ABSTRACT
Consumption seems limitless in virtual worlds where tremendous amounts of digital goods are available to fulfi ll any desires or daydreams, unconstrained by fi nite resources. In game-oriented worlds-massively multiplayer online games (MMO) that emphasize achievement and character development-acquisition of sought-after equipment and items is limited by skill and patience. Given enough attempts to kill a powerful monster, each player will receive his or her desired items eventually. However, surrounded by myriad, fi ercely desired commodities, players struggle to be patient. Impatience is expressed in various ways, but this chapter examines two common forms, interpersonal confl ict and price instability, which are perceived as dangerous by players of the MMO Final Fantasy XI (FFXI). Preventing social and economic discord arising from competing consumption aspirations is considered a serious social problem by players, who have negotiated self-imposed consumption limits that balance personal desires with collective social and economic well-being.
