I worked on one of the largest simulated markets on the web and offer the following advice: - Use basic human motivation to encourage real participation. Point

I worked on one of the largest simulated markets on the web and offer the following advice: - Use basic human motivation to encourage real participation. Points scored and virtual awards work well, but only if you can control system-gaming and inflation. - Make sure that each account is connected to a confirmed email address or social network account. - Spend time looking for people who are creating multiple accounts for the purpose of gaming your system (same IPS, repetitive names / passwords). Disable what appear to be the spoof accounts and email the core account about why you did it. - Have a clearly defined policy for what is acceptable behavior and penalize as much bad behavior as is necessary. Make sure to show the community that there is enforcement. - Maintain contact with helpful members of the community who can key you in on problematic individuals or exploitable flaws in the scoring system.