Teen-oriented virtual world Zwinky
has expanded its e-commerce operations so that members can use
real-world cash to pay for virtual goods. Starting Monday, credit cards
and PayPal accounts can be used to purchase the in-game "ZBucks"
currency, which members could heretofore only earn by visiting certain
in-world locations and winning games. The cash will then go on new
"ZCard" shopping cards which members will be able to use at the
in-world retail hub, the--wait for it--Zwinchester Mall, which contains
stores like the Z-Loft trendy furniture outlet and "Like Dat," a
boutique branded with the identity of the rapper 50 Cent.
For an idea of the exchange rate, 5,000 "ZBucks" will cost you $19.99.
Real-to-virtual economies are not uncommon in virtual worlds like Eve Online and Second Life.
But Zwinky, which is owned by InterActiveCorp (IAC) and has a head
count of more than 9 million members (that's accounts, not active
users) who have already assembled more than 10 million virtual outfits
through trips to the in-world mall, has not actually created a currency
exchange--it does not appear that there are any plans to allow members
to switch ZBucks back into real dollars. In that respect it's more like
the Disney-owned kiddie space Club Penguin, but considering Zwinky's older youth demographic, it'll more likely be the teens than the parents who are doing the buying.
I'm guessing that reactions to the "ZCard" will either go in one of
two directions--it'll ultimately be held up as a smart strategy to help
young people learn about being economical, or as yet another factor in
the material corruption of digital-age youth. Which one, I'm still not
sure.
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