I think that it sounds like advertising .

Advertising what ?

well, its just another thing to exploit. besides, you aren't polluting anything. imho its easy money. good stuff too. imho its a good thing, win win. just that the ethics take a beating.

Edited by - kimk on 9/3/2004 2:59:32 AM

it doesn't surprise me in the least. We are well aware of people who spend real money to buy items in games such as Diablo II; this stuff is traded on eBay, sometimes for a lot of money. I know of someone who played in shifts 24/7 with his brother at Everquest *spits* in order tp have a character that no-one could touch. As online play expands and cheating via hacks gets harder, then competitiveness will find other means of getting ahead, regardless of the morality. If cheats can't cheat then they'll be q prepared to pay someone else to do it for them, because unlike other pastimes such as sport, there's almost complete anonimity online; username and password are all that's required.

it's a rather sad development, but inevitable I suppose. Plus as most game players are younger, it allows teens in these countries to earn an *honest* wage, I'm sure it's better than begging or stealing.

Myself I'd never ever pay someone else to advance me in a game - no-one else might know, but I would.

Edited by - Radio Free Tawakalnistan on 9/3/2004 5:27:09 AM

Once again a sign that the virtual world is becoming alarmingly more influentional. I can never understand anyone who would pay big money for sth that would give him/her advantages in a game. I still think real life is more important
Unless, of course, you can win big money with, say, a very strong hero - that could be considered an investment.

Life is sexually transmitted

platinum on everqest more than the italian lira.

See here :O

Edited by - freighter fighter on 9/3/2004 11:57:36 AM

that was a fascinating article, Ben, i really enjoyed reading that! (yes i really mean it, I'm not being even remotely sarcastic)

I particularly loved this line..

"Penniless in the real world, she belonged to a social elite in the fake one. "

pure class.

btw the Italians don't use lire anymore, they're in the Euro zone.

Sounds like somebody has found a way to pitch a PhD dissertation that already has been rejected by committee.... publicize it.