The currency in the video-games fulfills the same function that in the reality, they serve to be able to buy any object that is needed or it is desired, but in this case, they only have value inside the video-game.
When we refer to a genre of video-games that takes full advantage of the use of currencies, it is essential to mention the genre MMORPG, since this type of games have an enormous amount of content and items that can be handled by the player and requires the currency of the game to obtain them.
Among all the MMORPG there are some games that were dedicated to create a curious monetary system that besides fulfilling the function of making payments, have also become an emblematic element that characterizes these games. Below is a small listing with the three most curious and emblematic currencies that have appeared in the MMORPG video-games.
Raw materials (Warcraft)
Warcraft is one of the most popular sagas of video-games, especially for its successful and long-lived MMORPG (World of Warcraft). But, since the first games of this saga, you can quickly perceive the curious monetary system that these games possess, which are based on their raw materials.
Although in World of Warcraft precious metals are the main ways to pay, the classic Warcraft games required gold, wood, or oil in order to acquire any item. That is to say, instead of buying the items, in Warcraft they had to be exchanged for a raw material with equivalent value.
This system became quite recognized and was used by many post-Warcraft games.
The Kamas (Dofus / Wakfu)
The developer Ankama has managed to offer two quite cool MMORPGs that have known how to create their own identity. Dofus and Wakfu are in the same universe, but in different timelines, despite this, they share the same currency, which is called “Kama”.
The name “Kama” comes from Ankama (the name of its development company) and its appearance is similar to that of a gold coin. The Kamas along with the Ogrinas are the two forms of trade within Dofus and Wakfu, and as in any MMORPG, the economy is made by the players.
The Gil (Final Fantasy)
Final Fantasy (also abbreviated as FF) is undoubtedly one of the most emblematic sagas in the history of videogames, has a huge number of games in its name and is one of the pioneers of the RPG genre. FF stands out for having contributed a great set of mechanics that have become indispensable in the current RPGs and MMORPGs.
The Final Fantasy saga has a rather iconic and curious currency: El Gil. The name comes from Damcyan’s Gilbert family, according to Final Fantasy IV.
The Gil is present in all Final Fantasy games, without exception. But curiously, it’s almost impossible to see this currency inside the game, except on the inventory counter or at the end of a battle (in text form).
The FF Gil is also present in the MMORPG of this saga: Final Fantasy XI, and shares the same functions as in their other games, but with a more active market where players decide how to handle that currency. FF XIV has also originated a lot of business around its currency, where through some websites; players can buy FFXIV Gil and even FFXI Gil of the older installment of the game easily and affordably.
