Chinese WoW Gold Farmers - Why You Shouldn't Buy WoW Gold



Posted: Tuesday, February 24, 2009

by Carlos Castro

As a WoW gamer, I was once tempted to buy gold from one of the many WoW gold merchants online, thankfully I decided to do some research first, what I found was interesting. Although it may seem like a good strategy at first, since this is will save you time, but your actually helping a questionable industry

A research paper was done by U of C San Diego student Ge Jin, it was titled Chinese Gold Farmers in the Game World. The research paper found that there is exploitation in virtual markets just like there are in tangible markets. Ge went to the Si Chuan Province, Fu Jian Province, and the Dong Bei area to do his hands on research. He found a lot of gold farms. The farms were found all over the places he visited. Ge found small ones and large ones.

The gold farming industry is large and growing, he found its genesis in about 2001. Due to this worldwide demand the farms have grown exponentially. Because we are connected via the web, state boundaries are no longer an obstacle, it is this new paradigm that has fed the gold farming industry.

The typical large scale gold farm provides meals and dorms, the farmers live there and work on 12 hour shifts with very brief breaks. Also typical is that farms have 2 farmers for every computer so that they are farming for 24 hours. The farmers are usually paid from between 40 U.S.D. to 200 U.S.D. monthly. Ge also found farmers that are willing to work for free as long as food and shelter are provided. That was quite a disturbing find.

Since China is the world's primary source of cheap labor, it was no surprise to find out how poorly the farmers are treated and paid. Though I am hopeful that in the long run this will change and farmers are paid a wage equal to their labor, it is unlikely until China opens up its market.

I hope this article enlightens you a little and give you pause next time you consider buying some pixels to enhance your gaming experience. As always, it is just best to take the high road and get yourself a guide or walkthrough that will help you get what you want honestly. There are a ton of resources online as well that will greatly enhance your WoW gaming experience, including well reputed gold guides, go that route instead. Happy gaming!

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Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)
» left by Anonymous 2 years 92 days ago.
So, if we stop buying gold - this must mean that these apparently desperate seekers of ANY form of shelter and food, and what little pay is provided - will evaporate, and they will be forced to live on the streets.
 
Sounds completely logical....................
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