The value of online 'worlds' such as Second Life has passed $1bn in the West - in real money. Who is making it? And how? Rebecca Armstrong reports on a bewildering social phenomenon
Lonely? Ugly? Broke? Don't worry, you can make friends, have a makeover and earn a million from the comfort of your armchair. There is a catch - your friends and looks will only exist online. But, for an increasing number of virtual adventurers, the money made within the games they play is cold, hard cash.
According to a report published by analysts Screen Digest this week, the market for massive multiplayer online games (MMOG) is now worth more than $1bn in the West alone. The report's author, Piers Harding-Rolls, says that, "there are millions of people playing MMOGs. These new games have brought with them many new gamers - and new ways of making money".
Blizzard Entertainment has announced the opening of beta registrations for “World of Warcraft: The War Within,” inviting players to explore new subterranean worlds beneath Azeroth.
Danish from eXputer: "Despite Blizzard's attempt to give a fresh new spin to World of Warcraft, some fans still seem to be stuck in the past."
HG writes: "Blizzard is usually pretty bad at keeping secrets, but the company somehow managed to keep this one under wraps until now. Plunderstorm is a special limited-time event that’s basically World of Warcraft’s take on the Battle Royale genre."
