Researchers at Nottingham Trent University published the results of their " Social Interactions in Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Gamers " study in the US journal CyberPsychology and Behavior, dispelling the myth that online gamers are asocial.
" Previous research has suggested that gamers are socially inactive, but MMORPGs are actually extremely social games, with high percentages of gamers making life-long friends and even partners", said Nottingham Trent University professor Mark Griffiths.
The new research which monitored 1000 online gamers from around the world found out that 75% of gamers make good friends with the people they meet online, almost 50% have met in real-life situations, and 10% went on to develop "physical relationships".
"As well as making good friends online, 81 per cent of gamers play with real-life friends and family, suggesting MMORPGs are by no means an asocial activity, nor are the players socially introverted", said Griffiths. "The virtual world that these games offer, allow players to express themselves in ways they may not feel comfortable doing in real life because of their appearance, gender, sexuality, age, or other factors. They also offer a place where teamwork, encouragement and fun can all be experienced".
