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From sweatshops to stateside corporations, some people are profiting off of MMO gold.
www.1up.com ^ | 07.05.2005 | James Lee

Posted on 07/06/2005 3:55:04 PM PDT by Sofa King

"Sack" is the only name I'm given for the person I'm supposed to contact. He lives in the Fujian province of China, but his place of business is online—he plays Lineage II. He's paid about 56 cents an hour to work in a videogame "sweatshop."

If the term sounds familiar, it's because of Lee Caldwell. The notorious MMORPG scripter got busted four years ago for admitting that his company, BlackSnow, hired workers in Tijuana to earn gold by "farming" in Ultima Online. Caldwell sold that in-game tender online for a handsome real-world profit while only paying his employees pennies on the dollar. Since 1998, the second-party market for MMORPG loot has steadily grown. Last year alone, this newfound industry grossed roughly $500 million, according to Bob Kiblinger of UOTreasures. CGW decided it was high time to go underground and find some of the key players who are going after a piece of the action.

(Excerpt) Read more at 1up.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy
KEYWORDS:

1 posted on 07/06/2005 3:55:05 PM PDT by Sofa King
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To: Quick1; indcons; somniferum; KoRn; Duke Nukum; expat_brit; Galactic Overlord-In-Chief

Video game ping (just started)!

If you want on or off this list, Freepmail me


2 posted on 07/06/2005 3:55:36 PM PDT by Sofa King (MY rights are not subject to YOUR approval.)
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To: Sofa King

Great name.... saw a photograph of a bus in Perth Australia...advertising a company called Sofa King...and their tag line was ... "because our sofas are Sofa King comfortable". Gave me good chuckle.


3 posted on 07/06/2005 3:59:49 PM PDT by sofaman
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To: Sofa King

I need to quit IBM and start "farming".


4 posted on 07/06/2005 4:02:38 PM PDT by dljordan
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To: Sofa King

These people are making this kind of money on GAMES? Online GAMES?


5 posted on 07/06/2005 4:27:35 PM PDT by datura (Molon Labe)
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To: datura

Capitalism at its best -- trading "virtual" gold for real gold :)


6 posted on 07/06/2005 4:30:11 PM PDT by pganini
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To: sofaman

...LOL...

Almost shot coffee out my nose...


7 posted on 07/06/2005 4:39:30 PM PDT by MD_Willington_1976 (After 5 years, the Green Card is in the mail, !!**!! YES !!**!!)
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To: Sofa King

There are a lot of things that are valuable because they are hyped. Diamonds, wine, etc. People in crowds are unbelievably stupid sometimes.


8 posted on 07/06/2005 5:16:02 PM PDT by Odyssey-x
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To: Sofa King
Sack's typical 12-hour sessions can earn his employers as much as $60,000 per month while he walks away with a measly $150.

Of all the ways to make money in the world this has to be the most bizarre.

9 posted on 07/06/2005 5:19:34 PM PDT by Odyssey-x
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To: Sofa King

Well, I just got an idea for a new business... :)


10 posted on 07/06/2005 5:56:58 PM PDT by Quick1
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To: pganini

holy crap!!! i'm in the wrong business...


11 posted on 07/06/2005 5:57:56 PM PDT by Methadras
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To: Methadras

If you think you're in the wrong business, read this:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chicago/chi-0507060247jul06,1,7898755.story


12 posted on 07/06/2005 6:20:51 PM PDT by bfree (PC is BS)
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To: Sofa King

Check this out

http://forum.pcstats.com/showthread.php?t=31532

"Nova" has screen shots of "Farming in action"

LOL


13 posted on 07/08/2005 2:30:10 PM PDT by MD_Willington_1976
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To: MD_Willington_1976

lol.....

"can I have some gold"

WAY too much of that chat is so familiar....


14 posted on 07/11/2005 10:13:36 AM PDT by Sofa King (MY rights are not subject to YOUR approval.)
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To: Sofa King

LOL

I used to play Diablo...same thing, "can I have, can I have..."

LOL


15 posted on 07/11/2005 10:37:04 AM PDT by MD_Willington_1976
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To: MD_Willington_1976

With Diablo it was "can i hav sum itemz???"


16 posted on 07/11/2005 11:37:29 AM PDT by Sofa King (MY rights are not subject to YOUR approval.)
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