They even have their official uniform
There is an informative, but not overlong article on Chinese
gold farmers over on Silicon Valley.
At any given time, as many as half a million Chinese gamers are completing quests and gathering such assets as virtual gold pieces to sell off for real money. They toil in
Internet cafes and in makeshift computer labs, sometimes sleeping on cots in nearby dormitories in shifts. [...] ``It's easier than making shoes,'' said Wang Xin, 27, an entrepreneur who keeps 30 young people working in his stable of gamers. ``You don't work so hard. The physical pressure is not high. This is much less demanding than the sweatshops.''
It seems to be the perfect job for the multitude of "idle people" in rural Chinese areas, in particular. People who have just graduated high school and spend too much time in internet cafes can turn those previously unproductive days of hackenslashen into food and shelter.
But the mention in the above quote about sleeping on cots in dormitories is nothing short of terrifying. I know the cultural norms are different in the exotic land of
China, but I've been to conventions. Even sharing a hotel room with fellow gamers for a weekend is terrifying.
(Goldfarmer t-shirt from Think Geek)
Read complete article here [Silicon Valley, via Digg]