China Stops Gold Farming

China is known for two things in the gaming world: MMOs and gold farming.

The latter may be coming to an end if the government has anything to say about it. Apparently a significant crime problem, money laundering specifically, has popped up via selling fake gold for real money.

While there is a legitimate buisness at work here, employing 400,000 people within the country and generating $500 million, the government feels there is a reason to crack down. The new law would prevent fake currency from being sold for tangible goods, only virtual ones (i.e., you can still sell in-game or cross game). Unless lawyers find a work-around, be prepared to actually have to play the game for your gold needs.

Combine that with the countries crackdown on Internet porn, and what do those people have left?