RuneScape - Digging The Virtual Economy

Inquisitor911 writes "One of the things that is peculiar about MMORPGs are the constantly changing virtual markets. For example, look at RuneScape's Economic Fluctuations after the release of skills allowing players to build in-game houses." From the post: "The initial frenzy started with realtors. Once the announcement about the housing update was made, members flocked to purchase houses (placed in a magical portal, so they don't clutter up the landscape) and then flocked to build. A market sprang up within minutes that catered to those too busy, too intent, or too high-level to bother gathering up resources. Planks, nails, clay, rock, tiles, and more suddenly began to command exceptional prices. Clay went from 10 gold pieces to 1000 gold pieces within minutes. Right now it is hovering between a low of 600 or 700 gold pieces for dry clay to about 1000 gold pieces for wet clay, but the price is fluctuating downwards as the initial demand levels off and more suppliers get in on the action. I expect it will peak again on the weekend as more players become aware of the new function."

Re:A couple of corrections

[grammar fascist]

runescape characters may in fact sit (and rock!) in their new chairs.

That's it. I'm buying the game.

There's nothing like being lazy in two places at once. I could get twice as much loafing around done this way.

Re:Same thing happened in UO few years back

[earnest murderer]

Aside, housing was always a problem, since when you placed a house, even a stupid twig would stop you from bein able to place it. Plus it didn't help that the land had to be "flat"

Of course that didn't stop many areas from looking like a trailer park. A very very dense trailer park with everyone and their blocked in polar bears shouting "get off my lawn!".