Behind the Avatar: The Patterns, Practices, and Functions of Role Playing in MMOs

Abstract

A two-part quantitative and qualitative study of role players within a virtual game world examined their prevalence, practices, and identity formation. Drawing on unobtrusive behavioral data captured by the game, combined with a large survey and traditional ethnographic methods, the study found that role players both negotiate identity and use their time online as a moratorium for their offline lives. Descriptive results showed that role players are a relatively small, but psychologically burdened subgroup. When examined from the theoretical perspectives of Goffman’s Self-Presentation theory, Huizenga’s Magic Circle, and Turkle’s early work on online identity formation, these players were seen as largely using virtual spaces as creative outlets and for socialization. The worlds also functioned as coping mechanisms for players frequently unable to gain acceptance, social connectivity or social support offline due to their personal situation, psychological profile, or their minority status.

The future of online therapy

“…Through taking the other side's perspective patients can develop a deeper understanding and reduce misconceptions and stereotypes regarding the other side (Amichai- Hamburger, 2012). Online role playing usually uses an adopted figure, a virtual character with its own specific attributes and functional abilities (Williams, Kennedy, & Moore, 2011). Online role-plays can enable highly positive social interactions (Cole & Griffiths, 2007), allowing people to acquire friends (Smyth, 2007).…”

A Dual Model of Entertainment-Based and Community-Based Mechanisms to Explore Continued Participation in Online Entertainment Communities

“…Pyy's 11 research further indicated that the way we interpret usability may vary between different kinds of technologies, ''but at least with games it is usually essential because enjoyability is one of the main reasons to play games in the first place'' (p.10). Many game studies [12][13][14] have shown that the usability of online games is demonstrated by its entertainment characteristic. In other words, users play a game or initially choose to play a game primarily because they enjoy the entertainment characteristic of the game.…”

CityVille: collaborative game play, communication and skill development in social networks

“…Different authors (Osterweil & Le, 2010;Paraskeva, Mysirlaki & Papagianni, 2010;Sharritt, 2008) have described some of the skills boosted by videogames, from the most basic and elementary ones to others characterized by a higher cognitive level (Williams, Kennedy & Moore, 2011) j) Interpersonal skills connected to social intelligence (Goleman, 2012): participation in collaborative projects and training focused on leadership and critical capacity.…”