Star Trek Online screenshot by Ryan Somma.
There is quite a lot of talk about social networks and how social they really are, however there is a whole world based on online interaction that might escape the minds and the eyes of the less geeky people.
Massively Multiplayer Online games and their brothers Massively Multiplayer Online Role Play Games (MMORPGs) have been the centre of social interaction for gamers a lot earlier than Facebook.
I know people who play these games but stay away from social networks like a plague. Some even resist the efforts of some of these games to integrate social networking into their system.
So what makes MMOs so interesting and addictive?
Sense of Accomplishment:
MMOs are time killers. They are created so that you have a character that goes through stages of development and growth.
From World of Warcraft to Guild Wars 2 and Diablo III, you try to “level up” so that your character gains more powers, new gear and access to new areas of the virtual world.
It’s very easy to get addicted to this. As part of such accomplishments, some tasks such as raids of dungeons need a group of players in order to complete them. This brings people together on a social level, although often it ends up with players fighting against each other, just like in any group activity…
Fun:
Gaming is fun, and while some time ago the only way to play with other people was to actually visit them at their house, the internet made it possible for people to interact with each other without having to leave their chair.
So rather than just sitting there and talking to people about their recent meal, MMOs make’s people actually do something together while also talking about the lasagne they had last night, if they prefer.
Social Gaming:
Strongly influenced by social networks, many games or even game sellers are providing chat services and a number of features to show off players’ gaming achievements.
Take Raptr for example: this little application allows you to keep track of your gaming hours, your achievements and so on, also allowing you to connect to your Windows Live Account, Xbox, Playstation Network and even Steam simultaneously. The application will then show you people’s messages while you are right in the game.
Escapism:
It’s very easy to forget your real world and bury yourself into the virtual one. Sometimes it’s healthy just to take a break and unwind for a while, speak to your friends and have some fun before you start another week of heavy work.
Other times, however, such escapism becomes extreme to the point where MMO takes over one’s life. Just like with social networks, they can contribute to people’s anti-socialness. It’s a lot cooler piloting starships, isn’t it?
The Internet Brings us Together, However…
It can also bring out the worst of us. I have seen it too many times when players start fighting each other and treat each other a lot worse than they’d do if they met in real life.
After all, if I insult you, you will not fly all the way from America to come and punch me.
Unless you are a total psycho.
Yet, with gaming you can be anonymous and people might not be able to track you down as easily as they can through social networks.
But it isn’t all bad. I know people who have met through online gaming and even got married despite the fact that they used to live in different countries.
What about you, how have MMOs affected your life?
