Online Communities Have Positive Effect

eToychest has the results from a three year study, showing the effect of online gaming communities. Overall, the study found, such communities have beneficial results. From the article: "'Our study shows that the online gaming communities are complex and highly developed, acting as training grounds for the transition from school to work' Nic continues: 'When playing, gamers are undergoing a complex process of work related learning - learning how to cope with work scenarios - which is far removed from the traditionally held negative view of gaming. Put simply, these games have a central - and positive - role to play in the development and education of young people.'"

Comments

Re:Commander Obvious strikes again.

[voice_of_all_reason]

Am I the only one not surprised that when you put a group of people in an entertaining environment with common goals, they develop a positive social structure that emphasizes cooperation and just generally being a good sport?

If by "positive social structure" you mean "abusing any and all methods, intentional or cheat-wise, to con/deceive/insult/steal from other players for the sheer thrill", then yeah.

transition from school to work?

[xxxJonBoyxxx]

"Our study shows that the online gaming communities are complex and highly developed, acting as training grounds for the transition from school to work."

When the players went to work, however, they had to adjust to the fact that other characters' names were pinned to their chests rather than displayed in floating letters above their head. Also, the /dance macro is harder than it looks out here.

In Other News...

[Rapter09]

... Talking to other people is socializing! The shocking story tonight on News at 6.

Work related learning, check your scenario first

[eltoyoboyo]

"When playing, gamers are undergoing a complex process of 'work related learning' - learning how to cope with work scenarios -..."

Much like school itself, online community games are social situations. And many of us conduct business through electronic communications such as phones, chats, and e-mail. I could see how being able to resolve conflicts and forge alliances remotely could be an advantage in the real world work environment.

However, playing first person shooting games 3 hours a day with your eventual career being a postal employee working in a sorting facility may not be constructive "work related learning".