Behind the Scenes of developing a sandbox: UO

http://www.mine-control.com/zack/uoecon/uoecon.html

This link is something I recommend everyone read, but in particular, the devs.

The information applies as much today as it did in 1997.

Lord British understood that to make a convincing and compelling virtual world, a functioning and balanced economy was the single most important aspect. Everything, from crafting, to PvE to PvP is contingent on the economy. Too many games fail to address this aspect of their sandboxes initially which leads to fiascoes such as DFO or MO.

So devs, please, keep your focus. Ignore the calls to fix PvP right now. Once there is a compelling economy there will be a real reason to fight, explore, and trade. This is the cornerstone of Xsyon. Thank you for all your hard work.

Excelent

http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...1961522818645#

this also aply's on development and people trying to chance things from whiting or outsite the project, a must see for anyone as it can be applied to everything.

interesting read.
i never had a deeper understanding of mmo economies (and don't really understand RL-economies, either ;P)