virtual real estate at $330,000

by rowena ricalde (8th entry)

A few weeks ago, Buzz Erik Lightyear bought the Crystal Palace for $330,000. Not bad since it has four big domes, a trade hall, an actioneer and a world-class bar. But wait, there is something wrong with this setup. You might want to ask where this Crystal Palace is located. It is in virtual space as a space station. You heard it right! A virtual space station in an online game called Planet Calypso and Buzz bought it for $330,000 - real dollars to be exact.

MMOs have been known to create a universe of its own and even create its own economies and culture. People have alter egos in virtual space and they could be whatever they wanted to be. And this recent trend in MMOs emphasizes another point - creation of virtual real property where you can live and create places at your whim. However, like any prime spot in the market, it has its price.

They say Buzz could recuperate his investment in three years time given that virtual space station can be leased by other gamers and other virtual business can be done there. As a non-fan of MMOs, I cannot fathom how a person can shell out $330,000 just to have a prime real estate that he cannot even touch, smell and see in real time. Seriously. I cannot even imagine shelling out a few dollars for my MafiaWars/RestaurantCity/TexasHoldem facebook addiction.

source:
http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/02/man-buys-virtual-space-station-for-330k-real-dollars/