On the debate page you'll find polls on paying for gold. We've used the results to show how users in a system value virtual currency. We've offered a simple poll, and used the results to show how much you'd pay for gold. Although unscientific, we see that thousands of exchanges can mean price fluctuation and major gains and loss. To find out more about how virtual economies, their costs, and rules, stay tuned here and join us for the big debate August 21!

Hello Two-Handed Swordsmen!

The Debate on Game Economies approaches, and we're proud to announce our 7th guest, Benjamin Duranske. He's an intellectual property attorney with a life-long interest in virtual worlds. He is leading a new committee at the American Bar Association on Virtual Law, is writing a book, and blogs at http://www.virtuallyblind.com.

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-[Xfire] Debateox

On Tuesday, August 21, Xfire presents the 7th edition of the Debate Club on another controversial topic: In-Game Economies. Whether you love or hate gold farming, power leveling, pyramid schemes, and the market for items, characters, or credit online, the virtual economies of popular online games have quickly challenged our sense of value in real life. How have virtual economies changed gaming, and how can companies balance profit, punishment, and playability?