[MUD-Dev] banning the sale of items

[Raph Koster]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: mud-dev-admin at kanga.nu [mailto:mud-dev-admin at kanga.nu]On Behalf Of
> Ryan Palacio
> Sent: Sunday, April 16, 2000 4:16 PM
> To: mud-dev at kanga.nu
> Subject: Re: [MUD-Dev] banning the sale of items
>
>     The only group that benefits from the sale of items are those that are
> _PRIMARILY_ achievers and/or killers.  Explorers are penalized, as are
> socializers that also like to explore/adventure.

Hurm, I'd actually argue that the group that benefits are the
socializers--it makes them better able to socialize. It actively harms
achievers because it short-circuits achievement.

> Simutronics, specifically Gemstone, had "regular service" and "premium
> service".  This was much more akin to "renting" an expansion than
> purchasing.  People paid extra money for "premium service" which allowed
> them access to special areas and therefore special items and such.  The
> purchase of in-game events I have no previous knowledge of, but I
> have also
> never heard of items being directly sold to players by Simutronics.  The
> latter of which is the crux of the issue.

The crux of the issue was actually player-player transactions, as I recall.
Simutronics did in fact witness this, and allow it, and eventually decided
to leverage it.

Elonka at GDC described several sorts of additional revenue streams mostly
from selling additional service (the wedding example, which I recall as
being $2500, not $25,000, but that's a minor point), as opposed to specific
items.

> I
> have no problem with Bob, who earns a wage equal to mine and performs the
> same task, receiving more money on his paycheck because he worked
> more hours
> than I did.  I do have a problem if Bob and I do the exact same job but he
> gets more per hour than I do.

This happens all the time in the real world. Seniority (years at company),
other skills Bob may have, plain old inequities resulting from the hiring
climate at the time Bob was hired...

> Yes, twinks - the people that have all the toys and zero skill/knowledge.
> They are always the butt of a joke.

Radical inflammatory statement: I have come to believe that twinking is a
good thing and should be institutionalized. If anyone asks, I'll explain at
length. ;)

-Raph




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