Social Connecting viaSocial Connecting viaMMORPGsMMORPGs

Why players prefer the companyWhy players prefer the companyof other MMORPG players thanof other MMORPG players thanpeople they meet in real life.people they meet in real life.

[ information mostly based on EVERQUEST players ]

Media Cultures 2 2010 -- Assignment 2 Bao Di Tran s3235414

Introduction

Social interactions in massive multiplayeronline role-playing games are virtualbehaviours and communications/relationsthrough an internet hosted computer game.Interactions are essential with the mechanicsof these games. Through these interactions,players meet other players across the worldand may form relationships, vary from acohesive team, friendship or to romance.

Non-gamers stereotype some video gamers to be assolitary hermits, but data on MMORPG playersshow that 80% of them play with someone theyknow in real life (a romantic partner, familymember or friends) on a regular basis. Most ofthem are usually introduced to these games fromsomeone they know in real life. Thus, MMORPGsare in fact highly social environments where newrelationships are forged and existing relationshipsare reinforced.

Social JourneySocial JourneyAnyone can play MMORPGs even some that may beAnyone can play MMORPGs even some that may besocially awkward or outcasts but they can becomesocially awkward or outcasts but they can becomewho ever they want to be in these virtual worlds,who ever they want to be in these virtual worlds,and find other players with similar interests andand find other players with similar interests andpersonalities. In one survey, 39.4% of males andpersonalities. In one survey, 39.4% of males and53.3% of females felt that their MMORPG53.3% of females felt that their MMORPGcompanions were comparable to or even bettercompanions were comparable to or even betterthan their real life friends.than their real life friends.

It may seem strange that strong relationships canIt may seem strange that strong relationships candevelop in these virtual worlds where everyone isdevelop in these virtual worlds where everyone ispretending to be someone else, but the constructionpretending to be someone else, but the constructionof these environments actually smoothes the progressof these environments actually smoothes the progressof these relationships. People are more willing to talkof these relationships. People are more willing to talkabout personal issues when they can maintain theirabout personal issues when they can maintain theiranonymity, and about 30% of MMORPG players haveanonymity, and about 30% of MMORPG players havetold personal issues or secrets to online friends thattold personal issues or secrets to online friends thatthey never told anyone else. These environmentsthey never told anyone else. These environmentsencourage people to form trusting bonds with eachencourage people to form trusting bonds with eachother by repeatedly placing players in spontaneousother by repeatedly placing players in spontaneousand stressful crises that require players to workand stressful crises that require players to worktogether in order to survive. And most importantly,together in order to survive. And most importantly,players are pre-selected to be compatible with eachplayers are pre-selected to be compatible with eachother because MMORPGs are a very specific form ofother because MMORPGs are a very specific form ofentertainment.entertainment.

Being more than just online friendsBeing more than just online friends

Once we understand how these environmentsencourage relationships to form, we also beginto see that people make friends and fall in lovein a different way than they do in real life. Inreal life, we learn about a person casuallybefore intimate details are shared. InMMORPGs, intimate details are often sharedbefore knowing where a person lives in reallife. In real life, we make friends with someoneand eventually a crisis occurs and we figure outwhether we can trust them. In MMORPGs,crises occur so often that players can choose toonly befriend those who have demonstratedtheir loyalty and courage. In more ways thanone, we make friends and fall in love almostreverse in MMORPGs.

In real life, we judge a person first by their physicalappearance and then we get to know their characterand values. In an MMORPG, it’s reverse. You get asense of their values and character from the situationsin the game. You hang out with them because youshare a lot of common values or you like theirpersonality. And then finally, you might get to see aphoto of them or you may meet them in real life whereyou judge their physical appearance. According toNicholas Yee, 15.7% of males and 5.1% of femalesphysically dated someone they met in an MMORPG.

Is it just a fantasy?Is it just a fantasy?Part of the concern over online relationships is that they are superficial becausePart of the concern over online relationships is that they are superficial becausethe foundation of the game is to pretend to be someone else. How could youthe foundation of the game is to pretend to be someone else. How could youpossibly know someone well in such an environment? The thing to remember ispossibly know someone well in such an environment? The thing to remember isthat people that people ““pretendpretend”” all the time in real life. People wear all the time in real life. People wear ““masksmasks”” in real life in real lifeand and ““putting on a frontputting on a front”” is something happens in the real world as well. In fact, is something happens in the real world as well. In fact,a significant portion of MMORPG players feel that they can be more of whoa significant portion of MMORPG players feel that they can be more of whothey really are in the virtual world. Other players feel that online relationshipsthey really are in the virtual world. Other players feel that online relationshipscan be important because people are actually less superficial online. Thecan be important because people are actually less superficial online. Theremoval of physical cues such as age, appearance, race and social class forcesremoval of physical cues such as age, appearance, race and social class forcesplayers to interact with each other with far fewer prejudices and stereotypesplayers to interact with each other with far fewer prejudices and stereotypesthan they would in real life.than they would in real life.

