When an iPad was delivered to her home, Ruan Tian's parents grilled the 18-year-old student on how she could afford the expensive gadget.
Ruan, who had been working as an online gaming “playpal”, had kept this a secret because she was afraid her parents would misconstrue it as something sexual.
However, the student told Malaysiakini that when she explained the matter in detail, her parents understood.
“My mom said, 'Wow. I never thought playing games can earn money, it is so cool.' She joked about becoming a playpal as well,” Ruan added.
Online gaming playpals mushroomed after e-sports grew in popularity over the years. Their role varies from assisting clients in scoring points to just chatting with them in exchange for a fee.
However, besides possessing basic gaming skills, Malaysiakini learned that an aspirant's voice and looks give an added edge.
There are numerous agencies that recruit playpals, the majority of whom are between the ages of 16 and 24, with aspirants subjected to an entrance test.
With demand increasing in Malaysia due to the Covid-19 pandemic, especially during the lockdown periods, scores of agencies appeared on social media.
The agencies publish the portfolios of their playpals, complete with photographs and personal details for their clients to choose from. In some instances, there are also video clips.
Payment is done via online banking or Touch 'n Go.
Clients are charged between RM15 and RM18 an hour, with the bulk of the sum (between RM10 and RM12) going to the playpal. Those who help clients in their games are known as “technical playpals” and charge more than “entertainment playpals” who provide companionship during the games.
There are also playpals who operate independently of the agencies.
'We call our clients boss'
Ruan, who is an entertainment playpal, started working in March with the aim of buying an iPad.
Having achieved her goal, she no longer spends hours locked up in her room working on her handphone.
“I have been spending too much time on games. Now, I am exercising and going out with friends, I'm going to university after all but I will still consider taking some jobs occasionally,” she added.
According to Ruan, playpals address their clients as “boss” whereas the latter refers to them based on their gaming nicknames.
The teenager conceded that outsiders tend to have a negative perception of this arrangement.
“I myself found it weird at first and did not wish to join. But a friend who has been working in this line assured me that it is fine. 'Just play games and chit-chat'. I needed the money as well,” she added.
To maximise her income, Ruan signed up with three agencies and created a schedule to accommodate all her clients.
“At the time, I just finished SPM and had a lot of free time. I took jobs up to 3am-4am,” she said, adding that the long hours did take a toll and were one of the reasons she decided to quit.
On those who associate the job with sex, Ruan clarified that the agencies she worked with rejected such things.
Furthermore, she stressed it is up to the individual to draw the line.
“Some tend to develop online relationships or meet clients. I did not do so. I think it is dangerous. It is important to know what you are doing, just chatting and playing games together,” she added.
22 considered 'too old'
Wu, a 22-year-old entertainment playpal, signed up in 2021 after coming across an agency's posting on Instagram.
The university student said he decided to give it a shot since he had plenty of free time as classes were held online because of the pandemic.
However, he said his gender and age, which is considered old for a playpal, were stumbling blocks in terms of securing jobs.
Girls, Wu added, made up the bulk of playpals, and had more offers as well as a stable income.
“It was not as lucrative as I thought. I am considered quite old. Most clients want those between the ages of 16 and 18.
"Sometimes, (the boss) is too young and I don't really know what to talk about. So I just talk about the game and hope for the time to end," he told Malaysiakini.
On a positive note, Wu said he also made a close friend through this platform.
“We played games together, chit-chatted and became friends. One day, we decided to meet. It was amazing, I never thought we could become friends,” he added.
According to Wu, a playpal could earn about RM3,500 a month if the person worked eight hours a day for seven days.
Vetting fee for technical playpals
Eugene, 20, is a technical playpal where the emphasis is more on gaming skills.
He ventured into this line of work after being unable to return to China, where he was pursuing a biotechnology course, because of the Covid-19 travel restrictions.
Eugene had to pay RM30 in vetting fees for an agency to evaluate his gaming skills before he was allowed to take up offers.
Clients who hire technical playpals are not interested in chatting. The main objective is to win the game.
“They pay to win. I don’t want to disappoint them. If a 'boss' loses, I’ll feel guilty. Sometimes, they will tell me to turn off the microphone and to just focus on the game,” he added.
Eugene said he makes sure that his work does not interfere with his online classes.
“If there are no morning classes the next day, I will take up jobs that start at 2am and end about one or two hours later,” he explained. -Mkini
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