The Chinese government has declared that virtual currency cannot be traded for real goods or services
The ruling is likely to affect many of the more than 300 million Internet users in China, as well as those in other countries involved in virtual currency trading. In the context of online role playing games like World of Warcraft, virtual currency trading is often called gold farming.
The Chinese version of World of Warcraft is still offline, according to this Yahoo! report, having been taken off the air on June 7 when Blizzard’s contract with The9 expired. As the piece notes, new operator NetEase wasn’t ready to have the game up and running at the time, and clearly still isn’t. No one appears to have a set date for play to recommence.
That's ridiculous and is exactly why the TSE's numbers will never be accurate. In the real world only Governments prop up markets to create the illusion of wealth. What is Zukaus? some sort of reverse billionaire philanthropist? :D
I can wait too. I might not be rich, but the short has been making me a steady income. If Zukaus figures to up the ante even more, that's not terribly good for the quality of TSE's information.
I have to agree with your assessment of the WoW expansion landscape. I just don't see how long term the expansion could outsell the original pack. That's bunk physics man.
Incidentally, Zukaus is long on this stock for reasons he has elaborated on slightly. He's obviously got the networth to not worry about the money sitting there for a long time so I don't think there are any prospects of him getting out, even if he's having second thoughts on it, which I also doubt :)
China is mounting a renewed crackdown against "undesirable" online games.
A Reuters reports cites Chinese state-run Xinhua news agency, which attributes the government action to concerns over crime and Internet addiction. More than 40 million Chinese now participate in online games.
Looks less & less good for a Lich King release in China the more it goes on, IMO.
1
Decreased sales? It hasn't even released over there and it's getting increasingly likely it won't be.