It used to be that when you played video games, all that was needed to play was strategy, luck, and skill. But with the advent of internet based MMORPGs and subscription based gaming, all that's needed is time and money. In other words, you can buy your way through the game.

EVE is one such game. In the 10 years the game has been available to play, CCP Games has racked up close to 500,000 players who play regularly. Basic gameplay is free, but in order to advance your character, you must buy items such as weapons, starships and tools using the in-game currency called 'ICX', which is actually tied to real-world fiat currency in a virtual excha. Just as in the real world, ICX can be earned, traded or even stolen in the game. However, most hardcore players of the game choose to buy ICX using real cash. It stands to reason then, just as in the real world, "Mo' Money, Mo' Problems."

James Carl of Costa Mesa, California knows the harsh reality of this term in the gaming world. On January 28th, his crowning achievement in the game was blown to smithereens because he forgot to set up the auto pay feature on his gamer account. He had parked his coalition's fleet of about 100 Titan-class starships in a remote part of space for safe keeping. These ships are the largest, most difficult to achieve items in the game; just one ship costs the equivalent of US$3,000 and since the game is very realistic, it takes weeks of time to 'build and equip'.

Unfortunately for James, the space stations that he posted to act as defensive platforms failed to protect his fleet since his game's ICX account didn't autopay the in-game 'rent' that was due. As a result, an enemy snapped them up and used them to coordinate an attack with 2000 other players that CPC Games has labeled "The costliest attack in the history of the game." It could also prove to be the most expensive virtual disaster that has ever impacted someone's wallet in real life.

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