ABSTRACT
As game developers and virtual worlds designers work to build even more detailed immersive environments, and the resident population seeks to embellish their virtual surroundings, the need for virtual goods, clothing, furnishings, etc. keeps increasing. A virtual economy with its virtual marketplace has been part of virtual worlds and online games for many years now, and the phenomenon of how it works and why real people buy virtual goods has been the subject of many studies and reports. The three basic reasons why people buy virtual goods are (1) to establish and customize individual identity, (2) to communicate with others, and (3) to compete with others.
