Gold farming in the People's Republic of China

Gold farming in the People's Republic of China is more pervasive than in any other country, as 80% of all gold farmers are in mainland China,[1] with a total of 100,000 full-time gold farmers in the country as of 2005.[2] Gold farming in China is done in Internet cafes, abandoned warehouses, small offices and private homes.[2] When organized as an actual informal business, they are known as "gaming workshops" (Simplified Chinese: 游戏工作室; Pinyin: Yóuxì gōngzuòshì)[3] or "play-money workshops" (打钱工作室 Dǎqián gōngzuò shì). The abbreviation is 打G, where the G stands for "gold".

Prisoners in Chinese labor camps have been forced to engage in gold farming for the financial benefit of prison authorities.[1]

A popular massively multiplayer online role-playing game subject to gold faming in China is World of Warcraft.[3]

Contents

Legality

The PRC Government decreed in 2009 that: "The virtual currency, which is converted into real money at a certain exchange rate, will only be allowed to trade in virtual goods and services provided by its issuer, not real goods and services."[4]

See also

External links

References

  1. ^ a b Vincent, Danny (25 May 2011). "China used prisoners in lucrative internet gaming work". The Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/may/25/china-prisoners-internet-gaming-scam. Retrieved 25 May 2011. 
  2. ^ a b BARBOZA, DAVID (December 9, 2005). "Ogre to Slay? Outsource It to Chinese". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/09/technology/09gaming.html?ex=1291784400&en=48a72408592dffe6&ei=5088. Retrieved 2011. 
  3. ^ a b DIBBELL, JULIAN (June 17, 2007). "The Life of the Chinese Gold Farmer". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/17/magazine/17lootfarmers-t.html. Retrieved June 2011. 
  4. ^ Rosenberg, Dave (June 2009). "China bans online 'gold farming'". CNET. http://news.cnet.com/8301-13846_3-10275180-62.html. Retrieved May 2011.