Be a Gold Farmer!

Becoming a video game hero takes hard work, long hours and a whole lot of gold.

Which might explain why so many gamers outsource it.

A new study by Manchester University estimates that over 400,000 people in developing nations earn wages by making and selling virtual goods in online games like World of Warcraft. The result is an industry worth a cool half-billion.

Dubbed 'gold farming,' the practice violates the terms of service of most online games, which prohibit players from unduly influencing in-game economies by amassing and selling in-game fortunes. But despite the threat of legal recourse, the profitable nature of gold farming coupled with the enormous growth of the online gaming sector has resulted in something of a boom.

According to the study, the bulk of gold farming (over 80%) takes place in China, with workers earning an average monthly income of about $145.

"The Indian software employment figure probably crossed the 400,000 mark in 2004 and is now closer to 900,000," said Prof Heeks. "Nonetheless, the two are still comparable in employment size, yet not at all in terms of profile."

A hierarchy of gold farmers arranged by where wages were lowest was starting to emerge, said Mr Davis. For instance, the low wages gold farmers in Vietnam will accept means they now do for Chinese gamers what many in China do for those in the West.

Games makers have tried to limit the amount of trade in game gold and gear, but few have reported significant success.

You could get rid of it, but you would also get rid of one of the most fundamental parts of player-to-player interaction.