Game Developers On Gold Selling

Eurogamer has an article which takes a look at how various game companies deal with gold spammers in their games. Some, like Mythic, take a hard stance, literally telling farmers and sellers to "go to hell." Others engage in an arms race to block such behavior, sometimes to the detriment of normal users. "In fact, a former Jagex source tells me that when Jagex banned all IPs connected to gold selling, 'they lost 10 per cent of their membership, and still haven't recovered in terms of numbers since they did it two years ago. Even though they have almost stopped gold selling in RuneScape, it has cost them two million active accounts; i.e. there were four million players, there are now two million players, of which less than one million actually subscribe.'" Still more companies are experimenting with real money trading (RMT) to at least establish some control and security over the situation.

Wait what?

[KeX3]

After all, barbershops and even paid-for sex changes have come about due to player demand in World of Warcraft.

Uhm. Paying for sex in WoW?
Exactly how deeply entrenched in your parents basement would you have to be to do that?

Re:Wait what?

[fractoid]

What is this "wallcock that you speak of"? Oh whoops, "wall clock"...

Re:Gold selling is a good idea

[bahstid]

I enjoy throwing a party, but hire a maid to clean up before it.

Not coming to one of your parties mate, I prefer the kind that needs cleaning after!

Re:Gold selling is a good idea

[cml4524]

Then quit playing the friggin' game. If you don't like the game, don't play it. Since you are apparently incapable of evaluating your own interests and options, I'll do it for you: go play Diablo. Do you want me to stick around to help you pick out your work clothes tomorrow too, or do you think you can manage that one on your own?

Re:Gold selling is a good idea

[painandgreed]

I agree with the first part of your post, but ummm what? I'm unethical for buying peoples under-priced stuff and selling it for what it's worth,...?

YES! It's called 'war profiteering'. The Horde and Alliance are at war with each other and you are profiting off the desire by others to bring the war to its rightful conclusion. You are not only not doing your part to support the war but actually hurting it while making money off of it to fuel your own greed. Noobs are priced out of decent gear by people like you and are conistantly getting ganked because of it. Their blood is on your hands!"