One online community that I am a part of is accessed through a computer program called STEAM. It's an online gaming community that allows you to keep track of friends and join games with them.
Within this community there are hundreds of thousands of players across hundreds of games. For me though, I tend to play with friends that I know in person outside of the STEAM community. When I log onto it I will see if any of my friends are in a game (as of now we usually play Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2) and if they are I can send them an instant message and let them know I'm on and invite them to join a game together.
Outside of this community I still talk to my friends normally, and just because I'm part of this online gaming community it doesn't mean that I only meet with other community members in the games, I use the community as just another way to meet with friends I know in person.
With regards to the barriers that exist to join the community, users must have a computer and must download the STEAM program. They then must create an account, then purchase and download a game to play. They can still contact other members without having a game to play, but only once you have a game can you join that and play with others. Without a game it's nothing more than an instant messanger system with a digital game store attached to it. Even if someone has a game they can play, they must still know how to play it, and many games now require very quick reactions and memorization of keys on the keyboard as well as excellent eye-hand coordination to play, and it would be very frustrating to play against other people if you were new to computers.
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It's good to see that I'm not alone when it comes to being myself online. I don't game, but I do tend to keep some sort of consistent onine communication with those that I see personally.
ReplyDeleteThere are a few people that I communicate online with who I know very well personally, but live in a different geographic location.
I feel that online communication online with people that you know personally is really no different than talking on the telephone.
I feel that there is a difference when you're talking online to people that you don't know personally. It's difficult to really get to know who someone is without being able to visually and physically interact with them. And who's to say that THEY are or aren't someone who acts differently online than in person.
You know, gaming communities are really some of the oldest forms of true virtue communities, but what I hear you saying is that you actually don't tap into that -- that you game with people you actually know. Therefore, is your community actually a virtual one, or a physical community happening to use a tool to communicate/game (sometimes) online?
ReplyDeleteI understand frustration when it comes to new gamers. I am one of those who really suck at Halo XBOX, and I feel my presence is merely for their skill enhancement. I am the fresh kill at the beginning of each game. What I find intriguing is the feedback from other gamers and listening to them berate my performance. It is a antagonistic environment but fun as I intern become a barrier. It is a diverse community.
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