Now lets dive deeper into this....
There are many growing concerns as to whether a person, spending too much time playing online games, may affect his or her social developement skills and create false identities for themselves. Will they mistake online life for their real life?
I quote here from Diachotomy of Online Gaming Effects:
"While I agree that MMOG has social benefits such as ease of social interaction, I think it is necessary to examine the type of capital and whether it is actually a positive addition to community. For example, certain games may promote interpersonal relations, but they also facilitate a transformation of identity. If we are interacting with others under false pretenses, is it still considered positive social capital?"
Why then do people play online games? From Diachotomy of Online Gaming Effects, people who conduct gaming have their own behavioural patterns. Some are competitive, some just want to explore, while others just seek to escape from the real world.
The concerns? I quote again from Diachotomy:
"The preexisting notion is that online activities promote introverted behavior among adolescents, but recent surveys found no negative link between game use and popularity among classmates or social interaction outside of school. I agree that online gaming may facilitate positive social behavior, but again I think it has a lot to do with individual personality traits and the ways in which the media is being used. For instance, if a child is naturally less social and chooses to use the computer as an escape, then online gaming would most likely increase the already present behavior. However, are recent innovations in games such as MMOG changing preexistent introvert behavior, or do they have the power to?"
It would seem that interaction through online gaming does not affect one's social developement but instead further enhances the individual's personality.
The above quotes are from: Diachotomy of Online Gaming Effects
http://www.mysocialnetwork.net/blog/410/g31/2006/11/diachotomy_of_online_gaming_ef.html
From another source, online gaming also allows individuals to express themselves more freely. It says from a case study about Hong Kong youths:
"Anonymity works wonders for the disinhibition effect. When teens have the opportunity to separate their actions from their real world and identity, they feel less vulnerable about opening up. Whatever they say or do cannot be directly linked to the rest of their lives. They don’t have to own their behavior by acknowledging it within the full context of who they really are. When acting out hostile feelings, as often occurs in MMORPGs (massive multiplayer online role playing game), a person doesn’t have to take responsibility for those actions, as long as they don’t extend actions to the off-line world. In fact, adolescents might even convince themselves that their behaviors aren’t their own at all
This is the work of the person's avatar or the figure that is the real person's online identity, which allows free yet irresponsible action.
The concerns? I quote again from Diachotomy:
"The preexisting notion is that online activities promote introverted behavior among adolescents, but recent surveys found no negative link between game use and popularity among classmates or social interaction outside of school. I agree that online gaming may facilitate positive social behavior, but again I think it has a lot to do with individual personality traits and the ways in which the media is being used. For instance, if a child is naturally less social and chooses to use the computer as an escape, then online gaming would most likely increase the already present behavior. However, are recent innovations in games such as MMOG changing preexistent introvert behavior, or do they have the power to?"
It would seem that interaction through online gaming does not affect one's social developement but instead further enhances the individual's personality.
The above quotes are from: Diachotomy of Online Gaming Effects
http://www.mysocialnetwork.net/blog/410/g31/2006/11/diachotomy_of_online_gaming_ef.html
From another source, online gaming also allows individuals to express themselves more freely. It says from a case study about Hong Kong youths:
"Anonymity works wonders for the disinhibition effect. When teens have the opportunity to separate their actions from their real world and identity, they feel less vulnerable about opening up. Whatever they say or do cannot be directly linked to the rest of their lives. They don’t have to own their behavior by acknowledging it within the full context of who they really are. When acting out hostile feelings, as often occurs in MMORPGs (massive multiplayer online role playing game), a person doesn’t have to take responsibility for those actions, as long as they don’t extend actions to the off-line world. In fact, adolescents might even convince themselves that their behaviors aren’t their own at all
This is the work of the person's avatar or the figure that is the real person's online identity, which allows free yet irresponsible action.
The above information is obtained from: Case study of Hong Kong Youths
http://comm.nccu.edu.tw/wp-content/digiconf05/part7/7-5.doc
In brief, online gaming interaction allows people to create dual identities, one online and one offline. This allows them to escape into a virtual world that they may be good at what they do, instead of remaining in the real world where they feel bad about themselves for several reasons such as feeling like a failure or having low self esteem.
Are they different people online and offline? Do they prefer to have online friends?
Below is a short interview I conducted with a good friend of mine who is a "professional" online gamer and is very good at what he does.
Interview:
Clarence: At your peak, what is the maximum number of hours you can play online without sleeping?
Sam: 36 hrs
Clarence: What is the average time you spend playing online games?
Sam: Erm...about 10-12 hrs max.
