Chapter 6: The Role of Game Publishers
6.1 Introduction
Game publishers play a crucial role in the gold selling ecosystem, often holding the power to either curb or perpetuate the practice. This chapter delves into the complex dynamics at play, exploring why some game publishers may turn a blind eye to gold selling or even indirectly benefit from it.
6.2 The Economics of Banning
One of the primary ways game publishers combat gold selling is by banning accounts associated with the practice. However, these bans often have an unintended consequence: they create a demand for new accounts. Gold sellers, faced with a ban, will often simply buy a new account and continue their operations. This cycle can lead to increased revenue for game publishers, creating a perverse incentive to allow gold selling to continue.
Imagine a city where parking illegally results in a fine, but the cost of the fine is less than the cost of legal parking. Drivers might choose to park illegally, pay the fine, and still come out ahead. In this analogy, the game publishers are the city, the gold sellers are the drivers, and the accounts are the parking spaces.
6.3 Active Player Count and Ban Waves
Active player count is a key metric for online games, often used to attract investors, advertisers, and new players. However, this metric can be inflated by gold sellers, who often operate multiple accounts simultaneously. Some game publishers may choose to delay ban waves, allowing gold sellers to operate and artificially inflate the active player count.
Consider a nightclub that wants to appear popular. The owner might allow people to enter for free, making the club look busy and attracting paying customers. In this scenario, the game publishers are the nightclub owner, and the gold sellers are the people entering for free.
6.4 The Challenge of Policing Gold Selling
Policing gold selling is a complex task that requires significant resources. Game publishers must monitor in-game transactions, investigate reports of gold selling, and develop sophisticated detection systems. Some publishers may lack the resources or the will to effectively police gold selling, leading to a tacit acceptance of the practice.
Imagine a city with a small police force that’s struggling to combat a widespread issue like littering. The city might decide to focus its resources on more serious crimes, effectively turning a blind eye to littering. Similarly, game publishers might choose to focus on developing new content or improving game performance, rather than investing in anti-gold selling measures.
6.5 Conclusion
The role of game publishers in gold selling is a complex and often controversial issue. While some publishers actively combat gold selling, others may indirectly benefit from it or choose to ignore it due to resource constraints. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for developing effective strategies to combat gold selling. The following chapters will explore potential countermeasures and conclude this exploration of gold selling in online games.
