Curse

gotquidditch · Apr 06, 2011, 07:53 PM // 19:53

Hello citizens of Tyria! 8) Or at least, hello to those of my select followers who hold that prestigious title…

I’m a fairly new player to GW and started a few months back for a sociology class I’m in that focuses on the culture of MMORPGs. It’s been very enlightening, and the Guild Wars community has been as immensely welcoming as they were rumored to be! I’ve been so impressed with everyone’s friendliness that I’ve decided to focus my ethnographic research on relationships within the game - specifically friendships and how they are formed, maintained, and evolve. The ultimate goal is to argue that, although these friendships are formed in a virtual world, they often evolve into very real bonds that transcend Tyria and cross over into “real life.”

That being said, I’m looking for some wonderful players who are willing to talk about their own personal gameplay experience and the friendships they’ve forged while playing Guild Wars! It’s a purely academic paper with no hope of ever getting published or seeing anything but my professor’s desk, but all due precaution will still be practiced, and no real names or screennames will be used. If you or someone you know who plays Guild Wars is interested in chatting with me, please let me know either here or in the game! Just whisper me at Airith Lovell, find me in Lion’s Arch, or answer the questions listed below either on this board or through a private message!

Thanks so much in advance, and thanks to all who have already helped me out! Please do pass this along if you don’t mind! <3

Questions:
1. How long have you been playing Guild Wars?
2. Is there a player or group of players/friends that you frequently talk to and/or party with in the game?
3. Would you describe him/her/them as solely “Guild Wars/in-game” friends, or more than that? And why?
4. If you answered “more than that” for question three, what about Guild Wars and the in-game culture facilitated/helped you establish your friendship? How did you meet? When did you become more than just “in-game friends”?
5. Do you talk about more than Guild Wars? Do you discuss “RL,” or real-life, issues?
6. Would you consider these friends as a support network when you’re going through difficult times?
7. Do you feel like you would still be friends if Guild Wars ended?
8. Have you ever met these friends in real life?
9. Is there anything else you would like to say about your friendships that evolved from Guild Wars? Do you have any stories you would like to share?

CailinArian · Apr 09, 2011, 03:12 PM // 15:12

I sent you a PM.

gotquidditch · Apr 13, 2011, 12:08 AM // 00:08

Thanks so much!! It's very much appreciated

CailinArian · Apr 13, 2011, 01:18 AM // 01:18

Of course! It's no problem.