I have always loved RPG games. I often think about how RPGs and MMORPGs can relate to HCI. There are probably a ton of people who could talk on this subject better than I will, but I will spit out my couple of cents anyway. I am considering doing my Master’s capstone project on the subject, and this post is just the tip of the iceberg.
From a truly human-centered design perspective, that is, taking core human values into consideration when designing and implementing technology, MMORPGs have many great things to offer. I will give an example from my own experiences to elaborate on some of them.
My example is from back when I was playing Vanguard: Saga of Heroes. I ended up in an awesome guild with some great players and great leadership. I had been in guilds in other games such as Star Wars Galaxies and Final Fantasy XI, but it wasn’t until Vanguard that I got into one with exceptional organization and leadership. After about a month of playing with my guild, getting to know them using Ventrilo chat software and doing a bunch of quests, I found out one of the leaders of the guild was disabled and was confined to a wheelchair and could not work.
It became immediately apparent to me how valuable MMORPGs can be. It wasn’t just some silly computer game that I could play to entertain myself. It was a wonderful example of how technology can bridge gaps and imbue life with meaning for some people. This woman whose disability prevented her from working or going out was able to organize events and help out other players who couldn’t put in as much time in the game as she could. The game took on a new meaning for me when I learned about her disability. Whenever I couldn’t play I knew that she would be playing, organizing events for our guild, doing quests, crafting items for us, and doing many more things to make the game more enjoyable for our guild. And when I logged on I knew she would be there waiting to help out.
I hope the point of that story is an obvious one. It may not be “PC” to say this, but it is not a secret that so-called “nerds” or people that are disabled, crippled, or handicapped can have difficulties making friends and interacting in diverse social circles. I can honestly say that I probably would not have been friends with my guild leader in real life. It is sad, but it is the truth. And she might have been too nervous or self-conscious to try talking with me on the street. MMORPGs are not simply mindless fun, but can serve social and cultural needs as well. (Also economic if you count the people that sell MMORPG currency,) While sometimes it may seem that technology has dehumanized us and stripped away human-to-human interaction, some technologies are making great strides toward bridging communication gaps by evening the playing field and giving roles and opportunities to the underrepresented.
I will continue to write on this topic as I continue my studies.
It is my hope that the field of HCI can take some cues from video games to build more enjoyable and meaningful interactions. My story is just one example of why I think this is true.
