i thought the revolutio thing was real too, that dropped my mouth a bit :cry: :oops: :cry: then i read the next sentence and i waslike dam you guy with too much time on his hands :evil: okay well yeah that was amazing to read, i read it all and it could all happen :shock: kinda wierd to think about it but it probabl will hapen :? whever wrote that worded it amazingly and got me really thinking, well thank you for finding this and posting it :D

wow. thats all so cool. i hope we all get to see this in our time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

i hope we get to the point where implants the size of a 2$ coin alows you to connect to the internet from your head and displays the "screen" straigh into your retina... yes i do read alot of sci-fi :P

I think there are a lot of interesting ideas there, however speculative they may be. The part about being arrested over stealing an item in game got me thinking quite a bit, as the ideas put forward seem to make moral sense. I've always debated on whether what we say is "not real" is in fact real, as although it is only made up of "1"s and "0"s, who's to say it is any different from the items we say are in the real world made up of only atoms? All in all it was a very interesting article, and thank you to whoever wrote it for creating such a thought provoking piece.

????? i dont get the point of this post? but if playing games get as bad as thomas edison predicted, i hope to god parents have the brains to limit their childrens game play.

The article neglects one important variable. Yes the numbers of people playing is increasing dramatically, but it doesn't take into effect the number of potential users, It assumes the entire world will eventually want to play, that is not true. Do you think the hottest cheerleaders and the head of the basketball team in your school will want to spend countless hours alone in their house playing a computer game? Why would they? Their normal life is great, why would they want to trade in their lifestyle? I'm not trying to say everyone here is a loser, but statistically speaking the average RS user isn't very sociable in RL.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In fact, that's one of the reasons I temporarily quit RS. I came back to school after an awesome summer of RS. How can I say this next part without sounding arrogant? Anyway, I was fairly popular on Scapeboard, people recognized me in RS; and I was co-heading a massive intelligence organization with clans, I had 15 or so people under me that I would give orders to on a daily basis. I was living it up :) Anyway, school started and in previously in school I was doing alright when it came to friends. I was friends with just about everyone and went out to football games, etc. About two weeks into the year I was talking to my gf and two total nerds passed me talking about rune plates. I stopped them and got into a long discussion (Hey you play to? Cool, what level are you, etc) anyway my gf got annoyed and left to talk to her friends. At lunch I sat with these dweebs and talked about clans and phats, I noticed the gazes of some of my friends so I decided to go sit with them, they were like "You talked to those guys? They never leave their house dude... lol. Anyway what are you doing friday night, Vanessa's got a party" I had just made arrangements to meet the two nerds in Falador on Friday, well to say to least those plans got changed. That's when I stopped and realized that RS want for me. RS is great for people who are somewhat shy and prefer gaming to socializing. I was doing great in RS but I decided that it wasn't for me... so I quit. :/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wow, that was a long tangent. Anyway, back to MMORPGs in general. In a Newsweek I read that the land of Everquest meets the criteria to be a country, lets call that country EQ. Apparently as of 2003, due to people buying goods from the country of EQ via Ebay, EQ has a higher GDP (has a better economy) then over 1/3 of the world's countries. Thats insane.

Very interesting post. Made me think...

The article neglects one important variable. Yes the numbers of people playing is increasing dramatically, but it doesn't take into effect the number of potential users, It assumes the entire world will eventually want to play, that is not true. Do you think the hottest cheerleaders and the head of the basketball team in your school will want to spend countless hours alone in their house playing a computer game? Why would they? Their normal life is great, why would they want to trade in their lifestyle? I'm not trying to say everyone here is a loser, but statistically speaking the average RS user isn't very sociable in RL.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Because an MMORPG does not have to be either-or when it comes to real life? Depending on the game, casual play is very possible, in some cases encouraged (For example, I believe WoW has a system that awards you bonus experience gains for time spent logged off at certain in-game locations).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You know what the average MMORPG user cuts back on when he/she/it starts playing? TV time. How much TV do you watch per week?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MMORPG's, in their current incarnation, may not be for everyone, but they're for a lot more people than you think.

