Views and News from Norway. The site says the development firm behind Anarchy Online, Age of Conan, and The Secret World topped the Oslo stock exchange last year and saw its share price rise by 227%.

AoC has "sold well and still generates income for Funcom," says the report, but the real cause for optimism is the positive buzz surrounding The Secret World. Funcom head honcho Trond Arne Aas says that the firm has received "very good feedback" from both testers and journalists, and it's a good thing since the company absorbed a third quarter loss despite its share price increase.

"We're investing heavily in The Secret World now, therefore the loss," Aas explained. "But we're hoping for major income after the launch in April."

MassivelyFuncom tops Oslo stock exchange, invests heavily in The Secret World originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 02 Jan 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-conanaocbusinesseconomicsfailcomfantasyfuncomhorrormmo-industrystock-performancethe-secret-worldtrond-arne-aastswMon, 02 Jan 2012 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MindArk announces Planet Calypso land grab]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/10/mindark-announces-planet-calypso-land-grab/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/10/mindark-announces-planet-calypso-land-grab/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/10/mindark-announces-planet-calypso-land-grab/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Screenshot -- Planet Calypso
MindArk's Planet Calypso is certainly one of the most unique virtual worlds out there, due in large part to the fact that the game's real estate is bought, sold, and traded for real-world cash. Land management, however, has generally been an activity for the ludicrously rich, with some properties costing as much as 500,000 USD.

MindArk looks to change that, however, by introducing a whopping 60,000 new plots of land (each measuring at 100 square meters) that can be bought for the (relatively) low price of 100 USD. Each deed that a player purchases "entitles the holder to a share of the 50% planet partner Gross Revenue generated by Planet Calypso." So if you've got a few hundred bucks to blow on virtual real estate and want a piece of the pie, head on over to the official site and sign up.

MassivelyMindArk announces Planet Calypso land grab originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 10 Nov 2011 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>economicseconomyentropia-universeland-grablandgrabmindarkplanet-calypsoreal-estateThu, 10 Nov 2011 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Are we witnessing the bursting of a gaming bubble?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/05/the-daily-grind-are-we-witnessing-the-bursting-of-a-gaming-bubb/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/05/the-daily-grind-are-we-witnessing-the-bursting-of-a-gaming-bubb/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/05/the-daily-grind-are-we-witnessing-the-bursting-of-a-gaming-bubb/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Bubble photograph by Jean-Louis Plot
The last few weeks have cast a dark shadow over the MMO gaming industry. At a time when MMOs release seemingly every other day and big blockbusters are just over the horizon, MMO companies are canceling titles, shelving games, cutting back, changing models, and laying off staff. CCP Games dropped employees and slowed its development pace; NCsoft and GamersFirst followed suit, though with assurances that their games would proceed as usual. In the last few days alone, we saw Gameforge let go both developers and titles, TurnOut halt development on Earth Eternal, and both LEGO Universe and Troy Online announce impending shutdowns.

What do you think? Are we dealing with a "gaming bubble" on the verge of bursting? Did MMOs become too popular too fast, such that the industry is now bloated and unsustainable? Is a culling of the MMO herd a necessary evil to improve the overall quality of MMOs? Or is this flurry of layoffs and closures merely a coincidence, a temporary downsizing due to end soon?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Are we witnessing the bursting of a gaming bubble? originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 05 Nov 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alt1-gamesbubbleccpccp-gamesculling-the-herdearth-eternaleconomicseconomygameforgegamersfirstgames-bubblemmo-bubblemmo-industryncsoftopiniontdgthe-daily-grindtroy-onlineturnout-venturesunsustainabilitySat, 05 Nov 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[ChangYou reports record revenue, registered accounts]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/31/changyou-reports-record-revenue-registered-accounts/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/31/changyou-reports-record-revenue-registered-accounts/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/31/changyou-reports-record-revenue-registered-accounts/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

ChangYou logo
With all the layoffs that seem to be going around the MMO industry as of late, it's about time we hear some good news from a developer. ChangYou, known in North America primarily for its quirky title Zentia and the bizarrely named Duke of Mount Deer, reports a 119 million USD revenue for its third fiscal quarter.

The company's amount of registered users rose as well, with the company citing 159 million current gamers inhabiting ChangYou's titles. CEO Tao Wang is understandably pleased with these results and says that "we believe these results once again demonstrate our ability to understand and fulfill gamers' needs and showcase our content development and game operation strengths." For the full details, check out the article over at Gamasutra.

MassivelyChangYou reports record revenue, registered accounts originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 31 Oct 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>changyouduke-of-mount-deereconomicseconomyf2pfinancefree-to-playmiscmiscellaneousprofitsregistered-usersrevenuesuccesstao-wanguserszentiaMon, 31 Oct 2011 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Massively Exclusive: WindSlayer 2 dev diary gets economic]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/28/massively-exclusive-windslayer-2-dev-diary-gets-economic/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/28/massively-exclusive-windslayer-2-dev-diary-gets-economic/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/28/massively-exclusive-windslayer-2-dev-diary-gets-economic/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Screenshot -- WindSlayer 2
Now that we've gotten a look at the basics of WindSlayer 2's melee and ranged classes, it's time to delve into what makes the game's economy tick. So if you're a shrewd businessman, head on past the cut to the dev diary and find out how you can play the market in WindSlayer 2.

Continue reading Massively Exclusive: WindSlayer 2 dev diary gets economic

MassivelyMassively Exclusive: WindSlayer 2 dev diary gets economic originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 28 Oct 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>craftingdev-diaryeconomicseconomyf2pfree-to-playgatheringignited-gamesprofessionprofessionstradeskilltradeskillswindslayer-2Fri, 28 Oct 2011 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Lost Pages of Taborea: Fixing the economy]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/03/lost-pages-of-taborea-fixing-the-economy/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/03/lost-pages-of-taborea-fixing-the-economy/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/03/lost-pages-of-taborea-fixing-the-economy/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Runes of Magic screenshot
I've got one more article concerning the current state of Runes of Magic's economy. To round out my trilogy, I'm taking a look at actual fixes to what could be seen as a broken mechanic. If the current inflation is indeed seen as something that is broken and could quickly damage the playability in RoM, then the fixes would likely be band-aids. It would take too long to rework an entire system filled with thousands of items, each affecting the other. The fix would also need to be implemented quickly. That puts some limitations on our speculations. What does the fix need to concentrate on?

