Leigh has noted over at the Worlds in Motion site that I’ll be playing a moderator role at GDC this year. The Worlds in Motion Summit is going to include a discussion on Virtual Socioeconomics, and I’ll be arbitrating the name-calling and ISK-throwing. 

Many online worlds and multiplayer games have developed their own thriving economies and complex indices, just from the in-game purchase, sale and trade of virtual items. This panel will convene executives and economists from some of the biggest, and we’re pleased to present Dr. Eyjólfur Guðmundsson, Ph.D, in-world economist for EVE Online, Gaia Online CEO Craig Sherman, and John Bates, director of business development for Entropia Universe. Each representing a different approach to the topic, the panelists will discuss the importance of virtual economics to the fabric of online interaction, and the way the virtual goods and commerce add both concrete and abstract value to the play experience. Additionally, we welcome Slashdot editor and MMOGNation.com writer Michael Zenke as panel moderator, as his strong background in online worlds guarantees an interesting and informed discussion.