The Chinese Socialist MMOG

GP writes "How different is China? In the online game version of the idealized Socialist state, you gain experience points by 'doing good deeds' and 'thwarting spys'. You can even meet Chairman Mao!" From a great writeup by Scott Jennings on the game: "And now we have the online MMO version, 'Learn From Lei Feng Online', which allows you to... mend socks. Again - not making any of this up. To quote from the original Xinhua story 'For beginners, sewing and mending socks is the only way to increase experience and to upgrade,' said Jiao Jian, a six-grade pupil in Yuexiu District, quoted by the newspaper. He then continues. 'Every time you are promoted to a higher level, your clothes will become more average,' he said. I'm pretty sure this isn't a translation screw up. The longer you grind, the more you look like everyone else. I guess new users wear designer pastels or something."

what about their TOS?

[Klowner]

I wonder if you get an immediate ban for using 1337 Falun Gong macros.

Revolutionary idea!

[bromodrosis]

Where do I wait in line for a copy?

Excellent advice

[the_other_one]

in real life, Mao believed that deflowering virgins would help him live longer

All I need now is a steady stream of corsage bearing virgins.

Just one question: What do I do with the flowers?

Behold!

[zephc]

I have level 25 Narcing ability! I can tell the authorities in mere seconds if I see someone reading banned materials or thinking subversive thoughts!

Re:yes, but....

[Anonymous Coward]

Rinux

Re:wow

[HTTP Error 403 403.9]

Oh boy, after a hard day's work making basketball shoes for a nickle an hour, you can go back to your tiny apartment and mend socks online.

A virtual sweatshop.

You look more and more like everyone else..

[ROBOKATZ]

'Every time you are promoted to a higher level, your clothes will become more average,' he said. I'm pretty sure this isn't a translation screw up. The longer you grind, the more you look like everyone else.

And this is different from WoW in what way?

Comment removed

[account_deleted]

Comment removed based on user account deletion

Payback

[Anonymous Coward]

I will be spending all my time farming socks. I can hear them now, damm these American sock farmers.

Balanced Economy?

[billysk8r]

Another enticing feature in the socialist game is that the level 1 sock menders make the same gold/minute as the level 99 epic monster slayers!

Re:Hmm

[pomo monster]

Oh please. I'm as capitalist as they come. If you think Frommer's travel guides and the Economist are mouthpieces for the Chinese Communist Party, I'm afraid you're beyond "reeducation."

Score one for propaganda

[aendeuryu]

I really hate it when governments try to sneak propaganda into computer games. This indoctrination of youth is really creepy. You're never going to see me advocating or playing a game like this. Those Chinese are just so... so... sinister.

[/goes back to playing America's Army]

Re:Payback

[Anonymous Coward]

I for one welcome our new sock-farming overlords.

Re:Hmm

[lastninja]

What are you refering to? I have searched Google.cn and I can not find a reference to this "holding up a line of tanks" that you speak of.