Hey everyone. I'm doing some research at my University regarding MMORPGs. As part of the research, I'm surveying different groups of WOW players, finding opinions and experiences with the exchange of virtual property: Buying and selling gold, items, accounts, etc. for real money.
If anyone has 45 seconds to spare, I'd really appreciate it. If you only want to answer some of the questions because of privacy concerns, that's fine too. I read the forum FAQ - I hope I'm not spamming or anything with this post. This is going to be an anonymous survey; it's just something I'm doing for school.
Thanks!
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1. When did you begin playing WoW?
2. Do you USUALLY play on a PvP server or PvE?
3. Have you SPENT real money on virtual property (items, player accounts, etc.) in World of Warcraft?
If so, how much have you spent since you began playing?
4. Have you SOLD virtual property in World of Warcraft for real money?
If so, what has been your net revenue since you began playing?
5. On the server you use most often, What proportion of players would you guess have bought or sold virtual property?
a. Less than 5%.
b. 5 to 10%
c. 10 to 25%
d. 25 to 50%
e. Over 50%
6. How would your WoW playing experience change if it were impossible to buy or sell virtual property with real money?
a. The game would be much better.
b. It would be slightly better.
c. It wouldn't change at all.
d. It would be slightly worse.
e. It would be much worse.
7. How old are you?
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1) Sept. '05
2) PvE
3) Not unless you count paying the monthly fees.
4) No, I haven't. I try to avoid violating my legally-binding contracts.
5) I honestly have no idea who buys gold or items or accounts...
6) I think the game would be better, but I also think that the only way to totally lock down RMT is to make it impossible to trade things, which defeats a LOT of the point of an MMO...
7) 24 years young ;)
A quick question... is this in response to recent news reports about possible taxation of virtual properties in online games? If so, I'd like to bring this old thread to your attention.
2) PvE
3) Not unless you count paying the monthly fees.
4) No, I haven't. I try to avoid violating my legally-binding contracts.
5) I honestly have no idea who buys gold or items or accounts...
6) I think the game would be better, but I also think that the only way to totally lock down RMT is to make it impossible to trade things, which defeats a LOT of the point of an MMO...
7) 24 years young ;)
A quick question... is this in response to recent news reports about possible taxation of virtual properties in online games? If so, I'd like to bring this old thread to your attention.
I would first very much liek to inform you that this is not the best place for collecting this kind of statistical data, as you will have highly skewed results. The majority members of this forum have a strong stance agaisnt the buying and selling of online currency/items/accounts and will likely regard such transactions universally as a negative. That is to say we are a rather homogenous group in this area.
1. I estimate at around December 05, but I do not remember with much certainty.
2. PvP
3. I have not.
4. I have not.
5. c. 10 to 25%
6. a. The game would be much better.
1. I estimate at around December 05, but I do not remember with much certainty.
2. PvP
3. I have not.
4. I have not.
5. c. 10 to 25%
6. a. The game would be much better.
This post smells to me more like someone doing research for starting his own goldselling site than someone doing actual schoolwork, since anyone who actually plays WoW KNOWS that the buying and selling of gold is a no-no. And the fact he has exactly ONE post to his name (and so is 99% likely he knows what he's doing is a no-no so he's hiding in anonimity) only reinforces that impression.
To the OP, if you're ligitimate, there is at least one online game out there where the buying and selling of virtual goods and gold on eBay and other such sites is not only legal but endorsed and approved by the game designers. I suggest you head over to the boards dealing with that game instead and ask the people who could give you legitimate answers to your questions. I'll even give you the name of the game: Ultima Online.
To the OP, if you're ligitimate, there is at least one online game out there where the buying and selling of virtual goods and gold on eBay and other such sites is not only legal but endorsed and approved by the game designers. I suggest you head over to the boards dealing with that game instead and ask the people who could give you legitimate answers to your questions. I'll even give you the name of the game: Ultima Online.
Scholar
27 posts
EvE Online supports it in essence also. You can buy time-codes (game-cards) and sell for ingame isk. It is supported by CCCP against scamming provided you send the code ingame via their mail system.
Khor
Khor
30 posts
1. When did you begin playing WoW?
December of 2004 or January of 2005
2. Do you USUALLY play on a PvP server or PvE?
PvE
3. Have you SPENT real money on virtual property (items, player accounts, etc.) in World of Warcraft?
Nope, none at all.
4. Have you SOLD virtual property in World of Warcraft for real money?
Yeah, I came out about even when I sold my account. By even I mean, money I personally spent on game-cards.
5. On the server you use most often, What proportion of players would you guess have bought or sold virtual property?
I'd have to guess "B", but I have no real way of knowing.
