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While many large communities continue to chase ad revenue and subscription models, I can’t help thinking the real money is in virtual currency and goods. Yesterday we featured an article about Beijing<\/a> and the fact that TenCent<\/a> (one of the country’s most successful social networks) makes 90% of its revenue from virtual goods. With China alone representing a $4 billion dollar market, many are looking to gaming and virtual goods as the next emerging space. <\/p>\nSponsor<\/em> He explains, “I actually think Facebook could be good for Zynga<\/a> and other casual gaming groups. Having the Facebook brand behind this type of monetization could help dispel any Scamville-related issues and create some certification of quality. There would likely be some attacks, but rallying behind a central currency could definitely be beneficial.” <\/p>\n While a Facebook dollar feels like a far off dream, how can startups profit from the emergence of new virtual economies? Let us know your ideas in the comments below. <\/p>\n Discuss<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n
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Few investors know the gaming space as well as Benchmark Capital’s<\/a> General Partner Mitch Lasky. In addition to sitting on the board of Riot Games<\/a>, Lasky’s firm invested in both Gaia<\/a> and Linden Lab<\/a>. Linden in particular has built an incredibly lucrative economy. The company’s in-world currency trades at about $250 Lindens to the US dollar with 2009’s revenue estimated to be $100 million dollars. With last Spring’s rumors that Facebook was considering a virtual currency<\/a>, we asked Lasky to imagine what a Facebook dollar would do to casual gaming. <\/p>\n