Massively http://massively.joystiq.com Massively http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Massively http://massively.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[China's decision on World of Warcraft imminent]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/04/chinas-decision-on-world-of-warcraft-imminent/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/04/chinas-decision-on-world-of-warcraft-imminent/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/04/chinas-decision-on-world-of-warcraft-imminent/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

2009 wasn't exactly a bad year for World of Warcraft players -- they had an expansion with plenty of content to play around in, one that was outselling, well, pretty much everything else on the planet. Of course, if you were a Chinese World of Warcraft player, the picture looks a little different, with the expansion being delayed, then stalled as the companies in charge changed hands, then banned again shortly after it was finally released. So while it's nice to hear that there should be a decision on the game's status in the near future, most gamers probably aren't holding out a lot of hope.

It gets worse -- the brief news item announces that the two squabbling agencies, the GAPP (General Administration of Press and Publications) and the Ministry of Culture, have reached a consensus and will announce the punishment in mid-January. "Punishment" obviously doesn't bring to mind a heartfelt apology and a pat on the back for NetEase, who at best might find themselves even further negatively impacted by the whole debacle. At worst, they might wind up being forced to stop operations altogether, which would be bad news for the popular MMO. Nothing's certain, but it looks like there are still a few downturns ahead.

MassivelyChina's decision on World of Warcraft imminent originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 04 Jan 2010 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionactivision-blizzardbanblizzard-entertainmentchinachina-bangappministry-of-cultureneteasewarcraft-chinaworld-of-warcraftwowwow-banwow-chinaMon, 04 Jan 2010 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[New legislation in China outlaws gold farming]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/29/new-legislation-in-china-outlaws-gold-farming/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/29/new-legislation-in-china-outlaws-gold-farming/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/29/new-legislation-in-china-outlaws-gold-farming/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Gold farmers. We know you hate them... We know. And we've mentioned the associated gold spam as being the bane of many MMO players' existence a number of times in the past. But is the situation ever going to change?

Perhaps, given the new legislation coming out of China this week. Of course while all gold farmers certainly aren't based in China, a substantial percentage of gold farming operations are in fact run from the country. Such operations may now find themselves under greater scrutiny by the Chinese authorities; the government has now established its first official rule on the use of virtual currency in China.

Essentially, it states that virtual currency cannot leave the sphere of influence of its issuer. (Exact wording: "The 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.") If the law is actually obeyed and enforced, it would curb all manner of black market activities in China connected with the virtual.

Continue reading New legislation in China outlaws gold farming

MassivelyNew legislation in China outlaws gold farming originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 29 Jun 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>asiablack-marketbreakingchinaeconomygoldgold-farmergold-farminglawlegalministry-of-commerceministry-of-culturemmo-industryrulesvirtual-currencyvirtual-goodsMon, 29 Jun 2009 18:00:00 EST