Hi all, this just occurred to me. Given the in-game economy in GW (or any online game that has an in-game economy), this may present a good opportunity to teach kids about money in real-life. Through simulated accumulation, spending, and trading of wealth, kids can learn about financial matters in real-life. Normally, in a one-person game, the economy is simulated and not much can be garnered from it in terms of learning about finances; however, in an online environment, where everything is dynamic, and you interact with real people in real time, I think something can be said about educating kids on the importance of being financially responsible. They will learn how to accumulate money, how to spend (or not spend) money, the basics of trading, and access to a vibrant (if somewhat unregulated) economy. And as much as I hate to say it, even buying money from EBay will teach kids that nothing is perfect in the real world, and that some people will invariably use underhanded tactics to gain an advantage in life.
Personally I think these are all very valuable lessons for kids nowadays, and I think GW could serve as a pretty darn good tool for teaching them the basics of such things. What do you guys think?
Is GW a good way to teach kids about money?
milias
Mithie
Seen on last week's Star Ledger: classified section;
WTS RARE HOUSE +4 BEDROOM 15>50 NICE EDUCATION ZONE 100k+60ECTOS OBO! PST NO NOOBS!
WTS RARE HOUSE +4 BEDROOM 15>50 NICE EDUCATION ZONE 100k+60ECTOS OBO! PST NO NOOBS!
Arkantos
Kill an enemy get his loot. IS THAT WHAT YOU WANNA TEACH YOUR KIDS?!
Mithie
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Originally Posted by Arkantos
Kill an enemy get his loot. IS THAT WHAT YOU WANNA TEACH YOUR KIDS?!
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milias
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Originally Posted by Arkantos
Kill an enemy get his loot. IS THAT WHAT YOU WANNA TEACH YOUR KIDS?!
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lyra_song
Heres what i think kids will learn:
Never trust anyone!
Never trust anyone!
Numa Pompilius
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Originally Posted by milias
What do you guys think?
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EDIT: also I wouldn't say that the lesson learned is "kill and enemy and take his loot", it's more "work hard for the loot, or be a smart invester/trader".
xMikex
I dont think so....it will teach kids that you kill lots of things to get money and then blow it all on expensive things......they dont know what its like to be poor in the real, and in gw having 0 cash doesnt stop you from playing.
Farrell-Zander
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Originally Posted by lyra_song
Heres what i think kids will learn:
Never trust anyone! |
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Originally Posted by xMikex
they dont know what its like to be poor in the real, and in gw having 0 cash doesnt stop you from playing.
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milias
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Originally Posted by xMikex
they dont know what its like to be poor in the real, and in gw having 0 cash doesnt stop you from playing.
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greenlantern
I think Parents should be Parents. I don't think a game should inflict good/bad morals. If a "kid" is learning life lessons from a game, then they have much bigger problems. Parents stop watching Reality TV and get with Reality.
eternal pho
Well some aren't learning much, especially when they endlessly beg =P.
Mister O
this game is rated 12+
no kids allowed
no kids allowed
Stockholm
They economy in GW will screw them up, the over inflated prices and the amounts they deal with in GW has nothing at all to do with Real Life.
Specialy if they have accese to mom and dad's credit card (e-bay gold).
The GW economi is such that you can buy anything you want, there is no reality to it. Real life money don't drop on the ground every time you walk out side. Everything you need in life has to be paid for one way or another, in GW if you need a weapon you go kill some monsters and then you can trade( sell and buy) they drops for what you need. You have no monthly bill's you must save up for. What it teaches is, you want it buy it, get some more loot.
lol 12-19 is still Kids, unless they have a job and earn their own living
Maybe having 0 gold for X day's should freez your account for the same amount of day's just to teach kid's to save a bit for a rainy day
Specialy if they have accese to mom and dad's credit card (e-bay gold).
The GW economi is such that you can buy anything you want, there is no reality to it. Real life money don't drop on the ground every time you walk out side. Everything you need in life has to be paid for one way or another, in GW if you need a weapon you go kill some monsters and then you can trade( sell and buy) they drops for what you need. You have no monthly bill's you must save up for. What it teaches is, you want it buy it, get some more loot.
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Originally Posted by Mister O
this game is rated 12+
no kids allowed |
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Originally Posted by xMikex
and in gw having 0 cash doesnt stop you from playing.
