Want to know what one of the most popular forms of gainful employment is in the People's Republic Of China? Well, not unlike California in the mid 19th century, there's currently a gold rush going on. Except this time it's less prospectors with pick axes and more farming in-game currency that other players purchase in exchange for real-world money. This is some people's full-time jobs. Not just some people, in fact. As of 2005 there were a total of 100,000 full-time gold farmers in China, where it's more pervasive than in any other country. 80% of all gold farmers are in mainland China, done in Internet cafes, abandoned warehouses, small offices and private homes. Prisoners in labour camps have even been forced into it. Known as "gaming workshops" or or "play-money workshops", the practice has been stunted a little by the government decreeing that virtual currency, which is converted into real money at a certain exchange rate, will only be allowed to trade in virtual goods and services provided by its issuer, not real goods and services." Party poopers.
Tom Baker is the Comics Editor at WhatCulture! He's heard all the Doctor Who jokes, but not many about Randall and Hopkirk. He also blogs at http://communibearsilostate.wordpress.com/
