Video games have evolved a lot since the old days, to the point that they have created their own micro-economies. Since there’s money involved, there would also be people who're trying to make money. This resulted in the rise of high-frequency trading bots or HFT trading bot.
In this article, Gurugamer is going to explain how high frequency trading bots are participating in the economies of video games and their effects on them.
What does a HFT trading bot do?
In games with item markets and price fluctuations, HFT trading bots are algorithms designed to capitalize on tiny price fluctuations in financial markets, often executing thousands of trades per second. They buy low and sell high with minimum human input, yielding profit over time.
These bots are very effective in player-driven economies that are volatile.
Games where HFT trading bots shine (or cause chaos)
EVE Online
CCP Games’ EVE Online boasts some of the most sophisticated virtual economies, with players exchanging trillions of in-game currency daily.
In this game, people have used custom scripts and bots for a long time in order to monitor the market and snipe undervalued items before any human player can react.
World of Warcraft
As World of Warcraft since 2015 has allowed players to pay for their sub with in-game gold, the game has become a hotbed for gold farming bot activity and HFTs.
During expansions like The War Within, market volatility spikes, making bots essential for gold tycoons.
In the auction house, players often use add-ons or third-party scripts to scan listings, undercut competitors, and flip items rapidly.
Game with HFT trading bot - like mechanics
Offworld Trading Company
This RTS game explicitly incorporates HFT-like elements. Players manage off-planet corporations, using "black market" hacks and automated bids to sabotage rivals. It is pretty much a “distilled” version of HFT, aimed to teach players how to manipulate the market.
If you're into strategy, this game shows how HFT bots can be a core mechanic rather than a player exploit.
Elite Dangerous
Elite's community has developed tools like ED Market Connector, which interfaces with external APIs for near-real-time trading data. This allows players to optimize their own routes and trades for maximum efficiency.
Conclusion
Overall, HFT trading bots are transforming the micro-economies in gaming into money making opportunities. While they might feel unfair to some, HFT trading bots are completely legal - learn to take advantage of them if you are able.
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