I play MMOs because I like some of them.  Its also another way to keep in touch with my best friend who lives in another state.  Otherwise, I never look to MMOs for social interaction.  I have friends at work and my family for all of that.  MMO people aren't friends.  They're just people I play with for a brief time.  I never really care about getting to know them in any way besides the basics, so I know who I'm dealing with.  Their age, married, kids, single, career, male, shemale or actual female=)  When I was single, I might've cared a little bit, but not anymore. 

All types of people play MMOs.  But never think a MMO social life can replace a REAL social life, unless you're literally can't leave the house.  If thats you're only avenue, then use it the best you can.  But avatars aren't really people;)  If you never met them face to face you don't really know them.   You actually only truly know someone after you've lived with them for a little while or spent a few tours with them;)  Thats experience talking.  Its sad that certain generations who chat with people online or communicate through a blog actually think they know each other.  Not even close.   I guess when so many people have minimum experience really interacting with people,  they think chatting online is a replacement.   Its not.

Never let a videogame replace a social life.  In the end, you'll regret it.  Nothing replaces actual face to face interaction.  I'm amazed when interviewing interns(college kids) to find their personalities completely inadequate to deal with professionals on a day to day basis...corporate graphics studio.  These artsy or nerdy kids, who might be really talented artistically or technically can't deal with adults face to face or even talk properly on a phone.  No basic etiquette what so ever.  Its amazing really.   What the hell hapenned, hehe=)

Originally posted by natuxatu

Do you play MMOs because you're lonely and unhappy with life? Is MMOs your way to escape? I know it is for me :( 

I have friends in rl along with a large family.

I also have friends that I meet playing MMOs certain ones that i played UO and Eve with actually live in my city and over time have become real life friends.

We actually goto eachother BBQ's and my kids play with their kids.

While I dont go looking for social interation due to not having any in real life, I do enjoy conversation and am a very social person in game.

I personally hate anyone that plays a MMO and only speaks of the videogame. I know thats normal with todays wow kiddies but i like to get to know the players im playing with and encourage social interaction.

Originally posted by natuxatu

Do you play MMOs because you're lonely and unhappy with life? Is MMOs your way to escape? I know it is for me :( 

Absolutely not; I play MMOs and games in general because I love them. Are they a form of esscape, yes. But so is all entertainment forms, so are movies and books. I am not looking to escape my life but rather to enjoy some moments of escapism and fun entertainment.

I play games (MMOs and otherwise) with friends and family. I have an awesome wife and two fantastic little boys that I  cannot get enough of.  Does that mean I am never stressed or unhappy and need to get away for an hour or two, no. I have those things too because they are a simple part of life and some times getting away from it all and enjoying some moments in a game, or reading a book, watching a movie, etc is exactly what the doctor ordered.

Originally posted by Josher

I play MMOs because I like some of them.  Its also another way to keep in touch with my best friend who lives in another state.  Otherwise, I never look to MMOs for social interaction.  I have friends at work and my family for all of that.  MMO people aren't friends.  They're just people I play with for a brief time.  I never really care about getting to know them in any way besides the basics, so I know who I'm dealing with.  Their age, married, kids, single, career, male, shemale or actual female=)  When I was single, I might've cared a little bit, but not anymore. 

All types of people play MMOs.  But never think a MMO social life can replace a REAL social life, unless you're literally can't leave the house.  If thats you're only avenue, then use it the best you can.  But avatars aren't really people;)  If you never met them face to face you don't really know them.   You actually only truly know someone after you've lived with them for a little while or spent a few tours with them;)  Thats experience talking.  Its sad that certain generations who chat with people online or communicate through a blog actually think they know each other.  Not even close.   I guess when so many people have minimum experience really interacting with people,  they think chatting online is a replacement.   Its not.

Never let a videogame replace a social life.  In the end, you'll regret it.  Nothing replaces actual face to face interaction.  I'm amazed when interviewing interns(college kids) to find their personalities completely inadequate to deal with professionals on a day to day basis...corporate graphics studio.  These artsy or nerdy kids, who might be really talented artistically or technically can't deal with adults face to face or even talk properly on a phone.  No basic etiquette what so ever.  Its amazing really.   What the hell hapenned, hehe=)

I agree that an MMO should not replace a social life, but I disagree that you can't get to know somebody just by talking to them. There's someone I played with online for a while and just with talking with them/chatting on vent I got to know them very well. He didn't live that far away from me so we eventually met and I knew him before we actually met.

