| Second Life has its own economy. So do big-ticket games like World of Warcraft, 9116361 and EVE. However, in-game economies are not just limited to the big names anymore; two such games were on display at the E for All expo in Los Angeles last weekend.
One such game, online first-person shooter Combat Arms, was released by Nexon during the summer. The game's economy is based on NX Cash, where 1 million NX equals $100. Combat Arms is the latest game released by the American publishing arm of South Korea-based Nexon.
Nexon's revenue model relies solely on in-game microtransactions, maple story mesos as opposed to ads or subscription fees. The company's games, which include MapleStory and Mabinogi (both MMORPGs), are free to play, and marketing manager Meghan Myskowski says the microtransactions don't affect gameplay but rather "provide customization and personalization of your character. It enhances the experience for the user." And in the game, she adds, everything is assigned value.
The company sells prepaid cards in $10 and $25 increments; they're available at several online and brick-and-mortar retailers. The cash can be used to buy items in the game; the typical item value is $1. However, you can't cash out of the game, unlike some other in-game economies.
|
