Hedging Your Virtual Bets

Techdirt had an interesting piece a while ago, talking about the potential for online currency to replace real money in the event of a crisis.

It’s certainly an interesting thought. I mean, imagine if you could not only hedge your portfolio in real gold, but in virtual gold as well? Why even stop at currency? Why not stock up on epic items or characters as a hedge against an economic fallout? The negotiations would certainly be something to hear… “I’ll give you 50,000 platinum plus my level 80 Shaman if you let me eat from your pantry for a week.”

However, I think that brings up the point where the idea could either success or fail, because if people value virtual items in an economic downturn (and not even necessarily here, perhaps overseas), then the idea just might work. However, I doubt people in an economic downturn will spend much time recreationally (especially in a system based on a monthly fee), thus the value for such items would fall below anything worth mentioning.

It is an interesting idea though.

Tags: money, World of Warcraft, Economics, Economy

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