You can’t turn on the television without hearing about the poor state of the economy, yet young adults are willing to pay hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars to purchase fake cash called EverQuest 2 Platinum. This purchase nets them nothing tangible; they simply are able to play higher levels of an online role-playing game.
Why are online RPG’s so popular with young adults? Let’s look at one such game, Everquest 2, for some answers.
In Everquest 2, one of the most popular online games, players create characters, endow them with magical or other powers, and band together with other players to succeed at magical quests. The game is free to play; however, players who want to advance more rapidly in the game can buy fake cash, called Everquest Platinum, which is then used to purchase equipment and attributes in the game.
The viral nature of the Internet allowed Platinum’s popularity to grow exponentially. If only a few users purchased Platinum, other users’ play would not be significantly affected. But those users who bought Platinum encouraged their friends to buy it as well, setting off a chain reaction in which many people were buying it in order to play with friends who had already purchased Platinum.
The social aspects of the game, combined with the nature of the Internet, also contribute to its popularity for another reason. The Internet is a viral instrument; that is, word-of-mouth quickly reaches a lot of users. When someone is enjoying a game like Everquest 2, they might post about it on a social networking site or mention it in an email. Other people therefore quickly learn about the game and decide to try it out as well. Those people, in turn, mention the game to their friends, who start playing as well.
Games like Everquest 2 fill social needs in an unprecedented manner. These needs are so pressing that users are more than willing to spend money in order to level up and play with more people.
You must log in to post a comment.