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Teenagers convicted of 'virtual' theft
Web User : Internet & Technology News — ... they are minors. RuneScape is a free online adventure game with around 15 million active users. It is one of a growing number of games known as MMORPGs (Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games). Few cases of virtual theft have ever make it to court. However, the Leeuwarden District Court said: "These virtual goods are goods (under Dutch law), so this is theft," in a summary of its ruling. The duo were sentenced to between 160 hours and 200 hours of community service. www.runescape.com ...

KingsIsle adds new pricing model for teen-focused online game Wizard101
VentureBeat — ... ) are trying out various MMOs where they make money on virtual goods transactions. Jagex’s Runescape, a free fantasy MMO with subscription options, is similar but its themes encompass a much larger slice of fantasy play, compared to wizard-focused Wizard101. ...

Three Rings launches Whirled online games site
VentureBeat — ... , and Runescape are proving that alternative business models can work in the video game industry. San Francisco-based Three Rings (named after the Elven rings in The Lord of the Rings) has delivered successful games in the past, but its challenge with Whirled is to attract a large-scale audience so it can compete with the much bigger players in this crowded market. ...

The Top 10 Money-Making MMOs of 2008 [GigaOM]
GigaOM Network — ... Revenue sources: Prepaid cards, virtual item sales, freemium subscriptions DFC estimated 2008 revenue: $150-$500 million 5. Lineage I and Lineage II , launched 1998 and 2003 Genre/Platform: Asian MMORPG, client install with 2.5 graphics (Lineage) and 3D graphics (Lineage II) Revenue sources: Subscription, prepaid cards DFC estimated 2008 revenue: $150-$500 million 6. Runescape Genre/Platform: Western MMORPG for kids, web-based with 2.5D graphics ...

Gazillion to launch series of major online games with Marvel Comics characters
VentureBeat — ... Online game rivals include Sony Online Entertainment, which is making DC Universe Online, as well as mass-market oriented games such as Jagex’s Runescape and Nexon’s ...