In response to one
of the chapter in Watkins book written in 2009 titled “The Allure of Social
Games, Synthetic Worlds, and Second Lives”. We can first take a look the
central arguments made by Watkins in the chapter first. Watkins first put
forwards his view over the rise of new media practice among youngsters and the
whole society. He stated the situation of youngsters that shift from TV users
to the multitasking usage with different media content and the gaming world. The
more important thing that he wanted to showcase is that the positive side of
gaming that brought to the social life of youngsters. He simply explained that
playing multiplayer or opened world game can help to strengthen the
relationship between existing friends and family members. Moreover, even got
the chance to make new friends from the gaming experience and related
discussion. He also uses many case studies and research from scholar to prove
his claim like the cases from Curtis.
To a very large extent, I agree with Watkins
point made in this chapter. Because the case can also applied to myself as a
casual gamer. I use to play video games everyday at night with my friends. As
technology of the gaming system is more advanced nowadays. Through cooperating
real time in game, we can communicate and live chat with each other inside the
gaming system. This act not only can strengthen the relationship with my
friends. This act can also bring more new friends to me since each of us may
bring new friends to join the daily chat. The arguments by Watkins were important
to the society is because it can help to refute many of the criticism towards
gaming. Now people can found out more of the positive side from the gaming
world. In fact, there was a lot of gaming live stream and broadcast discussion
online that can prove Watkins points. For example the gaming discussion take
place in the online forum like www.uwants.com. We can see many social
interactions toke place in the gaming discussion part. People will even meet up
online in game and play together. This will definitely enhance the social
interaction towards our daily life. We have talked a lot of positive sides from
gaming in this blog.
Yet, a question still remains on my mind. Will it be over
emphasis in the virtual friendship nowadays? Is it really a healthy situation
for us?
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