Comments on: Spending Real Money In A Virtual World

By: Bayern_1867

Bayern_1867 — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 01:19:34 +0000

About 2 years ago I was housebound for reasons I won’t bore you with. My daughter, a Home user, helped me set up an account. When it came to funding the wallet, I announced it wasn’t necessary as I wouldn’t spend real money on pixels. Go ahead, laugh. I don’t mind. Very quickly I came to realize that home’s fascination for me was in the varied experiences. Definitely the money I spend in Home is a great bargain.(Shhhh! Don’t tell Sony and the devs!) I have widened my horizons, stretched the boundaries of my mind, and moved out of my ruts. Not the most recent purchase, but still one of the most satisfying is the LOOT Space space. And they gave us all that great furniture which I tried to use there. Then I realized that what I wanted was simply my Moet chair from Ligne Roset, my LOOT Photo Telescope, and the view of earth. Access to that view is worth every penny. The EOD, etc., is great but I don’t use it. Greeting me by screen-ID-computer stuff, opening the roof-I told it to, but when I began spawning at the point nearest to my viewing area … I really felt welcome at home…

By: homeboy79

homeboy79 — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 01:59:29 +0000

What a really great read! I commend you for all that you have done, and will continue to do, to help a home user have a better experience in life, while it be virtual or otherwise. I look forward to your next article with great anticipation!

By: ted2112

ted2112 — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 20:46:28 +0000

Great article and Welcome to the HSM community! It’s really cool to hear thoughts from the other side of the curtain. Not only do I think people will pay for an experience but I think it makes them feel good. Just look at a IMAX or 3D movies, people want to be drawn into the experience!

Looking forward to your game!

By: deuce_for2

deuce_for2 — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 17:34:04 +0000

I am so proud of the helicopters (MAG and Tycoon Penthouse). I based the simulation totally on looking at videos and trying to reproduce what I saw. I liked the result. Thanks for noticing and mentioning it.

As for music, I am not done yet with this battle. We will see how far I get. Now that I am on my own I can go after things that did not make business sense for Sony. I am excited to see how it goes.

And the game, well let’s just say I have been like a kid waiting for Christmas ever since I had the original idea. That was about a year and a half ago. I am ready to burst. Hopefully it will be just a few more weeks.

By: deuce_for2

deuce_for2 — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 17:21:55 +0000

Each of us catch and join new trends based on our own experiences. I was behind some people on this one, but ahead of others. If we don’t understand it (aka it does not match our usual rhythms) we tend to assume it will go away. But this is a new way of doing business and will not go away. It has too much support. It is important to remember that just because everyone does not buy into it (my Mom still does not use email) does not mean it will fail or is a bad idea. Many of these new ways of doing things fail because they arrive before people are ready for them. Buying virtual items has now gone mainstream and we are already seeing it succeed. PS Home shows few signs of getting smaller and many that it is getting bigger. A year ago this time people were asking if Home’s best days were behind it. I don’t hear that talk anymore.

By: Kid Fleetfoot

Kid Fleetfoot — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 17:07:11 +0000

Wow! You helped make the helicopter? Having done that in the Army in the 60s, I can tell you it’s realistic.
The boom box needs some 60s tunes though

Good luck with the rhythms of your new game.

By: SealWyf

SealWyf — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 15:52:38 +0000

This is what I keep telling people who say, “I would never spend money in Home. It’s not real.”

“You spend money on movies,” I say. “You buy downloadable games from the PSN store. You pay a cable TV subscription. You buy e-books for your Kindle. You buy food that will cease to exist soon after you eat it. My Loot Space Station apartment has given me much more pleasure than an ten-dollar restaurant lunch.”

I’m not sure why this is such a difficult concept for many people. What is real is the experience, not some piece of matter you have to store.

By: Olivia_Allin

Olivia_Allin — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 06:50:56 +0000

I had a friend come by while I was on Home. She had never seen it and was kind of interested. But she didn’t catch the rhythm you aptly mention. She became frustrated with me that I rather finish my shopping and then attend a meeting on Home over going to a movie with her. She even said I was wasting my money. She went to her movie and spent three times as much as I did for a 2 hour experience she didn’t really enjoy. I on the other had got three new outfits, a new pet, a house near a waterfall and spent the evening with people I love and enjoy. She may never see it from that perspective, but all of us know the value of enjoying Home and the work that people like you put into it! Very nice article! And thank you for what you do!

By: Burbie52

Burbie52 — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 03:45:54 +0000

Great article Deuce. I have a hard time when people outside of Home ask me about why I buy these things when they aren’t real, but I agree they are as real as any movie or other virtual, intangible thing you might decide to spend money on. It is fun to decorate and dress my avatar.

By: Godzprototype

Godzprototype — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 02:26:52 +0000

…..and you can’t give up just because someone says No! either. Home is an experience to me. Thank you for your efforts Deuce! It has been a real good ride for me. I will be looking forward to your game for sure.
Keep on working in that digital dojo.
I’m feelin it!