The reality of friendship within immersive virtual worlds

Abstract

In this article I examine a recent development in online communication, the immersive virtual worlds of Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games (MMORPGs). I argue that these environments provide a distinct form of online experience from the experience available through earlier generation forms of online communication such as newsgroups, chat rooms, email and instant messaging. The experience available to participants in MMORPGs is founded on shared activity, while the experience of earlier generation online communication is largely if not wholly dependent on the communication itself. This difference, I argue, makes interaction in immersive virtual worlds such as MMORPGs relevantly similar to interaction in the physical world, and distinguishes both physical world and immersive virtual world interaction from other forms of online communication. I argue that to the extent that shared activity is a core element in the formation of friendships, friendships can form in immersive virtual worlds as they do in the physical world, and that this possibility was unavailable in earlier forms of online interaction. I do, however, note that earlier forms of online interaction are capable of sustaining friendships formed through either physical or immersive virtual world interaction. I conclude that we cannot any longer make a sharp distinction between the physical and the virtual world, as the characteristics of friendship are able to be developed in each.

Virtually Friends: An Exploration of Friendship Claims and Expectations in Immersive Virtual Worlds

“…Generally, these results confirm Munn's (2012) contention that immersive virtual worlds can support true friendship, and suggest that having true friends in Second Life is common, even if the "Friends" list is not the best representation of those relationships. Only one user we spoke with claimed to have no actual friends inside the virtual world.…”

“…Specifically, researchers noted that given sufficient time, individuals use a variety of linguistic cues, including emoticons and linguistic mimicry to compensate for the lack of nonverbal cues and form close, trusting interpersonal relationships (Scissors, Gill, & Gergle, 2008 ;Walther, 1992Walther, , 1995Walther & Burgoon, 1992). Munn (2012) argues that immersive virtual worlds, such as the MMOG World of Wracraft, may be especially well suited to the formation and maintenance of authentic friendships on the Internet. Unlike other social media, including chat rooms, social networking sites, and microblogging services (such as Twitter) that rely primarily on text-based communication as the basis for friendship formation, immersive virtual worlds allow users to engage in shared activities with friends.…”

“…Unlike other social media, including chat rooms, social networking sites, and microblogging services (such as Twitter) that rely primarily on text-based communication as the basis for friendship formation, immersive virtual worlds allow users to engage in shared activities with friends. Because shared activity is a hallmark of traditional friendships (as we understand them in the offline world), immersive virtual worlds, unlike any preceding social media, may be uniquely suited for facilitating "real" friendships among previously unacquainted Internet users (Munn, 2012).…”

“…On one hand, Walther and his contemporaries might argue that immersive virtual worlds enable friendship formaiton by facilitating ongoing text-based communication, which allows users sufficient time to build trusting relationships (Scissors et al, 2008;Walther, 1992Walther, , 1995Walther & Burgoon, 1992). On the other hand, Munn (2012) points to the added value of features that are unique to the virtual world, including co-presence and shared experience, as central to facilitating friendship formation.…”

“…Munn (2012) recently argued that, unlike many other social media, immersive virtual worlds may represent a unique opportunity to cultivate friendships on the Internet. Notably, because users can engage in shared activities and do not have to rely solely on acts of intentional communication as basis for relationship formation, immersive virtual worlds are much more similar to the offline world than any previous social media in their capacity to support and sustain friendships (Munn, 2012).…”