Wednesday, February 23, 2005

Relationships - even in video games... Part 1
--{1 Transmission}--{Shadowbane}--{Series: Relationships in Gaming}

friend ( P ) Pronunciation Key (frnd)n.
1. A person whom one knows, likes, and trusts.
2. A person whom one knows; an acquaintance.
3. A person with whom one is allied in a struggle or cause; a comrade.
4. One who supports, sympathizes with, or patronizes a group, cause, or movement: friends of the clean air movement.
5. Friend A member of the Society of Friends;

--{Dictionary.com}

I posted a message over on the Shadowbane Forums, a MMORPG game that I am currently heavily involved in...

It delves into a newer idea that seems to be more and more commonplace in the world of online video games. The extent to which this is appropriate, has not been measured, and little on the topic has been published.

The idea is that even when dealing with pixels and graphics of sorts, the mediums at which we gather in have similar social behaviors in terms of the forming of relationships. It is important to note that this phenomenon is not limited to the online gaming medium, but for illustrative purposes will be the focus of this series.

Although to some it may be surprising, I find it quite natural that people make real friends through these new mediums.

There are certain dynamics that seem to forge these relationships, that are common in both real life and in online gaming.

While some may contest these ideas, I support the notion that through different tools, and the help of one's favorite online game, people can and do make real friends.


--{Message Tether}

"While Conman and I go way back, and we've always been on opposite sides of the table, he and I have always had respect for one another...

I don't know much about the current situation save the fact that he seems to have been doublecrossed and turned on by "friends" in the world of shadowbane. I have witnessed similar occurances - I think that this goes beyond pixels - a new form of social bonds can happen in this medium...

Most of us use Ventrilo or other voice comms. It's these tools that break down the walls of just being pixels and go deeper into the realm of friendships... I have made a many enemy [in game], but still, many more [real] friends in this game. I say friends seriously, because while I have never "seen" these people face to face, I can say that they are there when I get home from work, a fun night out, or just cool to talk with about things even beyond Shadowbane.

I can empathize with conman to a certain extent because we sometimes mix our "pixels" (Cities and whatnot) in with who we feel are our "Friends," and so when we lose our [game assets] cities and other game goals, the [real] relationships that we've forged can sometimes suffer.

It is the price we pay to play a game of thrones if you will..."