secondary mmorpg market

SWTOR Currency Sellers Prep for Upcoming Launch

As we get closer to the eventual launch of Star Wars: The Old Republic, we see more and more websites selling in-game currency and power-leveling. It’s an interesting phenomenon but not surprising, really. Everyone is trying to jump in and get their own piece of the SWTOR pie and for those who offer shortcuts in the game, that piece might not be so little. While some still do not understand why gamers would want to fast-track their way through the game, there seems to be no shortage of people willing to buy such services. Some argue that they don’t have the time to level up in the game or farm for currency and that adults who work hard to be able to afford it should be able to pay their hard-earned cash to get more of what they want in the game. Is it really hurting anyone other than them?…

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Chinese Prisoners Forced to Farm Gold in Online Games

“There were 300 prisoners forced to play games. We worked 12-hour shifts in the camp. I heard them say they could earn 5,000-6,000rmb [£470-570] a day. We didn’t see any of the money. The computers were never turned off.” Says a prisoner at the Jixi labor camp, Liu Dali who shares his story of being imprisoned and forced to work hard labor by day and farm for in-game currency by night. Chinese gold farmers have become something of a joke in online gaming. Anyone who spends time collecting in-game currency is commonly referred to as a “gold farmer”. While many gamers have mixed feelings about the subject, most will admit they don’t actually know where the gold comes from. Most gamers don’t understand how many of these companies get their gold and make a profit. Some gold-selling companies have been known to steal or hack accounts and use these characters…

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