RMT and Bots in Ragnarok: Leaving Kids with Less Lunch Money?
I don’t play Ragnarok and other MMORPGs. I probably never will too. I like playing regular RPGs and strategy games. The only reason I don’t play MMORPGs is that I don’t want to spend a penny on it. But, I know a lot of people who do. And all of the them are properly functioning individuals contrary to the public preception of MMORPG players. Here is an Inq7.net article that shows a Level-up! change in strategy from previously banning Real Money Trading (RMT) and Bots from their games to allowing it with open arms. Level-up! is not only officially allowing them. It will now facilitating RMT in its only forums. This is one major change of heart.
“The online game community has become so organic and so diverse that it would be hard to control people from going beyond the bounds of game rules. It’s not cheating anymore because everyone is doing it already and it’s becoming beneficial for everyone,” according to Level-Up! Chief Operating Officer Sheila Paul.
Previously, they tried to block boting on their networks. They probably placed it back because of the significant loss in revenue. (Bot users still have to play for their game load). They also tried to curb RMT. However, there is really no easy way to prevent players from trading virtual items in real life. I personally think bots are beneficial because they allow players to play even if they don’t want to be physically present. This gives them time to do other things in life. RMT is also beneficial as part of the regular underground economy. I know a few people that do nothing but Bot all day and sell Virtual items to pay for their broadband Internet connection.
Might seem to be a good thing over all. However, what is potentially scary is when grade school kids spend all of their lunch money on virtual items. This is definitely occuring right now. A lot of kids are already spending their lunch money on game cards. Now, if they hit the forums they can see people doing RMT and will be pressured to do the same. Leaving them with even less lunch money. Another potential problem is fraud. Since, RMT trading is unregulated these customers are not protected by rights that protect you and me when buying regular commercially available items. You don’t get a warranty for the “Uber Bastard Sword” or for you “Potion that heals all ailments”. Most of these trades are also no return and no exchange. So, if you buy something and don’t like it then that is just too bad. Online gambling can also occur in these RMT transactions. Since, real money is now involved it is now easier to offer cash incentives for certain raffles and contests. Does this mean every one of these need a DTI permit (for raffles)? There are potentially numerous complications for officially allowing RMT. It might have been best of Level-up! to not officially support it but just “allow” it.
