MMO Survey
Please answer the following questions. If there is any question you are unsure of, or do not want to answer, feel free to leave it blank. Thank you for your time.
1) Over the past 10 years, how many MMORPGs have you played?
a) One
b) Two
c) Three
d) Four
e) Five or more <-
2) How many hours do you spend online gaming per week?
a) 1-3 hours
b) 4-6 hours
c) 7-9 hours
d) 10-12 hours
e) 13+ hours <-
3) In an MMORPG, do you interact with individuals you know outside the game? (i.e. in real life)
a) Yes <-
b) No
4) What is most important in keeping your interest in an MMORPG? Select all that apply. If you choose Other, please specify.
a) Story
b) Graphics
c) Environment/World
d) Fun Factor
e) Continual Game Evolution (content patches, updates, expansions, etc)
f) Community <-
g) Other ____________________________________________
5) Do you believe it is possible for MMORPGs to be addictive?
a) Yes <-
b) No
c) Not sure
6) If you answered yes to question 5, have you or anyone you known been addicted to an MMORPG?
a) Yes <-
b) No
c) Not sure
7) How important is communication with others in an MMORPG?
a) Very important <-
b) Important
c) Unimportant
d) Very Unimportant
e) Not sure
8) Do you feel you have made valuable relationships in any MMORPGs? How would you characterize these relationships in contrast to those in real-life? Are there any differences? Similarities? Please elaborate.
Valuable relationships are made, but are usually restricted to online presences. A few scenarios have lead to people being hired at my workplace and the like, but all in all they're typically online "versions" only.
9) Do MMORPGs offer modes of communication or support you are unable to find in your geographic location, life situation, or circumstances right now? Please elaborate.
Not really. While MMORPGs provide another medium of communication, everything but the actual gameplay itself can be done outside of these, hence there's nothing too special the medium in terms of communication.
10) What methods do you use to communicate with others in MMORPGs? Please select all that apply. If you select Other, please specify.
a) Friend List <-
b) Chat Channel <-
c) Voice Communication <-
d) Guild/Linkshell/Corporation/Clan <-
e) Forum <-
f) RL Interaction (i.e. physical get togethers, internet cafes, etc) <-
g) Other _________________________________________
11) Do you view MMORPGs as a potential mode of story-telling, an alternative to book, film, or television? Why or why not?
Not really. MMORPGs haven't developed extensively enough for personal stories to be created with the impact that books, movies or television provides. Sure there are possibilities for interesting and unique writing, but like standard Fanfics in respect to roleplaying portions of communities, but nothing that would make it through a book publisher.
12) What environments do you enjoy experiencing in MMORPGs? Why do you enjoy those particular kinds?
a) Fantasy worlds <-
b) Science fiction worlds <-
c) Contemporary realistic worlds<-
d) Historical worlds
e) Frightening/ horrific worlds
f) Other _______________________________
Fantasy is a staple. Easy to make, easy to invent your own rules. Granted, the market is flooded by them. They are getting stale, however compelling fantasy worlds always seem fresh and interesting.
Science Fiction is one that has been tried, and ultimately hasn't worked out well. Some people blame it on the setting, I frankly believe it's a lack of decent design in these games. Science Fiction suits me better than any other as I love technical backgrounds and explanations. IE: EvE Online, the most successful Science Fiction based MMORPG, provides a lot of technical details to delve into which is only expanded as more technology is brought in. Science Fiction is interesting as the "How to" is theoretical, providing a massive amount of fun trying to put theories to all of the plausable technologies.
Contemporary Realistic Worlds provide for a nice modern touch. Things ranging from police to criminal organizations always make for compelling scenarios that are at least remotely possible in the current setting of today.
13) Do you role-play in game?
a) Yes <-
b) No
c) Sometimes
14) Does your in-game avatar represent you in real life, either in physical appearance, personality, conversation, or other actions? Why or why not?
Nope, my characters (while having a sliver of my personality) are usually separate entities, allowing me to explore the behaviors of people that aren't me and how people respond to them. I'm a nice guy, but roleplaying a jerk allows me to explore that scenario in social interaction. The separation of person-and-character is one of the biggest things a Roleplayer must learn to do, otherwise you get people who become way too involved in what is going on at a personal level, reading into things far too strongly.
15) Do you play MMORPGs to avoid/cope with problems in real life (i.e. school procrastination, illness, marital problems, etc)?
a) Yes
b) No <-
c) Sometimes
d) Not sure
16) Do you believe that MMORPGs can serve an escapist function, that is, a coping mechanism for real life stress, boredom, etc? Why or why not?
Yes, aren't all hobbies providing an avenue for escapism?
17) What do you believe is the future of MMORPGs? Please elaborate.
"You should never really doubt what no one is ever really sure about." ~Gene Wilder
We're seeing more and more MMORPGs develop and more companies fighting for competing market shares over World of Warcraft. I think WoW will dominate for the next to years as the expansion controls the market, and then we will see interest wane with people spreading. We will continue to see "WoW clones" with limited advancement in making an MMORPG that stands out gameplay wise. The formula for MMORPGs has been solidified where no one is willing break these established rule-types set in by Blizzard with the intent in stating that they are what made World of Warcraft the Juggernaut it is today.
