The AFP has penned a profile of a Chinese man who makes money through online games. It's something often talked about in the West as a big problem, but this story throws a more human face on the trade.

When he earns extra credits and online commodities, such as online gold and magic potions, he often sells them to other players so they can take a shortcut to virtually enhanced reputations.

"The buyers pay real cash for virtual gold. They have proper jobs but not enough time for games," he said, adding that sometimes the rewards are quite lucrative.

"In just five hours playing one time... I made 2,000 yuan (260 dollars)."

Read more here.