The problem seems boil down to the excess amounts of gold that can be hoarded -- hundreds and hundreds of millions can be saved up. It's also possible for high-level, well-geared players to accumulate gold rather quickly. In this week's Lost Pages of Taborea, I want to take a look at gold sinks (including one Frogster is testing), gold-caps, and some other ways to tame the economy.

Continue reading Lost Pages of Taborea: Fixing the economy

MassivelyLost Pages of Taborea: Fixing the economy originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 03 Oct 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>economic-recoveryeconomic-stimuluseconomicseconomyfeaturedfixing-the-economyfrogsterfrogster-americafrogster-interactivegoldgold-faucetgold-fixgold-sinkinflationjeremy-strattonlost-pages-of-taborearomrunes-of-magicrunewakerrunewaker-entertainmentMon, 03 Oct 2011 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Online dev blog hints at new economic datastream]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/30/eve-online-dev-blog-hints-at-new-economic-datastream/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/30/eve-online-dev-blog-hints-at-new-economic-datastream/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/30/eve-online-dev-blog-hints-at-new-economic-datastream/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

EVE Online - market window
The latest EVE Online dev blog isn't for the faint of heart, or perhaps more accurately, it's not for those who feel suddenly drowsy when confronted with charts, graphs, and economic technobabble. The piece is penned by Dr. Eyjolfur Gudmundsson, CCP's resident economist and an expert on all things related to New Eden's ever-changing marketplace.

To make a long story short, CCP is getting ready to take the wraps off a new datastream that will "give EVE players access to historical time series on items sold in the main EVE market hubs."

What does that mean? In a nutshell, "more data, more knowledge, more power to the pod pilots of New Eden." The final presentation format for the data dump has yet to be decided, but the initial test run is available in your choice of files types (CSV or SQL). You can read more specifics at the official EVE website.

MassivelyEVE Online dev blog hints at new economic datastream originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 30 Aug 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpccp-gamesdev-blogdev-diarydr-eyjodr-eyjogdr-eyjolfur-gudmundssoneconomic-dataeconomicseveeve-onlinemarket-hubsnew-edensandboxsci-fiTue, 30 Aug 2011 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Soapbox: Subs and cash shops - Two great tastes that taste awful together]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/30/the-soapbox-subs-and-cash-shops-two-great-tastes-that-taste-a/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/30/the-soapbox-subs-and-cash-shops-two-great-tastes-that-taste-a/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/30/the-soapbox-subs-and-cash-shops-two-great-tastes-that-taste-a/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Lion dislikes sub + cash shop
Disclaimer: The Soapbox column is entirely the opinion of this week's writer and does not necessarily reflect the views of Massively as a whole. If you're afraid of opinions other than your own, you might want to skip this column.

Hoo boy, The Secret World. On the one hand, I was really looking forward to it. On the other hand, it's now joined the likes of EVE Online, pretty much every Sony Online Entertainment title ever made, Star Trek Online, Champions Online, and Funcom's own Age of Conan in my personal double-dipping doghouse.

Yeah, The Secret World is going to have a subscription model (hooray) and a cash shop (boo, hiss, and zomgwtf). This should surprise no one, really, since game industry devs have been going all Gordon Gekko on us for a while now, but it was nonetheless a disappointing reveal on several levels.

Equally disappointing are the folks who defend the subscription-plus-cash-shop model and erroneously refer to it as an example of consumer-friendly choice.

Continue reading The Soapbox: Subs and cash shops - Two great tastes that taste awful together

MassivelyThe Soapbox: Subs and cash shops - Two great tastes that taste awful together originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 30 Aug 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>business-modelscash-shopchampions-onlinechoiceconsumer-choicecostcryptic-studiosdouble-dippingeconomicseveeve-onlineevilf2pfeaturedfree-to-playfuncomgordon-gekkogreedgreed-is-goodjeff-strainmarketingmmo-industrymoneyopinionplayer-choicesecret-worldsoapboxsoapbox-jef-reahardsoeSony-Online-Entertainmentstar-trek-onlinesub-plus-cash-shopsubscriptionsubscription-basedsubscription-modelsubscription-plus-cash-shopthe-secret-worldthe-soapboxtswused-car-salesmenTue, 30 Aug 2011 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[CCP cancels EVE's Quarterly Economic Newsletters]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/26/ccp-cancels-eves-quarterly-economic-newsletters/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/26/ccp-cancels-eves-quarterly-economic-newsletters/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/26/ccp-cancels-eves-quarterly-economic-newsletters/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

EVE Online is often lauded for its complex player-run economy, which functions so like a real world economy that CCP even hired its own lead economist Dr. Eyjólfur Guðmundsson to analyse it. Dr Eyjo's findings are normally released four times per year in his Quarterly Economic Newsletter (QEN), detailing everything from subscription numbers and popular ships to price changes on the market. The economic report for the fourth quarter of 2010 was released back in April, but at the time players weren't aware that this would be the last QEN ever to be released.

In a new devblog yesterday, CCP Recurve posted the four main price indices normally contained in the QEN along with a graph of their development since October 2003. In response to player questions in the comments thread, Dr Eyjo revealed that the QENs for 2011 would not be published as usual. Instead, players will be getting monthly price index devblogs and the economic reports will likely be released once per year.

This comes as bad news for players who were looking forward to finding out the economic impact of April's controversial nullsec anomaly changes. It may also mean that details like subscription numbers, population distributions and ISK generation will only be made public a maximum of once every year and that a current snapshot of those metrics may never be released.

MassivelyCCP cancels EVE's Quarterly Economic Newsletters originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 26 Jul 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpccp-eveccp-gamesdr-eyjogdr-eyjolfur-gudmundssoneconomicseconomyeveeve-ccpeve-mmorpgeve-onlineqenquarterly-economic-newsletterTue, 26 Jul 2011 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Men outspend women on mobile social games]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/27/men-outspend-women-on-mobile-social-games/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/27/men-outspend-women-on-mobile-social-games/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/27/men-outspend-women-on-mobile-social-games/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Ladies (or gentlemen), is your man a gamer? If so, you may finally have a worthwhile retort for the next time he scoffs and rolls his eyes at that $10 non-combat pet you just had to have. A recent study by MocoSpace surveyed 1,500 "mobile social gamers" about their spending practices within social games. The results? "While 53 percent were male, and 47 percent female, 69 percent of men were buying virtual goods, while only 31 percent of females did."

Venturebeat adds: "On top of that, those male gamers are responsible for 90 percent of virtual goods that are purchased inside the games." The article goes on to note the recent practices of selling in-game items for real-world currency in World of Warcraft and EverQuest, though no numbers are available regarding the gender parity of those who purchased such items. For the full article -- which naturally could not resist one not-so-subtle stab at the SOE network outage -- click on over to MSNBC's Technoblog.

