EDU 5855: Cultural Studies of Technology for Education.

“How did you two meet?” This question has been asked a million times to people who are in a relationship whether it be a romantic one or a friendship. Most commonly the answer would follow along the lines of some type of “real” life encounter. Historically real life human connection was needed in forming long lasting strong relationships. However with the rise of digital technology specifically videogames relationships are no longer restricted to in person contact. People all over the world are connected through video games and have the opportunity to develop relationships.

 

Marshall McLuhan states that the medium can be used as an extension for ourselves therefore video games can be used as an extension for people to develop existing or create new relationships. Ian Bogost argues “(video) games are models of experiences rather than textual descriptions or visual depictions of them (pg. 4)”. Being on a digital platform and engaging in a particular game with another person allows for a shared experience and a sense of connection. This sense of shared experience is what defines the connection between users as a relationship. These relationships can be purely digital or they can fluctuate between digital and the real world.

 

            Multi-player and social video games specifically allow for gamers to play with players who they have real life relationships with and with players who they may only have an online relationship with. Call of Duty is a first person shooter game, which can be played on single or multiplayer mode. In this video game you are able to create teams and as a team you work together to achieve the same goal. Teams can become more personable because you create a team name and you are able to chat and communicate with one another. As a team you strategize and work together through the levels of the game. This game is an example of how people are able to come together in the digital sphere and interact in a more personable way. Many sports related video games can be played with real life friends or played with random players. FIFA Soccer and Madden Football are examples of games where people are able to form and interact with people and ultimately create relationships with. These games can also be an extension of real life friendships; therefore people can have relationships that are multi dimensional and span over multimodalities. Video games can be space where people are able to bond and create memories with emotions of celebration, disappointment or joy.

 

Digital VS. Real Life Identity

 

Bring back McLuhan’s point about the digital sphere being an extension for ourselves then we are able to create an identity that is an extension of our real life to a certain degree. The digital medium gives people an opportunity to have an identity that differs from their real life persona in aspects. Users are given an opportunity to create an identity that is unique and built upon their digital preferences. Digital games have the power to connect people who typically would not form a relationship in real life. This could be because of the geographical difference or other physical or social difference. Digital identities have the potential to break social barriers and unite people. Race, gender, ability, class are all social barriers that can be hidden while creating a digital identities. This will encourage identities and relationships based off of other characteristics like gaming preferences and gaming style. Going back to the Call of Duty example players have the potential to connect based off of similar strategies and gaming technique. 

 

The question of “How did you two meet?” now has the potential to spark encounters that have happened over both the digital or “real life” sphere. The digital sphere has opened up doors to a world full of connections and relationships that historically would not be able to flourish.