The System

"In China's hottest online game right now, players encounter a "system" that executes a seductive control. Though unseen, this "system" is omnipresent. It a virtual yet real monopolist. "Not a leaf moves in this kingdom if I don't know about it." The voice of Pinochet, former dictator of Chile, echoes softly though this virtual world."

Danwei brings us a fascinating article on a Chinese MMORPG called ZT Online that has made its creator a billionaire. With all the talk of "casual gaming" and "online transactions" in Western gaming these days, this is a case study of that concept taken to extremes.

While the author is correct that Western audiences prefer an egalitarian approach, I think there has always been a desire to excel and have personal gain come before anything else. It has been a defining balance of our species - why should online gaming be any different?

Thanks to Joel Martinsen for the excellent translation of the original article by Cao Yunwu.