I think that the annonymous factor allows people to lose fear of judgement that so many of us often face in our day to day lives. I think that your character is an extention of oneself. Therefore they are annonymous to the other players (unless you're playing with friends) and that you can include as much or as little information in your profile as you choose.
A lot of games allow you to name your character i've noticed or to take on a specific character thus revealing very little about the identity of the person who is controlling that character. For all you know knight5201 could be a 80 year old grandfather or a 12 year old school boy. I think that the world of gaming allows the opportunity to submerse yourself as publicly or as annonymously as possible. Even though you are intereacting with others in MMO's you still control to the degree of participation you involve yourself.
MMO's offer socialization and allow interaction with others whether it be collectively to try to accomplish a mission or whether its purely for social chatter while playing the game. Perhaps for some people this is where they feel most comfortable socially and feel accepted by fellow players. Perhaps it allows them to express themselves in ways that they cannot in their everyday life.
I think in that aspect annonyminity is a really great aspect of the gaming world.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
MMO Games and Effects on Socialization
The article on GameSpy, I believe, had an interesting viewpoint or perspective as far as social nature is concerned. Traditionally speaking, most people, as stated in the article, would consider online game play as an anti-social event because it doesn't involve direct interaction with others. In contrast to this, the article demonstrates that online game play can actually be an alternate form of social interaction for people who may be rather shy.
Personally, I believe this can be both helpful and hurtful in terms of healthy socialization. I don't think, however, that this viewpoint would be a total paradox.
For people who may be shy or self-conscious, MMO games provide a way for individuals to connect with others and make friends without all of the awkwardness that is associated with meeting new people face-to-face. For example, such things as physical appearance, silence or breaks in conversation, and setting can be major issues for those who are shy. Online gaming takes away, or at the very least, minimizes all of these potential problems. In a positive sense, it is possible for online gaming to actually help facilitate friendships. For example, as shown by the photo in the article, often times with MMO games, groups/clans are formed and members may decide to hold a gathering. At this point, usually a period of time has passed since the group was formed. Therefore, the potential issues mentioned before can become less problematic. As noted in the article, the game is often the "ice breaker" of conversation, which helps people relax and feel less anxious.
In opposition to this, as stated earlier, use of MMO game play as a form of social interaction can be negative. For some people, I believe, it may actually promote more reclusive behavior. For example, if an individual MMO gamer becomes an active group member, they may become reliant on the group for positive social emotions. In other words, the individual might create an illusion. In some cases, friends within a group are at considerable geographical distances from each other. Thus, meeting in person would be quite difficult. Also, an individual may build a level of comfort that could prohibit them from seeking direct socialization. This level of comfort would serve as a barrier, possibly making it even harder to form regular friendships. In addition to this, it could act as a form of reinforcement. A person would begin to learn that when associating with other MMO gamers, they end up feeling content. Over time, they would subconsciously repeat the activity as a form of positive behavior.
Personally, I believe this can be both helpful and hurtful in terms of healthy socialization. I don't think, however, that this viewpoint would be a total paradox.
For people who may be shy or self-conscious, MMO games provide a way for individuals to connect with others and make friends without all of the awkwardness that is associated with meeting new people face-to-face. For example, such things as physical appearance, silence or breaks in conversation, and setting can be major issues for those who are shy. Online gaming takes away, or at the very least, minimizes all of these potential problems. In a positive sense, it is possible for online gaming to actually help facilitate friendships. For example, as shown by the photo in the article, often times with MMO games, groups/clans are formed and members may decide to hold a gathering. At this point, usually a period of time has passed since the group was formed. Therefore, the potential issues mentioned before can become less problematic. As noted in the article, the game is often the "ice breaker" of conversation, which helps people relax and feel less anxious.
In opposition to this, as stated earlier, use of MMO game play as a form of social interaction can be negative. For some people, I believe, it may actually promote more reclusive behavior. For example, if an individual MMO gamer becomes an active group member, they may become reliant on the group for positive social emotions. In other words, the individual might create an illusion. In some cases, friends within a group are at considerable geographical distances from each other. Thus, meeting in person would be quite difficult. Also, an individual may build a level of comfort that could prohibit them from seeking direct socialization. This level of comfort would serve as a barrier, possibly making it even harder to form regular friendships. In addition to this, it could act as a form of reinforcement. A person would begin to learn that when associating with other MMO gamers, they end up feeling content. Over time, they would subconsciously repeat the activity as a form of positive behavior.
When you talk about how people only use MMO's to escape and be away from who or what they really are. I don't think that they are trying to escape from who they are i just think that they are adding another dimensions to their lives and the way they live it. I think that the reason people play games anonymous or under an alias is because they are not 100% confident about what they are doing. I think that if computer gaming was the main sport on earth then this would not be the case people would be proud to be the person that has 15 kills or has shot someone in the back of the head etc.
