Comments on: World of Warcraft Gold Farming – The Seedy Underbelly of Online Gaming

By: Ipm

Ipm — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 15:59:20 +0000

Seem to me asian contries have the same working conditions, japaneze work more hours than was said in this article.. sleep in “hotells” with small spaces.

Shure sallery is better but then life in japan costs more than in china.

And I am also guessing that they have it better working than being out of employment, one could argue we are helping thier economy.

Only thing I see that makes me wonder is that China actually is trying to stop these farm companies, atleast thats what Ive read.

About shady companies, I think they exist all over internet. Ive not had problems with the places Ive had contact with. But then I read reccomendations on other sites before buying.

By: Jason Burns

Jason Burns — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 15:41:10 +0000

just because they need the money doesn’t make treating them poorly, working them long hours is ok.

By: Callan S.

Callan S. — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 05:42:28 +0000

What do you mean the humanitarian element? If you didn’t buy gold suddenly these kids would get well paying jobs?

You’ve come into contact with exploited people – severing contact isn’t a humanitarian option. Fair enough if you want to get away, but it’s not humanitarian to just cease buying their farmed gold.

By: Arleen Bothwell

Arleen Bothwell — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 20:06:27 +0000

It may be the tip of an iceberg. Wonder if PayPal knows. It stays an open question, though, whether this is good for the Chinese. It doesn’t take much for them to feel things are looking up. They keep income tax to about a 10% level, and National Geo says they’re really racing ahead as an economy at large. They aren’t, however, very sensitive to working conditions or business ethics. They’re new to the idea of profit, and Americans can use that to make money, and sweep the details under a carpet.

By: Arnan

Arnan — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 11:18:55 +0000

Good article.

But you also have to think about it, $100 is worth a lot more there than it is here. So that might not be a bad salary in the end. Still the whole idea behind such companies is appalling i think.

If you want to play a game you should play it and not “cheat” your way ahead with buying gold. That’s like taking a shortcut through a wall because you cannot find a key in a quest.

And apparently there is no obvious way to stop the madness, like you said. As long as Blizzard makes money, they don’t care too much. Players still want to get ahead quick so they won’t stop either.

By: dawngrrl

dawngrrl — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 04:26:44 +0000

Sure makes me think twice. The comment that resonates with me:”1 million people in China are working for as little as $100 a month by farming gold for these places to sell to us lazy bastards in America and Europe”. The humanitarian in me thinks geez, why I am paying someone such a nomial fee to do something I can do myself? Oh yeah, cause it will take me 72 hours instead of 5 minutes. 72 hours of my time is worth a hell of a lot more then $30.00, of course that’s only because I have $30 to spend on a dumb video game. Is $100 a month in china actually a living to these people – or is it poverty? I bet they count thier lucky stars for us “lazy Americans” that dont take to the time to earn thier own gold. I don’t if I should feel guilty or offer to add a tip to my order.