The 11 most expensive virtual items in video games will redefine how you view video games. Video games have a long and storied history, enabling them to reach the level they are currently at. Considered to be just a passing trend back in the 1970s, video games are now a multi-billion dollar industry, with annual revenues in excess of $70 billion.
Adam Ziaja / Shutterstock.com
From retro games, such as the 11 most popular retro video games, to current masterpieces such as GTA V, video games have always been well loved. However, there is a downside now with more and more video games forcing you to buy stuff in addition to the game itself, in order to fully enjoy the game itself. This is especially true for MMORPGs, known as massive multiplayer online roleplaying games, where purchasing items is an essential method to truly progress in the game. However, the following 11 most expensive virtual items in video games aren’t just your run of the mill items, which cost a few bucks. Some of these items were bought for more money than most people will see in their lifetime. We researched several websites, news sites and forums in order to determine the most expensive virtual items in video game history.
11. Party Hat, RuneScape
Price: $1,680
This decade old game has seen millions of users play on its servers, spending an uncountable amount of time. While it has some run of the mill stuff, its most expensive items included party hats which players could get from Christmas crackers. Due to the fact that most people deleted the hats immediately because of their inherent uselessness, the remaining hats became a rarity, and due to the laws of supply and demand, became the most expensive possible item in the game.
10. Necklace, Diablo 3
Price: $8,000
The amulet in Diablo 3 was immensely rare, which, of course, led to an unimaginable increase in its price. In fact, it is thought that the necklace would have fetched a price much higher than $8,000 were it not for the fact that the auction in which the necklace was sold took place after the announcement that the Auction House would soon be closed. This led to rumors that a new expansion would soon come out, which in turn would render the stuff in the initial game worthless.
9. Zeuzo, World of Warcraft
Price: $9,500
Zeuzo was an elf in the World of Warcraft game, and had attained a level 70, which at the time, was the maximum level a player could achieve. This, coupled with the fact that the character had some of the most rare and powerful weapons in the game, such as the Twin Blades of Azimuth, meant that it was a character many would pay top dollar. This belief came to fruition when Zeuzo’s owner sold him for an incredible sum of $9,500 though the character was banned soon after due to the fact that the World of Warcraft does not allow any character sales.
marcello farina/Shutterstock.com
8. Treasure Island, Entropia
Price: $26,500
It would be a good idea to get used to entries from Entropia, since the game is based on buying and selling items for real life money. The game creators rendered a treasure island in the game, which had its own economy, and sold it to a user in 2004 and at the time, was the most expensive virtual item ever.
7. Dota 2 Pet Puppy
Price: $38,000
In the game Dota 2, pets can be used as couriers and some often have various powers which can be an advantage to their owner. However, that’s not why this puppy is so expensive. It’s price is simply a result of its color being pink while also boasting the flaming ethereal effect, which, in other words, mean there’s a blaze of fire surrounding its paws.
6. Amsterdam, Second Life
Price: $50,000
Second Life is basically an online community, where people can browse the online world while meeting, communicating and socializing with each other as well. One of the biggest businesses in Second Life was Amsterdam, which was a virtual rendition of the city. This city was sold on an eBay auction for an astounding $50,000.
5. The Nest Egg, Entropia
Price: $70,000
While nearly every other item in the list has a specific purpose or advantage which in turn has led to its price, this is the exception. The Nest Egg resulted from a storyline regarding an Atrox, which is a character in the game, and has virtually no intrinsic value. However, despite this, it was still sold for $70,000.
Adam Ziaja / Shutterstock.com
4. Club Neverdie, Entropia
Price: $100,000
The Club Neverdie is a virtual nightclub which is located on an asteroid which is orbiting the planet Calypso. The club was bought by Jon ‘Neverdie’ Jacobs, who named it after the name of his avatar, in 2005.
3. Crystal Palace Space Station, Entropia
Price: $335,000
The Crystal Palace Space Station is a virtual space station in Entropia, which orbits the planet Calypso. It became the most expensive virtual item ever sold, when it was sold in 2009 for an incredible $335,000.
Dikiiy / Shutterstock.com
2. Club Neverdie, Entropia
Price: $635,000
Yes, Club Neverdie features twice on this list because it is just that expensive. Not only did Jon ‘Neverdie’ Jacobs return a profit within a year of his initial purchase due to mining activities carried out in the club, but he also managed to sell it, after dividing it into parts in different sales, for a total of $635,000.
1. Planet Calypso, Entropia
Price: $6 million
We told you to get used to Entropia, and it’s no surprise that the most expensive virtual item in video games is from the game. Planet Calypso, which has been mentioned earlier, is a planet in the Entropia Universe with its own economy, and was purchased by a company for a mind-numbing $6 million.
Przemek Tokar / Shutterstock.com
