Washington Post looks at paid leveling, IGE, and what 24 bucks can get you

Posted Apr 1, 2007 at 11:02AM EST by QJ Staff

Listed in: Titles, News, Opinions & Analysis Tags: Blizzard, Mike Musgrove, Shanghai, Washington

Mike Musgrove of the Washington Post admits that he doesn't get World of Warcraft. He claims that although he's tried to like the game because all of his acquaintances - sister-in-law included - are into the game, he just can't seem to play into the wee hours. His solution? Hire other folks to do the grunt work for him.

Yep, Musgrove has a report that takes a look, a newbie guide if you will, to the murky world of outsourcing and power-leveling services in World of Warcraft. Known companies like Shanghai-based IGE (the largest outsourcing one around) are looked at, and Blizzard Entertainment's problems with power-leveling services are looked at.

It's a "welcome to the Internetz!" type article; Up on Washington Post so that elder folks can get clued in on what you young'uns (and young-at-heart) are doing with all your free time.

The argument for power-leveling services? Here's IGE's chief operation officer, James Clarke:

The practice is analogous to someone who maintains a beautiful garden but doesn't always have enough time to perform all the yard work himself, and therefore hires a gardener. ...Some purists might call hiring a gardener 'cheating,' but we believe most people are quite comfortable with it.

Yeah, that argument. Not only is it a service, it's the livelihood of thousands of underpaid third-world gamers who'd rather get (under)paid to improve some idiot's Paladin than have to push some papers, mop floors, or make coffee.

The end of the tale? Musgrove got his character back after spending US$ 24. His character, Johnmullet is now Level 20, he's now enjoying the game with his family. Thing is, he's now wondering if he'd enjoy the game more if he spent a bit more than 24 bucks.

If you're curious about his adventures into having underpaid third-world gold-farmers improve his in-game ego, feel free to read Musgrove's entire report via our "read" link below. Oh, and before we go, just one thing: Musgrove who's character is in the Ursin server, is looking to get rid of his gear before Blizzard shuts him down for violating their terms of service.

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Washington Post looks at paid leveling, IGE, and what 24 bucks can get you

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