MMORPGs

After reading the chapter and discussing gamers this past Thursday, I became very interested in the Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games (MMORPGs). Like with other subcultures, there are many misconceptions about those who play these games. A lot of outsiders may assume that people who indulge in MMORPGs spend too much time in the land of fantasy and do not know how to operate in the outside world. While that might be somewhat true of some "hard-core" gamers, there are many gamers who are fully engaged and in the non-virtual realm. It's similar to other recreational activities, such as participating in sports or watching reality television shows, in that it fulfills the need for entertainment and relaxation. However, there may be some differences regarding how social interaction becomes shaped within these games. I'm curious about how a player's virtual self reflects his or her presentation of self in the outside world. I wonder if most people maintain the same character traits inside the game as they do outside, or if they use the game as an opportunity to take on a different persona. Perhaps it is possible that a person's social interactions in the "real" world become transformed by advancements in the game. For example, if one has significantly more power in the game than in real life, does this affect his sense of powerlessness and agency in real life?