Hey I'm not socially isolated. I have girlfriend and many groups of friends (work/university/grilfriend's/core mates) but I would say that playing mmorpgs does definitely separate you from people. I don't play them anymore because they had a negative effect on my life. For example missing days of university constantly, work occasionally and making excuses not to see people I cared for e.g. gf and mates. Sad thing is I still browse forums like these and keep an eye on the mmorpg because when you do have free time nothing beats an mmo the problem i have is that you start to try to create more free time so you can play them and then you miss out on other stuff. It really has an avalanche effect also, I mean you don't go out one night with your mates and you miss a bonding experience and then you are sought of out of the loop. I think if you are lonely and playing games to try to get some social interaction it isn't really a good substitute. Put yourself out there in real life even if you are shy the more you do the easier it becomes. 

Doom is never alone, or else!

-hides from Doom-

Originally posted by ryanmarshall

Hey I'm not socially isolated. I have girlfriend and many groups of friends (work/university/grilfriend's/core mates) but I would say that playing mmorpgs does definitely separate you from people. I don't play them anymore because they had a negative effect on my life. For example missing days of university constantly, work occasionally and making excuses not to see people I cared for e.g. gf and mates. Sad thing is I still browse forums like these and keep an eye on the mmorpg because when you do have free time nothing beats an mmo the problem i have is that you start to try to create more free time so you can play them and then you miss out on other stuff. It really has an avalanche effect also, I mean you don't go out one night with your mates and you miss a bonding experience and then you are sought of out of the loop. I think if you are lonely and playing games to try to get some social interaction it isn't really a good substitute. Put yourself out there in real life even if you are shy the more you do the easier it becomes. 

Totally agree. Basically wrote the same thing.

Originally posted by natuxatu

Do you play MMOs because you're lonely and unhappy with life? Is MMOs your way to escape? I know it is for me :( 

I worked in forestry for a while when I was younger. I loved it but the money was terrible so I trained in something else which is more money but keeps me chained down in a big city.

I look for "wilderness" in MMORPGs in the long gaps between hiking trips.

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Originally posted by qbangy32

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Originally posted by natuxatu

Do you play MMOs because you're lonely and unhappy with life? Is MMOs your way to escape? I know it is for me :( 

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I'm far from being lonely, with a house full of kids and a demanding wife I use MMO's to get away from the hussle and bussle of my busy life, it's the only time I have where I get to do the things I want to do, needless to say once the kids and wife find me I'm back to square one again.
I've played alongside ppl who live on their own and who seem to be online 24/7, no outside interests other than their current MMO, to me this is quite sad and a rather depressing way to live your life, using the internet to meet ppl is fine, but actually get out there and "Meet" then face to face if you want to have a real tangible social life, rather than just a group of pixels with random names attached to them.
 

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And seeing you in person is just a bunch of photons bouncing off a group of random hydrogen atoms called your face into my eye, and that diamond on your wifes finger you grinded forever for has no more practicle value than my digitized ak47. Actually I can think of lots 1 and 0's thats are more practicle and valueable than diamonds. So i dont see a difference really. Other than the fact theres no touching, or procreating in the virtual world, but thats coming soon too. In the end virtual life will be no different then real life, infact even better. But hey, not everyones a pioneer and willing to go to the new world, Ill be first in line though.

I play for quite the opposite really.

I'm married, one of my good friends lives with me, and I have a job that I've been at for almost 4 years. So, I'm fairly established. I play to get away from all of the responsibility. To be silly and playful, because in real life I'm the one who has to take charge, pay the bills, yell at bill collectors who over-charge for something we didn't even want.

I play because life is too busy sometimes.

Thats sad that you are lonely.. i mean it not in a bad way but i mean it makes me sad. Having people in your life is awesome.

Mmos can provide some social happiness to some people and thats a good thing

I dont play because im lonely, i have many people around me, I play because i love games :D i get to play with my friends that live far away from me..

If you are lonely, maybe playing mmos is not the answer, go out and meet people :) is as easy as saying whats up my brotha!!! lol

Originally posted by bigtime102

 

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Originally posted by qbangy32

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Originally posted by natuxatu

 

Do you play MMOs because you're lonely and unhappy with life? Is MMOs your way to escape? I know it is for me :( 

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I'm far from being lonely, with a house full of kids and a demanding wife I use MMO's to get away from the hussle and bussle of my busy life, it's the only time I have where I get to do the things I want to do, needless to say once the kids and wife find me I'm back to square one again.
I've played alongside ppl who live on their own and who seem to be online 24/7, no outside interests other than their current MMO, to me this is quite sad and a rather depressing way to live your life, using the internet to meet ppl is fine, but actually get out there and "Meet" then face to face if you want to have a real tangible social life, rather than just a group of pixels with random names attached to them.
 

