Games Get Geeks a Life, Study Says [Archive]

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Jason Dunn

07-10-2003, 03:00 AM

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,111489,tk,dn070903X,00.asp' target='_blank'>http://www.pcworld.com/news/article...n070903X,00.asp</a><br /><br /></div>"Computer games are "woven into the fabric of everyday life" for college students, and they help would-be geeks and nerds get a social life rather than preventing them from doing so, a new study indicates. The Pew Internet & American Life Project this week released its report "Let the Games Begin: Gaming Technology and Entertainment Among College Students." Among its most distinctive findings is the fact that games, rather than being an isolating social factor nurturing geeks or nerds, are a more "social/socializing activity" than many outsiders suspect."<br /><br />Aha! I always knew there was an up-side to gaming! :wink: This article points out what most gamers already know: online gaming can foster friendships in the same way that playing a game of cards with your buddies can. A friend of mine recently moved from Calgary to Victoria, and it's amazing how much our friendship has remained unchanged. Most of our socialization time while he was in Calgary consisted of playing online games with voice communication software so we could talk to each other. The fact that he's moved hasn't impacted that - we play several times a week (almost finished Neverwinter Nights!) and we chat about everything just as we did when he lived in the same city.<br /><br />How have your relationships been impacted by online gaming?

rmasinag

07-10-2003, 03:09 AM

I have been a Raven Sheild addict since it came out despite bugs and flames form the online gaming community(damn load bug! :soapbox: )

It's always makes my day..err.. night when I see and chat with ppl I played with and chatted bfore as we wait for the curren round to finish.

The only downside is I socialize online so much that I don't feel like chatting with ppl in the real world b/c I'm tired, so ppl get the idea I'm not a social animal. 8O

Kati Compton

07-10-2003, 03:13 AM

After a bunch of my friends all moved away at the same time (long story), I discovered one way to stay in touch was multiplayer gaming... It's nice. Especially with voice communications too (GameVoice/TeamSpeak).

Elad Yakobowicz

07-10-2003, 03:16 AM

I didn't know there were social lives besides online gaming

Brad Adrian

07-10-2003, 03:37 AM

Well, since online gaming came about LOOOOOONG after I was in college, I've been able to watch how it's impacting my kids. In fact, my teenage son recently went to a gaming party in which seven PCs were set up in the same room just so everybody could play online games together.

Enderet

07-10-2003, 03:47 AM

Brad Adrian

07-10-2003, 03:51 AM

I think you mean a LanParty
Could be, because I'm obviously not as hip to the lingo as you are. :D But technically, they were all playing via separate Internet connections and not a local network...

So, what OTHER online gaming terminology has completely passed me by?

Kati Compton

07-10-2003, 03:53 AM

Back in MY day, we'd all bring our computers together into a room and play separately... Go X-Wing! ;)

maximus

07-10-2003, 04:26 AM

One of my best friend moved to canada 5 years ago, and yes, we still are best friends. voice comm. are way too expensive, so we mostly do online games, email, icq and irc. our fav. games are c&c generals and warcraft. I kicked his sorry ass in generals, and he kicked me in warcraft. har har.

Well anyway, we agreed to forget about voice comm., save the money and use it to buy airplane ticket. We met once every year, alternately between toronto and singapore.

Kati Compton

07-10-2003, 04:48 AM

Well anyway, we agreed to forget about voice comm., save the money and use it to buy airplane ticket. We met once every year, alternately between toronto and singapore.
Yeah - most of my remote friends I only email/IM with, not phone. It's at the point where I've forgotten how to have a long phone conversation. One of my friends I have weekly NetMeeting sessions with, but that's really only because it's also for work.

lurch

07-10-2003, 04:51 AM

People, we're missing some key words here!!! COLLEGE STUDENTS! :) Not 24 year olds to 30 year olds to 40 year olds!!! :)
The difference probably lies in the dorm setting/group housing vs. living alone or with a roommate/family. :D

I've been through the gaming stage -- LAN parties, the works :) And I've just gotta say.. there's something about physical proximity and contact (and I'm not talking about you-know-what type stuff) that is just utterly missing from pure online relationships, and can't be replaced by it! (I'm obviously not including long-distance friendships)

:mrgreen:

ctmagnus

07-10-2003, 05:05 AM

People, we're missing some key words here!!! COLLEGE STUDENTS! :) Not 24 year olds to 30 year olds to 40 year olds!!! :)
The difference probably lies in the dorm setting/group housing vs. living alone or with a roommate/family. :D

:mrgreen:

There's nothing like kicking tha a55 of someone in the same room as you. I haven't done that in ages tho. Solitaire, anyone? ;)

dean_shan

07-10-2003, 05:05 AM

I play Nintendo & Playstation with my friends all the time. I've played internet games too, I think it is a lot funner playing the net games with people you know. WarCraft is better if you know who you're playing with. (I know funner is not a word.)

Kati Compton

07-10-2003, 05:35 AM

People, we're missing some key words here!!! COLLEGE STUDENTS! :) Not 24 year olds to 30 year olds to 40 year olds!!! :)
The difference probably lies in the dorm setting/group housing vs. living alone or with a roommate/family. :D
Hey, man... I'm 27 and I'm still a student. It's amazing how long one can stay a college student. :lol:

Kati Compton

07-10-2003, 05:36 AM

(I know funner is not a word.)
I believe that's "more funner". :D

dean_shan

07-10-2003, 06:35 AM

(I know funner is not a word.)
I believe that's "more funner". :D
Yeah but it's "funner" to say funner. :lol:

Skitals

07-10-2003, 08:35 AM

I usually only play video games if it's with someone... be it my brother or cousin. My brother comes down all the time at 2am and asks if I want to play some Halo 8)

rmasinag

07-10-2003, 01:06 PM

Hey! Good i'm not alone! I'm gonna be 26 in 10 days and still in college too! 8O

Kati...I thought you were 42 yrs old :mrgreen:

lurch

07-10-2003, 02:04 PM

Hey, man... I'm 27 and I'm still a student. It's amazing how long one can stay a college student.
Hey! Good i'm not alone! I'm gonna be 26 in 10 days and still in college too! 8O
Yeah, I just turned 25 and I guess I'm going to be in college for the next 3-5 years... :) But it's just not the same when I'm living at home! (MY home, not my parents home... big difference.. ;) )

Kati Compton

07-10-2003, 04:02 PM

Yeah, I just turned 25 and I guess I'm going to be in college for the next 3-5 years... :) But it's just not the same when I'm living at home! (MY home, not my parents home... big difference.. ;) )
Technically, I'll be "in college" for a long while... Just on the other side of the desk starting next year. ;)

ghostppc

07-10-2003, 04:43 PM

Hey, man... I'm 27 and I'm still a student. It's amazing how long one can stay a college student. :lol:

(I know funner is not a word.)
I believe that's "more funner". :D

"More funner" huh? Yeah, you might be a student for quite a while :D