Original Comment by: Andrea Appel (a.k.a. Alexandra Erenhart)
http://aerenhart.blogspot.com
The black market of gaming is the new hunting for the more "civilized" person. Think about it. Hunting was all about getting the rarest species hanging in your living room or turned into stuffed animals, maybe to brag about it, maybe for just self-satisfaction, any reason you can think about. The rarest the animal, the best. Even better if it was an endangered one. And there were hunters who killed those animals because there was a market, an obscure and hidden one sometimes, or an open one. But there were always people buying them (and they still do, shame on them)
And now? Collecting those special hardware items, getting the rarest software around, I feel is the same thing. They've traded the guns for consoles, gun cartridges for game ones. It's all about getting what others can't, and keep it, or sometimes share it (with the consequences shown in the article).
I call it human nature. I will always happen with any kind of activity that brings some emotions and excitement into people, and recognition among peers. Hunting, gaming, is the same. At least now we're not killing innocent beings for them (I hope not).
Very interesting article!!
