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Evil Geek

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Do Online Friends become Real Life Friends - do MMO's increase Social abilities?

Something that I think about a fair bit is the affect playing any MMO has on our ability to perform as social beings and how that social interaction progresses - how many MMO buddies have you met in RL (lets exclude real life friends who play the same game and talk about people we have met first online).

We all know that the internet provides an anonymity that allows some people to create a persona for themselves, that could be entirely removed from their real life for those that get into 'role playing', it could be an excuse to rant and swear through the knowledge that no consequences will ensue in RL or you could play on boosting personal attributes that brings you closer to being that person you aspire to be or more importantly in the majority of cases how you want to be seen.

The longer your involved in a community the more likely it is that your true self becomes more revealed, most MMO's provide a longevity of play that allows for communities to be sustained for quite some time, there will be those that drift from community to community (read Guild in GW) either through choice or failure to learn through social interaction what is or isnt acceptable behaviour amongst peers. Those that move through choice could be moving through failure to find a common ground or through fear of revealing more of themselves when they find their online persona is too hard to keep up or could simply just be social butterflies :)

Issues of age, race and gender are mostly of little significance in the immediate forum of online game play, the factors that matter are ability, knowledge and to be able to communicate effectively within your chosen peer group.

Those that settle into a long term online community and those that also use associated technology like TeamSpeak and Ventrilo begin to learn more about each other and get a better idea of humour, mood and more obvious things like age and sex, often more general and personal information about a players life gets casualy mentioned and we get a more rounded picture of the people we play alongside.

Some parents may argue that online relationships aren't valid and that the internet is anti-social I would argue that playing MMO's has the potential to increase social skills. There will be those who continualy hide behind some online persona and will never gain any further social skills but I think the majority can learn alot about social interaction and bring that learning (albeit mostly subconsciously) into RL relationships with people around them.

So taking this one step further and back to my original question about meeting people in RL that you first met in an MMO. I've met 9 people in RL that I first met through online gaming with GW, some of who'm I've known through these forums, all of which have been pleasurable experiences. Some of those people I can honestly say that a real life friendship is developing, my current guild Mutants[MU] have yearly trips to different countries to get together in RL, this year they came to the UK, having met them in RL and got on with them just aswell if not better than we do on TS and via chat I intend to get to know them better in RL by visiting them and having them come visit me.

For me playing GW is about game playing it was never an intention to broaden my RL social circle, that has just been a very pleasurable added bonus.

I have also met in RL a really great couple who were obviously very happy together, I asked how they met and when they responded 'through GW' I was genuinely surprised, these are not sad geeks but happy average people who just happened to meet in RL and clicked, I am guessing theirs is not a common story, I doubt either envisioned meeting their true love online nor did they come online with that intention it was just a very happy bonus to game playing for them :=)

Well after rambling about that (much kudos to you if you read it all) I was wondering what your thoughts are on can online game playing create real friendships, does it positively or negatively impact on social ability in RL and have you ever met online friends in RL, was it good or bad?

11/20/07 17:11

retro77

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RE: Do Online Friends become Real Life Friends - do MMO's increase Social abilities?

Sounds like you got one awesome guild there! But, no I have never met anyone in RL that I first met on GW or any other online form. I dont really want to.

Although I do watch the US show 'The Office' and belong to the online community for it. I am in a 'branch' and we work together, online to complete tasks. We are planning on a party at a restaurant in January. So I guess I will be meeting people from online...in RL...scary...

As far as MMOs and the Internet in general, I think it hurts the social skills of those still growing up and still developing their skills. It might not teach them the 'correct' ways to treat people. If someone drops a glass of juice you dont stand there and call them n00bs and laugh at them.

I do think that people that are already over the of 24 [yes, thats when I think you really realize what life is about] who have already developed most of their skills for interacting with people, can also benefit from the personna of being an online identity. It kinda gives you a break from being your RL self. Maybe you do go outside of the box and be a little crazier online.

Also they need to add into the school curriculum for the Interpersonal Relationships classes, a subject for online relationships.

Online can also be a vent for emotions too. You can get advise from people that you will never meet and, hopefully, will not judge you.

