Language in WoW Community - Article Example

Language in WoW Community The World of Warcraft is a "massively multiplayer online role playing game" or MMORPG. This is PC game time played throughthe Internet and the players are not only engaged in playing games but also are leveling up their characters in an environment similar to a community wherein players play and interact through their characters. What this means is that World of Warcraft or more popularly known as WoW, is the same as a digital community similar to Facebook or an online forum wherein people communicated in a unique, structured and systematic manner. The only difference is that members play. The most recent figures place the membership in WoW to be more than 10 million players (Holisky 2012). This highlights the games popularity especially given the fact that it is a paid subscription. In this paper, I will explain why WoW can be considered as a community or a platform that uses a certain language in the manner by which the community holds its own discourse. In-Game Communication Like in any MMORPG, WoW players choose characters from a range of class. They kill monster, go on quests and battle with other players in order to level up their by gaining experience and gear. Levelling up is often called “grinding” and “farming” whereas player versus player battle is called PvP. Players join together in instances, raids, battlegrounds not just for playing but also for camaraderie. These activities involved numerous player interactions that require ways to communicate. For example, players make friends or join guilds, a group formed with different membership requirements determined by the players or the "guild masters". Communication is also important to survive both in battlefield when parties battle monsters or in the arena when players or factions battle with other players. The primary tool used to communicate is the text-based chat system, a real time messaging system used to communicate with others. This works several ways. A player can send a message to the person within close proximity, essentially holding conversation with them as with how people do with those around them. Then, he could yell so that his message is read by players in a larger area or "tell", the sending of a private message to a player, which is particularly important in PvP battles where enemies cannot see the message sent. There is also an option to send messages to the guild and its members. And, finally, he could send message to his party - a temporary group that players can form in order to do things with others such as kill strong monsters or level up together or battle in PvP setting, as this entails several dynamics of experience and "loot" sharing. Other tools of communications include an e-mail like messaging system that can be sent to offline players. In addition, WoW developers have added a voice chat feature that allows players to talk with other players. Blizzard has also allowed third party voice chat applications that users can use such as Ventrillo and Teamspeak. Norms Community rules are present in the game both from Blizzards moderators or game masters as well as guild masters. For instance, players agree to the terms set by Blizzard in its prohibition of specific types of language such as those that are unlawful, defamatory, vulgar, obscene, racist, among others. There are also etiquettes involved in communication. For example, it is not polite to "spam" the chat box. "Spamming" is the repeated sending of the same message continuously, which disrupts the conversation in the General Chat box. Those using voice chat are used to using push-talk rather than to leaving their microphones open because it is considered not just polite but also secure as characters may unwittingly give out vital information. Players also know that it is rude to continuously post advertisements selling their gears. It is also considered impolite to threaten others or use defamatory language. Then, there is also the unwritten rule that players are not allowed to speak with enemy factions or guilds. Language It is normal to see the following message in the chatbox: “LF2M, have heals and tank.” For a new player or someone who has never played the game, these words sounds alien and incomprehensible. Through the years, WoW players were able to devise messages that are similar to texting in order to convey meanings specific to the WoW game. The first message above means that the sender is in a "party" looking for two magicians because they already have heals and tanks. "Heals" in this case is the healer class, with powers to help other players regain health and revive when players die. "Tanks" are melee characters that strong and difficult to kill. Based on this message, one will find the basic component of strategy in the game - a party system composed of damage-dealing magicians, with melee warriors to serve as their buffer and healers to provide support for both. Because of the limited communication environment, players learned to say and understand double speak. For example, in conversations, a player would normally ask another player this question: "So hows gaming with your character?" This simple question requires a complicated answer because the player is actually asking about a many subjects. The sender wants to know the character level, skills and gaming strategies. Then, he also wants to know whether the player is any good in PvP. When someone also tells you a "noob", it means you are new to the game. In most cases, however, it is an insulting word used to say to a weak character or a player who has poor playing skills. Players were also able to devise codes to exclude others. For instance, there are players who would spurn "critters." These are characters that deal little damage. Critters are often excluded from parties and PvPs. There are also many nonverbal communication involved at WoW. The players characters, for instance, can also display various emotions. Presently, there are more than 30 types of "emote", which include: positive ones such as cheer, salute, wave and thank; playful ones such as chicken, flex, dance and sleep. A friend of mine found his previous girlfriend in the game. And this is not surprising because he can make his character do things like kiss another or flex his arms to impress. He can even make his character flirt. Finally, there is the way players earn respect and reputation. A very high level character is deeply regarded. Leveling at WoW is quite hard so those that have high levels were considered "gods." Players are generally nice to them, they easily gain friends, and such. This is also true for those with very good gear. Upgrading armors and weapons is expensive and those with very high level gear can excel really well in PvP, which is also a good way to gain respect. Players that are good in the arena are feared and respected. The communication norms in WoW as listed above were designed primarily because of the communication tools available. When there was only the chat box for communication, players adapted and designed a language system and rules according to such complex social environment. When the audio chat functionality was added, the rules and norms were also modified. The language at WoW is important for players to interact easily in order to have pleasant and successful gaming experience. Work Cited Holisky, Adam. World of Warcraft subscriber numbers dip 100,000 to 10.2 million. Joystiq.com. Feb. 2012. Web. 16 July 2012. Read More