MMORPG's and Personal Identity

As both a gamer and player in the MMORPG realm, I have always wondered "Just what about video games (MMORPGs in particular) is so addicting?" As I conducted some research online, I found a list of nine main reasons for why gamers, game. In a survey conducted with gamers, it was found that there were nine reoccurring reasons for why people play games, and MMORPGs in particular.

Number 1: Entertainment Value- When a game can draw your attention without you really even knowing it, that's when you are really gaming. This is the driving factor for most people when considering buying a video game. In terms of MMORPGs the entertainment value is entirely different because of the next eight reasons below.

Number 2: Story- In MMORPGs not only do you have a character and a story to follow, but you can do it all online by yourself or with others. In most MMORPGs you have choices in what missions you want to accomplish, who you want to save and etc. so this leads the gamer down the road that he/she wants to continue on. The story is based on how the gamer wants to play it, this is the real crowd-pleaser. The gamer is given chances to experience both ends of the spectrum without any real repercussions, something that cannot always be done in real life.

Number 3: Atmosphere- MMORPGs create almost surreal type atmospheres, with close attention to the details. This leads gamers to believe that they might be part of a ghost-town, space station, you name it. Gamers are able to kind of get away from their own current surroundings and enter a sort of paradise of their choice, and this is huge factor in reeling in gamers.

Number 4: Role- What is so captivating about MMORPGs is the fact that each specific player, has a specific role. Some people can be absolute tanks, magic casters, medics, etc. and this opens up a world of options and variety. Each individual role has its strengths and weaknesses, but as a team, each individual cog is important. This creates a sense of acceptance and importance that may not always be felt outside of the gaming world.

Number 5: Interactivity- As mentioned above, there may be teams (guilds, clans, etc.)that one may want to join, but there are also a lot of other interactive things gamers can choose from. Players can barter with one another to help benefit both sides, or players can also duel one another to claim supremacy, the freedom is almost endless. This helps enable players who might not otherwise express their true identities face to face, to express themselves online.

Number 6: Progress- We all know the feeling of joy we feel when we know we have made progression in our lives. This may be getting better in sports, or getting better grades throughout the year, etc. but if you can recreate that feeling online with your very own little personality, the feeling is almost identical. There is something about seeing your avatar go from a weak little pansy, to an unstoppable juggernaut that brings satisfaction to gamers. This is especially rewarding when you see that those around you are still pathetically weak around you.

Number 7: Social Aspect- All of the reasons stated above kind of fall together to bring us to the social aspect that is involved with gaming. When you play online with other people it makes you feel that you're not the only person doing it. This creates a sense of reinforcement where you feel like you apart and representing something. It is definitely easier to express your thoughts and opinions on something when you have hundreds of thousands, and even millions in some cases, backing your claim up. This is what MMORPGs bring to the table, a place where people with common interests can get together and do the things they enjoy.

Number 8: Competitive Aspect- Along with the social aspect of gaming, there is also the competitive side. When you are in a group as big of MMORPG gamers, its nice to have a little flair and individuality as well. So the best way to gain that kind of notoriety is to be the best out there. When people see your name and can make associations to it, then your essentially a star in your own right. You are no different than David Beckham or Kobe Bryant, because your gamer tag is instantly associated with something, just like professional athletes or movie stars, except you're doing it online. Something like that is just absolutely mind blowing.

Number 9: Carnage- To top things all off, people sometimes just want to experience something they may never try in real life, this is where the carnage steps in. I never plan on killing someone or something in real life, but if given the chance to do it online and feel what its like without consequences, who wouldn't do it? It's like breaking the law in real life, but not having to take responsibility for it. We would all jump on the opportunity to do so, because we never know when the opportunity might present itself again.

To end this post, I must say that these nine reasons are almost precisely why I game, and with MMORPGs now covering all these aspects, maybe I should start playing those. All nine reasons all help enable our own personal identities in our own way, and if by playing a video game and having fun while being myself is the new wave of the future, then count me in.