Chapter 9.
Online
gaming has been around longer than most can remember. It all started with the
first game Spacewars. Since then gaming has grown into a huge and thriving community.
The very first online games were called
MUDs, or Multi-user Dungeons or Dimensions. In MUDS players could communicate
with each other while doing other in-game activities such as question, killing
monsters and find loot. Without these first games we wouldn’t have the giant
MMORPS that we do today such as World of Warcraft, or Everquest.
While
playing with a lot of other people, the amount of socialization will occur.
Relationships can and will be made, and some enemies will be found. With so
many people playing at once, you are bound to find someone playing with you
that would share the same likes and dislikes. While on the other hand, you will
find people who are just mean and only in it for themselves. With this high
amount of socializing that you have to do in the game to get though some of the
parts, so you have to be good at typing and multitasking. Some that have
problems doing this would be turned off of the games and not want to play them.
Some of
the issues with online gaming is that it is very “addictive”. The dependency to
the internet to play this game makes people want to go back and play it more.
This is a problem when you spend all of your free time playing the game,
instead of doing homework or other social activities. Online games have their
own good sides to them as well. For people who have disabilities, they can play
the game and communicate like everyone else. Also you can relax and unwind
while playing these games. You can be who you want to be while playing them. It
helps people “escape” the problems of real life, which may be one of the
reasons why people are addicted to them.
Online reading.
Not all
of the things we do were made in America. Some have been made on the other side
of the world, such as movies and videogames. They got here by the “trading” of
culture between the two countries. This is called contra-flow. This mainly
happens due to the other culture wanting to know what the other is doing, or
trends that spread because of media or other ways of communication.
Video
games have been available to the western market because of contra-flow. A few
of the major game industries are based in the eastern market, such as Sony or
Nintendo. Without the access of either of these, we wouldn’t be able to any of
the games we play today. A few television shows that came from other countries
that are able to see consist of Power rangers and the majority of Anime Shows.
In the
early stages of online gaming, the majority of them came from Korea. Now they
are hybridized from both western and eastern markets, making the game industry
itself hybridized. The most of the games being made today are focused towards a
western market, more specifically an American one.
Chapter Questions
1. Why do you think MUDs and other online gaming such as MMO’s are so addictive, and why do you think people are willing to spend a lot of time playing them. Why can’t they just simply “turn it off”, when they are addicted to it?
2. Do you think that an online friend from a game where you online know them from their online presentation is that same as having a friend in real life?
Online Reading Quesitons.
1. What sort of items have you been able to have or use due to contra-flow, and do you think these items have had an impact on how you? Do you think your life would have been different without them?
2. Why do you think most of the games being made are geared for a western audience compared to where they are being made at?
Chapter
ReplyDelete1.I think they are addictive because not only could the game be addicting, but the communication between other members could be addicting also. I think people are willing to spend time on the games because they feel they are accomplishing more than just a game. Endless alliances, friendships can be made and that takes time, which people are willing to invest because it fulfills possible needs. I think the uses and gratification theory can be applied here because. If the gamer wants to feel useful, accepted, and a part of a group then a multiplayer game like an MMO can definitely be used to gratify those wants and needs. Since the group accomplishes tasks during the game I think that it can be highly addictive because of the fact that you want to help, and not miss out on what your group is doing in the game. That is also why I think it is hard for people who are addicted to turn it off. It can be compared to the offline scenario of when people are with a group of friends and could be exhausted, but they don’t want to miss out and are addicted to the communication so they stay up instead of going to bed.
2. I think if the communication goes beyond the game, then yes. Meeting someone on a game gives you a common interest to a starting place, however not much room to grow. I think that if the friendship is solely based on and is maintained through and in the game then it is not the same. However if that friend winds up adding you on Facebook or some other kind of media and the friendship grows beyond the game then it can result in a friendship that is just as valuable as an offline friend. What makes a friend through a game more interesting is the fact that you can “see” them and their character and how they interact with other, which can add to a friendship in the future.
Online
1. Since I grew up with two brothers that were ten years older than me, I grew up around the super Nintendo, Sega, Nintendo 64, and many others. My older brothers always had played together on games that were too hard or scary for me which resulted in me getting my own miniature computers that had games on them and other things. The impact that this had on me was when I started playing with these kind of devices I started playing less with my other toys that required imagination. I think being exposed to the technology that contraflow brought made me mature more. I definitely think my life would have been different without them because I probably would have struggled more in school when we took computers classes, but since I was already exposed to it I was fine.
2. I think the games are geared to the western audience because the creators are trying to make the game appeal to the potential buyers, which is mostly comprised of a western audience. The makers of the game want to make the game have something in common with the buyer so that there is an interest already in the game because of their background.
