Research on Internet Gaming

[Shandriz]

1. How long have you been playing video games? Um. I used to play Atari. But I didn't really seriously get into video games until...oh, I'd say around three or four years ago.

2. When did you start playing games over the internet? Five years ago, approximately

3. Is there a certain game that turned you on to internet gaming? If so, what is it, and what made it so interesting? Roleplaying. I absolutely love it, because it's fun to pretend to be something I'm not.

4. What type of game is your favorite? What makes it your favorite genre? Roleplaying. Again, see above.

5. Have you ever entered any competitions? If so, did you do well? Um. I entered a writing competition. Got Honourary mention ^^

6. What is it that you like about the games you play? Examples: graphics, game play, community, easy to get into, etc. I'm a graphics nut. So if it looks bad I probably won't be interested in even trying it, as far as offline games go. Online, it's all about the amount of effort put into storyline and characters.

7. Have you ever made friends through these games? Where from? How long have you known them? Oh sure. Lots of friends. Not people I've actually met in real life..the only ones I have met in real life that I talked to online I've lost contact with easily. I'm going to New York to meet up with several soon, though, and I don't expect they'll stop being my friends afterwards. I've known them probably a year, maybe two.

8. What kind of skills have you acquired from playing these games? Writing. My writing has improved -so- much. Also, taking criticism. I'm a -lot- better at taking criticism now. And the friends I've made through them have made -me- a better person. That is, they've taught me how to stand up for myself, be less self-conscious, and to be more confident.

9. Are these games just a waste of time for you, or are they something more? They're a bit of both. I mean, they do fill up the boring hours, but I value them highly as well for what they have taught me and are still teaching me.

10. Do you look forward to gaming in the future? Are you a gamer for life? What makes you feel this way? I do, I am, and I think that it's because I will never, ever, want to give up improving on my writing, or the amount of fun I have while roleplaying.