In MMOs there are a large segment of players that play to make and sell virtual items. These Crafters are an integral part of any virtual world game, and also play an important, albeit marginalized, role in loot-based EQ clones that support crafting as a side-profession from a primary class. The items that crafters can make vary from game to game, but usually include weapons and armor, but can also include vehicles, housing, and other structures. Crafters also typically can make consumables, like food, drink, buffs, and potions. In virtual world games with full player economies, crafters are the bedrock of player items. Players visit public markets or player-run shops/vendors to buy their equipment and consumables with the money the have accumulated through quests, missions, bounties, looting, or other trade. So, why would a hardcore PvP game be an ideal place for Crafters, especially crafters who aren't so much into combat of any kind?

For crafters, it is important, especially in a virtual economy, to brand themselves, and to become widely known to support their in-game business or trade. This can take the form of "barkers" who stand in populated areas to hawk the wares being produced. It can also take the form of in-game advertising through shop signs or intro-gear available on public markets. Just like in real life though, word of mouth is probably the best form of advertising for crafters in MMOs. When word gets around that a crafter has great prices, great quality, great selection, or all of the above, it usually means a great payday! So, how does PvP fit into this? Well, aside from the brutal kill-a-thon that is hot hot PvP action, PvPers like to talk about PvPing. Talking about PvPing usually involves some talk about gear. Finding out where somebody got their great equipment is part of improving yourself in a PvP environment (among many other things, of course). Some servers had crafters that developed cult-like followings from PvPers looking to get the latest and greatest off the production line for their next battle. Fierce loyalties were forged as PvPers would argue over who had the best weapons or armor. All this talk and furor meant increased traffic at the vendors of these crafters, not only from the hardcore PvPers, but also more casual PvPers that were listening to these conversations, or heard it through the grapevine.

Some games support the unique naming and branding of equipment. In these games, the crafter's name, or their business name would be carried into epic battles between players. This was a point of pride, I know, for some crafters. Knowing that their weapon or armor helped to defeat Uberman3000 not only boosted their reputation, but also their investment into the game itself. They were not only an integral part of the player economy, but now an integral part of the PvP meta-game. In a hardcore PvP game with full gear loot, the stakes are even higher for crafters. Obtaining their well crafted equipment can be an objective of PvP. Knowing that PlayerX carries exclusive weapons from Weapon Master Iman could mean he is a bigger target, and that is because of the crafter's hard work. Looting a great piece of gear from a player in PvP can be yet another passive form of advertising, as that player, and his friends may well become regular customers. Full-loot PvP also means that crafters are even more essential than otherwise. Players and Guilds will need to keep well-stocked arsenals to re-equip themselves after a defeat in order to rejoin the battle, or to fight another day. This creates much more demand for crafted items than mere item decay.

Keeping a well-stocked arsenal, and needing high quality equipment, makes crafters a highly prized commodity themselves. In games like EVE, SWG, UO, DAoC, and Shadowbane guilds actively seek (or sought) to recruit master craftsman to their organizations. Having a well-known crafter shop in your guild city means that other guild merchants and the guild coffers themselves will be enriched. Just like real life Chambers of Commerce, actively recruiting successful businesses helps everyone in the community. But, in hardcore games, like the upcoming Darkfall Online, EVE, Shadowbane, or old-school UO, having multiple skilled crafters as members means the difference between survival and death. Guilds will fight to keep and protect their source of high quality equipment. Guilds also provide the crafter a higly motivated support network to gather resources to help in the plying of the trade. Hardcore PvP games raise the stakes all around, and crafters are no exception, they are absolutely essential. Contrast this with kill/loot/level games where crafting is a mere sideshow. Crafting is by no means essential in EQ clones; it may provide minor benefits, or at worst, their gear is only a stop-gap between having nothing, and looting something uber from an NPC. In virtual world games without hardcore PvP, crafters have a much more important role, elevating them to integral parts of the player economy, and also important sources of an edge in consentual or factional PvP. In hardcore full-loot PvP games, crafters are all of the above, a well sought out commodity, and the difference between success and failure in the game. It may seem an oxymoron, but a virtual world full-loot PvP game may just be the type of game where people who like crafting may find the most enriching gameplay experience.

Quoting: "Bissrok" Let me know if you want the title or the style changed, Temploiter. I just sort of guessed. And thanks for the article.

Looks good bro, I'll spread the word.

Let me know if you want the title or the style changed, Temploiter. I just sort of guessed.

And thanks for the article.