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And seeing you in person is just a bunch of photons bouncing off a group of random hydrogen atoms called your face into my eye, and that diamond on your wifes finger you grinded forever for has no more practicle value than my digitized ak47. Actually I can think of lots 1 and 0's thats are more practicle and valueable than diamonds. So i dont see a difference really. Other than the fact theres no touching, or procreating in the virtual world, but thats coming soon too. In the end virtual life will be no different then real life, infact even better. But hey, not everyones a pioneer and willing to go to the new world, Ill be first in line though.

Agreed, RL is waaaay overrated. Physically meeting with people is so 1998.

Then again, I'm the type of person who would much rather watch squirrels goofing off in my backyard then have to listen to some clueless, self absorbed peon whine about the petty issues in their shallow little world.

i play mmos to meet new people , work in a team driven environment , enjoy late nights by myself (sort of like a lonely person, but without feeling lonely).

ive got a life outside mmos, usually i play at night when theres really nothing to do in the realm of RL

Originally posted by acidworm

Then again, I'm the type of person who would much rather watch squirrels goofing off in my backyard then have to listen to some clueless, self absorbed peon whine about the petty issues in their shallow little world.

Case and point.

The funniest thing about all this (and I don't think depression is a laughing matter) is that we all have RL friends that have never experienced the bliss of a MMOG. Sure we might have a couple who have, but the majority are your typical vanity obsessed drones. It's all about the clothes, the car and any material posession they can gloat about. They couldn't fathom a Friday or Saturday night without being at the bar, guzzling watered down beer or overpriced cocktails in a plastic cup and yapping away at other sexually frustrated people.

What I'm getting at is some of us have truly been there, done that, put a fork in me and let me enjoy the comfort of my own home in these truly alternate realities with thousands of other like-minded people. If WE actually all met up, all of us here who have a true passion in MMOGing, we'd probably have a genuinely great time without a moment of boredom as opposed to the anxious feeling you get to EVAC  after hearing your friends spew the same corny lines week after week at the local dive bar.

I am speaking from a "30s" prospective here even though PLENTY of 30+ers still party hard. If you're still 18-29, go out and go nuts so you have zero regrets. I grew up in NYC and went to more clubs, raves, warehouse parties, roof parties and bars than I could ever dream of. I've experienced some insanely bizarre things in this jungle as opposed to someone growing up in rural Amercia. It was incredibly raw but I had my fill, and I think everyone should have theirs too regardless of where you grow up. I'm happily retired from all that and enjoying the other side of life, the humble one.

Now I can stay home and dance like a banana.

industrialized countries are a bunch of crybabies.  "life sucks I'm playing WoW" ... well boo hoo.  I live in a mud hut and life sucks and I only eat 250 calories a day. Do you see me crying, NO

Originally posted by drolkrad666

industrialized countries are a bunch of crybabies.  "life sucks I'm playing WoW" ... well boo hoo.  I live in a mud hut and life sucks and I only eat 250 calories a day. Do you see me crying, NO

More complex societies lead more complex lifestyles which lead to more complex problems.

I would dare to say depression can affect a human worse than mild starvation.

The more people have time to sit around and think of menial things, the worse the world seems to become in their eyes. Even if you have to wake up in the morning and try to figure out how you're going to eat today, it's an easier lifestyle than a person who has food put in front of them then is forced to ask "Now what?"

Originally posted by natuxatu

Do you play MMOs because you're lonely and unhappy with life? Is MMOs your way to escape? I know it is for me :( 

Well, no, not at all.

Though I've met friends through online games, all my friends are non-game playing, real life people. Quite frankly, my advice is to seek out good people in your area. No substitute for "in person". If you have issues meeting new people you should seek professional advice. Nothing wrong with that.

Originally posted by natuxatu

Do you play MMOs because you're lonely and unhappy with life? Is MMOs your way to escape? I know it is for me :( 

No, I'm a gamer.  People who play mmos because they are their only means of socializing is the main reason mmo communities suck...IMO....etc.

Originally posted by Thradar

Originally posted by natuxatu

Do you play MMOs because you're lonely and unhappy with life? Is MMOs your way to escape? I know it is for me :( 

 

No, I'm a gamer.  People who play mmos because they are their only means of socializing is the main reason mmo communities suck...IMO....etc.

This really depends.

If it was a person who had proper manners, then by all means it would only improve the MMO community. Though, i do tend to see at least 5 "LOLWTFNOOB!" for every one "Hey, do you need some help?"