Real games use real economists

Eveonline, a online space simulation, uses actual economist to develop realistic economy aspects into the game.

An economist, Dr. Guðmundsson, is responsible for compiling quarterly economic reports for the eve community and providing ongoing analysis of the economic facets of Eve, along with coordinating research with other interested parties.[28][29]


For more on the economy, go to:

A few snippets about the economy side:

There is a single currency unit in Eve Online, the Inter Stellar Kredit (ISK), which takes its name from the Icelandic króna, whose ISO code is ISK.

Players can barter between themselves for items, use the in-game market system for ISK-based transactions, place and accept contracts between players for assets and services or use a Loyalty Points store.[24]

A large proportion of the in-game economy is player driven; Non-player character merchants supply some basic blueprints, items and trade goods.

Pricing and availability of goods varies from region to region within the Eve universe. These aspects contribute to an economic environment influenced by factors like scarcity of resources, specialization of labor and supply/demand dynamics.[25]

The economy is closely tied with the (also player driven) political aspect of the game. Player corporations (the Eve equivalent of guilds) rise and fall as they struggle for market dominance as well as territorial control.

From a technical point of view, the economy in Eve is known as an open economy, that is there is no fixed amount of money or materials in the universe. CCP did attempt to implement a closed economy (that is an economy where there is a fixed amount of currency and therefore materials) early on in the game's existence; however, it proved too difficult to balance the effects of new players entering the game with the capabilities of older players able to earn more ISK or obtain more materials.

The current Open economy is automatically balanced by introducing extra materials in underpopulated areas to encourage an even spread of players.[26]
Eve's End User Licence Agreement forbids the exchange of ISK for real currency; however there is a secure in-game system for trading "Game Time Codes" (GTC) in exchange for in game currency. In a similar way selling and buying characters for in game currency is allowed.