MassivelyMen outspend women on mobile social games originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 27 May 2011 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>economicseconomymen-vs-womenmicrotransactionsmobile-gamingmocospacemoneymsnbcspendingspending-habitsventurebeatFri, 27 May 2011 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[CCP releases EVE Quarterly Economic Newsletter]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/04/ccp-releases-eve-quarterly-economic-newsletter/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/04/ccp-releases-eve-quarterly-economic-newsletter/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/04/ccp-releases-eve-quarterly-economic-newsletter/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

It's time for another in-depth look at New Eden's thriving economy, and as you'd expect in a game built around interminable conflict, business is booming. CCP's resident economist, Dr. Eyjólfur Guðmundsson, is back with the latest EVE Online Quarterly Economic Newsletter (QEN), and while it's a bit on the old news side for those lucky enough to attend last month's Fanfest where it was initially presented, the trends, observations, and raw data are still relevant for the rest of us.

In a nutshell, keep killing your friends and neighbors, as the constant bloodletting is integral to New Eden's economic well-being. "Warfare and the EVE Online economy thrive on each other. Without warfare there is very little consumption in EVE Online and without a strong economy (and lots of personal wealth) wars can't be won," Guðmundsson explains.

MassivelyCCP releases EVE Quarterly Economic Newsletter originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 04 Apr 2011 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpccp-gamesdev-blogdev-diarydr-eyjodr-eyjogdr-eyjolfur-gudmundssoneconomicseconomyeveeve-onlineeyjolfur-gudmundssonnew-expansionqenquarterly-economic-newslettersandboxsci-fiMon, 04 Apr 2011 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[New EVE Quarterly Economic Newsletter discusses PvP]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/14/new-eve-quarterly-economic-newsletter-discusses-pvp/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/14/new-eve-quarterly-economic-newsletter-discusses-pvp/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/14/new-eve-quarterly-economic-newsletter-discusses-pvp/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Four times per year, CCP's lead economist Dr. Eyjólfur Guðmundsson publishes the EVE Online Quarterly Economic Newsletter (QEN). Each report provides a snapshot of the in-game economy, with graphs showing market trends over the previous quarter and some speculation on the reasons for them. The third quarter 2010 QEN has just been released, and it contains some interesting information. This report has a special focus on PvP and death, starting off with statistics on ship kills by race and deaths as a function of skillpoints. Dr Eyjo suggests that players tend to progress from high security space, through low security space and eventually on to nullsec PvP. He goes on to suggest his data shows that an average player needs two years worth of skillpoints to be competitive in nullsec PvP.

The QEN shows the effect of recent nullsec wars, with a mass exodus of players from the eastern regions of nullsec to those in the south and west. Following up on the previous report's look at EVE's ISK sinks and faucets, this quarter's report indicates that the total amount of ISK in the game has been rising steadily over the past year. Most of this can be attributed to a 16% rise in total bounties paid out on NPC ships. Dr Eyjo believes this rising trend began with Dominion as system upgrades made ratting more profitable in nullsec. The ISK sinks designed to counteract the massive influx of liquid ISK bounties provide are not adequately tackling the issue, with the top five ISK sinks combined taking only 31% of bounty income out of the game. The rest of the report contains the usual snapshots of various market items in addition to a special statistics segment on ship deaths and killing blows.

MassivelyNew EVE Quarterly Economic Newsletter discusses PvP originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 14 Nov 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpccp-eveccp-gamesdr-eyjodr-eyjogdr-eyjolfur-gudmundssoneconomicseconomyeveeve-ccpeve-mmorpgeve-onlineiskisk-faucetisk-sinkpvpqenquarterly-economic-newsletterSun, 14 Nov 2010 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Evolved: ISK sinks and faucets]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/24/eve-evolved-isk-sinks-and-faucets/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/24/eve-evolved-isk-sinks-and-faucets/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/24/eve-evolved-isk-sinks-and-faucets/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

In EVE Online's player-run economy, the flow of ISK is a vital concept. While there are many ways to make ISK in EVE, most of them only move it around from one player to another. When you mine ore and sell it on the market, for example, the mining process doesn't introduce any new ISK to the game. Only a few game mechanics can be called ISK faucets, as the game mechanics actually create ISK from thin air. Similarly, the ISK sink mechanics destroy ISK or remove it from the game in some manner.

To the individual player, the difference between something being an ISK faucet or not is largely immaterial. When you sell something on the market for a few million ISK, or get the insurance payout on a lost ship, it doesn't really matter to you where that ISK came from. Where the concept really matters is in discussions on inflation and how the game chooses to reward us in PvE. Are ISK bounties and rewards always a good idea, or could their over-use eventually lead to runaway inflation?

In this week's EVE Evolved, I look at the various ways in which ISK flows in and out of EVE Online, and why we should care about inflation.

Continue reading EVE Evolved: ISK sinks and faucets

MassivelyEVE Evolved: ISK sinks and faucets originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 24 Oct 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpccp-eveccp-gamesdeflationdemanddr-eyjodr-eyjogdr-eyjolfur-gudmundssoneconomicseconomyeveeve-ccpeve-evolvedeve-mmorpgeve-onlinefeaturedinflationinsuranceinterstellar-kreditiskisk-faucetisk-sinkpvesupplysupply-and-demandSun, 24 Oct 2010 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Mog Log: Gil rules everything around me]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/02/the-mog-log-gil-rules-everything-around-me/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/02/the-mog-log-gil-rules-everything-around-me/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/02/the-mog-log-gil-rules-everything-around-me/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

My original plan for this week was to step back into the experiment with soloing that I started in Final Fantasy XI what feels like an eternity ago, but the recent updates about Final Fantasy XIV's market system prompted a comment that interested me. A reader noted that the auction block in Final Fantasy XI was partly responsible for the enormous gilselling issue that's plagued the game more or less since its release stateside, with the theory going that the market wards and so forth in Final Fantasy XIV were a specific response to this.

It seems fitting, in light of all of the gilselling issues that we've gone through in Vana'diel, to take a look at the sordid history of the currency in the game and at how likely it is to translate to the new kid on the block. I don't think the problem lies so much with the sellers as with the environment that Square-Enix unintentionally created, as well as with the perfect storm of circumstances that devalued the currency of the game to near-worthlessness with no alternatives. That's right -- it's time to look back six years or so to the launch of the game in the U.S.

