Goldfarming

            After Wednesday’s lecture I decided to investigate the phenomenon of goldfarming, because I am very intrigued by the subject.  Before this class I had no idea that such positions exist in the world, but now that I do know my eyes have been opened to the extreme significance that video games have for certain people.  This class, and this lecture in particular, taught me that playing videogames such as “World of Warcraft” serve as a social platform.  Now that I know that these online games act like a sort of “advanced form of a pen pal” it makes much more sense to me that people would place such significance and put so much time and effort into these games.  I understand the appeal of that online social experience, and I also understand how people would be attracted to online video games because of the issue of anonymity.  Facebook and Twitter are somewhat anonymous, but I think that most of the time, a majority of people on these websites interact with their actual friends and acquaintances, so its not like you can just say anything on Facebook and get away with it.  However, online games are unique because a person can take on any identity they choose, and if they are not playing with their actual friends, they can say or act in anyway without repercussions.  

            Knowing this background information makes me realize that there is a lucrative market for goldfarming, because people place so much importance on the friendships and identities of their online gaming personas.  I just wonder if people realize the conditions of goldfarms, and the significance of their actions.  If people stopped supporting goldfarms by buying already earned in-game currency, then people would stop taking advantage of economic inequalities.  I learned that in the 90s, goldfarming was someone undercover and unknown, but now the sale of in-game currency has become increasingly more commercialized.  I also learned that this year, “The Guardian” reported that prisoners in Chinese labor camps were forced to engage in gold farming for the benefit of prison authorities.  This shocks me, because this displays how goldfarming permeates underprivileged people in China.  However, the thing that shocks me the most is that the sweatshop-like conditions of goldfarming ultimately appeal to people in poor areas because people earn $3 a day…which looks like a good and sturdy income to these people compared to other available jobs.