Chinese Gold Farming Enterprises Preview
As I’ll be writing about in a few days, I am an avid opponent of gold purchases and item sales. There’s more to this than just “earn it to use it”, but in the meantime here’s a preview into a documentary made about Chinese Gold Farmers. While the stereotype of all gold farmers being Chinese is about as false as that of every Chinese being a Gold Farmer, there is no denying that a large amount of gold and items are farmed in 12hr-day “workshops” in China.
Let me know what you thought after watching this.
I think it’s fair to say that common opinion of “Gold Farmers” is exceptionally low. Indeed, I’ve seen first hand people going out of their way to torment them. Finding what they’re grinding for, and then turning up with a group of 10 players and tagging everything they go for.
That being said, it’s interesting to see where they farm …
I’m not sure I see what’s wrong with it from a philosophical point of view (I look forward to your comments). Actually, the “manufacture” and “sale” of virtual goods strikes me as a great boon to underdeveloped countries as the raw resource needs are pretty minimal and the transportation costs as close to nil as makes no difference.
If the concern is working conditions, that doesn’t make it much different from any other industry; abusive and exploitative practices are such regardless of whether the product is stacks of stranglekelp or ethernet cards.
The practice of selling gold, characters, and leveling services should be dissuaded. At least so it isn’t readily available en masse. However, it is not morally or ethically wrong to purchase these services. It is a value rendered for those who wish to pay for it.
It’s silly when my friends go somewhere to farm and say, “this Chinese farmer stole my Thorium!” when we’re all just farmers out there. What’s the difference where it ends up going? If you weren’t farming, you wouldn’t even notice the farmers. Takes one to know one.