Continue reading The Mog Log: Gil rules everything around me

MassivelyThe Mog Log: Gil rules everything around me originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 02 Oct 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>economicseconomyfeaturedffff11ff14ffxiffxivfinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-11final-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xifinal-fantasy-xivgilsellergoldsellerhistorylaunchmarketmarket-wardsopinionplayer-driven-economyplaystation-2playstation-3ps2ps3rmtsquaresquare-enixstaggered-launchSat, 02 Oct 2010 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MMO market predicted to swell to $8 billion]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/11/mmo-market-predicted-to-swell-to-8-billion/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/11/mmo-market-predicted-to-swell-to-8-billion/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/11/mmo-market-predicted-to-swell-to-8-billion/#commentsFiled under: , ,

No matter how many different games you play, follow, or even care about, the fate of the bigger MMO industry affects them all. Every game, from World of Warcraft to Fantasy Earth Zero, is playing in the same sandbox. But for our favorite genre, it looks like the size of that sandbox is only trending upward. Gamasutra reported recently on a new study that predicts the global MMORPG market will reach a total of $8 billion in worth by the end of 2010, a significant increase from the $5 billion in 2009.

So what's spurring the increase? According to the study, the growth in the Western market has been slow but steady, while the Eastern market has been making great strides, led by companies such as Nexon and NCsoft. The study also predicts that the traditional subscription-based revenue model is losing steam as an aggregate, citing it as one of the causes behind the slower growth in the Western side of the industry. Free-to-play isn't everyone's cup of tea, but considering what it seems to be doing to the economic side of our hobby, it's certainly not going anywhere soon.

MassivelyMMO market predicted to swell to $8 billion originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 11 Aug 2010 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>businessbusiness-modelseconomicsf2pfree-to-playglobal-economicsglobal-worthindustrymmo-industrynet-worthrevenueworthWed, 11 Aug 2010 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Latest EVE Quarterly Economic Newsletter highlights Tyrannis insurance changes]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/11/latest-eve-quarterly-economic-newsletter-highlights-tyrannis-ins/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/11/latest-eve-quarterly-economic-newsletter-highlights-tyrannis-ins/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/11/latest-eve-quarterly-economic-newsletter-highlights-tyrannis-ins/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

EVE Online is a game with complex economic activity that often mirrors real-world economic systems. The similarity is so pronounced that CCP even hired its own Lead Economist, Dr. Eyjólfur Guðmundsson, to examine the in-game markets in detail. Each quarter, the economist and his team of researchers publish the EVE Quarterly Economic Newsletter (QEN). The report provides a timeline of market indices and major economic changes over the past several months. This quarter's report focuses on the effect of the insurance changes that came with the Tyrannis expansion. It also has a special segment on ISK sinks and faucets, and their changes following the release of planetary interaction.

Continue reading Latest EVE Quarterly Economic Newsletter highlights Tyrannis insurance changes

MassivelyLatest EVE Quarterly Economic Newsletter highlights Tyrannis insurance changes originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 11 Aug 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpccp-eveccp-gamesdr-eyjogdr-eyjolfur-gudmundssoneconomicseconomyeveeve-ccpeve-mmorpgeve-onlineinterstellar-kreditiskmmo-industryqenquarterly-economic-newslettertyrannisWed, 11 Aug 2010 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Evolved: EVE Online's not-so-free market]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/25/eve-evolved-eve-onlines-not-so-free-market/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/25/eve-evolved-eve-onlines-not-so-free-market/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/25/eve-evolved-eve-onlines-not-so-free-market/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

One of the most talked-about features of EVE Online is its player-run economy. Due to over 330,000 players living on one server, the markets have reached a critical mass where the laws of economics play out in a very effective manner. When there's a demand for something, no matter how obscure the item or low the demand, you can be sure there are dozens or hundreds of pilots trying their best to supply it. The in-game economy mirrors real-life economic situations so closely that CCP even hired a dedicated economist to analyse the market and advise CCP of any problems that arise.

EVE's economy is often referred to as a pure free market, but that isn't technically true. At its heart, EVE is still a game designed and implemented by a team of developers. All MMO economies require some degree of control and intervention for the game to remain playable. In EVE, this comes in the form of careful balance of supply and demand via changes to game mechanics and drop rates. There are also a number of more direct passive influences on the market, such as NPC market orders and insurance.

In this economic article, I look at a few of the influences that constrain free-market economics in EVE.

Continue reading EVE Evolved: EVE Online's not-so-free market

MassivelyEVE Evolved: EVE Online's not-so-free market originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 25 Jul 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Four times per year, CCP Lead Economist Dr. Eyjólfur Guðmundsson and his team of researchers publish the Quarterly Economic Newsletter (QEN). In addition to providing trackable statistics on EVE Online's in-game market, each issue focuses heavily on analysing one particular topic. This quarter's report focuses on wormhole systems and the state of the tech 3 market. Updated player demographics show more and more players entering wormhole space, with a drop in the number of characters in high-security space. Statistics for the number of jumps in wormhole space over the past year show a similar trend of growing activity.

This QEN provides some enlightening graphs on the popularity of various tech 3 offensive subsystems and how tech 3 material costs have changed in EVE over the past year. Perhaps most illuminating is the sharp rise in the use of tech 3 strategic cruisers in locations that put them at risk. While the majority are being flown in mission hubs and market systems, over 35% were found outside the safety of high-security space. In addition to this quarter's focus on wormholes, the report contains the usual graphs tracking in-game prices, trade volumes, ships in use and other useful metrics.

MassivelyNew EVE Quarterly Economic Newsletter talks wormholes and tech 3 originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 11 Jun 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpccp-eveccp-gameseconomicseconomyeveeve-ccpeve-mmorpgeve-onlineeyjolfur-gudmundssonhulkinterstellar-kreditiskmarket-trendsmmo-industryqenquarterly-economic-newsletterFri, 11 Jun 2010 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Latest EVE Quarterly Economic Newsletter shows effect of Hulkageddon]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/25/latest-eve-quarterly-economic-newsletter-shows-effect-of-hulkage/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/25/latest-eve-quarterly-economic-newsletter-shows-effect-of-hulkage/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/25/latest-eve-quarterly-economic-newsletter-shows-effect-of-hulkage/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

EVE Online is a game that's often lauded for its sandbox style and realistic economic structures. Every quarter, CCP Lead Economist Dr. Eyjólfur Guðmundsson and his team of researchers wade through mountains of EVE usage logs to find some interesting economic statistics. In their Quarterly Economic Newsletters (QEN), CCP deliver graphs tracking in-game prices, trade volumes, ships in use and a whole host of other useful metrics.

