For the Win: A Novel

by Cory Doctorow

Book Overview

It's the twenty-first century, and all over the world, MMORPGs are big business. Hidden away in China and elsewhere, young players are pressed into working as "gold-farmers," amassing game-wealth... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0765333848
• Release Date: September 2012
• Publisher: Tor Teen
• Length: 496 Pages
• Weight: 1.00 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.3" x 1.1" x 5.6"

Customer Reviews

Another Great Read

This book kept me up very late. I found myself engaged and fascinated with the idea of the Internet as a platform to organize workers. I do believe That Cory is visionary in his understanding of the evolving power of global communication. I would highly recommend this book to young adults, geezers, and everyone in between. Important Disclosure: I have made *real money* in an online game.

Absolutely brilliant!

"For the Win" is outstanding! Just as early 'futuristic' novels like 1984,Brave New World, I Robot, and many other fantasy/sci-fi classics "For the Win" looks ahead to a time when virtual slaves begin to see beyond their 'gold farming' and see a better world. Doctorows' previous novel, Little Brother, tackled an equally dangerous topic, but this time he dares imagine a world influenced by a 15 year old gamer, Mala and her growing army! This may have begun as a what-if scenario, but strangely enough, it bears sembleance to a Suite Life Episode when Moseby and Cody are players in the same virtual game, and once they see each other in real life, they realize that they have formed a bond beyond age. For the Win takes on the same concept with zest and creativity. The big question he tackles fictionally is 'what kind of power can a virtual army have?' Just as swarming random places and events can create chaos, is positive change possible with the same theory? This is survivor, overdrive as Leonard (Wei-Dong) builds a gold farming team in California and battles with his Asian battle buddies under the guidance of Big Sister and her worldly wisdom. Against the digital armies, the 'real' forces use extortion, blackmail, violence, infiltration, and even murder is not out of range. I love this book! Even though I am not a gamer, nor do I understand the intricacies of the virtual worlds, online virtual battles, or even facebook sometimes, I appreciate the power of digital 'friends' and team building platforms. Just look at facebook, how many friends do you have? This is a must read for anyone who needs to understand the rapidly changing world of games, social digital networks, twitters, and our global communication network. Highly recommended! Tim Lasiuta

A Must Read For The Internet Savvy

Whether you are a computer gamer or just someone who wants to understand the modern cyber-economy, this book is a must read. But lest anyone think that this is a bring economic text, let me tell you that rarely have I been so involved with as international a cast of characters. From Los Angeles, to the slums of Mumbai, to the streets and factories of China and Malaysia, readers will become will meet and come to care about a diverse group of boys and girls, of men and women, whose lives are so different from our own. From the nice Jewish boy who plays games under the name Wei-Dong, to the brave little girl who becomes known as General Robotwallah, to Big Sister Nor, you will come to know and care about these gamers. It is part of Cory Doctorow's wizardry that he can capture the events of the on-line world, add in some lessons in modern economics and yet keep us turning pages to find out what happens next.

Virtual gold is what it's all about

For the casual video-gamer, a few hours a couple days a week adds little bursts of excitement and fun. Some even dabble in online game play where they meet up with friends and complete quests or missions while communicating with each other in the comfort of their own homes. In FOR THE WIN, Cory Doctorow introduces the harrowing landscape of online multiplayer games complete with bustling economies, the chance to strike it rich, and the horrors of a run-down workforce. Virtual gold is what it's all about. Virtual gold buys players that newest armor, the best sword, magical healing, or whatever it takes to get ahead in the game. What kind of impact does virtual gold have on the real world? The creators of the game control all the gold, and they get investors to pump all their real money into the games. The real world and the virtual world are linked. If the virtual world would collapse, then it could spell utter doom for the fragile world economies. Creators of the game regulate the gold by enlisting the help of players known as "gold farmers," whose primary responsibility is to harvest gold and sell to the highest bidder. Most of these "gold farmers" work in horrible conditions under cruel and inhumane bosses, and they are tired of being treated as second-class citizens. This is where the story begins as Doctorow spins a tale that encompasses numerous countries, nationalities, and languages. Sixteen-year-old Matthew works in Shenzhen under the brutal Mr. Wing, who is not afraid to use physical force to keep his workers in line. Matthew dreams of the day when he can play his favorite game free from the watchful eye of Mr. Wing. High school student Leonard lives in Southern California, but goes by his Chinese name Wei-Dong, seeing as he belongs in a group of Chinese game players who he plays with for fun. Wei-Dong feels a million miles away from his comrades and yearns to help them as they complain about their problems. Mala commands a small virtual army in rural India and has recently begun "gold-farming" for Mr. Banerjee. She is initially thrilled with the uptick of Rupees, but slowly begins to realize that someone owns her. Matthew, Wei-Dong, Mala, and others are just a small group of gamers who are gradually joining forces with the Webblies, a rebel group challenging the working conditions of numerous types of sweatshops around the world. Headed up by the mysterious Big Sister Nor, the Webblies have a plan to bring the gaming companies to their knees until things change. A strike among workers is looming, and Matthew, Wei-Dong, and Mala all have a part to play --- even if it means risking their lives. Organizing a worldwide strike isn't easy, however, and the Webblies have to play it smart; otherwise, it could be game over. One of the most enlightening aspects of FOR THE WIN is the fact that it is very educational. Being a casual gamer, I had no idea that online multiplayer games were so popular or even that they are their own virtual eco

For The Win is a Definite Win

You can't sum up For The Win, by comparing it to other books. Instead when you think of it you have to take pieces from many different entertainment icons. For example when I try to describe For The Win, I would compare it to a combination of Orson Scott Card's Ender's Game, Halo, and the movie The Sting. Only after having considered all of these pieces can you get an inkling of what For The Win is like. And yet it is more than all of that. For The Win also included important and accurate descriptions of financial definitions and schemes, such as buying futures, economies of scale, and even a ponzi scheme. But these inter-chapters detailing financial issues are critical to understanding the book, and so I was amazed at how well Doctorow is able to convey these issues to the reader. But as I mentioned For The Win is more than that. It is an enthralling action packed novel that has detailed memorable characters, detailed plot twists, and an engaging story. Because of this I would recommend this book to anyone, teen or adult, as it is an exceptional novel that both teaches and entertains, a rare feat in any book. And so everyone should go out and get it today. [...]