MMOG is Relatable

"Massively multi player online games (also known as massively multi player online role playing games, MMORGs, MMOGs or MMOs) are, as the name suggests, games that are many people play online together in virtual worlds," (Bailey, 2012).

 

To be successful in an MMORG the player must engage in a large amount of communication within the gaming community. Despite its added creativity and imaginative features, this communication used in the virtual world actually builds real-world skills. These skills derive from the need to be independent, solve problems, negotiate, learn currencies/trade value, and work as a team to conquer various aspects of the virtual world. Role playing requires most of the same energy as living except the users are required to create themselves and function in an online community rather than just be themselves and take what is handed to them. The role playing in MMOs is advanced enough that players can even join together in protest of problems with the game to truly contribute to their online citizenship.

These online communities are also generally more well behaved and arguably better at communicating than traditional communities. "One reason for this is the value players attribute to belonging to the communities. In some cases value is due to the cost of purchasing the software required to play the game," (Bailey, 2012). The users are there by choice and must engage with others to gain achievement in order for them to fulfill their role playing duties. By observing these behaviors, we better understand communicating in cyberspace through the use of virtual worlds versus offline communication. It helps each player develop an idenitity and feel as if they belong to something of importance. So what does this mean?

This means massive multi player game playing is a beneficial tool in learning to communicate effectively in an online community and be an active member of society in which we all depend on one another to advance.

Bailey, Claire. "CommUnity: Online Conference on Networks and Communities 2012." MMO-topia: Are Massively Multiplayer Online Games Cultivating Communities That Are Better than Life? ComUnity, 24 Apr. 2012. Web. 05 Aug. 2012.