In-Depth Article on Gold Farming
by Mike D'Anna 
May 12th 2006 at 10:00AM
One of my favorite new WoW sites, Metroblogging Azeroth, has a great article today that goes deep into the controversial world of gold-farming. Author Jonas Luster details the many ways that buying gold outside of the game impacts players, developers, and the gameworld itself, with a knowledge of the game that makes his observations all the more relevant.There are plenty of things that the average gold buyer (who is almost certainly not some intrinsically evil person) probably never takes into account when they purchase gold from a farmer, aside from what shiny new armor it will buy them; they could care less what it does to the economy of the game. Then, there are those who actually believe the practice of gold farming is healthy for a virtual economy, and for people coming from that school of thought, Luster makes a convincing case why, in the end, everyone suffers from the actions of those few. Not to mention the connection he makes between the largest network of online gold-selling sites, and a trio of convicted child molesters.
It's good readin'. Check it out here. Thanks to Sean for the link.
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Cheats, Odds and ends, News items
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
BigEeve May 12th 2006 10:51AM
Where can I find free servers of WoW ?
Dave May 12th 2006 11:35AM
An interesting read, but it all seemed to come from personal knowledge/opinion. I would like to see the author cite some sources for some of his claims. As they say, "screen shots or it didn't happen".
As far as speed hacks and teleports, they are cheats that *should* be bannable offenses. The fact that they are used by gold farmers makes the farming more reprehensible - but what if they weren't? And frankly, the owner of IGE's ALLEGED background has NOTHING to do with the problems of gold farming.
That whole article just seemed to find as many hot buttons as it could to make players fall in with the author's opinion. I still say if farming is a "problem", then it is a problem that should be rectified by the developer. And in the grand scheme of MMORPGs, farming is a blip in history, since I believe that once the value of virtual property has been made legitimate in the courts, games will have to come up with a way to either implement controlled farming or remove the ability altogether.
Nice writing, but I'm unconvinced.
Mat May 12th 2006 12:27PM
It opens poorly, and Dave is right, he does seem to be trying to make sure the "facts" fit his opinion.
Not that I condone hacking, but I find it a little hard to believe that gold sellers can control the market THAT much.
montauhk May 12th 2006 1:23PM
Anyone have any links to articles about gold selling that are written but someone who can really speak on the issue, like an economist? This is really a lot of conjecture, and the only real problem I see here is the use of Hacks. "Artificially inflated" is an oxymoron. What does that even mean? Supply and Demand are artificial? Prices are what they are. You either pay them and they go up, or you don't and they go down. Economies are self correcting systems, supply and demand is an organic process. There doesn't seem to be much a problem here either, as you stated the only problem is injecting new money into the system, lowering its value. The main method that gold farmers use to make money is getting rare drops and selling them on the AH. This method is Zero-sum. Nothing enters the system or leaves the system. The extra cash generated is likely negligble compared to the income from the sale of these items, and most of that income inbalance is eliminated through things like the costs of upgrades for tier .5. If you want to talk about real inflation, I MIGHT buy equipment stat inflation, with so many people able to buy epics and blues the 'value' of having them is lessened, but even that has major holes as most of the best stuff is BoP, which no amount of gold can buy (yes there are holes in this arguement too but, whatever).
Peter May 12th 2006 1:43PM
There would be no gold farmers if noone buys gold outside the game. It is as simple as that! Gold farming proliferates because WE, the players, allow it. So ultimate, it's the players that ruins the economy! I don't buy gold so I know I'm not ruining the game. But do you?
Ken Jun 9th 2006 9:40AM
I've bought gold before and I feel personally that Warcraft can put a stop to it and they aren't.
Why can't they implement a policy that say that businesses selling gold can't exist without Blizzards consent. Then they can shut down these businesses from operating
Blizzard has to be receiving something in return for allowing this.
I got sick of people having better gear then me and lvl there trade skills faster by buying things in Auction Houses.
I took a look at the length of time it takes me to collect the materials needed to make potions, enchants, and leather armor.
I felt the money spent on the gold would pay for itself because of the price I pay for the Warcraft service.
When I'm on WoW I want to run instances not spend hours collecting mats for the pots I'll need to help the groupies.
For pvping reasons I like to use a certain set of armor with the right buffs I need.
If there is a way to get an edge on the competition I will take it. On another note I do feel what others are saying about it effecting the economy
of WoW. I completely agree with this and it is in Blizzards control to put a stop to this.
C. Llachlan Leavitt Jul 27th 2006 1:41PM
My problem with farming is that is ruins actual game play - there is nothing worse than needing to kill a particular named mob (elite or otherwise), and finding a farmer indiscriminately rounding up field hands (or substitute crocolisks etc.), AOEing and taking out the guys you need over and over again.
Worse are the messages I actually get in game in my mailbox advertising gold selling sites - and Blizzard has no 'forward' or 'report' button - essentially making it seem that the activity is condoned.
As for those that say its up to Blizzard to control - that's true - but its also in our best interest to refrain and to 'grief' the farmers when we can. I enjoy the time I spend fishing, or gathering herbs, for me its an integral part of the game, but I don't enjoy being undercut or 'robbed' after I have worked to kill 4 level 50 wolves (at level 47) to get dreamfoil only to have some wanker waltz up and steal it.
CLL