Talking about Videogames

Although I have discussed the effects of video games and violence in society of having no effect; videogames can, however, affect one socially. With many new ways to socialize and communicate in new videogames, gamers are finding videogames a social event rather than an activity spent alone. This applies to both multiplayer videogames such as World of Warcraft and single player games such as many adventure games like the Zelda series. Another article in A Media Studies Reader describes how the video game players are now engaging in socializing while playing videogames in “Talking about Videogames” by James Newman.

The first aspect of socialization in videogames comes from the new technology of communication while engaging in gameplay. Typically, this communication is in the form of voice from a microphone headset that both sends and receives sounds from other players playing the same game at the same time. Also, the player can type and receive messages while playing. This new form of communication makes videogames a social event rather than a single player activity. Previously, videogamers were struck with a stereotype of a socially awkward and lonely person that spends most of his or her time alone playing videogames. However, because of this new technology, the player can socialize and play the game at the same time, creating a new social network that gives the player a more social experience rather than a social disconnected experience.

Before the new technology of microphone headsets in gaming, gamers still were socially linked by connecting with other videogamers that are playing similar games.
For example, if a very popular videogame (without an online multiplayer option or without a microphone headset option) releases on a particular day and most players purchase and play the game on the same day, the players will often socialize significantly when he or she is not playing the game. This concept is known as the “watercooler movement” (466) and usually occurs at work or at school.

The article also attempts to contradict the “watercooler movement” by stating that different players have different skills and consoles (which result in different gameplay and/or release date) that will separate each player socially. However, I argue that this can either create more conversation and socializing or it can result in social stratification of the players. For instance, those that are really good at the game will join into a group and those that are average players will join into a group. Or, the two groups could socialize about the differences between the gameplay of the two platforms or positions in the game. Furthermore, the “watercooler movement” shows that videogamers are in tune with the social community.