+cred bud!

11/20/07 17:28

Evil Geek

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RE: Do Online Friends become Real Life Friends - do MMO's increase Social abilities?

QUOTE

So I guess I will be meeting people from online...in RL...scary...

Ive got to say it is a pretty nerve racking experience, not because you want to impress but because well....it's just weird..... I hope that once that initial scaryness gets out the way you get on with them in RL and end up having fun like I did :) Thnx for the response, didnt think I was gonna get any.

I see your point about calling people noob for accidents etc although I do think younger people still retain the ability to distinguish between appropriate RL and ingame behaviour. I have to say the very young should be discouraged from investing too much time online and agree that damage to social skills is likely if kids as young as 7-8 start to play online games. For teenagers I think a blurring of the 2 different forms of social interaction is less likely to be so extreme.

• Guild Wars: Mutants [MU] • Age of Conan: Ampian Forerunners •

11/20/07 17:38

everdream

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RE: Do Online Friends become Real Life Friends - do MMO\'s increase Social abilities?

it's funny, if anyone from here were ever to appear on my front steps and said, 'hi, i'm 'insert user name' from gameamp' i'd invite them in for a beer instantly!

i think MMo's do make people a bit more socialable, we all read what is said. depends how attached we really are though. well-wishers are different from those who actually care and would be there for you.

i'm one of those very sociable persons that likes to get along with everyone. i know i frequent edmonton and calgary in alberta every once in a while, i know we have members likely from there, i just don't know who, but if i did, i'd give ya a call when i was going there to maybe meet up and go to a bar or something, or a gamers convention. :P doesnt matter. maybe we could wrestle :P

i've yet to meet people on here from my town or province for that matter that i don't already know and hang with.

=)

edit: i long to meet people in RL that i've met on here, just a matter of luck and time i suppose.

edit of the edit: EG, we've chatted many a times away from Gw, Voip and the site, you're definately one of the people on my list that if i could meet you, i would definately do so!

There are some others as well too.

***THIS POST HAS BEEN EDITED***

All lies and jest, still a man hears what he wants to hear and disregards the rest.

11/20/07 17:40

stanzhao1

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RE: Do Online Friends become Real Life Friends - do MMO's increase Social abilities?

Hmmmm, personally, i play gw for the game itself. And as you have mentioned the people on there for me are the added bonus. I have never met anyone in RL that i have met online, and i guess this is not because i refuse too, its just that the situation has never arised.

I think i have always been to casual a player to ever notice this sort of thing, or even think about it. When i'm not on GW i'm usually out with mates or at work with other people, so the need for face to face interaction isnt something that is constantly craved. But again, if the opportunity arised to meet an 'in game' buddy, i wouldnt be against the idea, as long as i trusted that person enough.

I remember a post a while back about the Lego online game and how it could open a whole new area for the kids/paedophile thing. And as you mention people can create all kinds of persona's. I think online friends meeting with real life can be a really tricky thing. I dont think some people are fully aware of the age gap in some players. Even though you may have been playing with this person for over a year, if your 13 and you find out the person you've been playing with is 50, your whole perception of that person changes. Regardless of how funny, or good a player you thought they were.

I guess this also boils down to maturity levels. If you are willing to accept that people older than you, or younger than you, will be playing the game. I think this also stems from RL issues, someone at the age of 18 wouldn't want to hang around with a 12 year old in RL. But in a game, there is not a problem. As long as that person can 'act' accordingly.

I guess thats why MMPORG'S are getting more and more popular is for the 'escapism'. You are granted the power to be who you want to be without judge or prejudice. And i think this is a probelm that can arise when people meet in RL, because all these images of the person you thought you knew can be shattered, when they dont look how you thought they would, or act like you thought. I think this is why a serious amount of maturity is needed in order to meet in RL.

or you need to know and trust the person enough. And for me i guess i still have the same view, i'm not desperate to meet people from the game. But i would never rule it out if i got along with the person well enough.

***THIS POST HAS BEEN EDITED***

11/20/07 17:41

retro77

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RE: Do Online Friends become Real Life Friends - do MMO's increase Social abilities?

