As the web develops, the state of Gaming is changing dramatically. From the introduction to Online Multiplayer — creating billion dollar franchises such as FIFA and Call Of Duty, often relying on multiplayer only.

Online Worlds are build from the aspect of interaction. People communicating, helping, fighting one another to build a community. It creates a much more engaging experience and therefore results in people wanting to spend more and more time online.

In the early stages, games were text based relying on a user typing to a computer. This developed and eventually people were communicating over text-based chat together. As technology and the web both evolved and grow, virtual worlds went from 2D Platforms such as Everquest (1999).

After the millennium, more and more 3D possibilities were explored. Games like World of Warcraft and Rune-Scape quickly gained millions of people fixated on this growing community from all over the world.

People use virtual worlds to live out fantasies. Now, don’t take this like some fetish craze. But some people wish they were living in the medieval days or want to be in the war zone of World War II.

It also gives people a chance to change their persona. They can role-play a character to escape reality. Rather than being ‘Jack the Accountant’, you can be anyone you want to be. Just like the web itself; virtual worlds are great for hiding yourself.

But is this healthy? Is it healthy to spend such a long period of time pretending to be a character or someone else. Sitting in front of a computer trying to escape reality.

In a TIME article It stated that Bailenson’s research suggests that the qualities you acquire online — whether it’s confidence or insecurity — can spill over and change your conduct in the real world, often without your awareness. Bailenson has found that even 90 seconds spent chatting it up with avatars is enough to elicit behavioral changes offline — at least in the short term. “When we cloak ourselves in avatars, it subtly alters the manner in which we behave,” says Bailenson. “It’s about self-perception and self-confidence.”

Whatever reasons people have for spending time on Virtual Worlds and the implications or benefits it has on both mental and physical health. The state is still evolving due to the web. More and more people are using this as a form of socialising and it’s a great way to build relationships.

Tom.