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In many games, such as Lord Of Ultima, players can purchase a special type of currency with real money, as opposed to earning it in a game. This currency is then used to purchase premium items and services, which normally are unavailable to the players otherwise.

I am wondering whether it is feasible to use Bitcoins as a form of currency in a game? Are there any games out there that have already implemented that?

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There's one thing that you must consider.

If you were using your own Mycoin instead of Bitcoin, you could grant users coins in game (in a limited amout), so that "premium" features could be earned simply by playing a lot (which some games do). Now, you wouldn't give people bitcoins that costed you money just for playing your game (for free), would you?

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  • ...that is brilliant idea, have to think about that +1. – user893 Feb 19 '12 at 8:28
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    Oh, and do note that some sites do give you stuff for free if you use them a lot and therefore improve the community. For example, deviantART. The points you can earn there, either from other users or for simple things (such as 1-3 points for giving someone a "llama") can be used to purchase real objects, some of which are massively cool. (some are even quite cheap, and you could earn all the points in contests or "art comissions"). – Camilo Martin Feb 19 '12 at 8:46
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    This is wrong: (1) if he uses Mycoin instead of Bitcoin, then it's pointless because it's no better than just using a standard in-game gold; (2) even if he uses Bitcoin he can grant some for free to some users, he just have to pay it personally. – o0'. Feb 19 '12 at 10:10
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    @Lohoris It's not wrong: "Mycoin" is in fact one form of "in-game gold". If you're going to develop a game, there are far more complicated things than the particular implementation of money in the game (it doesn't even have to be like Bitcoin! It's not a replacement for Bitcoin, it's just game money, and since it's issued by the game developer, he gets to keep control of it). – Camilo Martin Feb 19 '12 at 12:16
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    What are you talking about? What's the point of using a custom bitcoin-like currency when you can simply use an integer field in your database? – o0'. Feb 19 '12 at 13:27
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There is a game that uses Bitcoin as its currency called Dragon's Tale, not to mention numerous online casinos. In general, using Bitcoins in games is quite feasible, just requires a willing developer.

In many cases it can even be preferable, as one could imagine making a simple micropayment in an instant provided they need to purchase something in a game, rather than transfer the money in bulk and later not using all of it without the chance of getting the rest back.

Moreover, similar to upcoming Diablo 3 Auction House Marketplace, or already existing market in Second Life, one can imagine the players earning Bitcoins in such games from other people and later withdrawing their earnings with an ease.

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  • hey, I play Dragons Tale, won 26 btcs in little time, but lost all there... lol. Nice game. Developer very acessible, called Di, always online on game. – H_7 Mar 26 '12 at 23:16
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I can think of several reasons why this might not be the best idea for your game vs using an in game only coin

1) Inability to grant game credit. If your users play a lot, bring their friends etc you might want to give them more credit. If you are using bitcoin then those have to come from somewhere, or you can't do it. This will limit your ability to manage the ecosystem of your game in the ways that you might want to.

2) Supply Shock: You may find that when the price of bitcoin vs the dollar goes up or down then your game will be affected by money streaming in or out. If your game is presumably a business that has to run as one that might be a risk you don't want to take.

3) Data Security. If you have 10,000,00 games coins on your system there is very little reason for someone to try and steal them. If you have $10,000,000 worth of bitcoin then there are major reasons that someone might want to hack in and steal those.

4) Tax law. Depending on where you and your players are there may be tax implications. Or other legal regulations that you might run across. The last thing that you need is for the FBI to decide to check if someone is using your game for money laundering.

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I am working on an online game! My site is http://www.terrasilenti.com/

We are in alpha phase testing and have a game running. Pre-Beta.

Players using bitcoins will be treated as full currency processing and we give detailed setup for mining.

We plan to support the bitcoin community through use as well as support of the bitcoin.

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    Hello and welcome to this StackExchange. Could you describe your game a bit more (what it is about and how it uses Bitcoin), so that people reading your answer could have a more complete view of what you are talking about without having to go to your website? – ThePiachu Oct 19 '12 at 9:18

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