The Determinants of Monetary Value of Virtual Goods: An Empirical Study for a Cross-section of MMORPGs

Publication Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

7-2013

Abstract

This study investigates the monetary value of virtual goods in the context of 24 most popular massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs). Building on classic economic theory, we approach this issue through a combination of experimentation and cross-sectional time series data analysis. Our findings suggest that more intensive social networking and flatter social hierarchical structures are associated with lower monetary value of virtual goods across various MMORPGs. Instead, a larger base of active users increases the potential demand and thus the monetary value of virtual goods in the short run. A steeper social hierarchical structure further strengthens the effect. The implication is that social networking and hierarchical structure can be two effective angles for game developers or policy makers to address the issue of real-money trading of virtual goods.

Keywords

Massively multiplayer online role playing game (MMORPG), Virtual world, Real-money trading

Discipline

Computer Sciences | E-Commerce

Research Areas

Information Systems and Management

Publication

Information Systems Frontiers

Volume

15

Issue

3

First Page

481

Last Page

495

ISSN

1387-3326

Identifier

10.1007/s10796-011-9339-4

Additional URL

http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10796-011-9339-4

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