Living a virtual existence.(MMORPG)(Editorial)

They come from all walks of life--teachers, police officers, accountants, lawyers, doctors, waitresses, students, retail clerks...the list is endless. And they have one purpose: to assume an alternate identity in the cyber worlds of massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs) or in online communities. They know the difference between reality and fantasy, but sometimes the line between the two gets a bit blurred as these players storm medieval castles, discuss the latest fashion trends with alien life forms, locate untold treasures, and engage rival clans.

While the concept of MMORPGs and virtual communities is not new, their popularity continues to soar. In fact, there is a site for just about everyone, young and old alike. Last year my son informed me that he had to meet his friends online in Club Penguin, a social networking site for youngsters. They can accumulate "money" to purchase upgrades for their igloos, participate in contests, and, yes, socialize.

In the world of MMORPGs, players assume a certain look and role that reflects the particular theme of the game. For instance, in Star Wars Galaxies, a player can choose among various species from the Star Wars universe (Wookiee, Rodian, human) and professions (Jedi, bounty hunter, smuggler). During gameplay, the person joins other players to accomplish certain tasks and goals.

Then there are virtual communities, which are similar to MMORPGs in that players assume identities inside cyber worlds. However, they are not confined to a theme, unless, of course, they choose to put down roots within a "special interest" area. In summary, the main point of an MMORPG is gameplay; socializing is secondary. In an online ...