Today it's rare to see MMO's that don't offer some kind of currency boost if you're willing to pay extra for it. But there are a number of older games that don't have this content. Runescape and Tibia for example. Two games that seemingly hold some worth by hosting anywhere from 500k to 1 million players. Despite the fact that these games come from the late 90's/early 2000's, there is still an active market for currency farmers. That's where this Bloomberg story comes in about Venezuelan golf farmings finding work in their otherwise destitute economy. Say what you will about currency sellers, for a number of people this is their livelihood. Half a day working to sell the gold on the black market to turn into a few dollars so they can eat.
Artikel Terkait
When you have countries like Venezuela or Brazil in dire economic straits, gold farming is an opportunity they couldn't have. Not for lack of trying, but lack of jobs. Farmers will visit internet cafes to use equipment that is already set up and with an active internet connection. That's one less expense for them and/or their families at home. The only thing the farmers have to worry about is not straying from their machine for too long, otherwise someone else will snatch it up. The market for gold has a decent rate of return. For some the few dollars of pay helps support them more then a traditional desk job. As long as multiple people don't try to sell gold in the same market, it's a viable way to sustain one's livelihood. Which is probably why they are going for less popular games instead of World of Warcraft. The market for gold is heavily saturated. Where as with Runescape, because so few people play and the demand is there, they are able to turn a better profit.
I've always found gold farming an interesting aspect to MMO's. It's transformed how developers approach creating these games in hope to both combat and allow gold farming to flourish. I have mixed feelings about the practice. Until recently, it has been a more aggressive practice. In FFXI, whole markets crashed because the farming was prevalent. Gil farmers were pushing prices lower on the Auction House that the general player populace were having trouble making money. Gil wasn't selling, and those prices plummeted too. Gold farmers can be their own worst enemy when they try too hard to make gold, and gold, and cause an imbalance to the market place.
That was always my biggest gripe. If they are doing their thing, selling items on par with the current prices, fine. The people they affect are their immediate customers - the ones buying the gold. You could argue that it's allowing inexperienced players access to better gear faster. But you also know that it's not about the gear that makes the player. Good gear can't help out a crappy healer. For me, the only time gold farming is disruptive is when they break the in-game economy. Otherwise it doesn't bother me.
Knowing that for a number of gold farmers this is the only way they can make money, I give them a pass. I get it. Farm away. Just don't break my game experience in the process and we're cool.
What do you all think? What are your thoughts on gold farmers?
I've always found gold farming an interesting aspect to MMO's. It's transformed how developers approach creating these games in hope to both combat and allow gold farming to flourish. I have mixed feelings about the practice. Until recently, it has been a more aggressive practice. In FFXI, whole markets crashed because the farming was prevalent. Gil farmers were pushing prices lower on the Auction House that the general player populace were having trouble making money. Gil wasn't selling, and those prices plummeted too. Gold farmers can be their own worst enemy when they try too hard to make gold, and gold, and cause an imbalance to the market place.
That was always my biggest gripe. If they are doing their thing, selling items on par with the current prices, fine. The people they affect are their immediate customers - the ones buying the gold. You could argue that it's allowing inexperienced players access to better gear faster. But you also know that it's not about the gear that makes the player. Good gear can't help out a crappy healer. For me, the only time gold farming is disruptive is when they break the in-game economy. Otherwise it doesn't bother me.
Knowing that for a number of gold farmers this is the only way they can make money, I give them a pass. I get it. Farm away. Just don't break my game experience in the process and we're cool.
What do you all think? What are your thoughts on gold farmers?
\
