Living In Guild Wars®: A Cultural Analysis of the Discourse, Dance, and Evolution of an MMOG Phenomenon [Paperback]

Cristin Etheredge (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 2, 2009 | ISBN-10: 3639178742 | ISBN-13: 978-3639178746

Massive multiplayer online gaming (MMOG) is a concept that has been around for about 25 years. As technology has evolved, so has the capability to create a realistic, immersive and social gaming environment that has a mass appeal. In spite of this technological evolution, there has been little naturalistic inquiry of what virtual gaming environments are like. This is a qualitative cultural study of the massive multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG), Guild Wars®. Using ethnographic methods, participant observation for a period of 130 hours, and discourse analysis of external game forum chat we explore what this world is truly like. As a result, we gain a better understanding of how people can become immersed, even obsessed with MMOGs. Several communication concepts are explored in the virtual environment including: Baudrillard?s simulacra, Bourdieu?s concept of capital, and the notion of gender based hegemonic relationships. Designed to be read by MMOG novices and experts alike, Living in Guild Wars® offers support that virtual reality has become actual Reality for many MMOG players. This study presents ground breaking work in the study of emerging social communities online.

Product Details

• Paperback: 184 pages
• Publisher: VDM Verlag Dr. Müller (December 2, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 3639178742
• ISBN-13: 978-3639178746
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,039,457 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)