Second Life

Today’s topic will be about a game called Second Life. You probably heard about it. If not, well, second lifeis a MMORPG (Mass Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game). A new generation of game which  involves that you posses a permanant access to internet.  This new generation of game has opened a lot of debate due to its addicitive attributes. So in this post, we’re going to talk about the concept of the game and why it is addicting thanks to my personal experience. The concept of mmorpg is simple but revolutionary at the same time. You create a character which will evolve in this virtual world. However, unlike many game, When you disconnect, the world still persist and other players will still be able to interact with the world while you’re not playing it. In « second life you can let your imagination run freely to create your character?.  From height, to eye color, blond or brunette, Fat or skinny… You can be anything you’ve ever dreamed of. If you’re creating a female character, she’s got to look like something from playboy.

The game open’s up to a lot of debate for several reasons. First it gives children a very stereotyped image of the real world. Indeed, we have to remember that second life is a game and that children tend to be influence very easily. In « second life », males are as strong as Conan the barbarian, and the girl’s breast are as big as Pamela’s. Second, the activity the game offers is similar to our real worlds, there is no need to socialize anymore. You feel like playing bowling with your friend ? Just turn on your cumputer, log your character and meet other players to play online bowling. You can even go shopping in malls in second life. To put it simple, each minute you spend to tweak your character is a minute wasted of your real life. This is how a lot of people feel like about MMORPG.

And finally, MMORPGs are addicting. But why is it addicting ? The reasons are simple too. You character evolves in a virtual enivronnement cut from the real life’s problem. In second life, you don’t pay taxe, you can have as many virutal girl friend as you want, you don’t have to eat nor go to the toilet. Well to put it in a nutshell, you just live in an utopic world. There are certains degrees of addiction to these MMORPG. The highest level of  player are called « no-life », since they don’t really have a social life or « hardcore » by the player community.

Couple months ago, I admit that I was one of those hardcore gamer. I’m not really familiar with « second life » but I used to play « world of warcraft » a lot. The concept is the same :

So in the real life, I’m Khai, a 25 year old  student who lives the most boring life that one could possibly have. But in World of Warcraft, I’m « Fangor », a paladin warrior of the Light who swore to protect the « alliance » from those dreadfull nasty « horde ».  I’m rich and wealthy. I have several horses in my personal stable and seven wives. Many people are counting on my skills and abilities. I am indeed a powerful fella who seeks power and recognition. Well now you got the point, things that would’ve been an issue or impossible are at the reach of my hand in world of warcraft.

To summerize, MMORPG are the new génération of game that counts roughly 11 000 000 player in the whole world. Some of thèse player have become so addicted that they lost certains aspect of life they can’t ignore. Like any addicting product, MMORPG should be used with moderation