Gold farming in China
Gold farming in 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 farming in China is World of Warcraft.[3]
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
- Baidu Baike 网络游戏工作室 (Chinese)
References
- 1 2 Vincent, Danny (25 May 2011). "China used prisoners in lucrative internet gaming work". The Guardian. Retrieved 25 May 2011.
- 1 2 BARBOZA, DAVID (December 9, 2005). "Ogre to Slay? Outsource It to Chinese". The New York Times. Retrieved 2011.
- 1 2 Dibbell, Julian (June 17, 2007). "The Life of the Chinese Gold Farmer". The New York Times. Retrieved June 2011.
- ↑ Rosenberg, Dave (June 2009). "China bans online 'gold farming'". CNET. Retrieved May 2011.