A better you: socialising and personal development through MMOs

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to examine the positive impact of online gaming on improving relationships, socializing and its contribution to overall personal development. Within this paper, it is argued that games could achieve this through: (1) serving as third places leading to the break-down of conventional social norms; (2) the provision of varied social ties and experiences; and (3) by inciting a greater sense of responsibility and trust through in-game challenges and objectives.     

Despite criticisms of potential relationship deterioration, and false communities, perceived social and growth benefits of virtual gameplay environments may transcend this space to extend to players’ offline lives. The evidence appearing in this paper consist of studies and information gathered from existing academic journal articles, media files, and correspondence from players themselves.                         

Introduction

In the modern day, online gaming has become an incredibly popular activity all over the world for both young and older demographics. Over the years, gaming has evolved from simple forms such as adult arcade games, to realistic and powerful graphic-intensive gameplay experiences. In 2019, there was an estimated 2.5 billion gamers worldwide and approximately $152.1 billion spent on this industry (Wijman, 2019). This popular entertainment form has consequently been the subject of controversy over whether it is a help or hinderance in the lives of its dedicated players. There is a conception that time spent engaging in gameplay—particularly games that fall into the category of MMOs (known as Mass-Multiplayer Online games)—can result in negative occurrences such as gaming addiction, poor relationships and a sense of false community (Beniger, 1987; Postman, 1992, as cited in Steinkuehler & Williams, 2006, p. 886).  

However, increasingly more studies are finding that this in fact may not be true. Despite claims that MMO erode relationships and foster pseudo communities, it is possible that these games may actually contribute to more balanced social lives and improved overall personal development. This is due to gaming worlds as third places able to weaken traditional social barriers, the role of MMO communities in offering balanced social capital relations, and the pursuit of game challenges that nurture responsibility and trust. For the purpose of this argument, most of the focus will centre around MMOs where players experience the game and interact with other players through the use of digital characters, or ‘avatars’ (Steinkuehler & Williams, 2006, p. 886) that are tied to an online server. In particular, this paper makes several references to the MMO World of Warcraft, where many of these claims are applicable.

eroding social barriers (not relationships)

MMOs serve as ‘third places’ able to break down traditional social barriers and promote more diverse relations.Steinkuehler and Williams (2006, p. 889) outline this concept of a ‘third place’, as a neutral social space separate from home and work, usually existing in the form of social venues such as bars, clubs, cafes, etc. Advancements in technology have however, led to the movement of these third places to the digital sphere, in the form of online gaming servers. Traditionally restricted to one’s hometown or state, these places have now become accessible to people all over the world from the comfort of their home (p. 894). This shift brings with it, a different social dynamic and form of interaction governed by the confines of the online world. The interactions conducted in this environment are done so without a physical body, nor heavy involvement of real-life aspects of identity able to be perceived or judged by other parties (Frostling-Henningsson, 2009, p. 558). For example, in the case of an RPG MMO such as World of Warcraft, individuals interact as game characters or entities governed by the player’s chosen categories of race and class(Williams et al., 2006).Any traditional social barriers such as background, race, culture, etc. therefore remain unrecognised and mostly irrelevant, further suggesting that individuals are able to consequently express themselves more comfortably than they perhaps would in an offline social dynamic(Cole & Griffiths, 2007, as cited in Frostling-Henningsson, 2009, p. 558). Connection is instead ‘built on personal engagement and interest’ (p. 558) and players essentially learn how to interact with one another through the parts of their personalities showcased in the game (Cherin, as cited in Frostling-Henningsson, 2009, p. 558).

At the same time, the nature of these interactions and their congregation in a capacity of largely unrestricted movement allows players to be exposed to different types of people they may not normally encounter in the offline world (p. 558). This increases the likelihood of exposure to situations or viewpoints that could initiate discussion, debate, or juxtaposition alongside an individual’s existing values and opinions. This provides each party the opportunity to reflect upon and more deeply engage with these new perspectives. The increased exposure resulting from these types of interactions (particular in a non-threatening space such as an online guild or social group) could lead to a more open mind, greater levels of tolerance, acceptance, and an overall greater understanding of one another. One World of Warcraft player echoed this attitude online, reflecting that: ‘this game is a community, a way of life and a common [ground] between those who wouldn’t have any otherwise’ (AngelFall9, 2015).

Through their position as a third place, MMOs therefore allow social interactions to be diversified under a veil of unity and familiarity that helps lift conventional social barriers and enable richer social exchange and relationships.

creating social balance

MMOs encourage more balanced social lives through the provision of varied social ties or ‘capital’, and experiences to meet different social needs.

• Social balance through varied social capital

During social interaction and bond formation, the term ‘social capital’ has been deemed useful as a tool for understanding social structure, and measuring the depth of these relations (Putnam 2000, as cited in Steinkuehler & Williams, 2006, p. 900; Greely, 1997, as cited in Foster, Meinhard & Berger, 2003, p. 2). Steinkuehler and Williams (2006, p. 900) define the concept of ‘social capital’ as similar to financial capital; [in that] it can be ‘acquired and spent, [in exchange] for social and personal gains’. Previous studies have highlighted two types of connection that can be formed within the realm of social capital—‘social bridging’, and ‘social bonding’ (Castiglione, Van Deth, & Guglielmo, 2008; Putnam, 2000, as cited in Trepte, Reinecke, & Juechems, 2012, p. 882)—and an understanding of the nature of these social connections will demonstrate how MMOs can be viewed as a tool to strike balance between the two.
‘Social bridging’ refers to a diverse network style of social capital whereby relationships are not necessarily very deep, but are beneficial in providing assistance, monetary or professional support, access to information and resources, and offering new perspectives or interpretations to  individuals (Williams et al., 2006; Steinkuehler & Williams, 2006). ‘Social bonding’ by contrast, is generally less diverse but consists of strong relationships that provide a solid emotional support system. These are the ties generally seen between close family members or friends, and many other offline relationships in an individual’s life (p. 901). Whilst in MMOs, previous studies suggest that social bridging relations are the bonds more likely to be formed (Huvila, et al., 2010, as cited in Trept et al., 2012).          

