Article
What's an MMOG?
Computer gaming has changed in recent years. It’s gone from a one-to-one gaming experience (you against the computer or video game) to a multiple player experience (when you play against millions online). It now uses small handheld Internet connected devices and graphic communication features that allow you to play with others in within a 300 foot radius.
Game devices and massively multi-player online games have taken our social lives from real space to game space. They include World of Warcraft, Lego, Spore and the Sims. And our chatting tools are really Internet phones. Now teens can talk, yell and play games with others from around the world, good and bad. And anything you can do on a computer, you can do on PSP, X-Box and Playstation 3, including surfing, sharing images, checking in on your Facebook profile, and downloading movies and music files (legally or not)!
What to watch out for:
When gaming is involved, we need to look out for too much violence and sex in the game, and security and contact risks too. Cyberbullies can steal your gold and loot, pass false rumors and hack you out of the game.
But right now, no ratings let you know if the game or gaming device allows for communications with others or Internet access. An important thing to know is whether someone can reach out and contact you. How can they contact you? Can you block them, or decide who can and can’t communicate with you? Most of the “contact” tools in game devices and Internet MMOGs (massively multi-player online games) are using either for strategy in the game (creating and working as a team) or for swearing and shouting at other gamers. Many gamers only complain about verbal attacks and foul language when it interferes with the game. And then, as most gamers have always done, they use self-help…and blocked the other gamers, mute them or kicked them out of the game. Some Internet-based games have moderators and detailed rules about what you can and cannot do in the game. And if you break those rules, you can be removed from the game, suspended for a few days or have your account revoked.
Sammy Pearson, who was responsible for the safety team at one of the world’s most popular MMOGs and who now trains other game moderators for WiredTrust.com, says that 80% of problems on MMOGs are related to harassment of one gamer by others in the game. They pose as their target, steal their passwords and hack their loot and points. They also verbally attack their target and lock them out of the game.
Now there are tools and safety features designed to help you keep your gaming environment harassment-free when using a gaming box or device, as well. X-Box 360 has a reporting feature that allows players to notify Microsoft when someone is disruptive, harassing others or lewd. They even won a safe gaming award from WiredSafety.org, being nominated by one of its Teenangel volunteers for its security, reporting and privacy features.