Read on for an overview of this QEN's main highlights.

Continue reading Latest EVE Quarterly Economic Newsletter shows effect of Hulkageddon

MassivelyLatest EVE Quarterly Economic Newsletter shows effect of Hulkageddon originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 25 Feb 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpccp-eveccp-gamesdrakeeconomicseconomyeveeve-ccpeve-mmorpgeve-onlineeyjolfur-gudmundssonhulkhulkageddonhulkageddon-2hulkageddon-iiinterstellar-kreditiskmarket-trendsmmo-industryqenquarterly-economic-newsletterThu, 25 Feb 2010 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE's Quarterly Economic Newsletter focuses on impact of anti-RMT operation]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/10/eves-quarterly-economic-newsletter-focuses-on-impact-of-anti-rm/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/10/eves-quarterly-economic-newsletter-focuses-on-impact-of-anti-rm/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/10/eves-quarterly-economic-newsletter-focuses-on-impact-of-anti-rm/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


One of the strengths of the sandbox game EVE Online is its player-driven economy, which developer CCP Games monitors through a small team of researchers headed up by Lead Economist Dr. Eyjólfur Guðmundsson (aka CCP Dr.EyjoG). They observe all manner of player interactions and sift through a tremendous amount of data to track how EVE Online's economy changes over time. Their findings are presented to the playerbase (or to anyone curious about virtual economies) in the form of Quarterly Economic Newsletters (QEN). CCP released the 3rd Quarter 2009 report this week, which gives us a look at player demographics and the most popular ships flown by those players. (It's interesting to note that the most popular ship in the game is now the Hulk, a mining vessel which has usurped the Raven battleship as EVE's most flown ship, while Black Ops battleships are EVE's least flown ships.)

This latest QEN also gives various price indices and Market Snapshots, which chart the volumes of a number of popular items traded on the open market. CCP also shows the impact "Operation: Unholy Rage" -- their anti-RMT initiative -- has had on EVE Online's economy with over 18,000 (paying) accounts banned to date. Dr.EyjoG writes, "Unholy Rage taught us a great deal about RMT operations in EVE. We now have a much clearer picture of the extent of operations and the tools and methods they use."

Continue reading EVE's Quarterly Economic Newsletter focuses on impact of anti-RMT operation

MassivelyEVE's Quarterly Economic Newsletter focuses on impact of anti-RMT operation originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 10 Nov 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dr. Eyjólfur Guðmundsson from CCP has released another quarterly EVE Online economic newsletters, this time for the 1st quarter of 2009. Despite the quarterly name this is the first report since the one for Q1 2008. This time the PDF weighs in at 48 pages of editorial, graphs and images. The first graph in the document show the number of active paying accounts that the game has had from launch up until March 2009, ending shortly before the point at which CCP announced they have passed 300,000 subscribers. Interestingly although the graph shows strong growth from November 2008 onwards, which is when CCP released the Quantum Rise expansion, the actual numbers before that showed a slight decline in subscriptions that is not addressed in the commentary.

There is also an extensive analysis of skill points, with the difference in the number of points in each skill point group for each race showing correlation between the race of the character and the skills trained. Interestingly Gallente characters tend to have more points in drone skills, while Caldari characters have the highest missile skills. This seems to indicate that players are following their racial ship choices for their skill training, which is not something that the game enforces. There's a lot more information in the report itself, including detail on ship prices over time, Tech 3 production for the first month and mineral trading.

You can read the full document at the dev blog, and follow the comments from players on the EVE Online forums.

MassivelyNew EVE quarterly economic newsletter originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 09 Jun 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpeconomicseconomyeve-onlineeyjolfur-gudmundssonqenvirtual-economyTue, 09 Jun 2009 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Massively interviews EVE Online Lead Economist Dr. EyjoG]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/19/massively-interviews-eve-online-lead-economist-dr-eyjog/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/19/massively-interviews-eve-online-lead-economist-dr-eyjog/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/19/massively-interviews-eve-online-lead-economist-dr-eyjog/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


The sci-fi game EVE Online is unique amongst the other massively multiplayer online titles on the market. One major aspect of the game is that its far future setting of New Eden functions as one server, where players can build up empires -- or topple those of their rivals -- across more than 5000 solar systems. Beyond its scale, what distinguishes EVE Online from other games is that it has a player-driven virtual economy, the backbone of the game. EVE's economy has been a major draw for players interested in market and crafting sophistication generally unseen in an online game.

EVE's creators, CCP Games, have fostered a setting where players can do what they want in the 'sandbox', a setting where the tools are in place for players to use as they see fit. Nearly every ship, module, and item used by a player in the game was produced by another player in New Eden at some point. Fight for military dominance and control vast regions of space, or corner the market as part of an industrial conglomerate -- it's all possible in EVE. In fact, the game's warfare and industry are very much intertwined, making EVE's virtual economy a dynamic one. Monitoring and researching this economy is important to CCP Games, and to further that goal, they've hired real world economist Dr. Eyjólfur Guðmundsson (aka CCP EyjoG).

Massively recently caught up with Dr. EyjoG, who told us about his rather unique position at CCP Games, and what he's learned about virtual economies along the way.

Continue reading Massively interviews EVE Online Lead Economist Dr. EyjoG

MassivelyMassively interviews EVE Online Lead Economist Dr. EyjoG originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 19 Feb 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>banksccpccp-gamescouncil-of-stellar-managementcraftingcsmdr-eyjogdynasty-bankingeconomic-theoryeconomicseconomyeveeve-onlineeyjolfur-gudmundssonfeaturedicelandinstitutionsiposjoystiqfeaturesmarketmassively-interviewsnew-edenplayer-run-venturesreykjaviksci-fivirtual-economicsvirtual-economyThu, 19 Feb 2009 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Game revenue taxation begins spread to Sweden and South Korea]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/12/game-revenue-taxation-begins-spread/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/12/game-revenue-taxation-begins-spread/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/12/game-revenue-taxation-begins-spread/#commentsFiled under: , ,

They always say the two things you can't avoid in life are death and taxes. Yet, being an MMO player, death always just seems to be a part of life. And now, governments around the world are beginning to become interested in putting in the other unavoidable part of life in our gaming experience -- as if we had enough of death.

As in-game transactions and RMT are beginning to become major boons to business the government is getting interested. And, of course, like any good government, they want their share. China was only the first, now Sweden and South Korea are interested in getting their tax laws straight as well.

