利用物價指數分析線上遊戲伺服器的經濟生態

Abstract

遊戲生態的動態平衡與穩定是遊戲世界永續經營不可或缺的條件，其經濟生態經由玩家的自我需求而實現，遇系統設計或玩家生態改變時，將影響到遊戲世界玩家的生存空間。利用消費者物價指數作為指標，分析遊戲世界的經濟型態，及一個平衡的伺服器經濟生態應滿足的條件，以評估玩家對整體經濟環境的滿意度，有利於建立一個穩定、適合玩家生存的永續遊戲世界。基於遊戲經濟生態的平衡，本研究認為穩定的經濟環境將有助於玩家在遊戲中的生存。 本研究以《魔獸世界》為對象，觀察遊戲中的經濟行為，將各伺服器視為獨立的經濟體，分析其拍賣場資料物價的變化，並觀察可供評估經濟生態穩定的指標。本研究發現，遊戲中物品的價格與市場主要是由玩家決定，雖然設計產生物品的系統可以干預價格，但伺服器的總體經濟仍取決於玩家，換言之，遊戲的經濟型態屬於市場經濟。對玩家來說，「物價穩定度」比起「物價高低」更為重要，實驗結果顯示，玩家人數越多，其物價的變動越穩定，而玩家在遊戲中不會因物價的高低而改變伺服器，維持遊戲經濟生態的穩定，也變得更為重要。

Dynamic equilibrium and stability of game ecology become indispensable conditions for perpetual operation of online games. Economic ecology is realized by players’ supply and demand. When either system design or player ecology changes, it will affect the player’s livability in the game world. In this study we analyze the economic structure of game world by using consumer price index to figure out the conditions for keeping a balance economy ecology, and determine an index to evaluate players’ satisfaction. We believe our findings help to build a stable and suitable game world for players. A stable economic environment will help players enjoy the game and get better gaming experience. In this study, we take the online game “World of Warcraft” as our game world. Based on our observation on the player’s economic behavior in the game, we treated each server as a separate economy. We analyze the game data about the price variation of in-game auction houses to figure out an indicator which can be used to assess the stability of economy ecology. According to our findings, the market and price of goods are largely decided by the players. Although the system design can impact game world economy directly, but the macro economy in game are dependent on the players. In other words, the game economy is a market economy. For players, the price stability is more important than the price value. The results also demonstrate that if there are more players, the more stable of price would become. Further, players do not tend to migrate to other servers merely because the price is high in their server. It also means keeping the stability of game economy ecology is an essential factor to sustain a game world.