Identity in Role-Playing Games

In the study 'The Ideal Elf: Identity Exploration in World of Warcraft' the research examined the identity exploration possibilities presented by online multiplayer games in which players use graphics tools and character-creation software to construct an avatar, or character. 'We predicted World of Warcraft players would create their main character more similar to their ideal self than the players themselves were.' (Bessière, Seay, Kiesler, 2007)  The studies strongly suggested that a portion of the players considered their online avatars to be more attractive, or successful then their real selves. That players would in fact create in sorts an ideal version of themselves, with characteristics more favorable of that of their real life selves. The studies data suggests that the massive multiplayer online role-playin games' (MMORPGs) worlds gives players the freedom and opportunity to create idealized or alternative versions of themselves." (Bessière, Seay, Ki...

The Role-Playing Game And The Game Of Role-Playing The Ludic Self and Every day Life (D. Waskul) Abstract: "Games are world-building activities" (Goffman 1961) *worldbuilding + spacial* "games present an ideal context for examining a wide range of social and cultural dynamics. How player in fantasy role playing games negotiate themselves in the precarious margins between reality, imagination, and fantasy. I inverstigate this dynamic in context of traditional dice-based role-playing games - overwhelmingly, D&D"

"Salen and Zimmerman [27, p.453] argue for a replacement of the “immersive fallacy” of total identification with a notion of doubleconsciousness, in which the player adopts the persona of the character in relation to the gameworld while remaining aware of her own existence as a player manipulating a game object. Gee [9] suggests the emergence of a shared “projective identity” between the poles of the avatar’s virtual identity and the player’s real-world identity, and this model serves as the foundation for Waggoner’s [29] study of the relationship between players and their avatars in The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind (Bethesda, 2002)." (Vella, 2013)

The hypothesis’ – If players use ‘I’ or ‘me’ when referring to the avatar and are given the choice to personalize their avatar through character creation, then players self-identify with the game character that the avatar represents in the game world. It is true that there is a possibility of no correlation between calling a game character as oneself and self-identifying with that character, however, this paper seeks to contribute to the possibility that it is in fact a plausible theory. Self-identification, according to the Webster University dictionary, self Identity is the identification of oneself with another person or thing' (Websters' New World College Dictionary, 2014) If a player refers to a game character as themselves this may suggest a degree of self-identification with the said character. According to the Webster University dictionary, self Identity is the identification of oneself with another person or thing' (Websters' New World College Dictio...

This week I will be focusing on how Character Creation enables identity projection in role playing games. There are plenty of types of Role playing games out there, examples of these are table-top RPG, live action RPG, text-based RPGs and the list goes on. However, for the focus of my study I will be focusing on RPG video games. The sub-genres I will study are linear RPG, open world RPG and massively multiplayer RPG (MMORPG). One feature that is present throughout most RPGs, with the exception to more story based (linear) RPGs, contain character customization. Generally beginning at the start of a game, is a tool that offers you the option to personalize your avatar to your every need. Usually, you are given the freedom to change their physical appearance such as their age, sex, hair, and ethnicity. When player's are given the opportunity to customize their character they most often than not create a character with similar physical attributes to th...

With the influx of open world games, players have been given increasing amounts of freedom to their ways of play. It is no surprise this game type has become so popular in today's day an age as players demand for more diversity in their games. I believe that it is within these types of open world role-playing games (RPG) that we see Bartle's Taxonomy (Bartle, 1995) really flourish.  According to Bartle, there are 5 types of Player types: The explorer, the social, the achiever and the killer. He states that every player fits into at least one of these types as their dominant type though certain players may share some characteristics with other types (Bartle, 1995). I appreciative that these player types may reflect aspects of a players identity in the same way that I personality test may reflect ones personality.  Pyschologists David Keirsey personality model 4 dominant patterns in the sixteen types of the Myers-Briggs Personality Model: ...

The name Proteus comes from the Greek God who can take on a multitude of forms. When a player has multiple characters that he/she would consider being extensions of their selves, we call that The Proteus Effect (GameSpot, 2014). When a player takes on a characters role they begin to play upon the way they perceive their character should act. When this occurs, similar to Greek mythology, they are taking on another form and thus becoming 'protean'. Jeremy Baileson, an associate professor at Stanford University and  Infinite Reality's  co-writer explains the Proteus effect being "(a) phenomenon where people change their in-game behavior based on how they think others expect them to behave" (Baileson, 2007). A study at the Stanford university suggests that avatars shape their owners. Meaning that an in-game character that a player takes on may in fact affect the actual real-world-self of the player. According to Bailenson "Avatars are not just or...

When I originally set out to study the diverse ways player identify in video games I had to narrow my research down to one game genre. I chose Role-Playing games (RPG) not only from a personal standpoint, but, because of the nature of this genre. According to Cornillie, the co-writer of  The Role of Feedback in Foreign Language and Learning Through Digital Role Playing Games , Role playing games are “digital games that strongly emphasize narrative, alternating action with episodes of exploration and dialogue, with intricate reward mechanisms" (Cornillie - ‎2012). These are the characteristics of most of today’s RPGs, and it is this importance on exploration, narrative, dialogue and interaction between characters that appeals me to study this genre of play. Compared to other game genres, role playing games have greater emphasis on player agency. Player agency is when a player feels responsible for their avatar and actions within the game space. This agency is what allo...

Welcome tot my new blog, Identity in Role-Playing games! I've created this blog to accompany my research for my dissertation. To document my findings, to keep myself working and writing consistently and do develop my ideas further.