Using RMT in MMOs

[demonllama6124]

What is your personal opinion when it comes to buying in-game money/items in exchange for real money? Been getting spammed left and right by RMTs (real money trade) so much as of late, it got me thinking if its actually worth it. I know the risk that come with it, as well as the benefts that you can reap. Has anyone ever used currency buying site before? If so, how was it and how did hey handle it? Ever been suspended/banned from a game for using? Just wanna know peoples thougts

[dAnceguy117]

Kinda sad to see this thread go unnoticed. I'm a fan of topic-based video game discussion not revolving around a specific game.

I've never really played an MMO, but I was first made aware of people selling in-game items for real money in Diablo II many years ago. It's an interesting concept. Is it actually worth it? That completely depends on how much you value what you'd be acquiring. If it makes you happy, then great! That's what disposable income is for. If you could have derived that same amount of excitement from getting an item or a bunch of in-game currency yourself (or from playing a different game altogether), though, then spending real cash seems like a waste.

I'd like to hear from someone who actually plays an MMO though, haha.

[leonid]

Basically equivalent to buying playing/grinding time with real money. Might be worth it if you have life and can't spend more than a few hours a day on gaming. I wouldn't mind RMT'ing if it didn't violate ToS. Spent too much $$$ on MTX for my PoE account I don't wanna risk it :P

[DaBackpack]

I'm assuming that you mean the illegal "herro prease" RMT, not in-game microtransactions provided by the game servicer.

I played Final Fantasy XI for 8 years so I'll use that as an example.

RMT is both useful for and detracting to a game's economy. What usually ends up happening is the following:
1) the playerbase finds a lucrative money-making source either through farming, crafting, or by providing services to other players
2) RMT get a hold of this technique and majorly undercut, completely interrupting the cash-flow for legitimate players
3) the regular players are forced to either compete with RMT for resources/drops or move to another cash source.
4) optional - that market crashes

The average player gets these drops/crafts/services for cheap, but the sellers are hurt because RMT will work for peanuts.

And of course, when it comes to crafts, if the sale price of the item does not exceed the cost+risk to craft it, then that item no longer appears in the game's economy by regular folk, so the RMT can monopolize it. Once the price rises, regular crafters can join and competition happens, so usually there's an equilibrium price established because of the RMT.

In any market competition is good, but RMT makes it a little ridiculous honestly.