These days, the media is full of tales of people who fall in love online.

Such so, it's now commonplace for a couple to delare they met online. Two or so years ago however this statement would often have been rewarded with silence.

But now the times have changed. Hundreds, probably thousands, of players can attest that they met their partners or spouses in the MMORPG worlds of Warcraft, Final Fantasy XI, EverQuest and others.

But thats not all - it's increasing!

The wave of meeting online first started in chatrooms, but now its swept across the internet dating sites and to the shores of MMORPG's.

It may even stem to the forums of VGC. Member's watch out!

Many love-doctors hold this in positive light. "Hooking up" online is a quick, efficient way to encounter a large number of potential suitors, all without having to expose yourself too acutely.
By picking a game that appeals to your particular tastes, it limit's the pool of potentials to people you have something in common with.

However after all the player doesn't always see a true picture of the person playing the game, no real name, and sometimes no real gender.

Conversation can be awkward due to a loss in expression of talking in a box compared to in person, actions could be also severely restricted within the game which helps hinders this.

Vigilance is needed. Just like in the real world people may just take you for "a ride" so they can take all your MMORPG's money or special items.

But most importantly don't forget sex offenders thrive online, especially where the young interact and play. If you opt to meet someone from online in person, take a friend.

My opinion however favours online relationships; don't let tradition hold you down. Love can blossom anywhere, anytime so go for it. However be careful, the picture in your head might not match the person you are talking too.

Tags : Everquest : Final Fantasy XI : Love : mmorpg : Online Relationships : VGC : World of Warcraft : WoW

Comments

By: Corrine

On: 08:38 Nov 23rd, 2007
Offline

deanogee;37348

It may even stem to the forums of VGC. Member's watch out!

*laughs* You know, I actually met Michael nearly five years ago; we didn't talk again though until over a year ago. It's funny how that works out, neh?

Many love-doctors hold this in positive light. "Hooking up" online is a quick, efficient way to encounter a large number of potential suitors, all without having to expose yourself too acutely.

"Love-doctors'"? Who? :lol:

People can do the same offline; meet a large number of potential suitors without showing much of themselves. It's quite common.

Yes, it's different online, but aside from dating websites, I don't think people go out of their way to find "potential suitors" on MMORPGs and Gaming forums.

By picking a game that appeals to your particular tastes, it limit's the pool of potentials to people you have something in common with.

Just like every other hobby in the world where social interaction is involved. :lol:

However after all the player doesn't always see a true picture of the person playing the game, no real name, and sometimes no real gender.
Conversation can be awkward due to a loss in expression of talking in a box compared to in person, actions could be also severely restricted within the game which helps hinders this.

The first bit can be said of people who are into the dating scene offline. People try to make the best impression when they first meet someone, and this sometimes hides who they really are as well.

Just as many people are looking for anonymous horniness offline; go to any bar or club. You don't look for your soulmate there.

Yes, it's easier to be anonymous online; but if you're looking for an equal partner, you're going to be showing who you are, no?

Yes, conversation can be awkward the first few times. Is it always easy and free offline when you meet someone for the first time?

BTW, World of Warcraft now has a built-in voice chat.

Vigilance is needed. Just like in the real world people may just take you for "a ride" so they can take all your MMORPG's money or special items.
But most importantly don't forget sex offenders thrive online, especially where the young interact and play. If you opt to meet someone from online in person, take a friend.

My opinion however favours online relationships; don't let tradition hold you down. Love can blossom anywhere, anytime so go for it. However be careful, the picture in your head might not match the person you are talking too.

I've heard the first bit rehashed over and over, so I kind of dont know what to make of this topic...

Basically, you're saying, "People online often lie who they are, but online relationships are cool, just be careful"? What?

Whatever works for the individual. Sometimes these things work out, and sometimes they do not. A long distance relationship is harder if one or two of the parties involved aren't devoted enough to each other. Any relationship can be based off lies just as any relationship can be based off trust. Many relationships fail, online or off. Can you really judge people who form a connection over distance? Is it really so strange that two people who can communicate to each other through words, and video, and voice chat - all of which are getting easier with better technology - can forge bonds of attraction to one another?

That's not a rehashed warning against the dangerz of the intarweb; that's truth and logic.

Wha-bam.

By: dragongee

Video Game Chat Member Avatar

On: 05:53 Nov 24th, 2007
Offline

Corrine;37388

Basically, you're saying, "People online often lie who they are, but online relationships are cool, just be careful"? What?

yep i don't really know how to explain it haha

By: MistaRob

On: 04:43 Nov 24th, 2007
Offline

I'm old fashioned, I can have a casual acquaintance/casual friendship online but nothing as serious as a relationship. It's not so much as people lie online but more along the lines that people can be anything they want on the nets instead of just themselves and have that online persona. I should know for a stint I had one too of normal schmuck planning for a career and real world stuff on the outside but online hanging out with a community that would probably be approaching illegal in most societies. Plus I prefer a personal relationship that actually is personal.

By: Dragonsoul

On: 06:59 Nov 24th, 2007
Online

The first bit can be said of people who are into the dating scene offline. People try to make the best impression when they first meet someone, and this sometimes hides who they really are as well.

But it's less easy to do so when the person can obviously tell your male when you say you're female or you're blond when you claimed to be a brunette. Now, mind you, being able to lie about other less, obvious things, is indeed as easy to hide offline as it is online. But in some ways it's not the same and never will be.

Yes, it's easier to be anonymous online; but if you're looking for an equal partner, you're going to be showing who you are, no?

Yes, conversation can be awkward the first few times. Is it always easy and free offline when you meet someone for the first time?

You're not necessarily gonna be looking to be so very obvious if you're intending on keeping secrets to yourself or hide stuff so that the other dosen't know it when you engage in a relationship...of course that can easily happen offline as well...whole 'nother topic.

Basically, you're saying, "People online often lie who they are, but online relationships are cool, just be careful"? What?

I agree with this wholeheartedily. I do not understand why people cannot accept that people can form very meaningful and close relationships online. True some things cannot replace touching or physical interaction--*hug* isn't the same as a real hug, IMO--but that dosen't mean that people can't have close friends or even fall in love. I dare say if you don't think it's possible I'd ask you to reconsider what you think it emotional connection, anyways.

Some of the closest people to me are from online and without them I wouldn't be the same person. I know that some may deceive me, be someone other than what they claimed to be or what I thought but is that any different from real life?

Perfect Love and Perfect Trust with a dash of common sense. :P