Sony Partners with Live Gamer to Add RMT for The Agency and Free Realms

While there's $1 billion to be made in the online subscription market, more and more MMOG and virtual world developers are looking to microtransactions for an alternative or additional revenue stream. In a sign of the times, Sony Online Entertainment has expanded its relationship with Live Gamer to provide real money trading for its upcoming titles, The Agency and Free Realms. It's an interesting split: the former is aimed at adults and hardcore gamers while the latter is targeting children and families.  "We are actively exploring free-to-play and other revenue models, and always looking for new ways to engage and entertain gamers," SOE President John Smedley said in a statement. "Live Gamer is a proven partner that protects and supports our gamers who participate in RMT. We trust them to handle this area of the business for us so that we can focus on creating and growing our games."