Second Life Mentioned in the New York Times

[diamond Marchant]

In this article (paywall) https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/22/arts/sports-madden-fc-nba2k-microtransactions.html

The title of the article is "When sports games feel like casinos, players rarely win" and concerns microtransactions in current top sports games. Second Life is mentioned as "Microtransactions have been part of video games for at least two decades, enabling players to buy real estate in Second Life" and that link takes you to https://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/19/technology/19virtual.html

The point they make is that sports games are now riddled with loot boxes that may or may not give you an advantage in game play. It makes the presence of the original form of gatcha in Second Life look rather quaint.

[Carolyn Zapedzki]

6 minutes ago, diamond Marchant said:

https://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/19/technology/19virtual.html

This article was done in 2006, not sure about the other, couldn't see a date, but still interesting to read.

 

[diamond Marchant]

3 minutes ago, MadameGloom Ravenwood said:

This article was done in 2006, not sure about the other, couldn't see a date, but still interesting to read.

Date is in the link... 2024-07-22 which is the date of the OP. The reference to the 2006 article is to support the claim by the NYT  that Second Life has been doing microtransactions for two decades.

Edited July 22 by diamond Marchant

[Carolyn Zapedzki]

34 minutes ago, diamond Marchant said:

Date is in the link... 2024-07-22 which is the date of the OP. The reference to the 2006 article is to support the claim by the NYT  that Second Life has been doing microtransactions for two decades.

Oh yeah, I found it after looking at it again. It's interesting.

[WeFlossDaily]

Raid Shadow Legends is a great example of how a company exploited the gamblers fallacy--through the use of micro-transactions--to drag players into a money pit without the player realizing that the in-game loot-boxes are in and of themselves a from of gambling, of which the purpose is for the player to exchange their money for dopamine hits gain of getting 'rare' drops of loot (virtual items).

In SL, outside of the Casinos, I don't see our micro-transactions of being overly problematic. Well, aside from the gotchas and the whole world being turned into a consumer simulator.

[Ayashe Ninetails]

I'm not sure I'd consider the payment of recurring monthly fees to buy real estate a "microtransaction." Those are usually cosmetic (outfits, weapons, armor, etc.) purchases and are like $1-$5 as a one-time purchase on the low end. Surprised they didn't say clothing or something. That'd be a better comparison, I guess, though I really don't think I'd use the word microtransaction for what we have in SL at all, but that's just me.

At any rate, it's EA and 2K. Microtransactions are what they do. People have been writing articles and complaining about that for years. The NYT is very late to the game.

There have been lawsuits over 2K's parent company's microtransactions, too, though I have no idea how those turned out. I avoid sports and lootbox games like the plague.

[Madi Melodious]

1 hour ago, Ayashe Ninetails said:

I'm not sure I'd consider the payment of recurring monthly fees to buy real estate a "microtransaction"

Since my crack habit, I mean my second life account has its own line in my monthly budget I'm not going to consider it a  "microtransaction" ether. 

[Ayashe Ninetails]

11 minutes ago, Madi Melodious said:

Since my crack habit, I mean my second life account has its own line in my monthly budget I'm not going to consider it a  "microtransaction" ether. 

Oh definitely. I mean, microtransactions can get pretty expensive depending on the game, but they aren't typically recurring charges. It's like buying a weapon skin, a special outfit bundle, some dyes, mounts, accessories, or a fancy cute pickaxe with a rare design or something. To make them even worse, they usually attach some type of FOMO (fear of missing out) technique to it - countdown timers, flash sales, limited availability, available dates, exclusives, special promos, stock rotations, GET IT NOW OR U'LL MISS IT RA RA text, etc. So many people hate this, but games keep doing it because those shady techniques unfortunately can work on some people.

Our marketplace is not that obnoxious and not full of FOMO. My last visit to my rental office didn't have me pressured to grab my wallet to rent some new plot, either.

[Prokofy Neva]

Here's a gift link, guys:

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/22/arts/sports-madden-fc-nba2k-microtransactions.html?unlocked_article_code=1.9E0.eHdD.AU3d0bOkx8AQ&smid=url-share

Time stamp says July 22, 2024 for this article.

What's relevant is that this article links to an ancient 2006 article BTW featuring an interview with your faithful correspondent:

Here's another gift link:

https://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/19/technology/19virtual.html?unlocked_article_code=1.9E0.KwxP.eCUm-8U5gxky&smid=url-share

I stand by my remarks made in 2006 even today, in 2024.

 

Edited July 23 by Prokofy Neva

[Coffee Pancake]

Sheesh .. look, we get a mention. Right up there with the scumbag Elder Scrolls IV Horse Armour that started this whole mess.

Quote

Microtransactions have been part of video games for at least two decades, enabling players to buy real estate in Second Life and horse armor in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. Cosmetic upgrades like weapon skins and character outfits are pervasive in almost all genres, bankrolling games like League of Legends, Overwatch and Genshin Impact.

This is literally all we get.

 

[WeFlossDaily]

But is it rare hose armor . . . ?

[Coffee Pancake]

17 hours ago, WeFlossDaily said:

But is it rare hose armor . . . ?

is now ... https://steamcharts.com/app/22330

[Ceka Cianci]

18 hours ago, Coffee Pancake said:

Sheesh .. look, we get a mention. Right up there with the scumbag Elder Scrolls IV Horse Armour that started this whole mess.

Quote

Microtransactions have been part of video games for at least two decades, enabling players to buy real estate in Second Life and horse armor in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. Cosmetic upgrades like weapon skins and character outfits are pervasive in almost all genres, bankrolling games like League of Legends, Overwatch and Genshin Impact.

This is literally all we get.

 

Errrmahgerd!! Lerr Lerr er Ernerblers?!

If only there were just one single adult around to save us before we took such an irresponsible leap of faith!!\o/

 

hehehe