Antisocial Social Play

This week we read some of T. L. Taylor's "Play Between Worlds: Exploring Online Game Culture." The bit we read (Chapter 2, "Gaming Lifeworlds: Social Play in Persistent Environments") was quite interesting, but before I get there I want to mention that Taylor is female. I realize that there are lots of women in academia writing about a wide array of subjects, but I think it's important to mention that a major academic in this field is female. Not only are there female  gamers, but there are female gamers who study gaming.  Apparently the stereotype of lazy, anti-social, middle-aged men who live in their mother's basements is not entirely accurate.

In any case, Taylor talks a lot about the social aspect of the game and its importance. Specifically, she talks about socializing in EverQuest. She points out that EverQuest is "deeply social" and that players create a "web of networks and relationships" which often exist both online in the game and off-line out in the physical world. She says that players communicate not only for personal socialization, but that "interaction is built into the very heart of the game." Players have to help each other to succeed, and assisting other players becomes one of the unwritten rules of the game. Players can shout for help, gift items to each other, or ignore other players completely. But those who have little or no interaction with other players find that their reputation is poor, and a bad reputation can impact their ability to advance in the game.

A few days ago I started playing LOTRO. I, uh, "rolled" a toon and made it all the way to level 10, and now that I've had some "in-game" experiences I can comment on Taylor's writing and share my experiences. So here it is:

I've literally had no interaction with other players.

I have a few guesses as  to why my gameplay is so far from what Taylor argues is an essential aspect of virtual worlds. To start, I'm a beginner. Not only did I just start playing LOTRO, but I've never played another MMO before either. At this point in my playing I don't really need other players to assist me, and most of my questing so far has been in areas where other people were few and far between. When I have arrived in areas with people, I avoid them. They kind of scare me since I still think of the internet as a dangerous place where creepy stalkers try to talk to you, but I also don't need them for anything right now. One other reason that I've had no in-game interactions with other players might be that I have a gaming buddy who can help me with my game from the real world. So even though his toon and my toon have yet to meet in Middle Earth, Brooks offers helpful advice. Who knew that not only can my toon eat, but it should eat? I certainly didn't. Apparently food replenishes its health after an attack. This sort of assistance in practical gameplay means that I need the help of other players even less. I'm also not playing EverQuest. LOTRO might require less socialization. I imagine that as I continue to play and level up I will become more dependent on other players. I guess we'll find out.