Play Money, by Julian Dibbell

With all the buzz about virtual worlds, synthetic worlds and the concept of the metaverse going around, it seemed natural to pick up this book. Play Money: Or, How I Quit My Day Job and Made Millions Trading Virtual Loot posed an interesting read in many regards, covering a subculture of economics, society and technology.

Julian Dibbell did, literally quit his day job in May of 2003; his exploits of entering and making real money from virtual money. As he says in the Acknowledgements, the very first paragraph:

This is a book about make-believe value in make-believe worlds, and it makes the case, I like to think, that there really is no other kind.

Indeed.

It is no surprise that many people don't take virtual worlds 'seriously' and yet - there is value for some in these worlds, be they financial or social or even just creative outlets. The fact that this book was even published demonstrates that there is perceived value in publishing it.

The book itself is more of a partial biography - a journal with the hindsight inserted. It details some different levels of users of virtual worlds. Some users are happy to do small things in virtual worlds, to slay lizards and progress - or to simply socialize while doing so. Some, however, end up becoming more involved in the financial aspects of virtual worlds - and that is what the author of this book does, with some interesting paths and pitfalls along the way. His journey takes him around the world, mainly electronically - touching on the ability of developing nations to produce goods in virtual worlds which are sold for something that they need - real cash.

Play Money: Or, How I Quit My Day Job and Made Millions Trading Virtual Loot receives a KnowProSE.com 7 out of 10 - it is well written, it is engaging, and it does tell a good story. It is, however, dated and subjective - the lessons of the book are not concrete. Rather, the lessons are for those who want to understand how virtual worlds can be used in such ways.