Man pays $16,000 for VIRTUAL sword

[Zeref]

Anyone who has spent time getting sucked in "World of Warcraft," or any other of these types of games, knows just how addicting these games can be. Yet another example of how people can get carried away has shown up, this time in China where a man paid an excessive amount for a piece of virtual hardware.





The 16K Virtual Sword

The upcoming massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG), "Age of Wulin," held an auction for in-game items before its Spring 2012 release. As this Slash Gear article points out, there were quite a few small items auctioned off, and even a few sheaths that went for a couple of thousand dollars, but the biggest item was an in-game sword that one man purchased for $16,000 USD.

The man who purchased the sword got a plaque for his trouble, and of course, he will be able to use the sword once the game goes live in a few months. The virtual sword is unique, so no one else will be able to sport such a powerful weapon. There are no reports on whether or not the sword will give him an in-game advantage, although after 16 large one would certainly hope so.

Cash and MMORPGS

According to this Time article, a study released this year pins the value of online virtual economies at around $3 billion, with one in four players spending $369 each year. With stats like this, the news of someone spending $16,000 on a virtual sword shouldn't be so surprising, but somehow this still comes as a bit of a shock, perhaps because the game hasn't even come out yet. Imagine spending enough money for a mid-sized car for in-game items in All Points Bulletin, a much-hyped MMORPG that lasted just a few months.

Hopefully, "Age of Wulin," which will be released in the US a little bit after it is released in China, turns out to be a fun, long-lasting game. If not, this may be one of the silliest ways to flush $16K down the toilet.

http://technology.gather.com/viewArt...81474980959553

[Albear]

If I get a fake sword worth 16 grand, I better be the Chuck Norris of the game.

[Zeref]

Watch as the game is a complete flop xD

Though now that they're 16k richer, they're pretty secure for a while.

[Matty]

Hahaha, that's awsome! I can't believe that someone who is that serious about a game has that kind of money to throw around! Most people that I know who are obsessed with World of Warcraft have no jobs, and live in their parents basements, lol.

[marvel_phoenix]

*Sigh* I am not surprised. Some people just obsess WAY too much about games. I play Wow casually, and you will not believe how seriously some of those little punks take the game. If you don't bend to their "Ubber 1337-ness" they will spend the rest of the battleground or raid bitching about how much some people suck, and should be kicked and such. It gets old fast. Then there are those that spend real world money on pets and mounts, even in-game currency. The guy was probably chief of a gold-botter clan, and was using his ill-gotten gains to set up shop in a new game.

[RescueCat]

I wouldn't spend $16k on something in a game I couldn't even play THAT day.

Hell, I wouldn't spend $16k on anything.

[Gjallarhorn]

I'm not surprised that someone spent $16k on a virtual sword for an MMO, but by the fact that the person was Chinese and not South Korean.

[Kaitou+]

What a good way to boost my internet nerd ego via MMOs.

I shall try it.

[Ribbon]

Lol. It's kind of silly to realize that a person would put so much money into an mmo weapon, instead of... i don't know? Increasing their IRL situation?

If he's a rich chinese guy, then I understand.

Heck, if I was rich... I'd hire Nintendo to finally make a 3D MMO for Pokemon. :l

[Miss_Strawberry]

Jeeze if I had $16,000 to throw around I would hire a professional costume designer to make me an awesome costume that would blow away all others, not on some silly ol virtual sword. Then again I dont have 16 grand to throw around. Silly guy, he will probably be disapointed. You can probably get the same stuff via hacking/mods.

[Cantelope]

Jeeze if I had $16,000 to throw around I would hire a professional costume designer to make me an awesome costume that would blow away all others, not on some silly ol virtual sword. Then again I dont have 16 grand to throw around. Silly guy, he will probably be disapointed. You can probably get the same stuff via hacking/mods.

Clearly you don't understand how cheating in MMOs work.

[Miss_Strawberry]

No I really dont XD. Never played an MMO. Then again Ive had a friend who did... but what really do I know =P

[aerophobia]

[Ranshiin]

I hope when the game goes live, everyone else who buys and plays the game gangs up to pwn him.

Well, I don't need to hope. It's going to happen. :]

[Sc0tty]

Amazing what people do when they obsess over a game I wonder how they get the money for these kinds of things

[Miku The Watermelon]

Wow. O.O

I've only ever spent up to $10 on an MMO. D:

[Meteorkeeper]

*Face palm* That’s like someone walking up to you and saying hello there sir would you like to buy this 16k imaginary sword, its completely unique and you wont find anything like it any ware elts in the world.
What a great deal let me get out my check book....sigh some people, I can’t even begin to understand it and I play MMOs all the time.

[sgtscott658]

Hi-

Well its his money, heck people buy virtual gold for WoW all the time. I Used to play WoW a few years back, but with an addictive personality like mine, it became way to much of a time sink. Hmmm, last two years, quit WoW, quit Smoking, Quit drinking, man it sucks getting old lol.


Scott

[SuXrys]

Mhew ~

It's after all his money. I have seen so many people who spends alot of money on (in my eyes) "stupid things" so this actually doesn't surprise me one bit.

[Xian Jaguar]

Mhew ~

It's after all his money. I have seen so many people who spends alot of money on (in my eyes) "stupid things" so this actually doesn't surprise me one bit.

it all depends on what you find interesting. i find it stupid that people pay 16 dollars a month for WoW when I can play runescape for free ore members for 4.99 a month. but its what they enjoy. so in conclusion, people are weird

[Wio]

virtual hardware

What an oxymoron. Aren't journalists stupid? They write like they're trying to get the attention of children, because most of the time their story has no substance to it. That's all I gotta say because it's no one's business what some dude is spending money on.

[~*Red*~]

Holy crap o_o that is amazing.

[AkiraPanda]

People who love MMO can spend a lot of money on the game.
i had many online friends in game who spend a lot of money of game currency, in game items, and mount.

[IIISTARSCREAMERIII]

Virtual economies are doing better then our real one in the US where is the logic in this? O.O

[Kagome]

I wouldn't spend $16k on something in a game I couldn't even play THAT day.

Hell, I wouldn't spend $16k on anything.

Yes you would. A used car cost about $16 grand.