The crazsiest thing now days about the internet and young people [younger than 15], they know more people online than they do in RL. When we were growing up, we knew the people from school and the kids in our neighborhood, maybe church kids if you did that sort of thing. But now days, the world is a lot smaller thanks to the Internet. It can be good to be exposed to more, it can also be bad with out the proper controls in place. I.E. parents that still exercise their parenting skills.

11/20/07 17:43

satans warrior

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RE: Do Online Friends become Real Life Friends - do MMO's increase Social abilities?

I have only met one person from Guild Wars in real life...
She lives kinda close so we were like, "Hey... we've known each other a while on here, lets meet at the state fair!"

We did... and it was kind of awkward at first, but we got more comfortable with each other and ended up liking each other a lot. ^_^

She is now my girlfriend and we have been going out for 4 months ^_^

So... in my opinion, MMOs really are great to meet new people and become more sociable. I'd just watch out for the people that give off a creepy vibe! Lol

11/20/07 17:47

Evil Geek

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RE: Do Online Friends become Real Life Friends - do MMO's increase Social abilities?

Great responces peeps thnx :=)

ED would definately get invited round for a beer should he ever visit London, like him even though I often proclaim the opposite I am very much a people person and enjoy meeting different people.

QUOTE

I remember a post a while back about the Lego online game and how it could open a whole new area for the kids/paedophile thing

I am very concerned about the vulnerability of the young and the negative impact too much online time can have for them, Lego online I believe is aimed at 7yrs up which to me is totaly immoral, though I know of one network member who is alot older than that and is gonna love it (shhh don't say his name..... he might get out his cage).

Edit: corrected spelling mistake of bear to beer, I know ED likes his outdoor sports but I cant guarantee bear hunting in a Central London flat :)

***THIS POST HAS BEEN EDITED***

• Guild Wars: Mutants [MU] • Age of Conan: Ampian Forerunners •

11/20/07 17:50

satans warrior

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RE: Do Online Friends become Real Life Friends - do MMO's increase Social abilities?

QUOTE

I remember a post a while back about the Lego online game and how it could open a whole new area for the kids/paedophile thing

I have to agree with you there... I have a niece that is 7 years old. I personally wouldn't want her playing an online game that people who are say, 20 for example, might also be playing. They could start talking to her and get location info from her. And because she doesn't know any better she would most likely give them a good idea of where she lives. O_o

Edited for the longest run-on sentence I have ever seen XD

***THIS POST HAS BEEN EDITED***

11/20/07 17:55

Chrisworld

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RE: Do Online Friends become Real Life Friends - do MMO's increase Social abilities?

Ive not met MMO buddies in RL. However iv'e met RL people that happen to play gw, a big group, most of them don't play now, and we also had a friend that went to another school in the same town as us i think he still plays alot, ive never met that person but i might someday.

Gameamp Guides [AMP]

11/20/07 18:01

Evil Geek

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RE: Do Online Friends become Real Life Friends - do MMO's increase Social abilities?

I live in central London which means that people visiting the country are likely to come here - hence the reason I got to meet some people, I know a Guild member came over recently with his scout group and was staying down the road from me, now the age difference was massive and it would have been too weird and probably highly embaressing for us both, if we'd accidently bumped into each other and identified each other that would have been funny but arranging to meet was just too weird.... people old enough to go to the pub then fine :)

• Guild Wars: Mutants [MU] • Age of Conan: Ampian Forerunners •

11/20/07 18:04

Cross

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RE: Do Online Friends become Real Life Friends - do MMO's increase Social abilities?

I haven't met anyone from a MMO as GuildWars is my first as I really dislike Pay to Play. I have met several that I use to play Starcraft with on Bnet, that I met on Bnet. I even had two buy me a plane ticket to come stay with them and be there at one of their weddings in which she and her future husband met on Bnet during D1. I have to say I was never disappointed in meeting any of them. I know a lot of people worry about looks but a person with a good personality can be ten time more pretty than a person with a bad personality. I actually know a total of six people that met online through games and got married and out of those four are still married. Also one of my best friends I met on Bnet and even though we don't play the same games as he plays WoW and I'm on GW we still talk all the time. I've never been the most social person as I rarely speak unless spoken to, but I've never had a problem gaining friends whether online or RL. So I don't know really if it helps your social skills, for I don't feel its helped mine nor do I feel its hurt mine as I don't talk anymore or any less than I ever have.

