Contents |
Players will just about allways assume an identity in, some form or another, when playing both online and on Local Area Netwoks (LAN's). As the player operates in a virtual gaming space, there is little reason to include ones true identity. Game identities do not have to relate to a persons real identity. Gender, age, race, and religion are some of the more common traits in computer games that can be determinned by the player.
Howard Rheingold (1995:147), a digital technology theorist, stated that "Similar to the way previous media dissolved social boundaries related to time and space, the latest computer-mediated communications media seem to dissolve boundaries of identity as well".
The process of creating an identity or avatar varies in the complexity and involvement of the game (Wright, Boria, Breiden, 2002). Some games require just a simple name to be entered while others require a full visual character, complete with history, to be created. Role-playing Games (RPG's) usually require the most complex character identities to be created as this enhances the role-playing element for all the players involved.
A unique identity will help differentiate a player from their opponents. A player will generally keep the same identity when competing so others will remember who they are. This is important if players wish to earn a reputation. In some cases, primarily team games, players will want to all show an affiliation with other members. The can achieve this by wearing similar 'skins' or 'uniforms', selecting a similar 'race' or simply adding the team name infront of their own. This creates a enhanced sense of cohesion within a digital environment.
A unique identity will help differentiate a player from their opponents. A player will generally keep the same identity when competing so others will remember who they are. This is important if players wish to earn a reputation. In some cases, primarily team games, players will want to all show an affiliation with other members. The can achieve this by wearing similar 'skins' or 'uniforms', selecting a similar 'race' or simply adding the team name infront of their own. This creates a enhanced sense of cohesion within a digital environment.
Identity play allows gamers to remain anonymous in a virtual gaming environment. It can allow players to either fully immerse or detach themselves from it. Whatever the intention of the player, this is an important part of the gaming experience.
Swalwell, M. (2003) Multi-Player Computer Gaming: Better than playing (PC Games) with yourself Reconstruction Fall 2003 Vol 3, No. 4 Available: http://www.reconstruction.ws/034/swalwell.htm [Accessed Aug 8, 2004]
Rheingold, H. (1995) The Virtual Community. 1st edition, London: Mandarin Paperbacks. ISBN 0749395001
Wright, T., Boria, E. & Breiden, P. (2002) Creative Player Actions in FPS Online Video Games: Playing Counterstrike Game Studies: the international journal of computer game research Vol 2, No. 2 Available: http://www.gamestudies.org/0202/wright/ [Accessed Aug 8, 2004]
Luke Smart 11:50, 31 Oct 2004 (EST)
