Online Communities Have Positive Effect 32
eToychest has the results from a three year study, showing the effect of online gaming communities. Overall, the study found, such communities have beneficial results. From the article: "'Our study shows that the online gaming communities are complex and highly developed, acting as training grounds for the transition from school to work' Nic continues: 'When playing, gamers are undergoing a complex process of work related learning - learning how to cope with work scenarios - which is far removed from the traditionally held negative view of gaming. Put simply, these games have a central - and positive - role to play in the development and education of young people.'"
Commander Obvious strikes again. (Score:5, Insightful)
I mean, seriously. This has been documented plenty of times in real life, is it really all that astounding that people behave the same way in multiplayer games?
Re:Commander Obvious strikes again. (Score:3, Funny)
If by "positive social structure" you mean "abusing any and all methods, intentional or cheat-wise, to con/deceive/insult/steal from other players for the sheer thrill", then yeah.
Re:Commander Obvious strikes again. (Score:2)
Re:Commander Obvious strikes again. (Score:2)
It's no one's fault. MMORPGS just aren't for me.
Re:Commander Obvious strikes again. (Score:1)
Re:Commander Obvious strikes again. (Score:2)
Re:Commander Obvious strikes again. (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:Commander Obvious strikes again. (Score:1)
Re:Commander Obvious strikes again. (Score:1)
Unfortunately (Score:1)
Actually interesting (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:Actually interesting (Score:5, Interesting)
For him, the game was a test bed where he could determine what sorts triggers and levers people have and then see how he could manipulate them to his own end (no surprise that he loved "The Prince" when he read it). I came to appreciate the same things he did later on in my experience, although I never been the manipulating type. It's fascinating though, there are extraordinary leadership opportunities to be learned in these games a person need only the fortitude to deal with morons.
Re:Actually interesting (Score:2)
In a MMORPG, I would expect a lot more of that behavior. In order to achieve goals and reach certain milestones, players quickly learn that it is beneficial to work together. You will see people g
transition from school to work? (Score:5, Funny)
When the players went to work, however, they had to adjust to the fact that other characters' names were pinned to their chests rather than displayed in floating letters above their head. Also, the /dance macro is harder than it looks out here.
In Other News... (Score:4, Funny)
Work related learning, check your scenario first (Score:3, Funny)
Much like school itself, online community games are social situations. And many of us conduct business through electronic communications such as phones, chats, and e-mail. I could see how being able to resolve conflicts and forge alliances remotely could be an advantage in the real world work environment.
However, playing first person shooting games 3 hours a day with your eventual career being a postal employee working in a sorting facility may not be constructive "work related learning".
Re:Work related learning, check your scenario firs (Score:2)
You mean the ability to take cover from hostile fire and figure out out to get the out of the building without getting killed is not a useful work skill in a post office environment? Not everyone gets to be a "shooter" in real life and learning how not to be a "target" can save your life.
Re:Work related learning, check your scenario firs (Score:2)
Socializing Practice (Score:3, Insightful)
This is especially true in the game ATITD2 (Score:4, Interesting)
Take for example the test of friendship, to pass it (IIRC), you must bury money in the presence of 10 people (who you trust), thus those people know where the money is, and could dig it up and steal it, and you would never know who did it, unless you caught them in the act (unlikely). If the money is still there after a week, you pass the test. Think about that social structure
Don't Forget (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:Don't Forget (Score:2)
A couple take away points (Score:1)
It is OK to drink on the job (who plays MMOs sober after all).
Woo hoo, and hand me a pabst!
Playing.... learning. (Score:4, Insightful)
Same results elsewhere. (Score:1)
It seems like all video game studies are meant for realistic parents who would rather have their children outside playing in the sun, as opposed to having their kids locked in a dimly-lit basement playing video games. "Games are good for your kids!" Not in comparison to what they could be doing...
Teambuilding (Score:2)
Gotta be less painful than paintballing, anway.
Re:Teambuilding (Score:1)
Actually, yes.
Although I would suggest a team FPS (UT2k4, CS, Joint Ops, BF1942) where teamwork is mostly necessary. Make sure to turn friendly fire on. They'll have a lot of fun shooting each other until that gets boring. Not as fun as paintball, but not as painful either. :)
You might also try MMORPGs that require fixed classes to fill certain rolls. (I would suggest pre-made characters so they don't have to grind that much.) Having to depend on the tank to keep agro, and the healer to heal, and t