Taxing game transactions, however, isn't as easy as making laws that tax a physical currency. There's the issues of relative value, constantly diminishing returns as more money flows into virtual economies without enough monetary sinks in the game, and the whole issue if the game goes out of business.

We tend to believe that worlds like this should avoid colliding, but it seems that as we begin to mesh our virtual currencies and begin to value them as much as our real world ones, paths like these seem inevitable.

MassivelyGame revenue taxation begins spread to Sweden and South Korea originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 12 Dec 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chinadeatheconomicseconomygovernmentkorealawsreal-money-tradereal-money-tradingrmtsouth-koreaswedentaxesFri, 12 Dec 2008 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[China's virtual goods taxation sparks price increases and controversy]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/19/chinas-virtual-goods-taxation-sparks-price-increases-and-contro/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/19/chinas-virtual-goods-taxation-sparks-price-increases-and-contro/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/19/chinas-virtual-goods-taxation-sparks-price-increases-and-contro/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,


China's State Administration of Taxation recently imposed a 20 percent income tax rate on profits made from virtual currency and virtual items, sparking price increases for virtual goods. While this tax rate (if actually enforced) clearly impacts the virtual space, it also affects transactions happening outside of MMO servers and virtual world grids. The taxation policy could ultimately extend to the virtual currencies linked to the largest IM providers in China such as Tencent, drastically increasing the percentage of the population affected by the new laws. Despite this, the positive benefits of eliminating gray and black markets for virtual items and currency may outweigh the drawbacks for gamers and users of the various digital services in China.

Questions remain about what will and will not be taxed in the virtual space, but it's clear that individuals who gain virtual income are expected to declare their profits and pay taxes on this, and do so within seven days of having earned the profit, according to Shanghai Daily.Taxpayers who can provide proof of the value of this property or the value of the transaction are taxed at 20 percent on their profits, while those who cannot provide sufficient verification are taxed at three percent of the total transaction value. But how many people are affected by this new system?

Continue reading China's virtual goods taxation sparks price increases and controversy

MassivelyChina's virtual goods taxation sparks price increases and controversy originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 19 Nov 2008 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>asiablack-marketchinacontroversyeconomicseconomygoldgray-marketlawlegalmmo-industryrmtshanghaishanghai-dailytaxtaxestencentvirtual-currencyvirtual-goodsvirtual-itemsvirtual-taxationvirtual-worldszhu-shenshenWed, 19 Nov 2008 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Making/Money: EVE Economic Review Reviewed]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/17/making-money-eve-economic-review-reviewed/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/17/making-money-eve-economic-review-reviewed/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/17/making-money-eve-economic-review-reviewed/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Each quarter, the economist over at EVE Online, Dr. Eyjolfur Gudmondsson (there are supposed to be accent marks in there but I can't figure out how to make them appear), writes up a review of the in-game economy. There has been a noticeable lag in times past between the schedule for these quarterly newsletters and when they were actually distributed. October saw the release of the Quarterly Economic Newsletter for Q1 of this year and the promise of QENs for quarters 2 and 3 to follow in November and December, respectively.

Today, we'll take a look through what Dr. Gundmondsson has to say about the economy from January to March. I do encourage you to look through the PDF of the QEN for yourself ... and just ignore that they talk about June 2008 in future tense.

Continue reading Making/Money: EVE Economic Review Reviewed

MassivelyMaking/Money: EVE Economic Review Reviewed originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 17 Nov 2008 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>economicseconomyeve-onlinefeaturedjoystiqfeaturesnewsletterquarterly reportsQuarterlyReportsMon, 17 Nov 2008 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Establishing trust in EVE's player-run financial institutions]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/07/establishing-trust-in-eves-player-run-financial-institutions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/07/establishing-trust-in-eves-player-run-financial-institutions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/07/establishing-trust-in-eves-player-run-financial-institutions/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


The player-driven economy of EVE Online is very much a playground for those interested in being financiers, traders, or whatever variant of corporate tycoon their greedy little hearts desire in the virtual space. EVE is a far cry from most MMOs in that its market isn't manned by NPC vendors, it's almost entirely player driven and remains dynamic due to the fact that EVE is a single-world game, where all player interactions can conceivably affect the game's economy. For some players, EVE's economics is where they immerse themselves. Indeed, in some cases it's even where they PvP with their rivals in price wars and market manipulations. To them, the market is where they live and breathe, just as much as lowsec is the ideal environment for many pirates, and lawless 0.0 space is where players interested in large-scale alliance warfare feel at home.

While EVE doesn't officially support a stock market or banking institutions, the sandbox approach CCP Games took to the game has allowed players to establish their own financial ventures in-game. However, without safeguards put in place by CCP Games, and with New Eden being a place where players can act as they wish, there's always the risk of embezzlement in any large-scale, player-driven financial institution. While it doesn't happen as often as most assume, there have been incidents like the EVE Intergalactic Bank (EIB) scam that have eroded investor confidence in such ventures. Fortunately, not all players are daunted by this, both in terms of those with a vision to establish a financial venture and the investors they rely upon. One such visionary in New Eden is "Ricdic", Founder and Managing Director of EBANK.

Continue reading Establishing trust in EVE's player-run financial institutions

MassivelyEstablishing trust in EVE's player-run financial institutions originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 07 Nov 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpccp-gamescraftingebankeconomicseconomyembezzlementeveeve-mageve-onlinefinancegame-mechanicsinterviewsinvestor-confidenceiskjacob-meimarketmmo-industrynew-edenricdicsci-fitrustFri, 07 Nov 2008 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[China legislates 20% tax rate on virtual currency profits]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/03/china-legislates-20-tax-rate-on-virtual-currency-profits/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/03/china-legislates-20-tax-rate-on-virtual-currency-profits/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/03/china-legislates-20-tax-rate-on-virtual-currency-profits/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

While much of the world's gold farming activity is based in mainland China, the black market industry operates in violation of the law. Despite this, a large part of the problem in curbing illegal activities in China is that there's a substantial divide between what the law states is illegal and the actual enforcement of those laws. This may well be the case with the law passed last week by China's State Administration of Taxation, which will impose a personal income tax rate of 20% on profits made from virtual currency.

Juliet Ye at The Wall Street Journal's "China Journal" blog reports: "The policy would cover China's legions of online gamers, who can use online virtual currency to buy better equipment and new powers for their online warriors. But it also affects millions of others who use virtual currencies on instant-messaging services and Web portals." The widespread use of virtual currencies in China spurred last year's restrictions on exchanging virtual currency into RMB. If the new law becomes a reality rather than a technicality in the lives of China's internet users, it will be a substantial change in virtual economics in the country.

