I.T. Vibe - Computer Gaming Sweat Shops Hidden From View

While the internet has brought a whole new wave of users to the internet gaming industry there are some things behind the scenes that the leaders would not want you to see. Even though the major gaming companies have nothing to do with them, there has been a massive growth in the use of so called ‘virtual sweatshops' where people are paid a pittance to earn gaming points for so called ‘gold farmers' around the world.

So what is it and how does it all work?

The online gaming industry has seen games such as World of Warcraft and Lineage move to the top of the popularity league with players earning so called ‘virtual gold' by fighting and defeating an array of deadly monsters. In simple terms players are allowed to swap this ‘gold' for services, skills and more recently money as ‘virtual gold' is fast becoming the ‘currency' of choice in the world of online gaming.

It has been estimated that there are at least 400,000 people employed in ‘cyber sweatshops' around the world earning as little as £80 a month, but making literally millions of pounds for their employers. This is the dark side of online gaming but one which is been dragged more and more into the limelight.

Comment # 1 on 26 August 2008 at 13:03 by Anonymous

the idea of this is ridiculous, who estimated those figures? whats the source of this article? theres no reason to believe this isn't a load of bull.