Is the trading of in-game virtual items for cash in Diablo 3 gambling? Officials in South Korea seem to think so...
Selling 3.5 million copies in just 24 hours, Diablo 3 is the fastest selling PC game of all time. Ten years in the making and far more accessible and user friendly than its predecessors, the game appeals to both hard-core gamers and casual gamers alike and there are now over seven million people who play the game regularly worldwide.
However, the game has not been free of controversy due to the fact that the game arguably includes an element of gambling due to its “Real Money Auction House.” This is where players can trade and sell virtual items for cash.
For those unfamiliar with the game or these types of games, Diablo 3 is a role-playing game, or RPG. The player starts out by choosing one out of five classes of character, each with their own distinct characteristics and traits. Then, with the player either playing alone or with friends, the game pits the player against endless hordes of demons and monsters in dungeons, underground caves and barren wastelands. After the 20-hour or so campaign is complete, the player can continue to replay the whole game on a number of difficulty settings in order to further enhance the abilities of their chosen character.
Improving the assets of one’s character is arguably the most addictive and appealing aspect of the game and it is the reason why players keep on playing for hours after the initial campaign is over. While the game play is essentially similar throughout as it involves hacking and slashing away through one enemy after the next, players are awarded for their persistence with enhanced abilities and items such as gold, weapons and armour.
This article can be read in full in the October issue of InterGaming.