MassivelyChina legislates 20% tax rate on virtual currency profits originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 03 Nov 2008 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>asiachinachina-journaleconomicseconomygoldgold-farmingjuliet-yerenminbirmbtaxtaxationtaxesvirtual-economicsvirtual-economywall-street-journalyuanMon, 03 Nov 2008 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Real world economic impact on MMOs and virtual worlds? ]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/15/real-world-economic-impact-on-mmos-and-virtual-worlds/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/15/real-world-economic-impact-on-mmos-and-virtual-worlds/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/15/real-world-economic-impact-on-mmos-and-virtual-worlds/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Given the drastic real world economic shifts of late, is it unreasonable to assume that there will be repercussions in virtual worlds and MMOs? That's the gist of a question posed by CBBC, a longtime commentator at the Terra Nova blog, but specifically he asks: "What now for virtual economies? What happens to EVE now that Iceland's economy is collapsing?... Will my WoW gold be worth more or less? Will games go under taking their value with them? Will we see a run on games the same as a run on banks?"

While his questions aren't focused solely on EVE Online, and are more of a general inquiry, CCP's title is not surprisingly the main example cited by both the CBBC and Terra Nova's readers. As expected, the responses to the question are intelligent and shed some more light on how real world economics might affect MMO economies, namely that of EVE Online. Some speculate that real world issues will result in increased escapism, imbuing virtual worlds and their economies with greater significance. Others related financial scenarios that affect CCP Games and its virtual economics. If you're interested in the economies of MMOs and virtual worlds, you might want to get involved in the discussion of "Whither MMO economies?" over at Terra Nova.

MassivelyReal world economic impact on MMOs and virtual worlds? originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 15 Oct 2008 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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In EVE Online, it's usually the harsher side of the game that gets the most attention and has the greatest allure. Piracy, large-scale alliance warfare, and in general the dark side of EVE are what most players find interesting. But still, there are many players who engage in non-violent gameplay and find it rewarding. While hardcore PvP-ers lambast them as carebears, some corporations and individuals have attained considerable wealth and influence in the game through their own form of PvP applied to finance -- market warfare.

Among the player-created corporations and alliances in EVE Online that are devoted to helping newer players attain their goals in an often complex system, EVE University and Agony Unleashed are the most prominent. However, there are other corporations in the game that help their members along the way, which are more focused in their pursuits. One such corporation is Trader's Academy, corp ticker: [TRACE], formed in 2005 and devoted to helping pilots maximize profits from trading, mining, and mission running.

Continue reading A trader's mindset in EVE Online

MassivelyA trader's mindset in EVE Online originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 03 Oct 2008 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>agony-unleashedcarebearccpccp-gamescraftingeconomicseconomyeveeve-mageve-onlineeve-universityfinancemarketmarket-pvpminingmission-runningnon-violentprofessionsscion-starcastertradetradertraders-academytradingFri, 03 Oct 2008 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Making/Money: Conservation of Mass - Part 3]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/26/making-money-conservation-of-mass-part-3/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/26/making-money-conservation-of-mass-part-3/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/26/making-money-conservation-of-mass-part-3/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Once more with feeling!

Welcome to the third and final (planned) installment of our series on closed-resource economies in MMOs. So far, we've laid the foundation of the system and discussed how starting out, leveling up, and gaining loot could work. Today we will be exploring how crafting professions could still be possible even when the law of Conservation of Mass applies and how banking might function.

There's been a lot covered so far so if you haven't already, i recommend reading the first two posts. But since I know that gets into the TLDR length, here's a very quick recap.

In order to maintain a constant level of stuff in the game, new items could only generate once old items leave the game. Money would function in the same way, except that it would flow from NPCs to monsters (meaning any monies collected by NPCs would spawn as loot) in order to recirculate. There would need to be additional gold sinks (some of which we will get to in just a minute) and limits on the number of characters per server. Each server would then "age" as the average level of characters on it increased.

Continue reading Making/Money: Conservation of Mass - Part 3

MassivelyMaking/Money: Conservation of Mass - Part 3 originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 26 Sep 2008 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-conanaocbankingconservation-of-masscraftingeconomicseconomyfeaturedhousingin-game-bankingjoystiqfeatureslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotromaking-moneyplayer-housingprofessionsresourcesstorageultima-onlineuoworld-of-warcraftwowFri, 26 Sep 2008 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Strategy Informer interviews CCP Games about the future of EVE Online]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/03/strategy-informer-interviews-ccp-games-about-the-future-of-eve-o/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/03/strategy-informer-interviews-ccp-games-about-the-future-of-eve-o/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/03/strategy-informer-interviews-ccp-games-about-the-future-of-eve-o/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,


Gaming site Strategy Informer recently spoke with CCP Games about what the future may hold for EVE Online. The interview focused on two facets of the game: EVE's economy, and the fact that with other sci-fi MMO titles like Jumpgate Evolution on the way, EVE may face increased competition in the coming months and years.

CCP's Lead Economist, Dr. Eyjólfur Guðmundsson talked with Strategy Informer about the game's economic depth, which dwarfs other titles, despite having a subscriber base that's a fraction of what Blizzard enjoys. The interview touched on the possibilities of new trade hubs being established by players over time, the scarcity of certain technologies and their increasing prices, and how the market moves in general. However, the main aspects of the game he discussed were the player-run financial services that have sprung up in EVE, what the community has come up with on its own.

Continue reading Strategy Informer interviews CCP Games about the future of EVE Online

MassivelyStrategy Informer interviews CCP Games about the future of EVE Online originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 03 Sep 2008 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ambulationarend-stuhrmannccpccp-gamescraftingcultureeconomicseconomyeveeve-onlineeyjolfur-gudmundssongame-mechanicsinterviewsjumpgate-evolutionmarketnetdevilplayer-runsci-fistrategy-informerwalking-in-stationsWed, 03 Sep 2008 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[CCP Games video interview on the Council of Stellar Management]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/27/ccp-games-video-interview-on-the-council-of-stellar-management/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/27/ccp-games-video-interview-on-the-council-of-stellar-management/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/27/ccp-games-video-interview-on-the-council-of-stellar-management/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,


MMORPG.com's video scoop from the Leipzig Games Convention wasn't limited to info on EVE Online's upcoming expansions. They also got some face time with Lead Economist Dr. Eyjólfur Guðmundsson of CCP Games, who discusses some of CCP's projects and initiatives, namely the Council of Stellar Management (CSM).

