Gamer buys virtual Island for real $

[Richelieu]

That's right!

A 22-year-old gamer has spent $26,500 (£13,700) on an island that exists only in a computer role-playing game (RPG).

The Australian gamer, known only by his gaming moniker Deathifier, bought the island in an online auction.

The land exists within the game Project Entropia, an RPG which allows thousands of players to interact with each other.

Any takers?

[Tattila the Hun]

You mean it was you, and now you want to get rid of it?

[DRoseDARs]

"A fool and his money are soon parted."
-- Thomas Tusser, English farmer and writer, 1524-1580

[Az]

That would make that seafront property in new mexico expression take a whole new meaning.

nerds

[Spiffor]

What's the problem?

After all, it's little different from spending thousands of $ for a painting.

[Asher]

Originally posted by Spiffor
What's the problem?

After all, it's little different from spending thousands of $ for a painting.

Equally stupid IMO.

[Az]

Originally posted by Spiffor
What's the problem?

After all, it's little different from spending thousands of $ for a painting.

that's a strong point.

I would point out that paintings are enjoyed by most people, though.

[Spiffor]

Originally posted by Asher
Equally stupid IMO.

There's nothing stupid with wasting your money where you wish

[General Ludd]

Originally posted by Spiffor
What's the problem?

After all, it's little different from spending thousands of $ for a painting.

Aside from a painting (usually) being art.

[Richelieu]

Originally posted by Tattila the Hun
You mean it was you, and now you want to get rid of it?

I'll say again: any takers?

[Az]

Originally posted by General Ludd


Aside from a painting (usually) being art.

ppffft. opressor.

[Richelieu]

OTOH we may have a clue as to why Horsie has to move to Korea: Mrs. Horse may have just found out about this...

[Spiffor]

Really, I don't see what is "stupid" here, unless you consider buying a computer game, paying to see a movie, or spending money at an expansive restaurant instead of a cheap joint, is "stupid".

The guy values this symbolic good very much. It brings some contentment to him to have bought it. Y'all consider this island worthless, but he (and the other members of the auction) doesn't. The value of something is what someone else would be willing to pay you know

[Az]

libertarianism

[Spiffor]

Actually, by reading the article, I'm more surprised at this. The guy has actually made an investment to earn money

The virtual island includes a gigantic abandoned castle and beautiful beaches which are described as ripe for developing beachfront property.

Deathifier will make money from his investment as he is able to tax other gamers who come to his virtual land to hunt or mine for gold.

He has also begun to sell plots to people who wish to build virtual homes.

"This type of investment will definitely become a trend in online gaming," said Deathifier.

The Entopia economy lets gamers exchange real currency into PED (Project Entropia Dollars) and back again into real money.

Ten PEDs are the equivalent to one US dollar and typical items sold include iron ingots ($5) and shogun armour ($1.70)

Gamers can theoretically earn money by accumulating PEDs through the acquisition of goods, buildings, and land in the Entropia universe.

MMORPGs have become enormously popular in the last 10 years with hundreds of thousands of gamers living out alternate lives in fantasy worlds.

Almost 200,000 people are registered players on Project Entropia.