While many people are frightened by the prospect of encounteringWhile many people are frightened by the prospect of encounteringindividuals with bad intentions in an online environment, those sameindividuals with bad intentions in an online environment, those sameindividuals often times underestimate the number of those same people theyindividuals often times underestimate the number of those same people theyare encountering in real life. After all, the are encountering in real life. After all, the ““badbad”” people you meet in virtual people you meet in virtualworlds live in the real world. Cautiousness is something that people need toworlds live in the real world. Cautiousness is something that people need tokeep in mind in both the virtual and the real world. And considering thekeep in mind in both the virtual and the real world. And considering therestricted range of things that other people can do to each other online whenrestricted range of things that other people can do to each other online whencompared with the real world, it seems surprising how worried some peoplecompared with the real world, it seems surprising how worried some peopleget over online relationships.get over online relationships.

Some people are hesitant to use the words Some people are hesitant to use the words ““romantic relationshipromantic relationship”” or or ““goodgoodfriendshipfriendship”” to describe these online relationships, as these relationships begin to describe these online relationships, as these relationships beginand develop in an entirely different way than face-to-face relationships. Butand develop in an entirely different way than face-to-face relationships. Butjust because they happen differently, sometimes in reverse, doesnjust because they happen differently, sometimes in reverse, doesn’’t meant meanthey arenthey aren’’t just as real and valuable as face-to-face relationships. If what wet just as real and valuable as face-to-face relationships. If what wemean by friendship or love is really getting to know someone well, thenmean by friendship or love is really getting to know someone well, thenperhaps environments like an MMORPG do have something very importantperhaps environments like an MMORPG do have something very importantto offer.to offer.

Invisible shield ON!Invisible shield ON!One reason why this occurs is that when youOne reason why this occurs is that when you’’re typing to a computer,re typing to a computer,you donyou don’’t worry about how you look, what yout worry about how you look, what you’’re wearing, or whetherre wearing, or whetheryouyou’’re smiling at the right time. A lot of this self-consciousness isre smiling at the right time. A lot of this self-consciousness isirrelevant when typing on a computer, and all this energy is insteadirrelevant when typing on a computer, and all this energy is insteadchanneled to the message itself, which typically becomes more detailed.channeled to the message itself, which typically becomes more detailed.In the case of an MMORPG, the ability to be in the safety and comfortIn the case of an MMORPG, the ability to be in the safety and comfortof your own home while typing relieves some of the tension of sayingof your own home while typing relieves some of the tension of sayingsomething intimate. Many of these gestures and cues are absent online,something intimate. Many of these gestures and cues are absent online,and this allows us to finish our original thought more often and this allows us to finish our original thought more often –– the theunchanged, uncensored version of what we wanted to say. In otherunchanged, uncensored version of what we wanted to say. In otherwords, this foundation of a good relationship is far easier to reach in anwords, this foundation of a good relationship is far easier to reach in anMMORPG than in real life because of the text communication and theMMORPG than in real life because of the text communication and theanonymity.anonymity.

Of course, this is not to say that everyone who plays anOf course, this is not to say that everyone who plays anMMOPRG will share their personal lives with their fellowMMOPRG will share their personal lives with their fellowplayers, but in general, people are more likely to revealplayers, but in general, people are more likely to revealpersonal information online than in real life for the reasonspersonal information online than in real life for the reasonsmentioned. However, without hearing the tone and seeingmentioned. However, without hearing the tone and seeingthe body gestures of the other players, it can be hard tothe body gestures of the other players, it can be hard tounscramble what they may be trying to say to you or if theyunscramble what they may be trying to say to you or if theyare lying. All we hope in our minds is that we trust themare lying. All we hope in our minds is that we trust themenough to read the truth and is not just messing with usenough to read the truth and is not just messing with usemotionally or mentally.emotionally or mentally.

Another reason why many people are uncomfortable with meetingAnother reason why many people are uncomfortable with meetingpeople online is because, at first glance, it feels like finding a needlepeople online is because, at first glance, it feels like finding a needlein haystacks. The chances of finding someone you could get alongin haystacks. The chances of finding someone you could get alongwith just feel very remote. They then project this attitude andwith just feel very remote. They then project this attitude andconclude that the likelihood of other people finding compatibleconclude that the likelihood of other people finding compatibleromantic partners is also very low. When you think about, anromantic partners is also very low. When you think about, anMMORPG is a highly specific kind of entertainment. People whoMMORPG is a highly specific kind of entertainment. People wholike first-person shooters are probably not the kind of people wholike first-person shooters are probably not the kind of people wholike MMORPGs. Also, people who play MMORPGs and enjoy thelike MMORPGs. Also, people who play MMORPGs and enjoy theslow level advancement, character development, and simulatedslow level advancement, character development, and simulatedbattles while immersed within a fantastical medieval world probablybattles while immersed within a fantastical medieval world probablyshare other attitudes and interests. The MMORPG effectivelyshare other attitudes and interests. The MMORPG effectivelyattracts people with similar interests and attitudes while at the sameattracts people with similar interests and attitudes while at the sametime filtering out the people who do not share these interests. Whattime filtering out the people who do not share these interests. Whatyou end up with in an MMORPG is a pre-filtered group of people.you end up with in an MMORPG is a pre-filtered group of people.This is why compatibility is more likely to occur.This is why compatibility is more likely to occur.