I'm neither here nor there but everywhere. I am who I am and nothing more but yet I'm nothing less than what I strive to be.

11/20/07 18:07

Evil Geek

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RE: Do Online Friends become Real Life Friends - do MMO's increase Social abilities?

QUOTE

I've never been the most social person as I rarely speak unless spoken to, but I've never had a problem gaining friends whether online or RL. So I don't know really if it helps your social skills, for I don't feel its helped mine nor do I feel its hurt mine as I don't talk anymore or any less than I ever have.

I think (obviously) it's our RL interactions that have the most impact on how we react to people in RL, I used to be the shyest person in the world, I would go red if anyone even looked at me it was painful (I tell no lies here it is sad but true), it all changed when I got a part time waiting job, nowadays I have 200-300 people in my face everyday and I am seriously not fazed by it, infact I like seeing all those different people and am happiest with jobs that require social interaction, I don't think online gaming would have helped me get over shyness in RL infact it may well have had the opposite efffect and given me more reason not to face my fears and get over my shyness in RL.

Edit: so far my original thoughts on how MMO's could improve social skills is starting to see more doubts :)

***THIS POST HAS BEEN EDITED***

• Guild Wars: Mutants [MU] • Age of Conan: Ampian Forerunners •

11/20/07 18:23

Smooth Op

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RE: Do Online Friends become Real Life Friends - do MMO\\\'s increase Social abilities?

I've never met anyone in RL from IG. Though, I have found out that a friends' wife plays and is a member of the GW Amp community, and I never had any clue.

Personally, I prefer to be sociable in RL. It's much easier to read people; non-verbal communication is 90% of a conversation. If someone's telling a load of bs, it's much easier to call their bluff in RL, whereas in a game or on the Interbutts, you just never know. For instance, the now Hall of Fame QB for the 49ers, Steve Young, is my third (or fourth, I hate trying to figure that stuff out) cousin. Now, some, IG or on this forum, would be like "BS!!!!" but in RL I could show a picture he autographed for my family (my great grandfather and his mom were cousins, if memory serves me correctly).

I just think that IG, not so much here on the forums, can be full of a lot of fakers. And I hate it when people just can't be themselves. Here in the Amp community, however, after reading so many of a person's posts, or even pming and asking that person a question, you can collect a lot about that person, imo. Like, I had made a recommendation to Irish Grim Reaper on some music, and now if and when my and I get the chance to visit Ireland, I would definately offer to buy a round of some hardy draught.

So, after all that babble, I think it's certainly possible to be able to increase one's social skills through MMO's or a great community like we have here. No matter if it's RL or IG, you can run into drama-producers and bs artists, which is a shame on both accounts.

11/20/07 18:45

stanzhao1

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RE: Do Online Friends become Real Life Friends - do MMO's increase Social abilities?

MMO's cant improve the social skills of anyone. Any time you dont agree on something you or get mad you can 'rage quit'. Which is exactly the opposite in RL. If your having an argument with someone you cant suddenly disappear, you have to solve the problems, or deal with whatever consequences have been created by your actions in the first place.

I think you can easily use your social skills in a game, but you can by no means develop them as such. Even language in MMO's is shortened, abandoning the rules of using proper English.

I really have no problem with kids using MMO's, but as long as they dont become dependant on them. Luckily i'm 21 now, and when i was growing up i didnt have the internet and many computer games. So i had to go outside for entertainment, and meet friends etc. But nowadays most people who read the newspapers are afraid of their kids going out so much. The dangers of the outside world just amazes me now. Kids wearing protective goggles to play conkers?!? Its as if they are being encouraged not to interact, and instead stay inside and away from the outside where its not 'safe'.

I read This Article a while ago and this thread reminded me of it. I think it applies nicely here :)

***THIS POST HAS BEEN EDITED***

11/20/07 18:45

Cross

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RE: Do Online Friends become Real Life Friends - do MMO's increase Social abilities?

