Online Game Players on Peer-to-Peer Trading Platform: An Infrastructure Perspective

In recent years, third-party platforms for trading virtual game goods have rapidly gained popularity in China. These platforms refer to those that do not belong to game companies but still allow players to trade virtual game goods with one another. However, the motivations and practices surrounding trading on these platforms remain largely underexplored. To address this gap, we conducted an interview-based study with 15 experienced players engaged in virtual goods trading. We used thematic analysis to examine the experiences and practices of players on these third-party trading platforms. Our work found that these third-party platforms have become an important component of maintaining players' gaming experience and converting large numbers of players into traders who earn cash from the game. Our research also offers nuanced insights into players' efforts to reconcile the dynamics between platforms and their expectations for virtual goods trading.