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RMT in Popular MMORPG Games
RMT, or Real Money Trade, is the exchange of virtual property in a
non-material world for a currency of real world value such as the US
Dollar. This practice is relatively new, as are the games where it
has been established. RMT began with the introduction of MMO games
such as Everquest and has grown into a multi-million dollar
industry. An example would be one player purchasing a weapon, or
piece of armor for their character in the game for real money.
RMT has been debated for many reasons.
Those against RMT, usually game developers and players who will not
take part in it, have a variety of reasons for challenging the
practice. Game developers have good reasons to dislike RMT as some
companies who provide these virtual item services will make other
players' experience in game less appealing. Some companies will spam
advertisements in game cluttering chat channels. Others have workers
who farm areas of the game not allowing regular players to
experience that area as the developers would have liked. The players
who challenge RMT are likely those who do not want to invest in
virtual items themselves, but do not want to see others gain an
advantage over them in game by spending real money.
Those who support RMT also have great reasons. In many games the
greatest experience is achieved when a large amount of time has been
invested in the character. Some would like to enjoy the best in game
experience, but have no time to invest to reach that level. These
players value their time spent working, for example, more than time
spent farming gold in game. They are willing to invest a small part
of what they have earned in real life for someone's time spent in
game. For example, if someone makes $10 per hour at their job, and
wants a sword for their in game character which a RMT company sells
for $25. Imagine this sword takes about 20 hours of play to acquire
in game. $25 is a much more reasonable investment than 20
hours for this player.
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