07-02-2003, 02:41 AM
The reason why SOJ's and now gems have become the form of currency can be explained by Smith's theory of the Invisible Hand.
Taking a look at our world economy. We have governments that established over time fiat currency. For example dollars.
Now imagine we didn't have an established fiat monetary system. As was 500 years ago. Rare and expensive metals (ie gold, silver), and gems were used as commodity money. Now not everyone could afford these and everyone wanted them. Just like on Bnet with SOJ's.
You had a chance to find some of these by digging in the ground for gold or finding gems. As is finding an SOJ.
Now blizzard said oh we will have gold coins in the game as a form of currency for all players. Which is ofcourse useless. When you have Trillions upon trillions of these coins they are worth nothing. So something even more valuable had to take its place. The SOJ. So players by them selves just threw away money and decided to trade SOJ's. Now when you go to the trade channels you will find people with 100's of SOJ's. This is ofcourse a minority, as the average player has very few SOJ's. Just like in the real world you have very few Billionairs.
Given time, SOJ's will be as abundant as gold and become worthless. And another rare and small and expensive item will take its place.
That is the case when there is no established Fiat currency like in our current world. Had blizzard done research and did make up a smart Fiat currency for D2. Then this probably would not have happened.
Taking a look at our world economy. We have governments that established over time fiat currency. For example dollars.
Now imagine we didn't have an established fiat monetary system. As was 500 years ago. Rare and expensive metals (ie gold, silver), and gems were used as commodity money. Now not everyone could afford these and everyone wanted them. Just like on Bnet with SOJ's.
You had a chance to find some of these by digging in the ground for gold or finding gems. As is finding an SOJ.
Now blizzard said oh we will have gold coins in the game as a form of currency for all players. Which is ofcourse useless. When you have Trillions upon trillions of these coins they are worth nothing. So something even more valuable had to take its place. The SOJ. So players by them selves just threw away money and decided to trade SOJ's. Now when you go to the trade channels you will find people with 100's of SOJ's. This is ofcourse a minority, as the average player has very few SOJ's. Just like in the real world you have very few Billionairs.
Given time, SOJ's will be as abundant as gold and become worthless. And another rare and small and expensive item will take its place.
That is the case when there is no established Fiat currency like in our current world. Had blizzard done research and did make up a smart Fiat currency for D2. Then this probably would not have happened.
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