A lot of us sit behind our computers as nameless faceless entities. We can shape ourselves into whomever we like online, sometimes in a bad way. Like all the sicko's out there who prey on weak individuals, may their computer come alive and digitize them into an endless loop of nothingness. But that's not what I want to talk about.
For the past several months I've been playing (what is commonly referred to as an MMO, I'm not really down with all the lingo since this is my first online gaming experience) DC Universe Online. For those that don't know DC is DC Comics who publish comics like Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, The Flash, and many, many more. They have built an online game that focuses on this universe and takes place in (fictional) popular locations like, Gotham City and Metropolis, and even the moon. This game is like many others that have come before it like World of Warcraft. With this game you create your very own superhero/villain with a selection of abilities and you can play in this online world, and interact with the heroes or villains of the DC Universe. As well there are several other people all over the world who play the game and you can interact with them. The game is set up with solo missions you can do yourself following a storyline, or you can go on "alerts/raids/duo's/pvp's" with other players. You can even join other player leagues or group up to take on some of the tougher bosses littered throughout the game. Or if you play in the Player Vs Player environments you can fight against other players.
So here I am, in this fictional world with my fictional character, no one knows me or who I am. The world is open to me so to speak. It's like a new life. But what do I do? I play the game like I would any regular video game. I do the solo missions, get my character leveled up and complete all the stories. I've done a few of the group missions with other players. I select what I want to do and wait until there are enough people to play it.
There is a chat system set up in the game, so depending on what area you are in you can ask for other players to help or if they'd like to join in on taking down a boss. Have I ever done this? Yes and no. When someone asks I just go and wait for people to show up. I hardly ever reply, and I've never asked for anyone's help. Same with doing the Duo's with other players. I have this incredible fear of asking others if they want to do them. It's all part of the game, and to get the really good superhero gear I need to do them to get the "currency" required to purchase them.
I'm letting my social anxiety get the best of me in a fictional world where I don't need to be shy or scared. I don't have to be the way I am in the real world, I don't have to be the one who sits there silently as others chat and ask if anyone would like to join in on the fun. I don't volunteer myself, I just sit there wanting to. Everyday I go on the game thinking I'm going to just go for it, but I don't. I can't push myself to do it. AND IT'S A FREAKING GAME!! I'm worried about being an utter failure where others would tell people not to join up with me. Yeah that happens, not me yet since I'm too afraid to even say hi to other people. The most I do is use the emotes in the game and wave at other players.
I know I can hold my own, I might not have the gear some others do but I've done okay in the group missions. Except for doing the group PVP, which I tried the 8 vs 8 so that way if I sucked so bad people might not notice, which I did. I constantly got ko'ed by other villains, and the heroes lost. I felt I was to blame for it even though there were 7 other players on the team.
It's stupid right? It's only a game, who cares what other people think since they don't even know who I am and I'd never meet them. I just can't force myself to do it, and there is so much I want to do. Just last night I had an opportunity to join a group. They didn't even care if other people had the right gear for it. It was for fun and for anyone who needed to complete it. Like me. What did I do? I just sat there as the person kept asking until the spots were all filled.
:club:
For the past several months I've been playing (what is commonly referred to as an MMO, I'm not really down with all the lingo since this is my first online gaming experience) DC Universe Online. For those that don't know DC is DC Comics who publish comics like Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, The Flash, and many, many more. They have built an online game that focuses on this universe and takes place in (fictional) popular locations like, Gotham City and Metropolis, and even the moon. This game is like many others that have come before it like World of Warcraft. With this game you create your very own superhero/villain with a selection of abilities and you can play in this online world, and interact with the heroes or villains of the DC Universe. As well there are several other people all over the world who play the game and you can interact with them. The game is set up with solo missions you can do yourself following a storyline, or you can go on "alerts/raids/duo's/pvp's" with other players. You can even join other player leagues or group up to take on some of the tougher bosses littered throughout the game. Or if you play in the Player Vs Player environments you can fight against other players.
So here I am, in this fictional world with my fictional character, no one knows me or who I am. The world is open to me so to speak. It's like a new life. But what do I do? I play the game like I would any regular video game. I do the solo missions, get my character leveled up and complete all the stories. I've done a few of the group missions with other players. I select what I want to do and wait until there are enough people to play it.
There is a chat system set up in the game, so depending on what area you are in you can ask for other players to help or if they'd like to join in on taking down a boss. Have I ever done this? Yes and no. When someone asks I just go and wait for people to show up. I hardly ever reply, and I've never asked for anyone's help. Same with doing the Duo's with other players. I have this incredible fear of asking others if they want to do them. It's all part of the game, and to get the really good superhero gear I need to do them to get the "currency" required to purchase them.
I'm letting my social anxiety get the best of me in a fictional world where I don't need to be shy or scared. I don't have to be the way I am in the real world, I don't have to be the one who sits there silently as others chat and ask if anyone would like to join in on the fun. I don't volunteer myself, I just sit there wanting to. Everyday I go on the game thinking I'm going to just go for it, but I don't. I can't push myself to do it. AND IT'S A FREAKING GAME!! I'm worried about being an utter failure where others would tell people not to join up with me. Yeah that happens, not me yet since I'm too afraid to even say hi to other people. The most I do is use the emotes in the game and wave at other players.
I know I can hold my own, I might not have the gear some others do but I've done okay in the group missions. Except for doing the group PVP, which I tried the 8 vs 8 so that way if I sucked so bad people might not notice, which I did. I constantly got ko'ed by other villains, and the heroes lost. I felt I was to blame for it even though there were 7 other players on the team.
It's stupid right? It's only a game, who cares what other people think since they don't even know who I am and I'd never meet them. I just can't force myself to do it, and there is so much I want to do. Just last night I had an opportunity to join a group. They didn't even care if other people had the right gear for it. It was for fun and for anyone who needed to complete it. Like me. What did I do? I just sat there as the person kept asking until the spots were all filled.
:club:
