WoW Gold

Whether you’re an old gamer or a newbie, the real-world commercial element of World of Warcraft, and any modern MMORPG for that matter, is impossible to ignore. Since the days of Diablo, players have swapped virtual items and currency for real cash. This is done without the consent of the game companies themselves, and often in direct opposition to the games’ terms and conditions, which is most certainly the case with regard to World of Warcraft.

How one feels about the situation varies wildly. Many players, myself included, see the practice as harmless and inevitable. If others should choose to throw more money at the game to obtain mounds of gold or rare items, more power to them. I personally consider it a waste of money, as much of my enjoyment comes from earning my power and status. To me, the goal is nothing without the journey. Still, there are those who would gladly lay down hundreds of dollars to obtain a level 60 character with all of the best gear and a gold pouch bursting at the seams.

There are, of course, other perspectives. Many purists adamantly oppose farming or selling items, and their arguments have at least some merit. For example, if commercialism in the game were left unchecked, inflation would ensure that buying gold and items was the only way to get anywhere in the game. It has happened in other games and it could easily happen in World of Warcraft. Still, it often seems that players like this are merely touting their own moral prerogatives, in which case I regard them in much the same way as proselytizing religious zealots. I, for one, don’t want to be told how I should play the game, and I imagine I’m not the only player who thinks that way. Besides, to say buying gold is morally wrong is going a bit far, in my opinion, since it doesn’t really hurt anyone.

Then, of course, is the debate as to whether buying gold and items is cheating. Yes, players who do so are cutting corners and gaining an unfair advantage against their peers. More to the point, though, this flies in the face of the games’ terms and conditions. As it is clearly stipulated as a prohibited activity, there can be no denying that this is cheating. Thus, on this basis, outspoken players have real reason to complain.

I still say, however, that there is no reason for players to get up in arms on the issue. After all, Blizzard and the other game companies are committed to defeating the practice. I see no reason to pester other players, as it accomplishes nothing. To bicker about farmers and cheaters will only serve to irritate everyone, including the legitimate players.

Gold farming in WoW will always be a hot-button issue. I advocate a neutral stance. Let players engage in the commercialism of the virtual world at their own peril, and let the game companies oppose it in whatever manner they see fit, as is their right. So long as it does not directly impact my experience of the game, I see no reason to rant about it in open chat, especially when doing so only helps to kill everyone’s fun.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, April 19th, 2006 at 9:02 pm and is filed under World of Warcraft. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.