Virtual Vox Pop is a weekly open mic in which we ask you, the reader, to sound off on a particular topic. This week, it’s pay for virtual items in free-to-pay video games.

On October 31st, Techcrunch‘s Michael Arrington proved himself the scariest beast this Halloween season as he accused Zynga (the masterminds behind the Farmville and Mafia Wars games that dominate Facebook) of being nothing more than scam artists that bilk innocent gamers of of their cash. The debate rages on, and as someone who hasn’t dabbled in either title, I’ll leave it for the more knowledgeable persons to comment.

Still, free-to-play games are immensely popular. Dungeon Fighter Online, for example, has over 10 million users in Korea alone, and has seen 2 million players hacking, slashing, punching, and shooting concurrently. When the Dungeon Fighter Online beta opened to the public, I dove into it with reckless abandon, thus experiencing my first free-to-play title (expect a review coming very soon).

GodsWar Online, Maple Story, and Ragnarok Online serve up very solid 2D MMO action without requiring users to spend a dime – - unless they want to. Titles in this genre generate money by allowing gamers to purchase in-game items such as clothing and accessories to customize your character. As I’ve been making my way through Dungeon Fighter Online with my Priest (Solidios), I haven’t been tempted to purchase anything until very, very recently. As Solidios stood in the lobby as I munched on a slice of pizza, I noticed other Priests in fancy-schmancy get ups that, I have to admit, made we want to stand out from the masses. Most certainly these titles prey on our desires to be individuals and/or keep-up-with-the-Joneses, and as i recognize that, I’ve been diligent in keeping my credit card at hand – - but it’s becoming very difficult.

Have you experienced such longings?