Chapter Questions:
ReplyDelete1. One reason I think that MUDs are so popular are because of the 4 factors that influence online identity. People are able to remain anonymous online if they wish, they can use a pseudonym and become whoever they want, they are performing actions in the games as well as chatting with others which could form a sense of teleprescence, and the gaming could be considered a type of performance to the other players online. I feel that the reason that they become so addictive is probably the same way that a person becomes addicted to anything, whether it be Facebook, Candy Crush, Chocolate, or Cocaine. Using these online gaming sites gives people a feel good feeling that they want to keep coming back to for more, whether it’s because they are making new friends, discovered a sense of identity, or just finding entertainment value from it.
2. I believe that if a person provides you the support that you need in a friendship, it doesn’t matter whether you met them online or offline. The most important features of a friendship are someone who shares interests and values with you, and someone that you can trust. I think being able to find friendship with someone online based on these characteristics, especially with someone who you would otherwise perhaps not meet because of geographical issues, is a positive feature of MUDs and other internet interactions.
Online Reading:
1. One thing that I grew up with that came from another culture was the Giga Pet. The Giga Pet is the US version of a handheld toy that was originally created in Japan by Tamagotchi, and quickly became a craze all over the globe in the 1990’s. It was basically a toy virtual pet that you had to take care of or else it died. I don’t necessarily think that my life would have been different had I not had Giga Pet’s growing up, however I think that it did teach me responsibility skills that were useful for example when I had to take care of my cat growing up.
2. I think that the reason that games being made in eastern countries are being geared towards western countries because people in the US are always looking for the newest toy or invention to come around, and are willing to upgrade or buy newer items more continuously. I also think that perhaps the economy and the amount of buyers in the market is better in the US than some of the other countries which would be another factor in wanting to gear their sales over here.
Chapter 9 Questions:
ReplyDelete1. I think that online gaming can be addictive, because people feel that they are accomplishing something "real." They put time into developing their characters and beating levels and being the best they can be on their game. Through the multi-user part of the game, people develop friendships and allies in the game allowing them to work together to accomplish things they might not be able to on their own. If someone is spending a substantial amount of time playing their online games, then they might not have friends outside of their virtual community, in which case the game would be fulfilling their needs of companionship and allowing them to socialize with other people in the same position. I think it is hard for some people to "turn it off" because that is how they interact with their friends. If your friends spend their free time playing a certain game and the only way you interact with them is through the game, then you probably would not see a problem with it since it is your form of socializing.
2. I think that an "online friend" can be the same as an "offline friend." Obviously you won't be hanging out and going to do things together, but if you have somebody that you are able to communicate with, and it helps you feel interesting and relavent, then I do not see any problem with it. I think the communication part of MUDs are a great way for people to interact and find others with common interests.
Online Reading:
1. I grew up with the NES and Nintendo 64. I think they have helped me in different ways. Different strategy based games can help you in ways of organization and strategically getting through situations. I think video games also allow you to develop more of an imagination. I think life could have been different without video games. Without video games people would be spending more time outside doing "productive" things instead of just sitting in their homes staring aimlessly into the television or computer screen.
2. I think games are being geared towards the western culture, because of the market. People in America are crazy when it comes to new technology and the newest fad. When certain games come out, some stores have the midnight release so that their customers can have the game as soon as possible. This only feeds the "addiction" to gaming. People are willing to stand outside in the cold for the newest game, and then go home and stay up all night playing it, and for college students most likely missing their whole next day of classes in order to play the game.
Chapter 9 Questions:
ReplyDelete1.) People are willing to spend so much time online gaming for many reasons. One reason is players are able to not put so much emphasis on gender and identity. Players have a chance to put race, age and gender aside and create a game with few social rules that occur in real life. A social rule may include typical stereotyping that occurs in real life with face to face communication. People are able to attain different identities by playing as a different gender in game and use a pseudonym to disguise their real name. Another reason people spend so much time online gaming is that they are able to temporarily forget and escape real life problems. Online gambling offers people an easy way to make money or lose money with a simple click of a mouse. This makes it harder for people to simply stop playing with the ease and comfort of gambling wherever the user decides. Online gaming such as MMO’s are addictive when people search to make friends and strive to be better than everyone else. This creates a sense of a never ending tunnel making it difficult to stop.
2.) I do not think an online friend is the same as a friend in real life. Online and offline friends carry a lot of the same characteristics but are not the same. A benefit an offline friend has that online friends cannot offer is the physical aspect of their presence. This allows the offline friend to truly be there rather than just a voice. Other than that offline and online friends share the same qualities. This includes similar interest in activities as well to be able to decode each other’s messages effectively.
Online Reading:
1.) When I was little my older brother would play Nintendo 64 and play Goldeneye where I would watch or play the game with him. I would say this did have an impact on me since it sparked my interest in technology and led to where I am now by getting a degree in CNA. It is hard to say that without Nintendo 64 my life would have been different. I believe something else would have created interest in technology and I would be where I am at now.
