CCP Games, developer of the player-driven sci-fi MMO EVE Online, announced on Saturday an exciting new partnership with NVIDIA—the likes o f which the industry has never seen. CCP Games will be facilitating the sale of real-world high-end GPUs from NVIDIA via EVE Online’s virtual currency known as PLEX. Not only is the sale of such valuable real world goods through a video game a unique value proposition, but it is an unprecedented move in the MMO world.

To clarify: You can buy hardware with in-game currency.

The video cards for sale through EVE will be NVIDIA’s mid-range GeForce 560GTX cards. Initially, 100 graphics cards will be available, and sales will be limited to one GPU per EVE account. The success of this initial sale will determine the future course of action between NVIDIA and CCP Games.

EVE Online is largely known for its player-driven open economy. PLEX, which stands for “Pilot License EXtension”, is an in-game item that can be spent on EVE Online subscriptions. Skilled players can earn PLEX and spend it to renew their EVE subscription each month, essentially allowing them to play continually for free. To purchase PLEX, players earn EVE Online’s primary in-game currency known as ISK. ISK is either earned through in-game means, or can be acquired by converting real-world currency.

Buying and selling goods and services is a huge part of the gameplay, therefore real-world economic effects tend to have repercussions on the in-game economics. As a result of CCP Games’ announcement to sell GeForce boards through the game, the value of PLEX in-game has jumped significantly. Players seem to be ready to accept this new deal with NVIDIA, and if the enthusiasm is any indication, the first 100 GPUs will sell out rapidly.