Gold Farming and Real Money Transfer in Games

Today's topic is the relationship between real money and "play money" in virtual worlds and games.

I highly recommend Julian Dibbell's book Play Money if you have any interest in this topic; it's a great read, with a lot of food for thought.

Readings on Gold Farming

• Julian Dibbell: The Life of the Chinese Gold Farmer (watch the associated short video, as well)
• Ed Felten: Chinese Gold Farmers: Work or Fun?
• Chinese Gold Farmers: Documentary Movie Trailer
• ABC Radio National (Australia): Background Briefing, 27 August 2006, Loot: real money in virtual worlds (audio or transcript available)
• Ted Castronova's seminal paper on real money transfer online: Virtual Worlds: A First-Hand Account of Market and Society on the Cyberian Frontier

(Yes, I lied, there is one research paper there. Sorry!)