Compared to Part 1, Part 2 of Cory Doctorow’s For the Win has much more action. First, we meet Connor Prikkel, a man studying his PhD at Stanford. Connor’s main ability is predicting the value of virtual goods, much as one would predict the activities of the stock market. Connor eventually quits school to pursue his “talent,” which has actually made him go broke. Just when he thinks he is going to have to move back with his parents, the market turns around, and just like that, Connor is back on top of the virtual world again.
We also learn about Boss Wing, who declares a lock-in so that he can take advantage of his workers. Disgruntled by this, several workers go on strike, a movement which gains support all over the world. Matthew is arrested and sent to a labor camp. This strike draws a line between Yasmin, who supports the workers, and Mala. They split ways, both in the virtual world and as friends, but eventually become friends again.
When Wei-Dong turns 18, he calls his mother to let her know that he is safe. However, he learns that his father is in the hospital and decides to return home. Sadly, when he returns, his father has already passed.
This part of the novel helps readers to see just how important real-life relationships are, and that they can be very negatively affected by virtual games.