 

The article neglects one important variable. Yes the numbers of people playing is increasing dramatically, but it doesn't take into effect the number of potential users, It assumes the entire world will eventually want to play, that is not true. Do you think the hottest cheerleaders and the head of the basketball team in your school will want to spend countless hours alone in their house playing a computer game? Why would they? Their normal life is great, why would they want to trade in their lifestyle? I'm not trying to say everyone here is a loser, but statistically speaking the average RS user isn't very sociable in RL.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Because an MMORPG does not have to be either-or when it comes to real life? Depending on the game, casual play is very possible, in some cases encouraged (For example, I believe WoW has a system that awards you bonus experience gains for time spent logged off at certain in-game locations).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You know what the average MMORPG user cuts back on when he/she/it starts playing? TV time. How much TV do you watch per week?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MMORPG's, in their current incarnation, may not be for everyone, but they're for a lot more people than you think.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In all seriousness everyweekday I watch "World News Tonight" at 5:30 pm for 30 minites. Then one movie either friday, Saturday, or Sunday night. Thats it. The news for 30 min 5 times a week ;)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I do see your point though, I did go a little extreme on my post.

v interesting, a lil far fetched in places.. but well written, nice ideas.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

kept me busy for 2+ hours (slow reader, read every word well)

Sorry to bump an old topic, but this is extremely interesting stuff. You see the new nintendo console Wii is not only going to be a "revolution" because of it's controls and abilities it's claimed to have quite the array of games aimed toward non-gamers. I'm sure most people here have at least had a friend tell them about the next-gen systems but the events described in the article may eventually take place as more and more "non-gamers" get involved with the gaming crowd.

 

 

 

Also when did most of you learn how to type? Now take that age and push it back a few years. Kids nowadays are learning to use a computer earlier than ever, it's a multimedia paradise for children with nick.com and all sorts of fun and safe activities to keep your child occupied. With people starting to use the computer earlier and earlier we'll be seeing greater advances in the internet as well as the internet laws and (hopefully) a greater public knowledge of these laws (as most people don't understand what is and what is not copyrighted on the internet so there is much plagerism out there on the 'net).

 

 

 

Now I for one am excited for my future children (I'm only 17, I've got a while to wait) to be using a computer as soon as they can. Once they learn how to do the basic functions they can easily begin to push their mathematic and logic intelligence and advance beyond their years because of their understanding of computers. But also American obesity will surely rise as more and more people sit around on their computer all day and there will be less and less people outdoors exercising and enjoying themselves where we are meant to be.

I lol'd at the assberg part.

 

 

 

Interesting read, though I don't think it's gonna happen. The writer is under the delusion that just because you play an MMORPG, it negates the idea of having a 'life' - a social life beyond the monitor.

I read all of it, took me like 20 minutes, and it certainly did blow my mind!

 

 

 

The whole article was interesting and kept the reader wanting to hear more about this far fetched idea of a meta physical life.

 

 

 

It was extremely well written mixing fact with a strong hint on humour; at some stages I was falling off my chair laughing, and the rest seriously considering this crazy idea.

 

 

 

Anyway, I think this should win a Nobel Prize (literally), or at least be stickied on the off topic forum!

 

 

 

Population growth will be kept easily under control, since most sexual partners will live separately and won't be having meat sex at all (a guy can't get a girl pregnant from 100 miles away unless he's, you know, me). To have an actual baby will take so much effort and planning that only those who really want one will get one. That would have to be a change for the better, right?

 

 

 

On a final note.. this was hilarious! Brilliant!

Wow, that was mind blowing, Nice job to who ever wrote it

simply mind-boggling and i guess if you think about it....it's true and trapical i agree to what you say about "socializing is better".

:shock: All I have to say is: Whoa :shock:

 

 

 

Who says the "real life" is the right way? Both forms are real. And what makes playing outside more enjoyable of being a king in a game? Just opinions NOT facts.

 

 

 

And for you all that say "Get a life" that is only and opinion, NOT a fact.

