Castronova/Ludium

[Ja'chyra]

Interesting.

And I have no doubt that evolving games, and MMORPG's in particular, will prove more and more enticing for players. The only problems that I see are for those who cannot, or will not, see the difference between games and life. But, I see this as an individuals responsibility and not societies problem, this is where it reaches backroom territory and we should pick it up there for fear of invoking the wrath of Mistress Frog.

[AntiochusIII]

An interesting theory, but not necessarily true.

What the theory describes (people withdrawing from the world) sounds much like the "otaku culture" already existing except with a bit of online interactions added into it.

The more fun an activity is, the less interesting it is to read about.

Though I think this is not a part of Castronova's theory but the reviewer's comment I still think this statement is wrong.

Life in these alternative zones may eventually become so fulfilling, he contends, "that a fairly substantial exodus may loom in the distance." He means this, really. Like the Irish and Italians who left their native lands in the late 19th century to come to America, gamers could create a genuine human migration, away from the real and into the virtual. What will be real then?

That sounds like a B-grade sci-fi plot. After all, isn't this supposed to be a start of something along the lines of a "genetic" age? Aren't genetics...physical? Or at least produce physical results? It is also a basic concern that man cannot live by pizza and soft drinks alone, which would no doubt be the case for those so enamoured by their games that they could not get out to work for money (while the online community increasingly offers more money opportunities, it is still very "surreal") or get time to prepare simple food.

get ready for governments sending agents into virtual worlds and waging war with avatars!

OMG the Matrix!111!!!!11! I have this feeling the theory's just a reflection of modern pop culture more than a "future prediction" theory of its own. A cyber war is real even now...but avatars?

David Reber, a 30-year-old Californian who spends every free moment chained to his computer, acting out a series of intense fantasy existences that provide him with the companionship and sense of achievement missing in his real life. Just as Castronova would predict, Reber withdraws from the real world as his fantasy life deepens - he has lapses at work and when Chaplin and Ruby last check in with him, he's moved back in with his mother.

This case just profiles an otaku. An increasing number of "otakus" is a social problem (it is in Japan, for example) that might scare America, which is unfamiliar with such anti-social behaviors, a little too hard.

Will Wright, the creator of SimCity, as well as its offshoot The Sims, and a new simulation called Spore in which players guide a new creature from its biological origin onward. In an industry that mimics Hollywood's craven predilection for cheap, gory theatrics, Wright stands apart as a humble philosopher in love with the potential of games to expand the human experience.

Wright hits the bestseller shelves by learning one important lesson that humans love to roleplay -- being what they aren't -- and video games are easy ways to do that. He also knows that humans love to play God. He gives them these things, they give him money.

And the role-playing thing might as well be traced (vaguely) as far back as ancient Greek theaters.