Clarence: Do you interact online?
Sam: Of course!
Clarence: Why do you interact? Do you talk about things other than the game?
Sam: Interacting online is fun. When I play with real friends, we just talk about crap lor, anything that comes to mind, anything under the sun. Whatever we can think of we just say. We also need to talk to each other to progress in the game sometimes.
Clarence: Do you have online friends that you never meet in person but only spend time with in the games?
Sam: I don't really have online friends, but when I played World of Warcraft, I had this group of people who played with me for about 2 years. We would chat online on msn to see if there is any new game and if have, then we move together and play together la. Same team, easier to work with ma.
Clarence: Do you think that online chatting is similar to reality?
Sam: No. Got pros and cons. Online no one can tell how you are actually feeling or thinking because they can't see you ma. But then you also cannot tell if the other person is faking you.
Clarence: Will online friendships take over real-life friendships?
Sam: This is very hard to say. It depends on the people la. Sometimes when you play long already, you start to trust the person you are playing with and a friendship is established la. I have a friend who got scammed by his real-life friend somemore. Real life friend leh! Its like they know each other one. It's not about online or offline. People are still people la.
Clarence: Thank you Sam.
End of interview.
From the interview, I gathered that interacting online is merely another social activity. It is like calling up a friend to chat over the phone, except that this one allows the people to engage in activity together.
This reinforces the identity issue mentioned earlier. People are more prone to hide their feelings and emotions or even lie online as no one will be able to detect the truth. However, besides the fact that online gaming is a form of escape for many people into an avatar and new identity, there doesn't seem to be any negative effect on people's social developement.
On the other hand, it seems to be a great source of enjoyable fun and entertainment. In fact most gamers may play online with people they already know, taking their physical friendship to the next level.
However, irresponsible behaviour such as plundering and looting other player's characters and using profane language freely are some things that should not be condoned yet people go unpunished as long as this behaviour doesn't extend to their real lives.
What do you think?
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people make use the chatting platform to "harass" people and to ask sensitive questions which can lead to consequences such as girls being convinced for free sex etc.
ReplyDeleteI don't really fancy playing online because they tend to create false identity about themselves and i felt its dangerous.
ReplyDeleteI think there is serveral type of interaction in the web. For example : During game, people interact so that they know where their mate are and what are they going. This is a normal and healthy interaction as they can help to build up teamwork. Another example: Second life - people normally do fake their identiti and normally enage in conversation that is not healthy.
ReplyDeleteHence, it is good to enage in healthy interaction and even better to cut down on unhealthy conversation as you may be influence by the wat they talk too
From Ciu Fen
actually i know nothing about gaming. and sometimes i really wonder why people get so addicted in the games. they may feel insecure in real life, but when they use their second identity in game world, they are a different person. and i agree with you that these habits can be unhealthy when its prolongs.
ReplyDeletewell. I myself play online gaming and experience many kinds of people. I just don't get it why people have to act something which they are not. I have made my mindset not to trust anyone on online chatting. Never let your identity to strangers. Just have a normal interaction with each other online about the games would be okay but not till it brings to real-life.
ReplyDelete~LiD~
As I mentioned in Khalid's blog, online gaming does not appeal to me. Interactivity is encouraged, which is a plus point. The addiction to gaming and resulting in theft and fraud really puzzles me though. Is it THAT addictive?
ReplyDelete-Daniel
I watched this one episode of this one show (yes, very specific, I know) where it basically details how a boy got so addicted to online gaming, he brought it 'out' to his life - it's like lines are blurred between the cyber world and reality, and people can fall prey to that. I do think that socialization online isn't as bad as everyone makes it out to be: there'll always be a stigma over online interaction, for some reason, but it brings out enough positive results. People tend to focus more on the negative side.
ReplyDeleteYou never know, you could be talking to a 80 year old man who claims to be a 21 year old woman who enjoys gaming.
ReplyDeleteAnd you realize 'she' isn't even interested in gaming, all 'she' wants is your email address and sex cam.
I agree that online identities are a form of escapism. It may be a form of stress relief - you can wear your heart on your sleeve. You can act out your secret fantasies or pretend to be someone else. I think as long as one does it without malice, there is no harm done.
ReplyDeleteSocializing is nothing wrong but it is dangerous in an extend as it tend to be vulnerable when guys or maybe even women start looking for preys to harass them verbally or even bully. One must know to protect yourself such as when questions start to get sensitive, you can just ignored the person.
