CFP – JVWR – Virtual Economies, Virtual Goods and Service Delivery in Virtual Worlds

CALL FOR PAPERS – Journal of Virtual Worlds Research

Theme: Virtual Economies, Virtual Goods and Service Delivery in Virtual Worlds

Deadlines: Abstract – June15, 2009.
Full manuscript – November 1, 2009
Publication Date: December 15, 2009

Guest Editors:
Mandy Salomon, Smart Internet Technology CRC, msalomon@swin.edu.au
Serge Soudoplatoff, ESCP-EAP, Hetic; serge@almatropie.org

Whether it may be server as ‘land’, avatar enhancements, like a sword in an online game, an object that signifies social status in a 3DChatroom, or a currency that exists only in cyberspace, the range of virtual assets is as diverse as the scope of assets we gather in the physical world.

The total amount of assets in virtual worlds, including online games, is estimated to be in the vicinity of US$2 billion. The trade of millions of objects has given birth to virtual economies. Some, like Second Life, have a fluctuating currency tied to real world monetary exchange. Others, like Gaia, reward users for hours of play with gifts, which can be auctioned, following e-bay style, for real money.  QQ coins, the Chinese digital currency, are now so included in e-business that it is disrupting established banking practices there.
On the other hand, the regulatory framework surrounding these phenomena is often ill defined, and even worse, exploitative of millions of users. In Second Life, the End User License Agreement (EULA), explained by VW’s commentator Julian Dibbell as “that egregious tool of corporate tyranny over the defenseless voiceless customer” was successfully contested by Mark Bragg. Nevertheless, the statement that virtual goods constitute ‘property’, and hence can be ‘owned’ is still far from solid.

Given such vagaries, what motivates people to invest their time and money and continue to trade together? How is the value of a digital object determined? What can be learned about identity, reputation and social capital in respect to virtual products and services?

In some virtual environments, ‘currency’ is little more than a limited license right. Notwithstanding, models such as Project Entropia, demonstrate that the membrane between real and virtual trade is permeable. So, to what extent are virtual goods and services co-related to the real economy? How is the global financial crisis impacting on virtual expenses?

Clearly, there is a need for a better understanding of virtual commerce (v-commerce) while it is still in its infancy. Today the buying action is performed through a web site; what about tomorrow? Shall we see a proliferation of virtual shopping centers? Might the promise of virtual objects become an incentive for real world action?  And what would be the tax implications? How are national jurisdictions determined in the virtual world?

The seventh issue of the Journal of Virtual Worlds Research is dedicated to explore the issue of economy in virtual worlds in its broadest sense. We welcome articles from academic researchers and practitioners in areas such as communications, sociology, psychology, anthropology, information systems, political science, game studies and cultural studies.

Topics of interest include (but are not limited to):
•    Characteristics of virtual world economy.
•    Classification of Virtual Worlds, regarding economic parameters.
•    Indicators, figures, status of the economy.
•    Relationships between virtual world economy and real economy.
•    The role and nature of virtual assets.
•    Government approaches to taxation of virtual economy.
•    Nature of goods and services that are exchanged among users; in world and out world.
•    Incentives for users to spend money on virtual goods.
•    Future of virtual commerce.

Guidelines and Deadlines
We welcome submissions in the form of full research papers, research-in-brief papers, “think-pieces”, essays, monographs, interactive online exhibits with accompanying detailed descriptions, and other forms of scholarship.

For specific submission instructions and detailed descriptions of the different submission formats visit: http://jvwresearch.org