Living on the Edge: Digital Worlds Which Embrace the Real World

Abstract:     
For many digital world creators and thinkers, a core belief is that digital worlds benefit from isolation from the real world. In particular, real-world economies and legal structures should be excluded from digital worlds. As attractive as these positions can be, they do not act in the best interests of digital worlds or the residents of these worlds. With millions of players moving into online spaces and spending increasing amounts of time living their lives in them, ties to the real world become critical. This Article will argue that strong economic and intellectual property ties to the real world are vital components of successful digital worlds.

Keywords: Information and Internet Services, Computer Software, Virtual Worlds, Online Gaming, Intellectual Property

JEL Classifications: L86

Working Paper Series