"Some people think that inhabiting an online world is a way of escaping from yourself; others think that it is a way of escaping from others...being an avatar means exploring the self as much as it means exploring others; more specifically, it means exploring the self through others. The other becomes the medium for exploration of the self," (Pearce, C., Boellstorff, T., & Nardi, B., 2009).
This is the thought process I share with the authors of the book that quote can be found in. It isn't about hiding from oneself, it's about exploring your options that you hold within, so that you may be able to find yourself through your avatar. MMO's are a way of allowing people to immerse themselves in their avatar's world and become anyone they wish to be. Some even become more like their avatar as time goes by, because they become more comfortable with who they truly wish to be in the outside world.
Throughout my time as a gamer, I have encountered many Avatars decked out in accessories that well reflect their own identities, or rather what they wish they looked like. Having an avatar for most is a way to express true self in another world, away from the stresses and drama of the real one. Creating an Avatar is a powerful representation of one's true identity that allows someone to recreate him or herself in the light they wish they could be. In the journal, "Social Exclusion, Power, and Video Game Play," the authors quote Huizinga when he says, "The way we play is the way we understand the world." They go on to say that, "This is most obviously expressed through the way we play games and is uniquely represented through the way we play video games, because video games represent how imaginary and real systems work," (Embrick, Wright, Lukacs, 2012). In my experience it has been about recreating the person I am now, but with a more intimidating and powerful look. When I log onto my account in League of Legends, it is important that I look and feel the part. So, when I see my character is Ahri, Ashe, or even Caitlyn, I picture myself as a strong and powerful being like them. In the real world, I am independent and strong-willed, but I sometimes lack the confidence that I see myself gaining each time I win a match or even just defeat one enemy.
This is the thought process I share with the authors of the book that quote can be found in. It isn't about hiding from oneself, it's about exploring your options that you hold within, so that you may be able to find yourself through your avatar. MMO's are a way of allowing people to immerse themselves in their avatar's world and become anyone they wish to be. Some even become more like their avatar as time goes by, because they become more comfortable with who they truly wish to be in the outside world.
Throughout my time as a gamer, I have encountered many Avatars decked out in accessories that well reflect their own identities, or rather what they wish they looked like. Having an avatar for most is a way to express true self in another world, away from the stresses and drama of the real one. Creating an Avatar is a powerful representation of one's true identity that allows someone to recreate him or herself in the light they wish they could be. In the journal, "Social Exclusion, Power, and Video Game Play," the authors quote Huizinga when he says, "The way we play is the way we understand the world." They go on to say that, "This is most obviously expressed through the way we play games and is uniquely represented through the way we play video games, because video games represent how imaginary and real systems work," (Embrick, Wright, Lukacs, 2012). In my experience it has been about recreating the person I am now, but with a more intimidating and powerful look. When I log onto my account in League of Legends, it is important that I look and feel the part. So, when I see my character is Ahri, Ashe, or even Caitlyn, I picture myself as a strong and powerful being like them. In the real world, I am independent and strong-willed, but I sometimes lack the confidence that I see myself gaining each time I win a match or even just defeat one enemy.
Other games such as FSP
(First-Person-Shooter) are also exciting to me as I get to accessorize my
avatar as I would myself. For example, when playing Halo, I like to gear-up my
soldier with purple gear, almost as if I were creating them to be a girl…even
if they do not provide the option. I feel as a girl, it is of extreme importance
that we realize our potential in the world as women among men. For those who
think it is a man’s world, we are allowed to show up online in our girl avatars
and show them that we are equals. This is all a very important part of creating
an avatar, personally. I want to be able to recreate the spunky personality I
have and defend my title as a girl, without having to hide behind the amour of
a man. This is all very feminist, but I am simply trying to convey my personal
opinion in the matter of how someone fits their avatar to express their
individual identity.
All in all, this post was to mainly
show you a personal take on my opinion and personal experience in creating an
avatar, and why I choose the accessories that I do. I believe that people
either choose an avatar that truly expresses them, or they choose one that they
believe they are already conveyed as in real life. Once again, connecting the
online gaming world, to the real world.
Pearce, C., Boellstorff, T., & Nardi, B. (2009). Communities of play emergent cultures in multiplayer games and virtual worlds. Cambridge, Mass.: MIT Press.
Embrick, David G.;Wright, Talmadge J.;Lukacs, Andras. (2012). Social Exclusion, Power, and Video Game Play. Lexington Books. Retrieved 24 April 2015, from <http://www.myilibrary.com?ID=364325>
No comments:
Post a Comment