Indeed, these games could become the drugs of the 21st century. I admit that I even sold an item in RS for real money. I'm still able to tell the difference between real money and RS money, but the guy I sold it to, wasn't. That is kinda sad.

 

I'll elaborate this a little, so none of you think I'm a dealing jerk taking advantage of addictions:

 

It started at my youth club, where I was talking to a good friend of mine who plays WoW (sigh...) pretty often. I told him about runescape and about the rares I had from in the old days. He told me he knew this guy from school who also played RS and was one of the top players in it. I was pretty amazed this guy was a fellow Belgian, and my friend asked me if it was OK that he'd tell that RS-pro about me and my party hats. I didn't mind, thinking that he would have the tenfold of what I had in my RS bank account, but I was wrong. He's a very friendly guy, but somehow got addicted to this silly game and was eager to get a p hat, the symbol of richesses in RS. I was amazed to see that he didn't have even one really rare item, being one of the pros. He asked me if he could 'buy' a blue p hat of me. I told him I didn't play RS anymore and that I preferred to keep my p hats. But then he said he meant to pay real money, by giving it to my friend (the youth club friend) and he'd pass it on to me. I was thrilled, since I didn't play RS anymore, why wouldn't I accept money for some stupid digits that I don't need anymore anyway? At first I asked him if he were kidding, because real money differs from RS money quite a bit. He then replied he didn't care about real money anyway and much preferred RS stuff.

 

So, in the end, I told him I'd think about it, because I was unsure whether I'd make his addiction worse by selling or by making him see that a phat isn't that fascinating at all :? .

 

After a week of getting spammed by him asking me if I made up my mind, I asked what he'd give me for it. He then literrary said: one RS million goes for 3âââ¬Å¡Ã¬, a blue p hat is worth 150mill so I can offer you 300âââ¬Å¡Ã¬ for it. I was shocked; did a little maths and concluded that if I sold every rare item I used to have (I gave it all away, apart from a few sets) for real money, I would be 27.000 âââ¬Å¡Ã¬s (35.000$) richer. That's insane isn't it?

 

At first I didn't know what to say. I could use the money; that's for sure. But eventually I didn't want this guy (he was only 17) to have to steal from his parents (or whatever alternative) to get his money so I said he could have it for 20âââ¬Å¡Ã¬. He was happy, of course, and so was I (free party this weekend :lol: ). I gave him the p hat and one day later my friend gave me 15âââ¬Å¡Ã¬s from that guy, I gave 5âââ¬Å¡Ã¬ to my mate for services :).

 

The pro still plays as often as ever, I don't know what he'll eventually do, but I hope he'll someday realise RS isn't the real life and breaks up with it.

:shock: All I have to say is: Whoa :shock:

 

 

 

Who says the "real life" is the right way? Both forms are real. And what makes playing outside more enjoyable of being a king in a game? Just opinions NOT facts.

 

 

 

And for you all that say "Get a life" that is only and opinion, NOT a fact.

 

 

 

Being stored inside for long periods of time is unhealthy. We aren't made for that.

 

 

 

If you think having a social life in a computer is as important as having a social life in the real world then someone's in denial.

:shock: All I have to say is: Whoa :shock:

 

 

 

Who says the "real life" is the right way? Both forms are real. And what makes playing outside more enjoyable of being a king in a game? Just opinions NOT facts.

 

 

 

And for you all that say "Get a life" that is only and opinion, NOT a fact.

 

 

 

Being stored inside for long periods of time is unhealthy. We aren't made for that.

 

 

 

If you think having a social life in a computer is as important as having a social life in the real world then someone's in denial.

 

 

 

Right on. The only thing that separates humans from animals is our intellect and social needs. Talking with people over the internet might be quite satisfactory, but it's still much more enjoyable (for everyone, also for computer geeks) if you interact with people in reality, so face-to-face contact.

 

And I seriously doubt conversations involving 'who we're gunna own' and 'when my sword deal is over' are sufficient as human contact.

40 people getting togheter to kill a dragon discussing tactics over ventrilo between asking about the last football game, about what you did last night and so on and so forth is probably more healthy - from a social point of view - than getting so plastered you have no idea what you were doing last night anyway.

