For some people, your avatar in an MMO is a collection of stats, gear, and abilities first and foremost. They do not see their characters as anything other than the means you use to interact with the game world. Names are irrelevant beyond what makes you identifiable and possibly makes you giggle, their appearances at whatever looks cool or funny to the person controlling the character, and no real thought is given to the idea that you have actually created a character. Some benighted individuals in this category have turned their eyes so fully from the glory of God that they refer to their characters as “toons,” even, showing that they have no love in their hearts for the characters they create, just as they lack compassion for animals or people suffering in the street.
Other people are not like this and will happily explain to you, at length, what their characters are about. Personalities, histories, individual styles, likes and dislikes, and so forth all flow freely. While these characters are obviously not wholly independent of their creators, the emphasis is on creating a distinct character rather than just a means of interfacing with the game world. If you’ve ever found yourself seriously considering what foods your character likes within the game world, you are probably already familiar with this particular stripe.
So how much do you care about your MMORPG characters? Are they meant to be fully developed individuals? Tools you use to play the game with no real further attachment? Something in the middle?
Every morning, the Massively Overpowered writers team up with mascot Mo to ask MMORPG players pointed questions about the massively multiplayer online roleplaying genre. Grab a mug of your preferred beverage and take a stab at answering the question posed in today’s Daily Grind!