6. How would your WoW playing experience change if it were impossible to buy or sell virtual property with real money?
I'd say "A".
7. How old are you?
17
Edited, Dec 6th 2006 12:18pm by Peroxide
December of 2004 or January of 2005
2. Do you USUALLY play on a PvP server or PvE?
PvE
3. Have you SPENT real money on virtual property (items, player accounts, etc.) in World of Warcraft?
Nope, none at all.
4. Have you SOLD virtual property in World of Warcraft for real money?
Yeah, I came out about even when I sold my account. By even I mean, money I personally spent on game-cards.
5. On the server you use most often, What proportion of players would you guess have bought or sold virtual property?
I'd have to guess "B", but I have no real way of knowing.
6. How would your WoW playing experience change if it were impossible to buy or sell virtual property with real money?
I'd say "A".
7. How old are you?
17
Edited, Dec 6th 2006 12:18pm by Peroxide
1. When did you begin playing WoW?
March 2006
2. Do you USUALLY play on a PvP server or PvE?
Started PvP, but now PvE
3. Have you SPENT real money on virtual property (items, player accounts, etc.) in World of Warcraft?
No.
If so, how much have you spent since you began playing?
N/A
4. Have you SOLD virtual property in World of Warcraft for real money?
No.
If so, what has been your net revenue since you began playing?
N/A
5. On the server you use most often, What proportion of players would you guess have bought or sold virtual property?
d. 25 to 50%
6. How would your WoW playing experience change if it were impossible to buy or sell virtual property with real money?
a. The game would be much better.
7. How old are you?
30
A short and pointless servey on this website, no one..even if they had bought or sold would openly admit it due to the karma and social status dive it would rinder them in this "circle" of people. A few troll accounts have been made, and the admit to buying or selling, but most people wouldn't admit they really do it.
However look at the number of businesses that offer these services, how many advert's in game people get via wispers, ingame mail, etc.. these are in operation because people are obviously keeping them in business by participating in these companies.
I stated 25-50% use these services, but I am sure the numeber could very well be higher. Have I ever bought before? Yes, but not for World of Warcraft. I played Final Fantasy XI for a number of years, and it's near impossible to play that game becuase of the number of gil sellers dominating the in game market. But once I found WoW and how much improved the ingame market was I came over.
Once again, you will not get a accurate reading from posters. All will say no, they have not, however these companies are growing... so how is that possible if no one says they are buying?
March 2006
2. Do you USUALLY play on a PvP server or PvE?
Started PvP, but now PvE
3. Have you SPENT real money on virtual property (items, player accounts, etc.) in World of Warcraft?
No.
If so, how much have you spent since you began playing?
N/A
4. Have you SOLD virtual property in World of Warcraft for real money?
No.
If so, what has been your net revenue since you began playing?
N/A
5. On the server you use most often, What proportion of players would you guess have bought or sold virtual property?
d. 25 to 50%
6. How would your WoW playing experience change if it were impossible to buy or sell virtual property with real money?
a. The game would be much better.
7. How old are you?
30
A short and pointless servey on this website, no one..even if they had bought or sold would openly admit it due to the karma and social status dive it would rinder them in this "circle" of people. A few troll accounts have been made, and the admit to buying or selling, but most people wouldn't admit they really do it.
However look at the number of businesses that offer these services, how many advert's in game people get via wispers, ingame mail, etc.. these are in operation because people are obviously keeping them in business by participating in these companies.
I stated 25-50% use these services, but I am sure the numeber could very well be higher. Have I ever bought before? Yes, but not for World of Warcraft. I played Final Fantasy XI for a number of years, and it's near impossible to play that game becuase of the number of gil sellers dominating the in game market. But once I found WoW and how much improved the ingame market was I came over.
Once again, you will not get a accurate reading from posters. All will say no, they have not, however these companies are growing... so how is that possible if no one says they are buying?
1. When did you begin playing WoW?
April 2005
2. Do you USUALLY play on a PvP server or PvE?
RP or PvE
3. Have you SPENT real money on virtual property (items, player accounts, etc.) in World of Warcraft?
No.
4. Have you SOLD virtual property in World of Warcraft for real money?
No.
5. On the server you use most often, What proportion of players would you guess have bought or sold virtual property?
I could care less about the ratio.
6. How would your WoW playing experience change if it were impossible to buy or sell virtual property with real money?
a. The game would be much better.
7. How old are you?
64
April 2005
2. Do you USUALLY play on a PvP server or PvE?
RP or PvE
3. Have you SPENT real money on virtual property (items, player accounts, etc.) in World of Warcraft?
No.
