ยูฟ่า777, such as avatars, power-ups and in-game currencies are an essential part of monetization for many online games. Often referred to as microtransactions, these non-physical items provide significant revenue streams for developers, as well as encouraging user engagement and loyalty, whilst simultaneously facilitating a diverse range of social and commercial interactions within game communities.

The popularity of these digital assets has spawned an entire economy around them. From gold farmers and ‘black markets’ that allow gamers to sell rare in-game items for real-world money, to marketplaces that offer preowned leveled-up player accounts, it’s clear that virtual goods are no longer considered niche purchases.

These marketplaces are controversial within gaming communities as they can compromise the integrity of the experience for those who have earned their items honestly. Moreover, the sale of these items can also result in violations of terms of service agreements and even break anti-money laundering or counterfeiting laws.

The Rise of Virtual Goods – Economy and Trade in Online Games

Despite these challenges, a growing number of gaming companies are taking advantage of the Virtual Goods market. For example, Valve’s Steam platform for PC gaming allows users to trade in-game items and account levels. Similarly, mobile app developers are creating more and more convenient ways to purchase in-game items for their products.

For brands, there is a huge opportunity to engage with this burgeoning market and help young people own things in a world where physical land or traditional investments are increasingly out of reach. However, to maximize this opportunity, they need to consider sustainability from the outset. This could include leveraging smaller, more sustainable blockchains, utilizing less energy to store data and encouraging users to reduce their in-game purchases.