Is Diablo III Turning Virtual Economies Into Real Ones? | Idea Channel | PBS Digital Studios

The U.S. economy may be in the dumps, but you can find solace in the fact that your Second Life avatar is living the life of the 1%. But what if the virtual economies of video games could be transferred to the real world? We're actually already seeing this in Diablo 3, where axes, swords, and other awesome gear have taken on real world value at the Diablo 3 Auction House. People are buying and selling them with real US dollar bills!!!!!! The idea that a collection of pixels can be sold for actual money might be confusing to some, as they are neither true "objects" you can hold nor "ideas" that can be considered intellectual property. But despite the lack of tangibility, real world economies have formed around these games and real world profits are being made.

Let us know what sorts of crazy ideas you have, about this episode and otherwise:
Tweet at us! @pbsideachannel (yes, the longest twitter username ever)
Email us! pbsideachannel [at] gmail [dot] com

Hosted by Mike Rugnetta (@mikerugnetta)
Made by Kornhaber Brown (http://www.kornhaberbrown.com)

Music:
Roglok http://vimeo.com/musicstore/track/21169
EatMe http://www.jamendo.com/en/artist/3483...
Diablo 3 Soundtrack - Overture    • Видео  
Derezzed 8bit   / derezzed-8bit  

Angry Video Game Nerd:    • The Power Glove (NES) - Angry Video G...  
Toast Patent: http://www.google.com/patents/US6080436
$32,000 Golf Clubs: http://www.gorillagolfblog.com/equipm...

Want some more Idea Channel?

Here's last week's episode: "Is Facebook Changing Our Identity?"    • Is Facebook Changing Our Identity? | ...  

Want another one? Here ya go: "Is Homestuck the Ulysses of the Internet?"    • Is Homestuck the Ulysses of the Inter...  

You want more? Check this one out: "Is William Gibson A Modern Day Oracle?"    • Is William Gibson A Modern Day Oracle...