Tencent was established in Shenzhen in November 1998. In February 1999, Tencent officially launched its first instant messaging software - "Tencent QQ". Over the six years since QQ's launch, it has garnered hundreds of millions of users with a peak concurrent online record of seven million people. Tencent's online gaming user count ranks first globally, making it nothing short of a miracle in internet real-time communication!
Virtual property is both valuable and in demand. With the widespread use of the internet today, China’s netizens are nearing hundreds of millions. Online socializing, online shopping, and online gaming have become increasingly popular. Network information, network privacy, network resources, etc., all form part of modern individuals' "property" on the internet. Although this property is virtual, players often assign it significant real-world meaning. The connection between virtual wealth and real-world assets has inevitably become a reality. You may lead a simple life in the real world, but in the virtual realm, you could be worth a fortune.
In online games, players' "virtual assets" often originate from real-world wealth. Applying for an OICQ number, purchasing domain names, personal homepage space, email accounts, and online real names all require netizens to pay real money, thus giving these virtual items tangible asset-like characteristics.
Nowadays, a single internet user might own several QQ accounts. As time progresses, QQ numbers have gradually caught the attention of online gamers. A good QQ number symbolizes one's status.
So, what constitutes a good QQ number? How do we evaluate and calculate the overall value of a QQ account? This is a concern for many QQ "fans." Below, I will analyze this from several aspects for QQ enthusiasts to consider:
It should be noted that since Tencent is sensitive about QQ transactions, I will not disclose specific QQ values here but instead provide comparisons. Additionally, prices vary across different eras. Privately, I believe that if there were no QQ trading, it would indicate that such items hold little value.
1. Value Analysis Based on Number:
(a) Five-digit Small Numbers: These are early-applied QQ numbers with shorter digits, starting from November 1998 when Tencent began issuing numbers from 10000 as a base point. Among the five-digit QQ numbers, 10001-10200 are internal Tencent numbers used for work or relationship purposes. Starting from 10201 to 10999, known as '10k small numbers,' owning any of these 798 numbers is extremely rare and precious.
The most noteworthy among the '10k small numbers' are those starting with '102', which are far more valuable than other '10k small numbers.' For instance, numbers like 10201, 10232, 10233, 10299... It is rumored that numbers before 10201 belong to insiders, while '102' prefixed numbers are likely related numbers, so extra caution is advised when purchasing them. Numbers like 10232 and 10233 belong to the same person and can be reclaimed by Tencent. However, now 10232 and 10233 have been leaked.
(b) AAAAA Type: Numbers like 11111, 22222, 33333... There are only nine such full-A type numbers, making them extremely rare. They cannot be obtained through normal means and are therefore priced exorbitantly. For example, the number QQ88888, belonging to Tencent's CEO, was auctioned on Taobao for 260,000 RMB, equivalent to a high-end imported car or a spacious apartment in a medium-sized city.
(c) ABBBB and BBBBA Types: There are a total of 180 such numbers, which are also quite rare. Numbers like 98888, 99998 are slightly less valuable than the full-A type but still command high prices.
(d) Palindromic Numbers: Similar to 98889, 89998, these numbers read the same backward as forward and are priced based on individual preference.
(e) Sequential Numbers: Such as 1234567, 2345678, 3456789... These types of numbers are impossible to obtain through regular application and are also highly valued.
(f) Conceptual Numbers: Examples include 5201314 ("I love you forever"), 88520 ("Dad loves you"), 52077 ("I love you wife")... These appeal more to younger users. A few years ago, such numbers were priced equivalently to two high-definition TVs today.
(g) Birthday Numbers, Phone Numbers, Car License Plates: These numbers hold specific significance and are favored by particular groups. Though virtual, they acquire real-world value due to demand.
2. Value Analysis Based on Online Duration, Level, and Gaming:
(a) Online Duration: This primarily refers to levels. The higher the level, the more valuable the account. Recently, Tencent changed its level calculation system to prevent idling, requiring a year to achieve a sun level. Time, to some extent, equates to value; the more suns, the greater the value. Especially for five-digit small numbers, achieving sun levels makes them even more valuable.
(b) Game Levels: Due to Tencent QQ offering various online games, including casual and MMORPGs, these games have their own levels. Players invest time and money to reach higher levels, thereby assigning these accounts virtual market value.
(c) Additional Features Value: QQ Membership, QQ Groups, QQ Pets, Network Disk, etc.
Example: QQ88888
i. Membership for 1 year: 120 RMB;
ii. QQ Coin Account: 100 coins, 100 RMB;
iii. Game Coin Account: 15,000 coins, 100 RMB;
iv. Network Disk: 10 RMB/month, 120 RMB/year;
v. QQ Group: 1 Q Coin/2 days, 180 RMB/year;
vi. QQ Pet: Approximately 80 RMB to reach level 15;
Roughly calculated, a year's worth of QQ membership costs 120+100+120+180+80=600 RMB.
(d) Forum Levels: This mainly pertains to qualification points, where each minute earns 1 point. If left idle, due to time and electricity consumption, it becomes a tangible value. After my own statistics, qualification points amount to 24*60=1440 per day, 100 days = 140,000 points. To reach the highest level of 500,000 points on Tencent forums requires over 300 days or approximately a year.
(e) Intangible Reputation Value: Since QQ represents intangible assets, its value lies in the reputation gained through interactions. Just like losing a mobile phone might not be a big deal, but losing the contact list within it is a significant loss.
In conclusion, a QQ number's value can be evaluated from several aspects, and truly high-quality numbers are priceless. Are QQ users ready to open their wallets? As for the heavy topics of QQ security and ownership, I will discuss them at another opportunity. This is merely a starting point for further exploration.