Prof. Dr. W. Broll
Gutachten zum Einfluss von Bots auf Spielspaß und Ökonomie in MMORPGS
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certainty can, however, be a decisive factor for bot users when making their decision.
Due to the fragmented gold farming market (see Heeks 2009), there are few recognised and reliable dealers.
Contact to small providers, however, often exists only via a corresponding non-descript website. Bot providers,
on the other hand, were often based in the past in countries which came significantly closer to the wishes of most players for sound business practice.
However, whether and how players make a decision for or against using bots or for or against RMT of WoW gold is not known. It is also possible that due to unknown factors a movement from gold purchases from commercial providers towards individual bot use will take place. This effect is caused by players’ normal economic calculations and the aforementioned weaknesses in the virtual economy which cause or make possible the aforementioned effects.
It is, however, not to be expected in any use scenario that the price for virtual currency and goods on the RMT market will sink further arbitrarily as the costs for the period of use and the infrastructure always accrue. In conclusion, the effect of bots on the relationship between the virtual and the real economy can only be mentioned speculatively according to the current state of research.
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