Money
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| − | This page is intended as an open discussion board for ideas regarding an in-world financial system. | + | This page is intended as an open discussion board for ideas regarding an in-world financial system. |
== Motivation == | == Motivation == | ||
In order to be successful, any new world simulator needs to allow for financial transactions. While many residents enjoy the creative and social aspects of virtual life, others are there to provide them with the necessary means - and usually intend to be compensated. | In order to be successful, any new world simulator needs to allow for financial transactions. While many residents enjoy the creative and social aspects of virtual life, others are there to provide them with the necessary means - and usually intend to be compensated. | ||
| − | == | + | == Play Money vs. Serious Money == |
| − | These | + | There are two types of financial systems and currencies: one is purely an in-world affair (play money) and supports roleplay, the other is convertible into hard currencies (serious money). |
| + | While it is commonly agreed that implementing a serious in-world currency system (with all the security implications) is out of scope at least for the current phase of the OpenSim development project, there are still some functional decisions to be made. | ||
| + | |||
| + | There are serveral possible ways of handling money in a grid: | ||
| + | * no money support | ||
| + | * in-world play money for roleplay | ||
| + | * in-world currency supported and converted by the grid owner (like SL) | ||
| + | * off-world implementation, no in-world currency | ||
| + | * in world play money plus off-worlds payment (might be confusing) | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | == Off-World Implementation == | ||
| + | These are crucial in-world functions for off-world financial transactions: | ||
* put a price tag on a prim, specifying amount and currency | * put a price tag on a prim, specifying amount and currency | ||
* notification event (LSL) that resident X agrees to buy item / pay amount Y. | * notification event (LSL) that resident X agrees to buy item / pay amount Y. | ||
| − | + | These functions are not crucial, since they may be implemented off-world: | |
| − | These functions are not crucial, since they may be implemented | + | |
* an in-world currency (use an internet payment provider or an e-currency instead) | * an in-world currency (use an internet payment provider or an e-currency instead) | ||
* avatar account (use an internet payment provider or an e-currency instead) | * avatar account (use an internet payment provider or an e-currency instead) | ||
Revision as of 11:11, 14 January 2008
This page is intended as an open discussion board for ideas regarding an in-world financial system.
Motivation
In order to be successful, any new world simulator needs to allow for financial transactions. While many residents enjoy the creative and social aspects of virtual life, others are there to provide them with the necessary means - and usually intend to be compensated.
Play Money vs. Serious Money
There are two types of financial systems and currencies: one is purely an in-world affair (play money) and supports roleplay, the other is convertible into hard currencies (serious money). While it is commonly agreed that implementing a serious in-world currency system (with all the security implications) is out of scope at least for the current phase of the OpenSim development project, there are still some functional decisions to be made.
There are serveral possible ways of handling money in a grid:
- no money support
- in-world play money for roleplay
- in-world currency supported and converted by the grid owner (like SL)
- off-world implementation, no in-world currency
- in world play money plus off-worlds payment (might be confusing)
Off-World Implementation
These are crucial in-world functions for off-world financial transactions:
- put a price tag on a prim, specifying amount and currency
- notification event (LSL) that resident X agrees to buy item / pay amount Y.
These functions are not crucial, since they may be implemented off-world:
- an in-world currency (use an internet payment provider or an e-currency instead)
- avatar account (use an internet payment provider or an e-currency instead)
- receive payment (can be handled off-world through osLoadURL - for most providers)
- give money (can be handled off-world through osHTTPRequest - for some providers)
- notify avatar of payment (can be done through IM or e-Mail)