QUOTE

Well its not that I'm shy as turning red just I tend to be more of a listener. I do though dislike changing jobs meaning having to get to know others but I don't mind strangers when knowing its not likely that I'll be meeting them again.

I think a lot has to do with RL experiences as if you have had bad experiences with people you tend to be less trusting and keep a distance than if you've only had good experiences.

I grew up in a town that unless you have a certain last name or financial status or you were born there, you were nobody and were treated as so by not just other kids but by adults as well. By going through this I'm the type of person when it comes to moving beyond just a small conversation with someone on the street to friendship I'm alway willing to trust the other person as a friend but once something has happened to damage that trust I'm one of the hardest for a person to gain my trust back.

Friendship online seems easier in some cases as why lie its not like you have to ever meet the other person but in the same token some get on just to escape from themselves and change who they are and are totally different online than RL. I guess I have been lucky enough to say all that I have actually met online were more honest than most people you would meet just bumping into.

I'm neither here nor there but everywhere. I am who I am and nothing more but yet I'm nothing less than what I strive to be.

11/20/07 18:47

Ganymede

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RE: Do Online Friends become Real Life Friends - do MMO's increase Social abilities?

QUOTE

i'd invite them in for a beer instantly!

I'm in! only a slight problem I'm only 16 XD. I personally have not met anyone in GW in rl. One reason is no one seems to live in the same state as me, the other I think that my parents would be takenaback if I told them I met the person online. I would personally would like to meet some of my friends online in RL to see what they really act like and look like (< only the ones that claim to be female XD jk). I think that its cool that the cuople actually did fall in love online and met in person.

-Ganymede

11/20/07 19:15

DarkDoe

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RE: Do Online Friends become Real Life Friends - do MMO's increase Social abilities?

I haven't met anyone i play an MMO with but about 10 yrs ago while using mirc i met some ppl online and eventually we met up irl. We've become pretty good friends and try and visit each other once a year or so. We live bout 800 miles away from each other so not always easy.

Overall though i'd say that mmo's can be a great way for ppl to meet nowadays. With the way society has been changing computers are such a large part of everything that it's become almost inevitable that mmo's, chatrooms, and forums have become the "grocery store isle" of our generation.

11/20/07 21:08

Il Onlyblue Il

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RE: Do Online Friends become Real Life Friends - do MMO's increase Social abilities?

Great question @ EG...

I actually met my GF online. She and I started off as friends and have level'd up to a relationship. This was years before GW was around and thru an online social community but it was still an online relationship made real.

I did meet an Aussie I met thru an online MMO. Came to find out this guy was sweet on one of my gf's friends and ended up marrying her. He even brought tons of souvenirs from the airport and handed em out to all our friends. I still have this koala bear clip thing hanging on my desklamp as well as a silver aussie flag keychain. I DID meet him thru an online game first and he's a pretty cool guy in RL.

We have this local chat room for the island where people can chat and all that... A few years back, I used to attend 'chat-meets' that was held every few months. Usually it was a BBQ or public outing held by the regular, older chatters. It was basically a meet-and-greet, put a face to the name, kind of thing. The few meets that I've attended were fun.

Unfortunately, as most of the people I've spoken to thru online games live across the globe (save for that one time), I'm quite sure that most of my online interactions will stay online.

So yes I do believe that for some people it is 'possible' to find RL friends online. However, even if people live in the same town, the possibility of meeting people encountered online is still a "distant" idea for them.

On that note, check out this youtube video... Worse case scenario of when online MMO players meet in real life
The Guild - Episode 1: Wake Up Call

Stay Safe
If you do decide to meet someone you've met online, never meet that individual by yourself. Bring a friend or a group of friends and meet in a public area.

***THIS POST HAS BEEN EDITED***

11/20/07 21:43

Alphic Guardian

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RE: Do Online Friends become Real Life Friends - do MMO's increase Social abilities?

well it's lots of fun chatting with people for me especially here with other GameAmp members but my problem is I can never balance anything out if I get into Guild Wars or any MMO I start dropping other activities like sports but if I start to pick up activities then I barely have time to play but MMO's in my opinion are better than single-player games because you get to interact with others and you don't become isolated from everybody.

