Do online games make us anti-social?
by Elizabeth Harper 
Mar 23rd 2006 at 11:30AM
Gaming blog Game On! has a new article up discussing the social implications of online gaming. Remember when "multi-player" meant sitting in a room together, sharing a single game console, with those split-screen views? As developers push more towards online gaming, the physical connection is lost. But I can't help but wonder if the social aspect of gaming has changed rather than vanished - I play Warcraft with a number of real life friends and I have gotten to know a lot of people I would now consider friends, despite the fact that I've never met them face to face. Considering that WoW at level 60 is heavily oriented around group play, you're forced into some amount of social interaction that you might otherwise avoid. Of course, if gaming online really does make us anti-social, I may not be the best person to make a judgment call here.
[Via Joystiq]
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Jackson Mar 23rd 2006 6:33PM
it's funny because I was just thinking about that.
On my way to Ironforge via Deeprun tram, me and 3 others were put on the same cart. Of course, no one said a word. I felt akward... I'm sure this has happened to other people too, but when you get on an elevator with 3 other people, don't you at least acknowledge them with a nod?
I dont know.
Sean Mar 23rd 2006 8:56PM
There have been a number of studies about internet use and online gaming, most of which have determined that gamers and net users have actually larger social networks and spend more time communicating with their friends than non-gamers.
Tryst Mar 23rd 2006 9:36PM
I don't nod in elevators. I think things like, "What
kind of insane person gets into a metal box with three people she doesn't know and allows herself to be hoisted six stories into the air?" But, that just might be me.
My husband is notoriously anti-social and WoW has really forced him to interact with others a lot more. Even if it's just on-line for now, I think on some level it helps make it easier in person. You can kind of practice, so if you say something stupid to someone in a group it's likely you'll never run in to them again whereas if you say something stupid at a party...it's likely to get around and cause further embarassment. As I see it, the MMO environment either frees you up to be exactly who you are or you can play around with being someone you're not. Just a thought, though.