UK gamers say 'No!' to ePimps

By M&C Nov 25, 2006, 9:47 GMT

The research conducted by Atari in the UK found that 92% of British gamers would never consider purchasing a prostituted game character. In fact, only 6% of those questioned admitted they have done so in the past, and 2% have tried to sell a game character online.

Market research conducted by Atari, for Neverwinter Nights 2, has uncovered some telling facts about Britain’s online gamers.

Online gaming is booming thanks to faster broadband, new super-consoles, and WiFi- enabled handhelds, and with this growing global gladiatorial arena comes a seedy underground movement of ePimps cashing in on those prepared to flaunt the rules and cheat their way up the league tables.

Most online games require a significant commitment from the player in building their character’s stats, or obtain the best kit, upgrades, weapons or reputation. In some cases this can mean thousands of hours of online dedication. However, high-tech groups located in third-world countries, nicknamed ePimps, are openly offering fast-tracks to the leader board by selling fully-loaded characters created in overseas gaming sweatshops.

Kids and students are paid a pittance to slave over a PC for days churning out over-ready avatars by performing mundane in-game tasks to artificially boost a character’s stats. These then find there way onto auction sites like eBay and bulletin boards, and can change hands for hundreds of pounds.

The research conducted by Atari in the UK found that 92% of British gamers would never consider purchasing a prostituted game character. In fact, only 6% of those questioned admitted they have done so in the past, and 2% have tried to sell a game character online.

PR Manager, Lee Kirton for Atari, commented, “We know that with Neverwinter Nights 2  a plethora of oven-ready characters went on sale off the back of it. We certainly don’t endorse it, but we’re powerless to stop this unscrupulous trading.”