Xbox Live Consumables: Helping Lazy Gamers Prosper

Do you hate running out of gold nuggets just when you’ve used up your last health potion? Too lazy or busy to save up for that rare weapon? If you’ve got the cash (that’s real world money), Microsoft has an answer in the form of Marketplace Consumables.

One of the new features being talked up at Gamefest 2006 this week, Consumables would allow users to access the Xbox Live Marketplace to buy in-game money with their real money. It’s been going on for years with popular online games like The Sims and has even spread to console titles like Animal Crossing.

One user posts an offer (typically on eBay) and another bids on it. The two meet in-game and the digital drop is made. The big difference is that the Consumables concept would be much more secure and could be incorporated into each game.

As a busy real world human I’d like to have this option… as long as it remains an option. The only downfall I see is some punk rich kid burning up his parents’ credit card and buying all the best stuff, then unleashing its pricey power on new players as they’re just getting into a new game.