Please answer the following questions. If there is any question you are unsure of, or do not want to answer, feel free to leave it blank. Thank you for your time.
1) Over the past 10 years, how many MMORPGs have you played?
a) One
b) Two
c) Three
d) Four
e) Five or more <-
2) How many hours do you spend online gaming per week?
a) 1-3 hours
b) 4-6 hours
c) 7-9 hours
d) 10-12 hours
e) 13+ hours <-
3) In an MMORPG, do you interact with individuals you know outside the game? (i.e. in real life)
a) Yes <-
b) No
4) What is most important in keeping your interest in an MMORPG? Select all that apply. If you choose Other, please specify.
a) Story
b) Graphics
c) Environment/World
d) Fun Factor
e) Continual Game Evolution (content patches, updates, expansions, etc)
f) Community <-
g) Other ____________________________________________
5) Do you believe it is possible for MMORPGs to be addictive?
a) Yes <-
b) No
c) Not sure
6) If you answered yes to question 5, have you or anyone you known been addicted to an MMORPG?
a) Yes <-
b) No
c) Not sure
7) How important is communication with others in an MMORPG?
a) Very important <-
b) Important
c) Unimportant
d) Very Unimportant
e) Not sure
8) Do you feel you have made valuable relationships in any MMORPGs? How would you characterize these relationships in contrast to those in real-life? Are there any differences? Similarities? Please elaborate.
Valuable relationships are made, but are usually restricted to online presences. A few scenarios have lead to people being hired at my workplace and the like, but all in all they're typically online "versions" only.
9) Do MMORPGs offer modes of communication or support you are unable to find in your geographic location, life situation, or circumstances right now? Please elaborate.
Not really. While MMORPGs provide another medium of communication, everything but the actual gameplay itself can be done outside of these, hence there's nothing too special the medium in terms of communication.
10) What methods do you use to communicate with others in MMORPGs? Please select all that apply. If you select Other, please specify.
a) Friend List <-
b) Chat Channel <-
c) Voice Communication <-
d) Guild/Linkshell/Corporation/Clan <-
e) Forum <-
f) RL Interaction (i.e. physical get togethers, internet cafes, etc) <-
g) Other _________________________________________
11) Do you view MMORPGs as a potential mode of story-telling, an alternative to book, film, or television? Why or why not?
Not really. MMORPGs haven't developed extensively enough for personal stories to be created with the impact that books, movies or television provides. Sure there are possibilities for interesting and unique writing, but like standard Fanfics in respect to roleplaying portions of communities, but nothing that would make it through a book publisher.
12) What environments do you enjoy experiencing in MMORPGs? Why do you enjoy those particular kinds?
a) Fantasy worlds <-
b) Science fiction worlds <-
c) Contemporary realistic worlds<-
d) Historical worlds
e) Frightening/ horrific worlds
f) Other _______________________________
Fantasy is a staple. Easy to make, easy to invent your own rules. Granted, the market is flooded by them. They are getting stale, however compelling fantasy worlds always seem fresh and interesting.
Science Fiction is one that has been tried, and ultimately hasn't worked out well. Some people blame it on the setting, I frankly believe it's a lack of decent design in these games. Science Fiction suits me better than any other as I love technical backgrounds and explanations. IE: EvE Online, the most successful Science Fiction based MMORPG, provides a lot of technical details to delve into which is only expanded as more technology is brought in. Science Fiction is interesting as the "How to" is theoretical, providing a massive amount of fun trying to put theories to all of the plausable technologies.
Contemporary Realistic Worlds provide for a nice modern touch. Things ranging from police to criminal organizations always make for compelling scenarios that are at least remotely possible in the current setting of today.
13) Do you role-play in game?
a) Yes <-
b) No
c) Sometimes
14) Does your in-game avatar represent you in real life, either in physical appearance, personality, conversation, or other actions? Why or why not?
Nope, my characters (while having a sliver of my personality) are usually separate entities, allowing me to explore the behaviors of people that aren't me and how people respond to them. I'm a nice guy, but roleplaying a jerk allows me to explore that scenario in social interaction. The separation of person-and-character is one of the biggest things a Roleplayer must learn to do, otherwise you get people who become way too involved in what is going on at a personal level, reading into things far too strongly.
15) Do you play MMORPGs to avoid/cope with problems in real life (i.e. school procrastination, illness, marital problems, etc)?
a) Yes
b) No <-
c) Sometimes
d) Not sure
16) Do you believe that MMORPGs can serve an escapist function, that is, a coping mechanism for real life stress, boredom, etc? Why or why not?
Yes, aren't all hobbies providing an avenue for escapism?
17) What do you believe is the future of MMORPGs? Please elaborate.
"You should never really doubt what no one is ever really sure about." ~Gene Wilder
We're seeing more and more MMORPGs develop and more companies fighting for competing market shares over World of Warcraft. I think WoW will dominate for the next to years as the expansion controls the market, and then we will see interest wane with people spreading. We will continue to see "WoW clones" with limited advancement in making an MMORPG that stands out gameplay wise. The formula for MMORPGs has been solidified where no one is willing break these established rule-types set in by Blizzard with the intent in stating that they are what made World of Warcraft the Juggernaut it is today.
