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'Virtual spend making real moneyArticle from: PerthNowFont size: Decrease Increase Email article: Email Print article: Print Submit comment: Submit comment Linda Cann
August 02, 2008 05:00pm
SPENDING $26,500 on an imaginary island might sound outlandish, but it's paid off for computer gamer David Storey who now makes $300 a day from online game Entropia.
The 26-year-old Sydney student is promoting the "virtual world'' game at the GO3 Electronic and Entertainment Expo at the Perth Convention Centre.
His family and friends were initially sceptical when Mr Storey told them he had bought a virtual island with houses, hunting lands and a shopping centre which all existed only in cyberspace.
The investment paid off however as he made the money back within a year and expects to earn $150,000 annually from the game in a couple of years.
"It's fantastic. I just sit around and run my virtual island any time of the day or night,'' he said.
"I do it because it's fun, I make money from it and it's educational -- I've learnt a lot of things about strategising and risk management.''
Mr Storey, known as 'Deathifier' in the game, said spending about four hours playing online every day had made him more outgoing rather than more introverted.
"I used to be shy, but I can't be shy now because everyone knows me in Entropia and I've also done a lot of public relations for the game.''
Computer software company Mindark operates the "Entropia Universe'', which has a real cash economy based mainly on hunting, mining and manufacturing.
Mindark spokesman John Bates said there were 800,000 players registered worldwide and Entropia's economy was worth US$400million last year.
"The most expensive item sold so far was an asteroid with night clubs and shops -- it sold for US$100,000,'' he said.
"The most surprising thing we've seen is when we introduced make-up and players started creating facial scars to differentiate themselves.''
But just like in the real world, players could modify their appearance by paying for a different hair style or even plastic surgery. '