Who is to know what the next six months will bring, never mind the following years, with so many variations being tried. This is exciting for all MMO's, not just the in-game element and the havoc that will bring, but also for the developer - gaming community relationship. Will developers be able to ride the back of this beast they are unleashing? Will they ration petitions too them?

Seems we are seeing a substantial change in ideas for the way devs allow games to evolve, with more customization possible and developments like these elections.  How does this sit with investors and, indeed, do we care?! they will follow the money and success as ever.

This could certainly spawn a new form of news, with game and real world content being sought after within the same moment online. Increased real life online socializing and game events being news worthy and desired will maybe spawn a form of virtual news service. Increasingly confusing to some I imagine. A modern day War of the worlds scare is possible..