If there isn't one today, there will be one tomorrow...

[dsrtao]

An inter-MMORPG currency exchange. Sell Zorkmids, buy EQgold, go long on WoWgold and short on USDollars...

I wish I were joking, but I'm not: expect the arrival of such a thing imminently.

Comments

[metahacker.livejournal.com]

I think it's called RL. The intermediary currency is generally USD, Yen, or HKD, it seems.

I haven't seen a Futures market yet, though.

[siderea]

I don't play MMORPGs, so I've been wondering: anyone out there investment banking in game? In particular, extending loans at interest? "I'll give you the cash to outfit your expedition handsomely; in exchange you owe me N% of your take?"

[metahacker.livejournal.com]

There are certainly merchants and middle-men out there. I haven't heard of investments or loans, though they're a logical next step. The problem with loans (and futures, though not currency futures) is that they require persistent characters; otherwise the debtor can simply vanish (stop playing that character) rather than paying back the loan. Loans outside the game I assume can just use real money and real lending institutions, and are therefore less interesting...

[alexx-kay.livejournal.com]

The problem with loans (and futures, though not currency futures) is that they require persistent characters; otherwise the debtor can simply vanish (stop playing that character) rather than paying back the loan.

While this is true, it may not be as much of a barrier as you think. For most MMOs, improving persistent characters are the *point*, and to stop playing a well-developed one represents a significant loss of goods.

[alexx-kay.livejournal.com]

Why do you wish you were joking? I think it's really *cool* when Teh Real World gets weirder than the SF I grew up reading :-)