"There are two things that are infinite: the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former." -Albert Einstein
You tried your best and you failed miserably. The lesson is 'never try'. -Homer Simpson
"Friendship is like peeing on yourself: everyone can see it, but only you get the warm feeling that it brings." -http://www.coolfunnyquotes.com/
"...huh?" -Alphic Guardian

11/20/07 21:47

Rogue

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RE: Do Online Friends become Real Life Friends - do MMO's increase Social abilities?

I'd be terrified to meet most people here IRL. There are a few who I've decided are normal enough that I'd be comfortable meeting.

IGN: Rogue Mysst. Guest me for GvG.

11/20/07 21:54

Rider

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RE: Do Online Friends become Real Life Friends - do MMO's increase Social abilities?

Meeting friends in person that I first met in online games is interesting. I live in southwest Missouri and last year I had a guild mate from Germany come and spend a week with us. It was his first time to the US. Also one of our other guild members that lives in Canada came down and spent a week. It was great getting to know them face to face and spend time with them...

Also as a matter of fact she will be here some time tonight and is going to spend thanksgiving with us as well as another guild mate from Illinois is going to be here as well. There are several guildies that live within about an hour from us and they all said they would be here some time this weekend to meet up with everyone. Also we have one from Texas that is trying to work at coming up for a weekend at some point... she just hasn't had the chance yet. I think it's great.

Normally around where I live I don't know too many people. Mainly just the ones we do home repair work on a regular basis. But online I tend to have alot more friends and feel more sociable. I have met people from all over the world and played various games with them but so far only a few in person.

We welcome anyone who wants to stop by.

11/20/07 22:28

cswella

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RE: Do Online Friends become Real Life Friends - do MMO's increase Social abilities?

MMOs CAN improve or repair social skills.

If you've already got a great social life, that's great. You may or may not benefit, if you need to.

But for people who don't have good social lives or skills, an MMO can be greatly beneficial.

MMO's can help build or repair someone's social life/skills. How? It provides a shelter while allowing you to interact with people.

Someone with a overt fear of rejection can control their image and social exposure while online. Some might call it lying, but the person isn't lying out of malice. True, there is a limit, such as boasting your false millions or your ease at running 3 marathons in a day. But overall, people who use this as a defensive won't go that far.

Create a whole new you, learn social skills and learn about other people. Soon you may notice that you're not so different than others with your negative aspects. You discover talents you have easier because you're more willing to try new things. Don't think you're leader material? Try starting a group for something, see how well you do.

If anything goes wrong (and hopefully your friends will tell you it's okay), you can always switch guilds/games.

You say that games allow people to be mean, but I don't really see that much of a difference between real life and a game.

You drop your tray in the lunchroom, see what happens.

To those naysayers, MMOs ARE a form of social interaction. Nobody says Telephones or Mail are anti-social, do they? Granted, you do need face-to-face interaction in your life though.

Panda Points x 7

11/20/07 23:54

mriswith

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RE: Do Online Friends become Real Life Friends - do MMO's increase Social abilities?

I have met some great people via GuildWars. Some of whom i had the honor meeting in RL (the UK trip geek is referring to). I must admit i was suprised how well we got along while actually we knew each other only from TS and the game. The moment we all met up (first in brighton to pick some people up and to meet the geekness) and later on the campingsite near Ulverstone it was as if we were long lost friends.

No need to say it was one heck of a party :) and a week to remember :)

Can't wait till next years trip :)

***THIS POST HAS BEEN EDITED***

necromancer all the way

11/21/07 01:29

Hexblood

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RE: Do Online Friends become Real Life Friends - do MMO's increase Social abilities?

I have met a few people in MMOs that I concider very good friends.

I have not met any irl but want to. One friend I was hoping to make it out to her wedding this past summer but things didn't work out that I could make it. ; ;

She has become a very dear friend and one of these days I'll make it out to visit.

