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Invisible hand to guide 'Counter-Strike' weapons market

Jennifer Guevin Former Managing Editor / Reviews
Jennifer Guevin was a managing editor at CNET, overseeing the ever-helpful How To section, special packages and front-page programming. As a writer, she gravitated toward science, quirky geek culture stories, robots and food. In real life, she mostly just gravitates toward food.
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Jennifer Guevin

Slashdot today points out that the makers of "Counter-Strike: Source" are bringing laissez-faire economics to their first-person shooter. Until now, the game's weapon prices were determined by game-maker Valve and have remained fixed. In a message on the company's site, Valve explains they are tweaking the weapon pricing system to reflect global demand.

The new system will be based on an algorithm that measures demand for each weapon and reprices them accordingly. As more people buy a weapon, the price for that weapon will go up. Likewise, infrequently purchased weapons will go down in value. Prices will be adjusted based on this algorithm each week.

Reactions to the announcement are mixed in Valve's online discussion forum, with many players complaining that prices of certain weapons will skyrocket and ruin competitive play. But for now the company seems set on giving the new system a go and plans to push the changes live Oct. 11.

Adam Smith would be so proud.