ReplyDeleteWell, you mentioned that "besides the fact that online gaming is a form of escape for many people into an avatar and new identity, there doesn't seem to be any negative effect on people's social developement". Do you mean to say that the escapism is a bad thing?
ReplyDeleteYou also mentioned the creation of dual identities. Isn't that dangerous? Could that lead to a split personality?
personally, i feel that socialising online is not the best of ideas. yes, though it is convenient, it does come with disadvantages. most often, people who socialise online do not reveal their true self. then there is that whole issue of trust. i do not believe that socialising online is a healthy way for one's upbringing. there is no proper interaction and communication. though some prefer it that way, this is how i view it.
ReplyDelete-amelia.
Online gaming its just an online entertainment for leisure. I do agree that being too engross on online gaming would affect our social developement skills and create false identities for ourselves. A very good example is the "Second Life" i feel that the people are too engross what they did in the virtual world & they really think as if its real...
ReplyDeleteI was once quite hooked on an online game before 'SIM' city BUT not so crazy like other people. Lots of cases related about Internet addiction the people playing online games can don't mind of eating & sleeping for long hours which i find that thet are crazy~
hui hiang
RE: Diana
ReplyDelete"I don't really fancy playing online because they tend to create false identity about themselves and i felt its dangerous."
Nearly everyone online, creates a false identity. This applies for online shopping, forum and what's not.
Personally, I don't see why it is dangerous if you take extra precaution while you play and interact with others.
When you use facebook or friendster, there are plenty of people who are there with a false identity, do you then avoid it?
You should try playing some online games! Take Viwawa for a start. :D
I have made some nice online friends when I was playing Ragnarok Online.
ReplyDeleteInteracting ain't always bad. I was a D7 in English, then I had to retake my O levels. That year, I did not put in extra effort in reading the news paper, story books or anything else. All I did was to interacts with others online.
My English improved from a D7 to B3 and all I did was to speak to Caucasians. Kick the habit of typing abbreviations and type in full sentences.
Interacting online allows me to know people from around the world, know their culture and etc..
I used to scold some brazilians online when they "oi" me. In Singapore, "oi" is considered a rule gesture. But, in Brazil, "oi" simply means Hi.
Till now, i still cannot see why some people are so engrossed in online gaming. I do understand that it is a way to relieve stress, a past-time, however, i will not agree on playing online games more then 10 hours! Especially if the gamer do not comes out and interact with people! I feel that it will do mental harm to them
ReplyDeleteWan Ting
I game alot crazily in the past and I really hate those who create 'girly' names or character in order to gain sympathy or help from the guys. Makes people think they's talking to a girl but in actual fact it isn't so they actually get favours from them.
ReplyDeleteOverall, I think in terms of networking, it will be good to know a group of friends from the game that shares the common interest and can share tricks and tips on the game. Just remember not to get to engrossed till you drop dead forgetting about work and studies.
Smith
Well, escapism is not necessarily a bad thing. However, people may be able to take a form of escapism to one whole extreme and actually escape to that new world and then live there. People who escape too much into gaming worlds might...as mentioned, create another identity to run away from the reality of life. They choose the easy way out...by pretending that life is as simple as a game.
ReplyDeleteBut of course...everything in balance. I think its the people and not the game that causes negativity. The attitude to gaming in itself is important to note.
Think about what you are thinking about gaming.
-Clarence
Socialising has its boundaries.
ReplyDeleteIf the discussion or chat is relevant to what's being discussed and, is kept 'clean' then by all means, go ahead. However, if it turns awry (solicitations for sex etc), then ignorance or reporting abuse to the administrator is the best bet.
I agree with clarence on the balancing of lifestyle. I am a person who needs balancing a lot. When i found myself too focus on a certain thing, I gets very irritated when people trys to talk me into doing some other things.
ReplyDeleteRecent years, i found myself being happier when i socialised and go out party, meeting new people.
Having being an online gamer in the past, I used to encounter many gamers who would ask sensitive personal questions that I didn't feel quite obliged to answer.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I don't think that socialising online via gaming ia a bad thing. Sure, there will be the occasional questions you don't want to answer but by participating in online roleplaying games, it actually provides one with the platform to interact people with different nationalities.
Socialising online is fine... but you just got to know what you can and cannot do. Its like as if you are talking to someone behind a screen. Sometimes its a good thing because you can share your feelings without having to worry about other people knowing about it.
ReplyDeletei fell that it is fun being able to socialise while playing games such as playing games like Halo online where you can talk to teammates via microphone. as always, though, there are the number of ABusers of these facilities who pry too deep into your lives and give fear instead of fun.
ReplyDelete