why don't they use real currency in video games?

[gbpxl]

It wouldn't be that hard for them to use $ or dollar when they localize the games they bring over from Japan. It just takes me right out of the game when they have to use the term "credits" like in the case for Gran Turismo. I like the idea of earning virtual American dollars.

I have a couple theories as to why they don't, and I'd like to hear other theories as well. I think part of it may be fear on the developers part to price a virtual car at $X when the car actually sells for $Y in real life- maybe there is an agreement with the car manufacturers not to advertise the price of the cars at a certain price in the game.

But in a game like Animal Crossing, why use "bells"? If they used dollars, I am trying to figure out how the developers imagined it could be harmful. There aren't any real life objects in the game outside of the Nintendo cartridges and NES consoles- only generic things.

[SirPsycho]

Rupees are real.

[Izret101]

There isn't really a benefit to using a real currency.

There are plenty of games that use USD instead of something fictitious or a foreign/unlocalized currency but i don't see a benefit to having dollars vs bells vs yen vs dinari vs bucks vs gold vs silver vs coins vs rings vs tokens vs rupees vs credits vs etc

I guess the argument against using "real" currency would be it can immerse you into a different universe.

[gbpxl]

the benefit is that I identify more with the dollar than I do with the bell or coin

[Fokakis79]

I tend to pay all my bills in bells, despite being the crazy looks I get

[Izret101]

[img width=639 height=360]http://img1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20100930210914/theregularshow/images/9/90/Popslollipops.JPG[/img]

[bombatomba]

Man, if I could grind gil to satisfy my mortgage company...

[Izret101]

Guaranteed trip to the psych ward.
Just run around cutting down all your neighbors bushes.

[Vectorguy]

Probably because it's against the law in some countries to have copies of real currency reproduced somewhere.  The Christian metal band Stryper had to change their In God We Trust cover a little because it had a bill on there, so they just altered the color tint a little (if I remember correctly).  Now the cover's out of date due to changes in our currency since, but here in the States we don't change our currency very often though, but obviously back then it was an issue (and I assume still is).

[Shadow Kisuragi]

That's part of it. Socially, associating real currency with virtual items gives them a real cost. If virtual currency is used to purchase virtual goods, it's more likely that the player will use it.

Also, it's easier to bait a person into buying by giving them virtual currency. You can't bait them with real money, as no one's crazy enough to give real money away in-game.

[Crabmaster2000]

Did someone mention Stryper!!! Awesome!!!

They do use real currency. Its called Micro Transactions and they are dirty....

[Vectorguy]

Did someone mention Stryper!!! Awesome!!!

I've got a picture disc single of "Reason for the Season"/"Walking in a Winter Wonderland" too

[gbpxl]

I like that Symphony of the Night uses real money. It's kind of surprising how much "real life" stuff they have in that game actually. They use the name Dracula Vlad Tepes for example. There is a surprising amount of Christian imagery in the game as well. I am so used to the censorship practiced by Nintendo.

[nupoile]

When creating fantasy or sci-fi worlds, a common tactic for pushing the idea this isn't the world you live in is giving new names for everyday things. I've always figured this is why you don't find dollars in Legend of Zelda but Rupees instead. The different name for the currency of that world helps to convince you this is it's own world with it's own ideas and devices.

There is is the other bonus that in games where you are purchasing items with a real life counterpart, such as cars in Gran Turismo, the game designer has the option of changing prices to help gameplay. If the game is more 'gamey' to have one item much more expensive than another compared to real life, the designer can do this without you calling him out on his prices. I wonder too, if in the Gran Turismo example, real life manufacturers want prices listed for their items in a game.

[OatBob]

GTA always used cash.  Lots of gamers work towards a million, which is significant in life or the game.