Customer Comments

I am not ashamed to admit I am a World of Warcraft player which is what drew me into this book. But, for non-gamers out there this book is more about the economy, psychology and sociology of MMORPGs (Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games). The insights into the real economy built out of the virtual economy of this sub universe provide amazing perspective into our economy and society as a whole. Dibbell completes a year long experiment to see whether he can make enough REAL money as a trader of VIRTUAL goods in one particular MMORPG to supplant his writing income. The journey sheds light into some areas that prove fascinating. Did you know that the amount of REAL money generated from all of the MMORPGs from people buying and selling fantasy gold and items is more than the GDP of roughly two thirds of the countries on earth? Have you heard of gold farming? Do you know what the exchange rate of World of Warcraft Gold is to the US dollar? The answers will lead you down some strange paths and insights into our economy and culture.

One of those books I wished had 100 more pages. Each story is a little vignette giving you just enough information to spark your imagination.