Electronic Markets

, Volume 22, Issue 2, pp 105–115 | Cite as

What are users’ intentions towards real money trading in massively multiplayer online games?

  • Ioanna Constantiou
  • Morten Fosselius Legarth
  • Kasper Birch Olsen
General Research
First Online:
Received:
Accepted:

Abstract

This study investigates user behaviour in massively multiplayer online games from the perspective of their intentions to engage in real money trading. Players who engage in real money trading purchase resources instead of spending time to acquire them in the game. This behaviour influences not just their own gaming experience, but those of other players as well as the operator’s revenues. We present an online survey which targets the players of World of Warcraft. Players’ relationships with real money trading are investigated using insights from behavioural economics. We propose a model which includes a set of behavioural determinants grounded in empirical research on online games. The study’s findings indicate that a player’s social status and the disinhibiting effects of online play are positive influences on players’ intentions to engage in real money trading, while perceived fairness, anticipated regret and uncertainty about the seller’s behaviour are negative influences. Interestingly, neither the perceived enjoyment nor the potential punishments influence intentions.

Keywords

User intentions Massively multiplayer online games Real money trading Dual–self model 

JEL classification

L86 D03 
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Notes

Acknowledgement

We appreciate the thoughtful feedback of Robert Veitch on previous versions of the manuscript.

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Copyright information

© Institute of Information Management, University of St. Gallen 2011

Authors and Affiliations

  • Ioanna Constantiou
    • 1
  • Morten Fosselius Legarth
    • 1
  • Kasper Birch Olsen
    • 1
  1. 1.Copenhagen Business SchoolFrederiksbergDenmark

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