GAMERS

Uniquely suited to save the world

Kimberley R. Barker

Emerging Technology Librarian

Level 76 Shadow Priest,

World of Warcraft

•I T M U S T B E A D D R E S S E D …

•S T E R E O T Y P E S & P R O F I L E S / T H E G A M E R P E R S O N A L I T Y

•T H E P R O B L E M O F R E A L I T Y

•G A M I N G ’ S P O S I T I V E I M P A C T O N T H E R E A L W O R L D

Overview

But first: “Onlines games are so stupid because:”

You’re just sitting there

You’re wearing stupid costumes

You’re investing time and energy with nothing to show for it

Hey! You’ve just described these guys!

But that’s not fair! Sports fans:

Spend time with friends

Invest in something they believe in

Are part of something bigger than themselves

So are gamers!

Stereotypes

The teenage loner who has no friends

The 30-something clerk who lives in his parents’ basement and ventures outside only to the comic book store

The unattractive woman who doesn’t date and has a dead-end job

Stereotypes- common traits

Socially awkward; unlikable

Professionally unsuccessful/not likely to be so

Physically unattractive

Not much to offer “the real world”

In truth…

My profile

36 year-old female

Married

One child (2 years old)

Employed full-time

Self-described “frustrated idealist”

My guild

Guild leader is a stay-at-home mom

Raid leader is a software design engineer @ HP

Members are:

Grandparents

Teenagers

Real-life friends

Employed full-time

Retired on disability

Accountant, programmers, zoo keeper, district managers, active military, academics, students, construction workers

Stereotypes of games

Promote violence

Sexist

Materialistic

In truth…

MMO’s foster:

Collaboration

Altruism

Camaraderie

MMO Research

Nick Yee

The Daedalus Project

PlayOn

In their own words

Altruism

“Evil is evil”

The old virtues

Change the world

My guild

Passages from our charter “The Guild is a family. Always take care of your brothers and sisters. You can trust that they, in turn, will take care of

you. World of Warcraft* is a living community made up of real people. Always treat other players, Guildbrothers and not, with the same courtesy, dignity and respect with which you yourself wish to be treated. Life is a journey that includes both smooth, level roads and steep, rocky paths. Help other people navigate the difficult passages whenever possible, even though it may sometimes increase the danger to yourself. There is a great personal reward in helping someone in need. It's also possible that you may one day be helped similarly in return.

Never, ever, even think about acting threateningly or abusively towards another player. If you become angry with someone, go into a neutral corner and cool down. Leave the game for a while if that's what you need in order to regain your composure. It's not real life so don't get upset about things that happen while playing.

… welcomes members of all races, classes, and levels regardless of age, gender, location or playing skill. However, the guildhall is rather small so those with large egos will be too cramped for comfort and should look elsewhere. We are friends who enjoy each other's companionship, the good humor of chatting while playing, and the experiences we share as a group. We don't have any chips on our shoulders and we don't take the game too seriously. When we die in WoW we quickly return only a little worse for wear. Real life should be so good.

Our goal is to make everyone recognize [guild name] tag as a sign that they will have more fun playing with us than they would without us. Always behave in ways that will enhance the reputation of the Guild and make it a welcome addition to the game for members and non-members alike.

Reality IS broken

Real life rewards the wrong things

Success NOT effort or risk (failed quest vs. failed law school attempt)

Physical attractiveness (MMO’s are level playing field)

Social acuity

Winning, not empathy

Reality IS broken

What else is wrong?

Roles often not clearly defined

People are often not allowed to play to their strengths

Collaboration is seen as an add-on and not as an absolute necessity

The risks to self and security are too high

Honor is an antiquated concept

Reality IS broken

The lightbulb!

Games and hard science

Phylo

Foldit

Science games

Science games

Here at Uva…

Dan Becker, Director of the Center for Biomedical Ethics

and Humanities, a Professor of Medicine in the Division of General Medicine, Geriatrics, and Palliative Care, and founding and current editor-in-chief of Hospital Drive

“Dr. Becker is studying the use of computer game technology to simulate difficult conversations between doctors and patients.”