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[Who wants to buy a virtual spacestation?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/08/who-wants-to-buy-a-virtual-spacestation/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/08/who-wants-to-buy-a-virtual-spacestation/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/08/who-wants-to-buy-a-virtual-spacestation/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

You sir! Can I interest you in this pristine virtual space station? No? Ma'am! Over here ma'am! How would you like to live amongst the stars in a brand new virtual space station?

If you think this post is a silly post, then think again. Planet Calypso (formerly Entropia Universe) really is auctioning off one of their virtual space stations to their players, making this the third time that a major piece of Calypso property has been auctioned off to a private party. This time it's the Crystal Palace Space Station that's up for auction, one of Calypso's long time prime off-world hunting grounds.

What makes this auction so newsworthy is the fact that it will be conducted through Planet Calypso's auction systems using PED (Project Entropia Dollar), which basically makes the virtual space station worth real money, as the PED needs to be purchased by the player with real world currency.

Continue reading Who wants to buy a virtual spacestation?

MassivelyWho wants to buy a virtual spacestation? originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 08 Dec 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auctioncrystal-palace-space-stationentropia-universeeventhuntinglandownershipPEDplanet-calypsoproject-entropiareal-world-currencyretailspacestationTue, 08 Dec 2009 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Interplay between ownership and game mechanics in EVE Online]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/01/interplay-between-ownership-and-game-mechanics-in-eve-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/01/interplay-between-ownership-and-game-mechanics-in-eve-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/01/interplay-between-ownership-and-game-mechanics-in-eve-online/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


The concept of ownership established in the real world doesn't always equate with 'reality' in the virtual. When someone robs a person in real life, we don't just hope that they will be punished for this, we expect it. We demand it. Theft runs counter to law. But within the virtual, what if theft of another's property falls within game mechanics? If something is a crime in the eyes of players but doesn't violate the EULA, and the crime is committed fully within permitted game mechanics in the virtual space -- the game world equivalent of 'law' -- can it even be called "crime" at all? An article at The West Georgian titled "A Nerdy Commentary on Governments, Games, and Property", written by Jacob Lovell, explores this interplay between real world concepts of ownership and the virtual world's crimes.

To do so, Lovell looks back on what stands -- to this day -- as one of the most significant ways people pushed the boundaries of what's permissible in an MMO: the Guiding Hand Social Club's (GHSC) defining act of espionage in EVE Online from 2005. Most EVE players are quite familiar with the event, when the GHSC took a contract to bring down their 'client's' rival corporation, Ubiqua Seraph. Operatives in the Guiding Hand Social Club spent roughly one year infiltrating the target corporation, until the codeword 'Nicole' was called out. At that moment, operatives at all levels within the target corporation raided its assets. The heist coincided with an assassination of the Ubiqua Seraph CEO, by her own trusted lieutenant... also a GHSC operative who led her into the trap, followed by some excellent PR spin.

Continue reading Interplay between ownership and game mechanics in EVE Online

MassivelyInterplay between ownership and game mechanics in EVE Online originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 01 Nov 2008 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpccp-gamescrimeeulaeveeve-onlineghscguiding-hand-social-clubownershipsci-fitheftthiefubiqua-seraphvirtual-crimeSat, 01 Nov 2008 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Can we solve problems intertwined with MMO economies?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/25/the-daily-grind-can-we-solve-problems-intertwined-with-mmo-econ/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/25/the-daily-grind-can-we-solve-problems-intertwined-with-mmo-econ/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/25/the-daily-grind-can-we-solve-problems-intertwined-with-mmo-econ/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

In-game economies can make MMOs more vibrant places to play, lending depth to these games that generally isn't found in regular PC or console titles. Then again, the perceived value attributed to virtual currency and items can lead to a slew of problems, not limited to acts of real world violence, the plague of gold spamming, and the slippery slope of ownership in the virtual space.

At least one company out there is working with MMO publishers to create a regulated secondary market, the hope being that it's possible to reclaim the black and grey market commerce so often attached to massively multiplayer titles. Do you think this approach is a viable solution to some of the problems associated with MMO economies? What are your ideas on how these issues intertwined with virtual currency and items should be resolved? Is there even a solution at all?

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Can we solve problems intertwined with MMO economies? originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 25 Oct 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>craftingcrimecurrencyeconomygold-spammerlawlegallive-gamermoneyopinionownershiptdgthe-daily-grindvirtual-itemsvirtual-worldsSat, 25 Oct 2008 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The debatable concept of ownership in virtual spaces]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/21/the-debatable-concept-of-ownership-in-virtual-spaces/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/21/the-debatable-concept-of-ownership-in-virtual-spaces/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/21/the-debatable-concept-of-ownership-in-virtual-spaces/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Game security news and analysis site PlayNoEvil recently looked at the concept of ownership in the virtual space, in an article called "The Quixotic Quest for Avatar Rights." It explores the question that's been around since the very beginning of virtual interactions: Does the player who invests his or her time into finding, creating, and using an item 'own' it, or is it really just server data that's company property?

For most game and virtual world operations, there's little room for debate. They create the environment and everything in it, right down to a gamer's or user's avatar. However one view expressed at an Austin GDC panel is that while companies work to ensure their legal claim to virtual property, they also foster the illusion that the player has some degree of ownership. While the mindset of the industry isn't likely to change any time soon, there are those involved on the development and business end that would like to see changes regarding 'avatar rights.' Others are pushing for an improved EULA which would ensure the continued growth of virtual worlds, where users have greater control over their own created content. What's your view on this? Do companies have any responsibility to their subscribers or users to relinquish control over player-created content? Are gamers and virtual worlds users unreasonable in thinking the situation should change?

MassivelyThe debatable concept of ownership in virtual spaces originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 21 Sep 2008 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Linden Lab has been overhauling its website and promotional material lately for the poorly understood virtual world Second Life. One of the key changes to be spotted is the alteration of the long-standing descriptor, "Second Life is a 3D online digital world imagined, created and owned by its residents", which now only reads, "Second Life is a 3D online digital world imagined, and created by its residents", and there's signs that the wording is still evolving a little.

The unannounced change has caused a fair bit of speculation, especially among those who were never all that certain as to what the ownership consisted of in the first place. In fact, that seems to be at the heart of the reason for the change.

Continue reading Imagined, but not owned

MassivelyImagined, but not owned originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 23 Oct 2007 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>lawlawsuitlinden-labmarc-braggownershipphilip-rosedalepropertyrightsTOSTue, 23 Oct 2007 21:00:00 EST