Noah Macinskas's Thesis Proposal

Virtual Goods
Working Title

Project Abstract
• I want to work on a project where I investigate virtual goods. I want to research who buys them and why. Why are people willing to pay real money for virtual world goods that become useless if the user stops interacting in that virtual world?

Description
Definition of Project:
• The project will probably be a game that uses research from first hand sources including debates, journals and reviews. The delivery will be in the form of a game(probably). Also, now thinking of doing a machinima where I interview people using virtual goods.

Description
Clear articulation of project goals:
• I think that the project should be in the form of a game because virtual goods are most often seen in games. The player should be able to understand the reasons behind why people buy and use virtual goods. Either that or a machinima where I interview people who actually experience these goods and interact with them.

Description
Statement of significance within contemporary scholarship in field:
• Virtual goods are a hot topic in today’s MMO environments. Many company’s business models are centered around the production of virtual goods (i.e. Nexon, Hot or Not, vSide etc.) This research should be able to reach people outside the university, because many of the people interested in Virtual Goods are not in university.

Timeline
• Final Thesis Proposal: December 2007
• Game Design Doc: September 2008
• Game Prototype: January 2009
• Finished Project: May 2009

Budget
• Hopefully less than $500.

Confirmed Advisors
• Patricia Pizer (IMD)
• Undecided (IML)
Presentation Plans/Venues
• I dunno.

Production Resources
• Software Needs:
• Torque Game Builder
• Games (variety)

Collaborators:
• Patricia Pizer
• Peter Brinson
• Perry Hoberman?

Presentation Needs:
• Networked Computers
• Possibly more…
• Monitors

Prior Related Work
• Attended the Virtual Goods Summit in Palo Alto in June 2007.

Research Bibliography
• http://www.vgsummit.com/videos.php
• videos from the virtual goods summit from June 2007 at Stanford University.