 

 

 

And as for money... A friend of mine recently paid to have a WoW character of his leveled. A few quick mathematical calculations revealed that considering his hourly wage at McDonalds and the amount of hours required to the amount of leveling, he "made" hours out of that trade. I'm quite sure the same goes for most modern day MMORPG "gold farming" - as the market is completely cornered by gaming sweatshops in asia - working at McDonalds and using that money to buy in-game items/services means you spend less hours reaching an in-game goal.

 

 

 

If time is money and both the real and the virtual money can be counted in time; Is there really any difference?

great article. I think that this will probably never happen because alot of ppl that have great lives will probably not want to spend time in a virtual world. like if i heared two people talking bout rs i think that i would hang out with them. yet i do agree with what other people on addiction post said about how it is not fun to play rs 12 hours a day or more if you do not take breaks. i do not think anyone at my school has heard of rs and if they are they are damn quiet about it like i am well a mmorpg doesnot come up in normal conversation.

40 people getting togheter to kill a dragon discussing tactics over ventrilo between asking about the last football game, about what you did last night and so on and so forth is probably more healthy - from a social point of view - than getting so plastered you have no idea what you were doing last night anyway.

 

 

 

And as for money... A friend of mine recently paid to have a WoW character of his leveled. A few quick mathematical calculations revealed that considering his hourly wage at McDonalds and the amount of hours required to the amount of leveling, he "made" hours out of that trade. I'm quite sure the same goes for most modern day MMORPG "gold farming" - as the market is completely cornered by gaming sweatshops in asia - working at McDonalds and using that money to buy in-game items/services means you spend less hours reaching an in-game goal.

 

 

 

If time is money and both the real and the virtual money can be counted in time; Is there really any difference?

 

 

 

Good idea, we should hire cheap labor consisting of 5 year olds in Indonesia and have them do all out character's dirty work like mining. We can pay them a competative salary, like 5 cents a day. Nike and Hanes might get pissed that were using their work force though.

 

 

 

As for playing RS better then getting plastered? To a point perhaps but realize that only like 30% of even college kids are the ones that get drunk everynight. The vast majority don't go out to drink till they get sick, they go out at night to meet the ladies. Lets see sitting at home in a dark room and playing RS and talking about footbal versus going to a night club and dancing with some spanish girls and interacting at a physical level with all sorts of people (I'm not nessesarily saying sex, just physically meeting people and having a good time)

I don't get it... Is it cool or something???

 

 

 

Gatorboy428

Good idea, we should hire cheap labor consisting of 5 year olds in Indonesia and have them do all out character's dirty work like mining. We can pay them a competative salary, like 5 cents a day. Nike and Hanes might get pissed that were using their work force though.

 

 

 

Dude, you hate monger... I say 6 cents a day. Going once... going twice... SOLD to the boy with no house/clothes/food. And I don't get the whoel NIke Hanes thing going on there.

 

 

 

Gatorboy428

:shock: All I have to say is: Whoa :shock:

 

 

 

Who says the "real life" is the right way? Both forms are real. And what makes playing outside more enjoyable of being a king in a game? Just opinions NOT facts.

 

 

 

And for you all that say "Get a life" that is only and opinion, NOT a fact.

 

 

 

Being stored inside for long periods of time is unhealthy. We aren't made for that.

 

 

 

If you think having a social life in a computer is as important as having a social life in the real world then someone's in denial.

 

 

 

Right on. The only thing that separates humans from animals is our intellect and social needs. Talking with people over the internet might be quite satisfactory, but it's still much more enjoyable (for everyone, also for computer geeks) if you interact with people in reality, so face-to-face contact.

 

And I seriously doubt conversations involving 'who we're gunna own' and 'when my sword deal is over' are sufficient as human contact.

 

I know a real social life is better than a computer, but some other guy might not agree. I'm just saying its a opinion, not that I think that.

 

 

 

Better yet: Ignore my post.

Sony's actually trying to create the matrix ATM