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milias
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Originally Posted by greenlantern
I think Parents should be Parents. I don't think a game should inflict good/bad morals. If a "kid" is learning life lessons from a game, then they have much bigger problems. Parents stop watching Reality TV and get with Reality.
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Jetdoc
I don't think that it will teach them too much about the real world economy, but it will teach them to stand up for themselves when it comes to matters of money.
In other words, it will teach them to negotiate and stand up for their position when they believe that it is right.
In other words, it will teach them to negotiate and stand up for their position when they believe that it is right.
milias
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Originally Posted by Mister O
this game is rated 12+
no kids allowed |
Xenrath
If you want to teach your kids about economics, buy them books on economics.
GW is nowhere near to real life business/economics, too many reasons to detail why. I say that from running my own business too...
GW is an entertainment package, not an educational tool.
GW is nowhere near to real life business/economics, too many reasons to detail why. I say that from running my own business too...
GW is an entertainment package, not an educational tool.
Saborath Gilgalad
I really don't think it is. If I spent money in real life like I do in guild wars I'd be homless living under a bridge. Take for example; a day before the dragon festival I have alittle of 800k, I then spent about 300k on those damn tickets, I spent about 100k on keys and other stuff for the elite mission and This weekend I spent about 150k on keys and buying unided, and now I have alittle over 100k left in the bank. My point is In this game I'm an implusive buyer, I buy what I wanted and didn't really care how much it cost, and then I sometimes regret buying the stuff. I think alot pf people in these games act this way, and if they we're to carry that way of money mangagement or lack of into real life they'd be very sorry.
Kook~NBK~
You may be able to teach your kids some basic stuff, but you'll do much better by them by teaching them about RL money IRL. Besides, RL lessons will stick with them,they know GW is only a game.
Zakarr
One thing what GW or other online games teach is that you can do whatever you want if you are anonymous. It also tells that how people will behave when there is no law enforcements.
Ozric
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Originally Posted by Saborath Gilgalad
I really don't think it is. If I spent money in real life like I do in guild wars I'd be homless living under a bridge. Take for example; a day before the dragon festival I have alittle of 800k, I then spent about 300k on those damn tickets, I spent about 100k on keys and other stuff for the elite mission and This weekend I spent about 150k on keys and buying unided, and now I have alittle over 100k left in the bank. My point is In this game I'm an implusive buyer, I buy what I wanted and didn't really care how much it cost, and then I sometimes regret buying the stuff. I think alot pf people in these games act this way, and if they we're to carry that way of money mangagement or lack of into real life they'd be very sorry.
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Originally Posted by Zakarr
One thing what GW or other online games teach is that you can do whatever you want if you are anonymous. It also tells that how people will behave when there is no law enforcements.
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Valkyrian
I gotta say I kindof agree with milias on this one... This same idealogy also accured to me a few weeks back when reading another forum topic on getting rich and staying rich in GW. The principles used in the topic were much the same as I see in many economics and business classes in college. Basically, sell and save when the demand and price is high, hold and buy when the demand and price is low. Basic economic principles apply to this game and I think kids DO learn some great money leasons.
Whenever I see someone asking me for money, whether its 100g or 10k, I always say "go out and make it yourself, just like the rest of us did." Sure you see lots of noobs pouting about money issues, as many lazy people in real life do, and you know what? In the game, almost every person out there who has the money earned it themselves with a lot of effort and time (and saving) and those who don't have the money are just too lazy to get it themselves (or spend it all).
...That sounds like real life to me...
Whenever I see someone asking me for money, whether its 100g or 10k, I always say "go out and make it yourself, just like the rest of us did." Sure you see lots of noobs pouting about money issues, as many lazy people in real life do, and you know what? In the game, almost every person out there who has the money earned it themselves with a lot of effort and time (and saving) and those who don't have the money are just too lazy to get it themselves (or spend it all).
...That sounds like real life to me...
Mister O
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Originally Posted by milias
Sorry if I wasn't clear on what the definition of a "kid" is in my OP. Personally, I don't like to judge people on age, but rather on maturity. A 13-year-old can be just as mature as a 30-year-old, and vice versa, it really depends on the person.