Dr. Eyjólfur shares his point of view on the process of having players interact with the developers on affecting the development pipeline. He also addresses the poor voter turnout in the CSM election, which was not surprising given the general apathy many people have about real-life elections, he comments. The interview largely focuses on Dr. Eyjólfur's experiences with the CSM, but given his role in the company, he also mentioned the economic impact of factional warfare on the market in EVE. More information on this aspect of EVE should be covered in one of his forthcoming Quarterly Economic Newsletters, he says. Be sure to see the video at MMORPG.com if you're interested in seeing more about the Council of Stellar Management and the economics of EVE Online.

MassivelyCCP Games video interview on the Council of Stellar Management originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 27 Aug 2008 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpccp-gamescouncilcouncil-of-stellar-managementcsmeconomicseconomyelectionseveeve-onlineeventseyjolfur-gudmundssonfactional-warfaregames-conventiongcicelandinterviewslead-economistleipzigmmo-industrymmorpgqenquarterly-economic-newsletterreykjaviksci-fisummitvideoWed, 27 Aug 2008 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Making/Money: Economic Equilibrium is MIA]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/24/making-money-economic-equilibrium-is-mia/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/24/making-money-economic-equilibrium-is-mia/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/24/making-money-economic-equilibrium-is-mia/#commentsFiled under: , ,

When I first started playing MMOs I was in college. I'd bounced from major to major but ultimately settled on Economics (from a starting point of Medieval and Renaissance Studies - how'd that happen?). Like other economists in games like EverQuest and Ultima Online, I was thrilled to find a lively economy and interested to apply classical economic models in the study of it. The most basic of these models is the typical supply and demand curve.

Any economic model starts with price and quantity. The higher the price, the more suppliers want to sell but the less consumers want to buy. As the price decreases, more consumers are interested in purchasing, but fewer suppliers are able to produce profitably. In theory, there is a magical level in the middle where supply and demand meet. That is equilibrium (see graph).

What I have since found, which is furiously debated by other economists in the field, is that the typical supply and demand curves do not fit well with the economies of most MMORPGs these days. Depending on the game, add-ons used, and availability of additional market data, there may be sort of invisible caps to the price, and thereby the quantities, of goods traded. Furthermore, auction house fees and vendor sales act much in the same way as taxes or subsidies in real world economies.

Continue reading Making/Money: Economic Equilibrium is MIA

MassivelyMaking/Money: Economic Equilibrium is MIA originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 24 Aug 2008 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Let's face it. Gold farming and RMT are the bane of many players' experiences in MMOs. Bots spam poorly-spelled gold ads in every MMO title with anything even resembling an in-game economy. From a player's perspective, it's a huge problem, and not surprisingly leads many to dislike the idea of RMT. But aside from the occasional media coverage of 'digital sweatshops,' most of us know relatively little about how gold farming operations are actually run, or what effects they have on real world society.

Professor Richard Heeks from the University of Manchester has put together a substantial piece of work on gold farming. The Working Paper's abstract states Heeks' intention "to provide the first systematic analysis of the sub-sector." The paper is titled "Current Analysis and Future Research Agenda on 'Gold Farming': Real-World Production in Developing Countries for the Virtual Economies of Online Games." (Say that three times fast.) It provides an overview of gold farming followed by an in-depth analysis of its economics, sociology, enterprise, and development. In terms of development, the paper considers the benefits gold farming may create, particularly for workers in Asia. While there is a wealth of information in Heeks' work, one aspect that stands out is a question it raises: Which is more important in the grand scheme of things, socioeconomic progress for people in real life, or the enjoyment of a game?

[Via Virtual-Economy]

MassivelyThe bright side of gold farming? originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 11 Aug 2008 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>academicasiabusiness-modelschinacontroversyculturedigital-sweatshopeconomicseconomygame-mechanicsgoldgold-farmergold-farmingjulian-dibbellkoreanytrichard-heeksrmtsweatshopvirtual-worldsMon, 11 Aug 2008 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Improving your inventory management in Dungeons and Dragons Online]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/11/improving-your-inventory-management-in-dungeons-and-dragons-onli/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/11/improving-your-inventory-management-in-dungeons-and-dragons-onli/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/11/improving-your-inventory-management-in-dungeons-and-dragons-onli/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Have you ever wanted to make more money? Sure, we all have. But the folks at Turbine actually want to help you out. The official Dungeons and Dragons Online site has an ongoing series of articles exploring the best ways to make a quick buck in Xen'drick. You're saying to yourself now: it's easy to make a coin or two. Just go out and bash a kobold to death. Too true, and lucrative, but what about after the bashing? Your pockets will be full and you'll be left scratching your head. The first article is all about inventory management, and tips for using collection bags to their full effect.

The second piece in the series is all about vendors, brokers and tavern keepers. All about where to sell your stuff once you have it organized, this piece also outlines the outlines you'll see on items. Every item has a relative rarity, which you can see based on what kind of frame is on the item's description. Especially important is the distinction between brokers and regular vendors - brokers are much better bets for rare or magical items. Don't sell your good old +1 to just any guy in a shop. Make sure to check back with the site, as future articles will cover other money-related elements like the auction house.

MassivelyImproving your inventory management in Dungeons and Dragons Online originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 11 Jul 2008 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ddodungeons-and-dragons-onlineeconomicseconomyguideinventoryturbineFri, 11 Jul 2008 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Making/Money: MUDflation IG vs. IRL]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/13/making-money-mudflation-ig-vs-irl/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/13/making-money-mudflation-ig-vs-irl/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/13/making-money-mudflation-ig-vs-irl/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

We have tackled the subject of mudflation tangentially a few times of late. It seems to have suddenly become the economic buzzword of MMOs. We have all experienced it. We have come to expect, if not accept, it as part of the games we love to play. And though Wikipedia, in its infinite wisdom, has dubbed it an in-game only phenomenon, I posit a different approach to looking at this occurrence.

Mudflation is an immediate devaluation of previously owned items due to the gain or release of newly available items. This is not unlike technological advance in that the release of the latest new toy makes all others somewhat obsolete. The differences here are the perceived need for the item, the amount of devaluation, and the time frame in which this occurs.

Continue reading Making/Money: MUDflation IG vs. IRL

MassivelyMaking/Money: MUDflation IG vs. IRL originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 13 Jun 2008 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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