4. Have you SOLD virtual property in World of Warcraft for real money?
No.
5. On the server you use most often, What proportion of players would you guess have bought or sold virtual property?
I could care less about the ratio.
6. How would your WoW playing experience change if it were impossible to buy or sell virtual property with real money?
a. The game would be much better.
7. How old are you?
64
1. When did you begin playing WoW?
About three months ago (aug-sept 06)
2. Do you USUALLY play on a PvP server or PvE?
PvE
3. Have you SPENT real money on virtual property (items, player accounts, etc.) in World of Warcraft? No
If so, how much have you spent since you began playing?
N/A
4. Have you SOLD virtual property in World of Warcraft for real money? No
If so, what has been your net revenue since you began playing?
N/A
5. On the server you use most often, What proportion of players would you guess have bought or sold virtual property?
a. Less than 5%.
b. 5 to 10%
c. 10 to 25%
d. 25 to 50%
e. Over 50%
I honestly don't know, I would like to be able to say none, but unfortunately, I know that's not true.
6. How would your WoW playing experience change if it were impossible to buy or sell virtual property with real money?
a. The game would be much better.
b. It would be slightly better.
c. It wouldn't change at all.
d. It would be slightly worse.
e. It would be much worse.
I'm not sure I've been playing long enough to answer this solidly. I think the game would be better balanced and whatnot, but I'm not sure how it would effect me personally since I don't duel, therefore if someone has been buying gold to buy better equipment, it doesn't effect me.
7. How old are you? 26/F
About three months ago (aug-sept 06)
2. Do you USUALLY play on a PvP server or PvE?
PvE
3. Have you SPENT real money on virtual property (items, player accounts, etc.) in World of Warcraft? No
If so, how much have you spent since you began playing?
N/A
4. Have you SOLD virtual property in World of Warcraft for real money? No
If so, what has been your net revenue since you began playing?
N/A
5. On the server you use most often, What proportion of players would you guess have bought or sold virtual property?
a. Less than 5%.
b. 5 to 10%
c. 10 to 25%
d. 25 to 50%
e. Over 50%
I honestly don't know, I would like to be able to say none, but unfortunately, I know that's not true.
6. How would your WoW playing experience change if it were impossible to buy or sell virtual property with real money?
a. The game would be much better.
b. It would be slightly better.
c. It wouldn't change at all.
d. It would be slightly worse.
e. It would be much worse.
I'm not sure I've been playing long enough to answer this solidly. I think the game would be better balanced and whatnot, but I'm not sure how it would effect me personally since I don't duel, therefore if someone has been buying gold to buy better equipment, it doesn't effect me.
7. How old are you? 26/F
second life outright supports that stuff too.
had it's first second life-made millionaire the other week.
had it's first second life-made millionaire the other week.
2 posts
Thanks so much to everyone who replied!
As for the person who suggested I'm trying to make money with this research, I don't appreciate the accusations. I'm trying to be as polite as possible, encouraging people not to answer if they feel uncomfortable. I registered here for the sole purpose of doing this research - hence my few posts. This is for a course called "Social Issues in Computer Science."
WoW is the object of my research simply because it is the most popular MMORPG; it receives lots of media attention. I played WoW for a few months immediately after the release (school and work put a quick stop to that, though), so I'm familiar with the game to begin with.
Any other survey responses and insightful, helpful replies would be appreciated.
As for the person who suggested I'm trying to make money with this research, I don't appreciate the accusations. I'm trying to be as polite as possible, encouraging people not to answer if they feel uncomfortable. I registered here for the sole purpose of doing this research - hence my few posts. This is for a course called "Social Issues in Computer Science."
WoW is the object of my research simply because it is the most popular MMORPG; it receives lots of media attention. I played WoW for a few months immediately after the release (school and work put a quick stop to that, though), so I'm familiar with the game to begin with.
Any other survey responses and insightful, helpful replies would be appreciated.
1. Private Servers - a couple of months at the start of 2006. Started real WoW in about August, real WoW is so much better, less lag and less bugs.
2. PvP all the way.
3. Nope I'm not a cheat.
4. Nope, I can't be bothered, I only sell stuff in game, virtual for virtual.
5. 10 - 25%
6. It would be much better - everything would hopefully be levelled, not as many twinks, but probably still a lot of twinks funded from their mains.
7. Just turned 17 hehe.
2. PvP all the way.
3. Nope I'm not a cheat.
4. Nope, I can't be bothered, I only sell stuff in game, virtual for virtual.
5. 10 - 25%
6. It would be much better - everything would hopefully be levelled, not as many twinks, but probably still a lot of twinks funded from their mains.
7. Just turned 17 hehe.
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