Back in the day I did my stint – playing on the Commodore 64 with games like Pac-Man and Oregon Trail. My friends across the street in our neighborhood had an Atari which we totally loved to play with.
As the 80’s passed and my family got a “real” computer (Pentium II!) in the 90’s I migrated more toward fantasy role-playing games and began writing short stories as a result. Most of the stories I wrote dealt within the context f the game I played, and I wish I saved some of them because they were pretty good.
Then I discovered MMORPGs. (Massive Multi-Player Online Role-Playing Games – try saying that outloud five times) Since January of 2001 I’ve devoted a lot of my free time building a solid friend base over a variey of games, from EverQuest (my first) through Ultima Online, Dark Ages of Camelot, EverQuest II, Eve Online and World of Warcraft. I know my family despaired of me for a while there, and that they are happy to see me incorporating more of a “real life” into my life – but I still make time for playing – mostly because of the incredible network of friends I’ve made.
There’s a lot of debate in the online world on whether these a games are just games or if they are a community. As the world becomes more and more accepting of online dating websites, message boards, Facebook, Myspace and various blogs it’s easy to see how through a medium such as an online game people can form bonds, relationships – both romantic and friendships and even develop dislikes of each other.
I suppose I could look back on my gaming “career” as wasted time – but then I’d be denying the people who have helped shape and change me (for the better) throughout the last several years. And warning – I’m going to get sappy here.
Roland and Jocelyn – you two supported me when I was in my lowest low. You’ve taught me that it’s really okay to be strong and that things do work out. I love you guys.
Jesse – You and I have been through some major things. I am so very thrilled that you are getting married this year!! I hope our friendship continues to remain strong, and I expect an invite!
Adrienne – You were one of those dislikes that I had, but you really have come through over the last months. Thank you for the girlchat, for the laughter you provide me and for your insane stories. They make me feel normal.
D – I learned how to really love someone with you. Thank you for teaching me how to open up again.
Online gaming isn’t about all the horrors that you read about in the papers. It’s a community.. We’re just people from all over the world gathering together in an interactive chat room of sorts and hanging out. I’m glad I have this medium to have fun with my friends – and thankful that it was there for me to meet them in the first place.
You will get an invite!
I’m so proud of you and I love to see how much you continue to grow. I wouldn’t want to miss out on any of it, so you better believe our friendship will continue. /hug
Oh, how I wish that help wanted ad really existed! That’s my kind of job!
Good luck with the Blogathon this weekend! I’m trying to visit everyone’s site before it starts 🙂