11/21/07 03:05

Hardstrike

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RE: Do Online Friends become Real Life Friends - do MMO's increase Social abilities?

Ive met people from online games yes. Before I even played guildwars I spent my time on Return to castle Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory (the free online version).
Played in a server for months and joined some dutch clan. and they are used to have a LAN party twice a year, first one I didn't like the idea, but when they were holding the next one the asked again if I wanted to come too. Its scary to meet people you already know. its so different. but since that first LAN i'm still going every time. Playing Singstar with buddys is awsome :D

This is a great way to get to know the people in ur guild (or clan whatever game u also play)

11/21/07 04:11

Druss de Moorch

Posts: 0
Joined: 01/31/2006
Credibility: 0 pts

RE: Do Online Friends become Real Life Friends - do MMO's increase Social abilities?

I think you can get RL friend from a MMO and in my opinion it can increase your social skills.

Almost 2 years ago i joint the guild Tami and i am stil there. In that time i have met about 30 persons in real live. I live in holland and most members live in belgie.
We also have (or try to have) a guild weekend 1 time per year. I have seen almost everybody in RL we also have some members living in noreway and estonia i also have met those people. I have became good friends with the persons from noreway, we talk almost every night on skype even if we dont play. I even been on a small vacation in noreway and stayed at my friends place for a week. It was realy great.

It could be a realy pain to meet players in RL, but mostly you have chatted or talked to them and mostly you already have a good idea on how they are like. Atleast that is my expirense with this.

11/21/07 09:10

Zoaka Ewon

Posts: 21
Joined: 03/29/2006
Credibility: 0 pts

RE: Do Online Friends become Real Life Friends - do MMO's increase Social abilities?

I have never actually met anyone I have played with on Guildwars. I believe this is mainly because I live in Canada (East coast) and most of the people i play with are in Europe or the US.

My Character Profiles

11/21/07 09:19

Tha Golden Warrior

Posts: 0
Joined: 11/19/2006
Credibility: 0 pts

RE: Do Online Friends become Real Life Friends - do MMO's increase Social abilities?

when i first started playing guildwars, i met a nice german guy in pre, we did all quests together, farmed stuff, did adventures and stuff. then outside pre we'd always stick together aswell by beating missions together, lending each other money for each armor in the outposts etc.we were talking about how cool it would be to see each other in rl, but i live on tenerife and he in germany, i usually never get to meet people online in rl due to the distance, but his parents went to tenerife every major holidays for motocross in the mountains, and always took him with them.

then in summer we met in a cybercafe, he had been exactly how he described (at first i was a bit nervous thinking he was like some perv rapist or something) and we had some beers and an awesome time, since that day every time his parents and he come over for holidays, we meet up :D he doesn't play gw anymore but we've found other stuff to do ^^,

imo mmo's DO increase social skills in many ways.

11/21/07 09:27

wanderson75

Posts: 0
Joined: 04/12/2006
Credibility: 0 pts

RE: Do Online Friends become Real Life Friends - do MMO\'s increase Social abilities?

I've been gaming for a fairly long time now. I've been in clans and guilds here and there and have gotten to know a good number of people that I feel are true friends.

Shocker...I met my fiance online actually about five years ago. Of course it didn't start off as an online relationship type thing. After a couple of years of chatting, we decided to meet and the rest is history.

And having gamed since I was ahem...younger...some of the people in my old clans I kept in touch with...usually through IM or still playing games for "old times" sake. Now they're married and stuff, and I'm getting married...it's kind of neat...because it's like growing up together with childhood friends..we just share our experiences online instead of at the bar.

Some of my online friends and I have met in RL as well. We get together and go to the movies or hang out and stuff. It's a lot of fun.

Granted, there are some crazies out there. But usually it's pretty easy to weed those out from the rest of the crowd. The internet has become a society on it's own, and I frankly think that it's started to open our eyes not just to different points of view, but different cultures and different ways of life as well. I think that GameAMP here is a good testament to that. How many different countries and walks of life are represented just here alone? And how many different kinds of people are represented in our own clans? And how many good people have we all gotten to know that we never would have otherwise?

/endrantkthxbai

11/21/07 09:55

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