Imaginary places, real economies. Or are they? Imaginary that is, I know the economies are real, but what of the rest of it?

Virtual, synthetic, real. Whatever term you use, the distinction is sometimes less than clear. This page is a all about Synthetic Worlds, some of which I am a resident, such as the obvious ones like World of Warcraft and Secondlife. They don’t stop there, however.

In World of Warcraft’s synthetic world, Azeroth, I have many residents. Carnegie, my Night Elf priest travels the lands healing allies in combat. Cyzarine stalks other players  as a human Rogue. Often inflicting more frustration upon them than anything else. Marhalt, my Orc Hunter, tends to explore with only his weapons and pets.

There are many others as well, but my favorite are the bankers. They reside in the cites of Stormwind, Ironforge, Orgrimmar, Silvermoon, and even the Undead’s Undercity, quietly watching the economy, managing assets and earning lots of virtual gold.

More than anything else in this synthetic world, I like to buy, sell and trade in the virtual economy.

World of Warcraft has strict rules against buying and selling outside the game. This is not the case with other worlds, such as Second Life.

Imaginary places, real economies. Or are they? Imaginary that is, I know the economies are real, but what of the rest of it? Virtual, synthetic, real. Whatever term you use,...