Secondary marketplaces typically follow one of two models: Business-to-Consumer (B2C) or Peer-to-Peer (P2P). This article explains the P2P model and why it is highly popular for virtual gaming goods.
P2P vs. B2C Model
In a B2C model, the marketplace sells stock directly to buyers. In a P2P model (like G2G), the platform acts as a secure hosting arena where individual player-merchants list their own inventory. P2P offers several advantages:
- Lower Prices: Competition between multiple sellers drives prices down.
- Inventory Diversity: Individual players list rare, custom, or discontinued assets that direct retailers do not stock.
- Intermediary Safety: The platform focuses on securing payments, verifying merchant identities, and managing disputes.