Against the Stereotype

A continuing contraversy-- selling in-game currency and items for real cash

New York Times article-Outsourcing

and another one: "Only cheating if you don't get caught"

This is an issue that runs rampant in every MMO. It is good and both bad that the New York Times chose to reference China as one of the countries that endorses this very "unethical" of buisness endeavors. It emphasizes the common stereotype.

A lot of gamers, refer to people that chose to do this as "China botters." It has become one of a slew of catagory remarks that some even take as racially offensive. I think that what they failed to emphasize, was the fact that the reason it runs rampant in places such as China, is the lack of Int'l governmental laws to enforce the policeing of such behavior.

It happens very often here in the states as well. The problem is, is that it is technically not "legal" here unless sanctioned by the MMO makers-- ie SOE Exchange.

Here it is a matter of ethics-- we all know that in today's society, to a degree, ethics are thrown out the window. It makes logical sense for these companies to exist from the very basics of buisness standpoints. They are there to supply the consumer with a demand. Virtual goods and commodity are in demand by the vast and growing customer base. There are numerous reasons that a person has to buy. Ethics is one of the only things come in to add why they shouldn't. There are obviously flaws in the system that will allow it to happen regardless. Again, that is partly why SOE Exchange and sites like it, are even popular to beguin with.

It is really sad to think that these kinds of companies are becoming the "sweatshops" of the cyber world we live in. It is evident that something needs to be done either way. It needs to be better regulated most definately.

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