Ceonverging identities, a little survey.

Comments

• Midare Member Posts: 46

  December 2009

  Originally posted by pfx13AE

  1. Does the avatar you assume in game reflect your offline self in some way?

  Most likely, yes. I would say playing a character you share nothing with -at all- would probably lead to it seeming sort of flat. 

   

  2. ...Through social interactions?

   Maybe, but I can swing to extremes of extroversion and introversion, I usually make characters at one or the other extreme. Or i make them one and they're the opposite when drunk.

   

  3. ...Ethical decisions?

   Usually, although playing a "bad guy" can be fun, it's just more demanding/challenging, and is unlikely to be my main.

   

  4. ...Representational choices (for instance: the way your face or armor looks or the role of the class you picked)?

   Are you asking if I make the character look like myself? My idealized self? Something like that? I think it depends on the character, some have resembled me... some haven't. Armor choices are usually what I find attractive, and classes are more likely to be things I enjoy playing. Even if I made up a character that would be a different class than ones I normally play... such a character would live in my head and not be one I launched in-game, because I won't commit hours to playing a class I don't enjoy.

   

  5. ...Priorities and motivations (for instance: do you find yourself pursuing statistics or currency over relationships in-game or vice versa? Are you the same way offline?)

   I don't really like leading, so I don't tank nor do I assume/persue officer roles in guilds. I don't enjoy small scale PvP so I don't do arena matches. As such I don't launch "fighter" RP characters in games. If a game was more free form and stats applied to more things than just combat then I'd be more willing to toy around with them. When they just apply to combat elements I follow what works for my class' reliable build. Currency is only focused on with regards to what I need it for, I'm not driven by money IRL and it doesn't become a focus in-game either, outside of goal amounts for purchases like mounts etc.

  
  
   
• dhayes68 Member UncommonPosts: 1,388

  December 2009

  Originally posted by pfx13AE
  
  
  This applies largely to MMOGs in which role playing occurs, so I felt it deserved another spot on this forum. Anyways...
  I'm doing a light case study comparing and contrasting the motivations, priorities, and identities of online and offline personalities. I'd really appreciate it if anyone reading this could take the time to briefly answer these questions (This is a real informal so go any way you want with it). Thanks in advance!
   
   
  1. Does the avatar you assume in game reflect your offline self in some way? Regardless of the type of char I choose to play, how can it not?
   
  2. ...Through social interactions?
   
  3. ...Ethical decisions?
   
  4. ...Representational choices (for instance: the way your face or armor looks or the role of the class you picked)?
   
  5. ...Priorities and motivations (for instance: do you find yourself pursuing statistics or currency over relationships in-game or vice versa? Are you the same way offline?)
   
  Thanks again to anyone who helps me out here. All contributions will be properly credited. Don't forget to have fun with it!
  

   

  Basically, regardless of the char I choose to play the answer to all those questions for me, is: in some way, yes. Because its a game, something I do for fun, I'm not looking to spend hours forcing myself to behave fundamentally opposed to how I'd behave normally. Its not a lock though and I reserve the freedom do do whatever I feel like on the spur of the moment because there are no real consequences, but overall, my chars reflect me in more respects then they do not.
• RealmLords Member Posts: 358

  December 2009

  Originally posted by pfx13AE
  
  
  This applies largely to MMOGs in which role playing occurs, so I felt it deserved another spot on this forum. Anyways...
  I'm doing a light case study comparing and contrasting the motivations, priorities, and identities of online and offline personalities. I'd really appreciate it if anyone reading this could take the time to briefly answer these questions (This is a real informal so go any way you want with it). Thanks in advance!
   
   
  1. Does the avatar you assume in game reflect your offline self in some way?
  Yes, the positioning, manner of roleplay, and even class selection reflects myself the player.  (Usually a healer / support person, not a guild leader but a strong assistant to one, character appearance tends to not be very flashy)
   
  2. ...Through social interactions?
   Yes, avatar both reflects me as an individual and moreso my preferences on interaction (small groups, close friends, general avoidance of large populations)
   
  3. ...Ethical decisions?
  Again yes.  Personal ethics is very significant in my life, and my behavior in-game should reflect this.
   
  4. ...Representational choices (for instance: the way your face or armor looks or the role of the class you picked)?
  Physically its a bit tough to match an older guy with a game character.  However, for the most part we (both my characters and I) tend to dress down and look frumpy.
   
  5. ...Priorities and motivations (for instance: do you find yourself pursuing statistics or currency over relationships in-game or vice versa? Are you the same way offline?)
  Haha, funny you'd mention that.  This has been sort of a revelation for me.  I like to be in groups, but I don't prefer to lead (I'm not good at it).  I like to explore, I prefer to be wealthy but not to extremes. 
  Thanks again to anyone who helps me out here. All contributions will be properly credited. Don't forget to have fun with it!
   
  Interesting survey.  Best of luck with it!
   
  Ken
  

   

  www.ActionMMORPG.com
  One man, a small pile of money, and the screwball idea of a DIY Indie MMORPG? Yep, that's him. ~sigh~