I recently read an article about the increase in spending on virtual goods and gifts. According to the piece, analysts estimate that this kind of virtual spending could bring in $1 billion this year in the US alone — and nearly $5 billion worldwide.
From Facebook apps like the popular FarmVille — which allows players to run their own virtual farms — to competitive games like Sorority Life — where players have to dress a group of college sorority sisters to compete with rival sororities — the article explains that players are likely to buy items to improve their performance in the game or to build up a collection of goods that will impress friends.
I love sending free virtual goodies to friends on their birthdays or for other special events, but I'm not sure how much cash I would regularly drop on intangible items. What do you think? Do you spend money on virtual gifts or other goods?
In Puncto
Promod
Ben Sherman
Do phone applications/software downloads count?
1who on EARTH would pay for a virtual teddy bear? what a waste of money !
2No, nor would I ever!
Sammi, I don't think apps count.
3i always wondered who would pay facebook for those gifts!!
4no i haven't!
I've occasionally paid for virtual goods and let me point out that I DO NOT recommend it. It's truly just a waste of money. Gotta learn the hard way, I guess.
5Thanks dexaholic.
In that case, no, I haven't paid for virtual goods.
6Nope, waste of money to PAY for a virtual product.
7I wouldn't spend money on Facebook gifts, I think they're kind of ridiculous. I *might* buy Farm Cash, but it's highly doubtful.
I have, however, spent a fair share of cash on Gaia Cash at Gaia Online, for items that i dress my avatar up with. I have a theory that for every dollar I spend, I should get one hour of enjoyment out of whatever it is I'm buying, whether it be digital goods, like the new pets in World of WarCraft, or an XBox Game. I have gotten far more than my moneys worth on Gaia, and I'm more than happy to support something that has given me so much.
I've also bought a tiny bit of NeoCash on Neopets. Again, that's a site that has given me literally thousands of hours of entertainment and I'm more than happy to support it.
8I paid for Fluff(friends) gold on Facebook. I haven't regretted it, my friends are still pretty active on there and I bought them some cute virtual pets as gifts that they still play with all the time.
9no.. and i dont foresee it happening in the future either.. but if you do, more power to you
10Ive spent money a couple times on facebook gifts and MOB WARS! Oh man, was I obsessed with Mob Wars for awhile. Not my proudest moment.
11I just did that. Bought Brownie points for Sorority Life and at first I felt bery bad 'cos by buying stuff I took the fun out of the game. Like I didn't have to make any effort to get those goodies u know, but after a couple of days feeling ridiculous cheater I got over it and now I think of it as a mony spent on fun. Like when u you go to casinos and pay for one hour of fun even if you don't win anything.
12I would consider myself to be slightly obsessed with Farmville, and I would not even consider paying real money for it.
13i too have purchased gaia cash for gaia online. i really love that site and how i see it, whatever i pay for, even if it is virtual, i am helping that site and those people that work there. just love them all to death.
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