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In some circumstances, due to their 'immaturity', they come out with some 'smart' ideas of making money by scamming other people's money off, not excluding those who lack of in game courtesy. Well, that's 1 of money making skills, applies in real life too. But still having gg (getting banned) in game is much more better than gg in real life
.Thought?
Demesis
Hahahaha! This thread is a joke. Guild Wars teaching kids about money is like 'Grand Theft Auto' teaching you how to live a successful life. Or 'Super Mario' teaching you about mushroom poisoning. Or 'Singles' teaching you how to have sex.
Seriously, if a game is teaching kids what to do in real life, then where the hell are their parents? Guild Wars is the WORST game to have a kid learn from. This game encourages scamming, rudeness and harrassment because of the absence of enforcement. If this hypothetical kid were to apply all of this in real life, he'd have his ass sent to juvenile hall.
Guild Wars is a fictional game, not an educational supplement.
You want education? Go to school.
Seriously, if a game is teaching kids what to do in real life, then where the hell are their parents? Guild Wars is the WORST game to have a kid learn from. This game encourages scamming, rudeness and harrassment because of the absence of enforcement. If this hypothetical kid were to apply all of this in real life, he'd have his ass sent to juvenile hall.
Guild Wars is a fictional game, not an educational supplement.
You want education? Go to school.
Sir Skullcrasher
I don't think kids can learning anything from Guild Wars Economy other than buy low and sell high!
BunnyMaster
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Originally Posted by Demesis
Seriously, if a game is teaching kids what to do in real life, then where the hell are their parents? Guild Wars is the WORST game to have a kid learn from. This game encourages scamming, rudeness and harrassment because of the absence of enforcement. If this hypothetical kid were to apply all of this in real life, he'd have his ass sent to juvenile hall. Go to school.
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Originally Posted by Numa Pompilius
I'm afraid you're right, yeah. The game does seem to draw out the latent capitalist in people.
EDIT: also I wouldn't say that the lesson learned is "kill and enemy and take his loot", it's more "work hard for the loot, or be a smart invester/trader". |
Sounds pretty communist to me....
Charqus
I dont think GW does teach kids about money....
I've found single player games with a better way of using money.
No offense Anet
:P
I've found single player games with a better way of using money.
No offense Anet
:P
Age
This game is no where no near the real worlds economy as there is really no stock exchange,interest rates,the value of currency and then there is the energy costs.That is what drives the economy is energy cost when it goes up everything goes up.The only thing it teachs them is if they want something in life is to save up for it instead of bugging daddy or mommy for it.
Retribution X
I love playing GW. my kids will be homeschooled and one of their subjects will be GW.
"I'm sorry Honey, you'll have to go kill someone and take their money to get thr car you want..."
J/K
"I'm sorry Honey, you'll have to go kill someone and take their money to get thr car you want..."
J/K
Cjlr
There's a rudimentary economy, true, but there's no taxes, no service charges, no maintenance... Once you earn money, it stays with you forever - until you spend it. Money is also continually being created in-game. That happens in real life but not as blatantly. Working doesn't just earn you money - it earns you somebody else's money.
What it is good for, though, is providing an interesting view on social and psychological matters.
What it is good for, though, is providing an interesting view on social and psychological matters.
JoeKnowMo
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Originally Posted by Valkyrian
This same idealogy also accured to me a few weeks back when reading another forum topic on getting rich and staying rich in GW. The principles used in the topic were much the same as I see in many economics and business classes in college. Basically, sell and save when the demand and price is high, hold and buy when the demand and price is low. Basic economic principles apply to this game and I think kids DO learn some great money leasons.
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However, supply and demand laws apply pretty well. Informational goods (status goods like crystallines, mursaats, FoW armor, etc.) have a high value above their pure utility value. Fame and social standing play a role in the game. Organized groups such as guilds and alliances may act as personal and business networks in achieving one's goals. The gap between the rich and poor exists. Satisficing is extremely common in purchasing decisions. New or limited period goods occassion high levels of impulse buying. Trends and tastes affect the market a great deal (e.g., sundering mod vs. vamp or furious).
Anyway, if you know enough about economics you could certainly teach a kid a great deal about it using GW as an example. GW could be simply seen as another culture/country/planet with a different system of economics. A kid could also try to make predictions about prices in GW and then learn about why they're predictions were correct or not. GW is a fairly simple, simulated economy with some unpredictability that can be used pretty well as teaching tool. For example, how many of us saw the price drop in Sup Absorption coming? How might you explain this via economic principles?
