Wired Magazine this month has a fascinating section devoted to gaming. As exciting as the Web 2.0 world of user generated content is, it simply pales in comparison to what’s going on in the world of video games. Beyond user generated content, game designers allow players to change and manipulate the very laws of the virtual worlds they create. The complexity of these virtual gaming environments is so robust that some have actual economies, with GDPs, exchange rates to real currency, inflation, etc.

In one instance a man bought a space resort within a multiplayer game called Project Entropia. The price tag…$100,000! Yes, for VIRTUAL property. The real kicker however is that it might actually be a sound investment. He plans on renting out virtual condos, storefronts, and tickets to events within his virtual arena. According to his optimistic calculations, his space station could net $2.4 million/year! How’s that for investment property?