He's saying, in effect, Amazon isn't paying you enough to waste your time posting links to their books, while making other people pay good money to waste their time growing virtual gardens.
Rationale like that doesn't work well for him.
Affiliate marketing however, is where the assignment of value somewhat more arbitrarily/discreetly decided as it depends on actions of third parties. Besides, it's about pointing out an opportunity that exists - and in that light, even if I were take your position, you could make the argument that it's one that he's very qualified to make.
you are mixing two issues up.
affiliate marketing is about helping publishers/creators of content make more money for the work they do
virtual goods is about helping game developers get paid for building games people like to play without having to charge upfront