Fungus Amongus
Hey, they might learn advertising. Example:
Toyota Corolla for sale - $2,000
***~TOYOTA~***one of a kind***~COROLLA~***|||||||yours for JUST 3K!!!~****
Creativity might get the extra 1K. Ah, how sad.
Toyota Corolla for sale - $2,000
***~TOYOTA~***one of a kind***~COROLLA~***|||||||yours for JUST 3K!!!~****
Creativity might get the extra 1K. Ah, how sad.
Bowman Artemis
If GW was used as an educational tool, the agricultural sector would get a huge boost. I see the farming population increasing exponentially, while everyone flees the other areas of commerce. It would be counterproductive to introduce this game in particular to young people as a form of education.
Also...
Also...
Code:
___ \/\/|S ```~~~TRACTOR~~~``` GIVES +++500 TO FARMING SKILL ```~~~only 80k~~~```1 ___ \/\/|S ```~~~TRACTOR~~~``` GIVES +++500 TO FARMING SKILL ```~~~only 80k~~~```2 ___ \/\/|S ```~~~TRACTOR~~~``` GIVES +++500 TO FARMING SKILL ```~~~only 80k~~~```3 ___ \/\/|S ```~~~TRACTOR~~~``` GIVES +++500 TO FARMING SKILL ```~~~only 80k~~~```4
Curse You
I think too many poeple here are taking this too literaly. They're not saying that it is exactly like the real world economy. There are certain "metaphors" that you may see.
Money drops from monsters = working at a job
Ebay gold = fake money, Con people, dishonest sales people, etc.
There are more, but I just can't think of more good examples.
As well, they aren't saying that Guild Wars should REPLACE schools, they're saying it could ASSIST them to teach.
Money drops from monsters = working at a job
Ebay gold = fake money, Con people, dishonest sales people, etc.
There are more, but I just can't think of more good examples.
As well, they aren't saying that Guild Wars should REPLACE schools, they're saying it could ASSIST them to teach.
lg5000
Hehe, if I used my knowledge from GW in rl.. I'd be farming for fuel by aggroing all my work colleagues and killing them in the usual farming method 
then using their loot for petrol, walk into the building again, hope they ressed and that they have plenty of loot on them 
.. sometimes... that would be REALLY nice to do.
then using their loot for petrol, walk into the building again, hope they ressed and that they have plenty of loot on them .. sometimes... that would be REALLY nice to do.
Azrael1309
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Originally Posted by Demesis
Hahahaha! This thread is a joke. Guild Wars teaching kids about money is like 'Grand Theft Auto' teaching you how to live a successful life. Or 'Super Mario' teaching you about mushroom poisoning. Or 'Singles' teaching you how to have sex.
Seriously, if a game is teaching kids what to do in real life, then where the hell are their parents? Guild Wars is the WORST game to have a kid learn from. This game encourages scamming, rudeness and harrassment because of the absence of enforcement. If this hypothetical kid were to apply all of this in real life, he'd have his ass sent to juvenile hall. Guild Wars is a fictional game, not an educational supplement. You want education? Go to school. |
Also, if today's kids aren't learning about how an economy works in school, the last thing they need to be doing is playing PC and video games.
Eviance
I told my son he can't play till he learns to read... and then I am killing all the chat channels and setting the filters to uber high and only letting him farm charr >_>
death fuzzy
unfortunately...over half of those 'kids' do not know how to haggle.
Cebe
Really this game should be played with the spirit for which it was intended. When I kill a member of the Jade Brotherhood, or an Ice Imp, or an Undergrowth, let alone how human the appearence it still doesn't feel like I'm actually "killing someone"...they're pixels after all. I personally have never killed a pixellated character on a PC screen and thought to myself "I must .... go......kill someone ....... noooooowwww". So I can see the potential for kids to learn the value of money...but the game can be manipulated so that you don't get the "educational money" experience, Such as "mummy, can I have your card to go on ebay with", or "can someone give me 50g for storage and a perfect gold weapon to start me off?". As with everything, this sort of thing can get corrupted but these sort of games have NEVER made me want to go kill people.