I do think that the anonymous thing has to do a lot with self consciousness with the individual involved from my experience of playing MMO's it is people who are under code name such as black hawk who speak out allot more than some who's game name might be John Smith. I think that this gives people who are shy or who are looked down on in life to be and act like the person who they want be. If you look at MMO's in that respect it is giving people a chance to come out of their shells and be who they want to be because common perception frowns upon certain individuals. When yo relate this to Maslows hierarchy of human needs i think that as long as a human is satisfied in what they are doing when they are doing it then there shouldn't be a problem as long as no laws are being broken.
MMOs/ANONYMOUS
I think the people who choose to play in the world of MMOs are engaging in a form of escapism. They can enter a pretend world, where they leave their troubles behind, be "who" or "what" ever they so desire to be.People who are socially inhibited must find this to be very "liberating." This reminds me of the times when my husband and I would get all dressed up for Halloween and keep our identities a secret ,even from our friends. We would go to parties and stay "anonymous", and I remember the feeling of being "uninhibited" so relaxed that I didn't need to worry or feel pressure to "look" a certain way or what my clothes were saying about me or if my hair was still in place. It was a great feeling, I remember wishing that I could feel this way everyday of my life and envying anyone that could. So I guess I can relate to people wanting to socialize with out having to put their selves out for public scrutiny.
Anonymous
When people play games, some wish to be able to socialize and others don't. There are many possible reasons behind this. When you think about it many people like to be able to talk to one another, this allows many people to help one another on many things. It makes the game more interesting in ways. You have something to talk about with these people, but any other time if you met this person face to face you probley wouldn't have anything really to talk about. The game gives you bases to talk and interact with one another. Others wish to stay anonymous because they had bad experiences with other similar things. Other reasons they may wish to stay anonymous is because they are younger and some games set and age limit on those who can socialize on the game. I think people may have other reasons behind socializing, and staying anonymous.
The Social Side
As we investigate these online games and start to understand how all-- encompassing the accompanying lifestyle may become, it becomes very clear that the social aspect of many of these games is of very high value to the players involved.
The very nature of anonymity suggests that there is a secret, some sort of an obstacle that must stay hidden. As many of these players create these avatars that are often the summation of what the player wishes to be, they are hoping to fulfil a void through their presence online, and remain protected by the bubble of their masked identity.
A study of the gamer and their social interactions does indeed present a paradox; one might think the desire to remain anonymous as being the same as the desire for solitude, which is far from true. Anonymous players often play these games for the social aspect without having to risk exposing themselves, which means they clearly do not want remain alone.
Although a person's desire to have an anonymous social life may be based on their insecurities, there are other reasons people may value gaming as an opportunity to socialize. Many people do not have the option to participate in "real" social events for a variety of events, ranging from the stereotype of the housebound to those with demanding schedules that do not allow for needed social interaction.
Delving into the social world of online gaming is quite eye--opening and exposes an interesting display of human behavior on a new virtual landscape. It is my intention throughout this course to obtain a sort of cross--section of this culture, further understanding why people are doing what their doing, what they receive from their experiences and how it shapes them as people and their everyday lives.
The very nature of anonymity suggests that there is a secret, some sort of an obstacle that must stay hidden. As many of these players create these avatars that are often the summation of what the player wishes to be, they are hoping to fulfil a void through their presence online, and remain protected by the bubble of their masked identity.
A study of the gamer and their social interactions does indeed present a paradox; one might think the desire to remain anonymous as being the same as the desire for solitude, which is far from true. Anonymous players often play these games for the social aspect without having to risk exposing themselves, which means they clearly do not want remain alone.
Although a person's desire to have an anonymous social life may be based on their insecurities, there are other reasons people may value gaming as an opportunity to socialize. Many people do not have the option to participate in "real" social events for a variety of events, ranging from the stereotype of the housebound to those with demanding schedules that do not allow for needed social interaction.
Delving into the social world of online gaming is quite eye--opening and exposes an interesting display of human behavior on a new virtual landscape. It is my intention throughout this course to obtain a sort of cross--section of this culture, further understanding why people are doing what their doing, what they receive from their experiences and how it shapes them as people and their everyday lives.
Multiplayer MMOs
Online multiplayer MMO's potential value to those who want to game and stay anonymous is that you can have fun meet new people and not have to worry about people judging you. It allows you to do whatever you want in the game as you please while keeping your identity safe. It allows people that normally wouldn't be accepted in the real world to be accepted in the virtual world. It can also help people with their social interaction and communication skills. I believe that it is a paradox because if you can communicate through a game than you should be able to communicate in any other situation. Yea you wont be looking at the person face to face through the came but you still get that vocal communication through the game. It's a big contradiction
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