What is the process called by which people set out to amass large amounts of in-game currency to sell in the real world?

The process by which individuals intentionally accumulate large quantities of in-game currency, items, or resources within a video game, with the ultimate goal of selling them for real-world money, is known as gold farming. This practice is most commonly associated with massively multiplayer online games (MMOs), where virtual economies thrive and in-game wealth holds significant value. Gold farming is distinct from simply playing a game for enjoyment, as its primary driver is real-world financial gain.

The motivation for gold farming is often rooted in economic disparities. Players from regions with lower costs of living may engage in gold farming as a means to earn a viable income, sometimes even as a full-time occupation. On the other side, players in wealthier regions are willing to purchase this virtual currency to save themselves the considerable time and effort required to earn it within the game. This allows them to bypass repetitive tasks, acquire powerful items quickly, or gain an advantage without the extensive "grinding" that many games demand. Gold farmers often spend long hours performing repetitive actions like defeating monsters, completing quests, or gathering resources, sometimes utilizing automated programs or "bots" to maximize their efficiency.

While lucrative for those involved, gold farming frequently operates outside the official rules of most games and is generally prohibited by developers. The influx of farmed currency can lead to in-game inflation, devaluing the virtual economy and disrupting the balance of the game for legitimate players. Historically, commercialized gold farming emerged in countries like South Korea and China in the early 2000s, and it has evolved to sometimes involve "game sweatshops" or links to fraudulent activities like credit card theft. Developers actively combat gold farming through account bans and other measures to preserve the integrity and player experience of their virtual worlds.