True Love Outside the Computer?True Love Outside the Computer?It is possible for MMORPG players to hook up in real life and then get marriedIt is possible for MMORPG players to hook up in real life and then get married(etc). It(etc). It’’s not highly recommended to all the socially anxious youngsters who thinks not highly recommended to all the socially anxious youngsters who thinkdating in a game will be easier for them than finding someone in real life. Thedating in a game will be easier for them than finding someone in real life. Theprocess of finding that special someone in an online game, intentional or not, andprocess of finding that special someone in an online game, intentional or not, andpursuing life long relationship is not a pleasant process. It does involve physicalpursuing life long relationship is not a pleasant process. It does involve physicalloneliness or could drive you emotionally crazy which often cause people to think itloneliness or could drive you emotionally crazy which often cause people to think itmay not be worth keeping it. Sometimes all in the end, people are just happy tomay not be worth keeping it. Sometimes all in the end, people are just happy tofind someone that is healthy, loves you and more importantly, not a criminal.find someone that is healthy, loves you and more importantly, not a criminal.Relationships online arenRelationships online aren’’t any prettier than real life relationships. They can bet any prettier than real life relationships. They can behappy as a roller coaster, or as creepy as anything the real world can throw at you.happy as a roller coaster, or as creepy as anything the real world can throw at you.Your only real benefit is you immediately share a common interest and, at least toYour only real benefit is you immediately share a common interest and, at least tostart, you have anonymity on your side protecting you. The drama is just as drawnstart, you have anonymity on your side protecting you. The drama is just as drawnout and complex, only it often involves a lot more people whether you, or they,out and complex, only it often involves a lot more people whether you, or they,actually want to be involved. There is just as much lying and manipulation, plentyactually want to be involved. There is just as much lying and manipulation, plentyof good intentions gone badly and promises broken. Certainly, it works for someof good intentions gone badly and promises broken. Certainly, it works for somepeople, but don't count yourself in that group unless it really does work out. If itpeople, but don't count yourself in that group unless it really does work out. If itdoes, count yourself among the lucky few!does, count yourself among the lucky few!

Finally Conclusion!Finally Conclusion!Finding friends or love via a MMORPG (or through the internet) is just anotherFinding friends or love via a MMORPG (or through the internet) is just anotheroption for people if finding companionship can be difficult in real life.option for people if finding companionship can be difficult in real life.

It helps build self esteem and certain traits of a person which could be used inIt helps build self esteem and certain traits of a person which could be used inreal world and gain better communication skills without the overwhelming feelingreal world and gain better communication skills without the overwhelming feelingof rejection or discrimination.of rejection or discrimination.

Finding companionship via MMORPGs is one good way to sort out the players thatFinding companionship via MMORPGs is one good way to sort out the players thatare compatible with you and form a meaningful bond quicker than meeting theare compatible with you and form a meaningful bond quicker than meeting therandom people in real life.random people in real life.

There are certain risks when gaining a trust of someone you cannot see face toThere are certain risks when gaining a trust of someone you cannot see face toface, but if youface, but if you’’re a good person at heart then you are bound to find others justre a good person at heart then you are bound to find others justlike you like you –– not everyone is bad or a jerk. We all need to practice cautiousness and not everyone is bad or a jerk. We all need to practice cautiousness andbe wary of what others say to us without the aid of tones and body gestures inbe wary of what others say to us without the aid of tones and body gestures insight.sight.

MMORPGs is just a social game where everyone can come together to play andMMORPGs is just a social game where everyone can come together to play andhave fun being fantasy creatures and meeting other players to enhance thehave fun being fantasy creatures and meeting other players to enhance theentertainment through our long wasted years on these games!entertainment through our long wasted years on these games!

Bibliography

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_interaction_in_MMORPGs

http://www.nickyee.com/daedalus/gateway_demographics.html http://www.nickyee.com/daedalus/archives/000523.php?page=1 http://www.nickyee.com/daedalus/archives/000523.php?page=2 http://www.nickyee.com/daedalus/archives/000523.php?page=4 http://www.nickyee.com/daedalus/archives/000523.php?page=6

http://www.mmorpg.com/showFeature.cfm/loadFeature/3798/Love-Gone-Sour-MMO-Relationships.html