However,there is a lack of evidence to suggest that one type of capital is consistently more beneficial than the other, in all situations, all of the time. In fact, research suggests that having a combination of both types of social ties is ideal in maintaining a balanced social life that promotes wellbeing (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2002; Ferlander, 2007; Foster et al., 2003; Reeves, 2019). MMOs also provide a unique space where existing bonds can be strengthened (TED, 2010) and social bridging ties alternatively, can deepen to those of a bonding nature, depending on game interaction and the progression of social dynamics (Steinkuehler & Williams, 2006, p. 902).

• Social balance through varied social experience

Regardless of whether relationships fall under the category of bonding or bridging, the social component associated with both styles has continuously been shown to provide a more enriched gaming experience for players, and providing the opportunity to observe and learn from the playstyle and methods of one another (Frostling-Henningsson, 2009). In particular, one study conducted on World of Warcraft’s in-game social groups referred to as ‘guilds’ discovered that many players not only enjoyed the sense of belonging it afforded them, but also liked being connected and identified with a particular group, and the respect it brought them (Williams et al., 2006, p. 349). Another study additionally demonstrated that the social component not only serves as entertainment for players, but the collaborative nature proves valuable in ‘striving for perfection [and], ‘striving to reach the top’ (Micko, as cited in Frostling-Henningsson, 2009, p. 560). These experiences work alongside social capital to create a diverse set of relationships that will likely cater to different social, emotional and/or practical needs. As such, MMOs could be viewed as a tool that brings balance to communal relations through social capital and various experiences.

contributing to overall development

Game objectives within MMOs could potentially enhance development by cultivating responsibility and trust.

• Responsibility and purpose through gameplay objectives

In addition to providing entertainment and opportunities to socialise, MMOs may also provide individuals with an environment where they are able to take on responsibility and feel purposeful through the fulfillment of game objectives (TED, 2010). Game mechanisms that are most successful in activating these attitudes are those that possess a learning curve, a set of skills to be mastered, a completion aim and feedback system, and a challenge or quest tailored towards the designated player’s exact level and skill-set (Frostling-Henningsson, 2009; TED, 2010). Upon accepting an objective, players not only become responsible for its completion, but find they are pushed to the limits of what they are capable of in order to achieve a successful outcome (TED, 2010). This responsibility will likely invoke a sense of purpose in players, while the belief and knowledge that success is possible, further allows them to conclude that it is worthwhile to pursue and persist in order to complete the task (TED, 2010). Biological evidence also supports this idea—when players receive positive affirmation or feedback from completing a challenge, the brain receives a surge of dopamine, prompting further pursuit of that feeling, and a search for the next, more difficult challenge to overcome (Willis, 2011). Favourable responses to effort generally also result in heightened feelings of progress and improvement, and a sense that the hard work and effort expended is paying off—connecting back to this idea of having responsibility and feeling purposeful (TED, 2010).

While it is quite clear that in-game objectives will very likely differ from the type of problems an individual might face in the offline world, they are not completely disconnected from one another. There is evidence to suggest that a correlation exists between positive in-game behaviours and redeeming qualities found in players, indicating that these qualities are likely transferrable between both environments (Frostling-Henningsson, 2009). Therefore, the continued use of problem-solving and goal achievement is likely to give players more confidence in their abilities within those areas and potentially cause a cascade effect of this into their offline lives.

One player of the MMO game RuneScape, reflected this correlation between the two in an interview for the game’s documentary, stating:

“There used to be a stigma whereby to play a game like RuneScape was to abandon the real world, but actually I think the two realities feed really well into each other. In my job, working for a student union now, I use a lot of the skills that I learned playing RuneScape” —His Lordship, (player)

(RuneScape, 2017, 30:29).

• Trust and collaboration through gameplay objectives

In addition to delegating responsibility, game objectives allow individuals to collaborate and form groups to take on more difficult objectives that may require collective effort for a successful outcome. In terms of personal relationships, playing games with others has also been shown to build up ‘bonds of trust and cooperation’ (TED, 2010, 9:42), allows players to reap the benefits of more rapid game progression, foster a mutual sense of shared glory when victorious and promote a shared sense of teamwork in their pursuit of a common goal (Frostling-Henningsson, 2009, p. 560). When players wholly trust one another and can cooperate effectively towards a common goal, players are also more likely to feel a sense of belonging and communal support. Therefore, it is possible that continuous involvement in such an environment could further deepen the ability to trust and work effectively alongside others, thereby making it easier and more viable for an individual to display these skills in the offline world, also. Overall, greater responsibility, purpose and trust inspired by gameplay could therefore, have a positive impact upon overall personal development.

Conclusion

The real world and the gaming world are different, and not all skills displayed in games will be immediately transferrable to an offline environment. However, much of the interaction involved in online multiplayer gameplay does provide ample learning opportunity to develop beneficial skills. For individuals spending extensive amounts of time interacting in these virtual gameplay spaces, it is likely their behaviours will begin to mould their lives accordingly. As interaction is undertaken through the gameplay world: traditional social boundaries will likely weaken, and lead to more diverse social relations; abalance of social capital and experiences could improve social relations; and the achievement of gameplay challenges may inspire responsibility and trust. All of which combined, would result in a more balanced and rich social life, and the development of positive traits contributing to personal growth.

References