This has been buzzing around since Friday, when Slashdot amplified it: eBay has made a decision to ban auctions — real money trade, in industry parlance — for the characters, currency, weapons, attire and accounts of online games such as World of Warcraft, City of Heroes and others, effectively cutting off an already big and fast growing underground economy, though there are many alternatives around. The value of this economy has been estimated to be between $250 million and $800 million US a year, according to experts, though no real numbers are available.
Given that a significant slice of the multi-hundred-million-dollar business took place on eBay until now, the move presents a significant opportunity for other players in the market, reports CNET News.com, such as Internet Gaming Entertainment.
eBay said its decision stems from a desire to protect users, but didn’t explain it well. Greg Short, director of Web development for EverQuest II publisher Sony Online Entertainment, eBay’s move is likely a result of its wanting to avoid the time-consuming annoyance of dealing with customers who are defrauded over virtual-item sales.
Ed Castronova, a professor at Indian University, said another sign the real-money trades (RMT) market has been deemed too risky is that IGE, which does millions and millions of dollars in annual business brokering virtual goods sales, has not been purchased.
On Second Life, eBay’s policy: “We think there is an open question about whether Second Life should be regarded as a game.”
Virtual Goods Banned From eBay; Second Life Gets An Exemption
Summary:
This has been buzzing around since Friday, when Slashdot amplified it: eBay has made a decision to ban auctions — real money trade, in indu…
This is interesting. SecondLife isn't really a game, its a 3D virtual economy with endless possibilities ;)
I am a second life resident myself, and no it's not a game. It would be called what most describe to be the fabled, "metaverse", or virtual existence. Ebay could, with a little work, create an area where you can use your lindens, second life's virtual currency, to purchase items much life ebay for the real world. Read some of the news on second life at Lindenlabs.com, I think that's it…just look for linden labs in google and it's the first one on the list. Anyways, I reccomend giving second life a look if you have the time, it's free, and after you get the hang of it, it's an experience you'll never forget.
Send me an instant message if you're even logged in, I am known as Delta Klata. See you later!
I am also a Secondlife resident, and I was going to join ebay to sell some of my virtual creations, including some things I have done in the real world and taken into Secondlife, but if your going to stop Secondlife and our customers, well then you have just lost a customer yourself Ebay. As Alexander above states it is not a game and people spend a lot of money here. Pity you need to do a rethink.
I'm still not sure what I think about selling virtual items on a system that is not controlled by any aspect of Second Life. Always a chance of getting dupped, swindled by people…not knowing if they really have a second life account or not.
I much prefer SLEXCHANGE and SLBOUTIQUE because theyhave a better understanding of what secondlife is, and I feel more confident
as an individual must be VERIFIED as a resident to use or sell on the site.
Whether banning items or not on ebay…I wouldn't use it.
I don't look at it like a game. I don't get points, or a rating, there is no direct competition – unless you go looking for it. I spend time building, gardening, floating in a rock pool, flying exploring the mainland, and shopping (erhum, don't we all) and I can't see how that is a game, to me it's a virtual world where I own land, have things, some things I can't have in the real world (jet craft under thunderbirds style sliding patio, it's hard to arrange in the real world, you know?)
and when people who are rude or abusive, say 'hey, it's just a game' I just have to roll my eyes and tp home.
I would love to see the general terminology swing away from 'game'
yes second life in my opinion is more than a game it can be what you want it to be..its a vertual world where anything!! and everything!!! is possible..and i meen anything . is it addictive? YES !! it can be..but for all you people out there who havent tried it ,, come and se for yourselves..it is a massive world.. look me up if you do i dont bite ……… blue maloney…….
secondlife is so influencial that is can consume your first life. ive learned that first hand and have had to step back for a while. despite its addictive nature it is the BEST internet experience out there. forget myspace, forget everything you know about the internet. this is it and there is nothing, i mean nothing like it. some are starting to call it world wide web 2.0. this time last year there were 300,000 registered users. right now its over 4,000,000!!! this thing is booming and i dont think anything can stop it!! i have to say that its NOT a game, but it can be if you want it too. ive been to casinos, real movie theaters, clubs, universities, friends homes, battle grounds. In RL im scared of flying but in SL i routinly take flights accross the mainland. If you go into mouselook mode it makes you feel like your really on a plane!! anyway im an addict so dont take my word for it… try it!!!
If eBay wants to take a back seat while another entrepreneur makes a profit on this new medium then so be it. eBay was groundbreaking in their area of choice. Apparently they have lost their cutting edge drive by enjoying the money that comes with success.
-Nupe Flossberg-
SL Resident
First let me say I completely agree with the experienced opinion that Second Life is NOT a game.
I too am a long time resident, I own too much land, and have met some of the best people you could ever hope to run in to. Buying and selling are as much a part of Second Life as they are in your First Life.
As for Ebay? I have spent quiet a large sum on thier site over the last several years. I actually built a custom bike using only parts ordered through Ebay.
If Ebay is concerned about fraud, perhaps they should look the current band of thieves lurking within thier own domain. I have been ripped off numerous times and have yet to recieve any compensation from Ebay. Paypal is excellent and I would recomend all on line purchases to be paid using thier free service.
Ebay you have lost a customer who alone has spent over $60,000 REAL US Dollars. No more soup for you Ebay!
SL May not be a game, but I can definitely see where ebay would be coming from. And to be completely honest, I agree with them. ebay should be used for the sales of physical items only. Something that can be sent out to you through the mail (or picked up for things like a car)
If you're looking for an avenue to sell your online creations outside of SL, there are already a few avenues available, such as SLboutique and SLexchange.
Just my view on it, and btw, I am on SL as well, look me up as Heather Kincess (2nd character, but been active since Feb 2006)