There are several issues with the act of gold farming or leveling. First, many gamers and other people look at it as cheating. Paying someone else to essentially play a game for you or to advance your character is in no way the proper method the game was made or designed for. People that have money and want to be an advanced player faster can pay for that rank without actually spending anytime playing the game themselves. Second is the issue of slave labor. The gold farming is labored out to poorer countries, where labor can be found cheap. The workers slave behind a computer not making a fair amount of money. Though they often receive a place to stay, they still need to purchase food, travel and all other expenses, leaving them without the opportunity to save money and build a future. The facilities are often typical to that of a sweatshop and the work is demanding. Health issues for those employees are fore coming, like eyesight issues, carpitunnel in the wrist and back issues from sitting for the long shifts. These factors make the labor that of a sweatshop. Still with all these issues pointing towards goldfarming as being slave labor, some employed in the field love what they do. Third factor is that turning virtual goods into a profit for real money. How do you know how much to charge for something that is virtual? People are seeing virtual items as more realistic now, believing they are true commodities that can be purchased and owned. Many still view that virtual items are not real and are not spending their hard earned money for items that they cannot touch, hold or feel.
Henry Jenkins talks of new media and its effect on society, which also applies to the growing phenomenon of goldfarming. With new media connecting the world, especially by the internet, has given individuals from different countries the opportunity to operate businesses and sell items. Goldfarming fits perfectly into this because an individual in one country can hire someone in another country to level their character for very cheap in comparison to having to pay for the price of labor with the country they live. Goldfarming is connecting people, communities and countries, using the new media technology that is breaking the previous barriers that did not allow for such connecting of people.
Playing video games has been taken to a new level. Why play and advance yourself when you can hire out and have yourself advanced through the game? None of this would be possible if it were not for new media technology connecting communities and individuals. But, with this connection, are certain people or communities abusing others throughout the world by developing a new form of slave labor to obtain what they want?
I think goldfarming and the need to do it or pay for it, is a prime example of being addicted to games. The fact that people need to pay hard earned money, for fake virtual money is rediculous. I understand the want to advance fast so you can keep up with others and avoid the boring beggining part. From experience playing games, I know the building stages of a character is boring. However, I feel the skipping or paying for these parts to played for a person takes away from the integrity of the game.
ReplyDeleteI do think the words "slave labor" is a bit much in this post. The fact that most of the kids that work their are underpaid and overworked, yes I agree. They are not forced to be there however. They are not owned by their boss and taken care of by the boss either. It is all about money and profiting as much as possible. It is more of just taking advandage of an underpriveleged society.