Virtual Space Station Sold For $330,000

A recent article appearing on the BBC News predicted the virtual goods industry, already a $5 billion market in Asia, to reach similar heights in the U.S. within the next five years given the rise of social networking and a new type of casual online gamer. On the heels of that report, it perhaps comes as no surprise that a player in the outer space themed MMORPG Planet Calypso who goes by the name of “Buzz Erik Lightyear,” has purchased the Crystal Palace Space Station, a popular destination within the game’s universe, for the sum of $330,000 or 3.3 million in Project Entropia currency. Of course, the obvious question to ask, is why?

As in the real world, owners of real estate within the online universe can charge other players for hanging out within the virtual space, as well as set tax rates on any transactions taking place inside of the space station’s digital walls. Though there’s no mention of an anticipated return on investment, at a time when the buying and selling of physical property is a gamble at best, there’s certainly riskier propositions out there than a virtual land grab, particularly when Planet Calypso can boast of more than 800,000 registered users.

[via BBC News and Consumerist]