Castronova, Edward.

Synthetic worlds : the business and culture of online games / Edward Castronova. - Chicago : The University of Chicago Press, 2006. - xi, 332 p. ; 23 cm.

Originally published: 2005.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

"From EverQuest to World of Warcraft, online games have evolved from the exclusive domain of computer geeks into an extraordinarily lucrative staple of the entertainment industry. People of all ages and from all walks of life now spend thousands of hours-and dollars-creating virtual societies whose economies trade against the dollar on eBay. And the players who inhabit these synthetic worlds are starting to spend more time online than at their day jobs." "In Synthetic Worlds, Edward Castronova offers a behind-the-scenes look at the online game industry, exploring its implications for business and culture alike. The economies inside these worlds, we learn, have the potential to dramatically affect real world,financial systems. Ultimately, Castronova explores the long-term social consequences of online games: If players can inhabit worlds that are more alluring and gratifying than reality, how can the real world compete? Book jacket."--BOOK JACKET.



9780226096278

GBA669688


Internet games--Social aspects.
Internet games--Economic aspects.

GV1469.15 / .C394 2005

794.814678