2.) I believe most games are being geared toward the western audience because game makers are seeking ways to increase profits and this means targeting the western countries. The United States is known for their technology savvy people and gaming companies are taking advantage of this and raking in the money.
Chapter 9
ReplyDelete1. I think people are addicted to online gaming because it is a certain virtual world where they are able to control what happened in that life. They think online gaming is a way to communicate with people and it can be if they try to talk about other things besides the game. Addicts cannot just turn it off. They first have to realize they have a problem. Yes they can turn it off but can also turn it right back on. Addicts need to fulfill their needs they would not be able to stop without help.
2.My thoughts to this is no. I do not think online friends count as friends because yes you talk a lot online and they know facts about you but they really don't know you. If my brother was speaking he would think otherwise. My brother's friends are mostly online friends and online gaming. He talks to them all the time and also gets some advice on computers and other things. One of his friends was able to fix his computer without even being there. His online friends are also from all over the world.
Online Reading
1. I grew up playing Spyro. It is a platform game that placed the player as Spyro, a small, purple dragon set with the task of freeing his fellow dragons from crystal prisons, which are scattered around their world. I think this game showed us that being a good friend and having dedication is key. It shows that if you want something you have to work hard in order to get it. I think my life would be somewhat different. I do not think i would have an imagination.
2. I think it is western culture because it is used as a PR tactic. If you want someone to buy something you have to research and see what they like. You have create what they want by targeting the audience and figuring out what their interests are.
Chapter 9
ReplyDelete1. I think that people spend so much time playing MUDs, MMOs, and other online games is because people have the ability to change their identity. Masking your true self and hiding one's identity is very appealing to people. People use nicknames to portray themselves as an alter ego or fictional character to help people forget about any real qualities they may want to mask or keep hidden. This feeling of being accepted, fitting in, and acting out a different personality is a really awesome feeling and many people become addicted. With any addiction, it is difficult for people to stop and walk away. Many smokers would not be able to quit smoking in a day, they need to slowly be weaned off whatever they are addicted to.
2. I do think that an online friend is very similar to a real life friend. If you really click and get along with somebody you meet online, the only difference is that you are interacting through the game instead of meeting face to face. I think meeting people online in a game setting is comparable to meeting people in public for the first time. You're never sure what type of people you will meet and you're unsure of how you will get along with them, but if you find somebody you like to be around there is still a common interest.
Online Questions
1. Growing up I've always had a computer and internet access in the home. Over my lifetime of computer and internet use I have been able to become very interested in how computers operate and function. This has helped me decide what I want to major in and job situations I may be interested in pursuing. My life has been impacted greatly through my use of computers and other technologies that have emerged in the field.
2. I think that games are geared for a western audience because game creators/inventors enjoy seeing how their creation operates in a heavily played environment. The ethics around hard work, preparation, and desire to improve in western cultures provides a great environment to have a game tested and played inside out. Many strategy games have been gaining popularity in Asian countries and when American tournaments are held for these games, many times it is dominated by competitors from western societies.
Chapter Questions
ReplyDelete1. MMO's and MUDs are a powerful avenue for players or users to play out fantasies and live a life they wish they could have. Everyone fantasizes about being different, a superhuman, hero, or villain and the fantasy worlds that make up online games provide that opportunity. Due to this, people get addicted to the feeling, much like how "Adrenaline Junkies" get addicted to the adrenaline rush from doing extreme sports. Most tobacco users are not just addicted to the nicotine in the product, but the feeling or rush they get in their body from the use. Same goes for drugs. Simply put its not that they can't "turn it off", it's that they do not want to because the feeling they get is so intense. For me I like playing online games because it is a way for me to escape real world problems and stress and kick back worry free in another world.
2. Yes and No. The online gaming friendship is exactly like any other online friendship. With this comes anonymity so you might think you know an online person, but they could just be still partaking in their fantasy and created an online only persona. I have personally met people I met playing games online in real life and maintain that friendship. I feel it is sometimes easier and better to have some online friends because since there is anonymity, I feel I can share things without judgment and get valuable feedback without fear of retribution.
Online Reading Questions
1. A lot of technology we have available has evolved and originated from contra-flow. Technology has changed the way the world interacts and does business. I believe though without technology my life would be much simpler. Gone is the age of innocence and not knowing. We can never claim again to not know something. Technology has made our lives better and worse. Not one person is truly private anymore. Do a Google search and I am positive that you find yourself at least once in that search.
2. I believe games are geared to the western market because we have less restrictions and we have more money. Hollywood is a big driver of games being made as well as our culture and tastes. A lot of countries strive to mimic us and so the gaming industry is focused on America.