You may recall the occasional story about inmates receiving the right to play video games in the clink. This is sort of like that, only instead of playing it’s more like farming and instead of a privilege it’s slavery. Prisoners in the Jixi labour camp in the Chinese province of Heilongjiang would perform their allotted task of breaking rocks by day and rack up virtual gold by night, which the guards would then sell for profits to the tune of ¥6,000 ($924) a day.
The Dark Side of Virtual Gold Farming
The information comes from a 54-year old former prison guard who served three years in 2004 for “illegally petitioning” authorities to stop corruption in his hometown. “Prison bosses made more money forcing inmates to play games than they do forcing people to do manual labour,” he claims. “If I couldn’t complete my work quota, they would punish me physically. They would make me stand with my hands raised in the air and after I returned to my dormitory they would beat me with plastic pipes. We kept playing until we could barely see things,” the former prisoner explained further.
This practice, often referred to as “gold farming,” involves playing online games to accumulate in-game currency, which is then sold for real-world money. While it might sound like a harmless way to make money, the reality is far more sinister. Inmates were forced to play for hours on end, often under threat of physical punishment. The guards would monitor their progress and ensure that they met their quotas, treating the virtual gold as a valuable commodity.
Economic Implications and Ethical Concerns
The economic implications of this practice are significant. The virtual gold farming industry is estimated to be worth billions of dollars, with a large portion of this revenue coming from forced labor in prisons. This not only exploits the inmates but also undermines the integrity of the gaming industry. Players who purchase virtual gold are often unaware of the unethical practices behind it, contributing to a cycle of exploitation.
Moreover, the ethical concerns surrounding this issue are profound. The use of forced labor in any form is a violation of human rights, and the fact that it is happening in the context of online gaming adds a layer of complexity. The anonymity of the internet makes it difficult to trace the origins of virtual gold, allowing these practices to continue unchecked.
In addition to the physical and psychological toll on the inmates, there are broader societal implications. The normalization of such practices can lead to a desensitization to exploitation and a lack of accountability for those who profit from it. It raises questions about the responsibility of game developers and the platforms that host these games. Should they be doing more to prevent such exploitation? What measures can be put in place to ensure that virtual economies are not built on the backs of forced labor?
The former prison guard’s testimony sheds light on a hidden aspect of the gaming industry that many are unaware of. It serves as a stark reminder of the lengths to which some will go to make a profit, regardless of the human cost. As the gaming industry continues to grow, it is crucial that these issues are addressed and that steps are taken to protect the rights and dignity of all individuals involved.
Source Guardian
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