I agree that MMORPGs can make serious friendships 100%! My husband deploys quite often to Iraq and I am left alone with my 4, 5 & 7 year old. I can't drag them to clubs or coffeeshops to hang out with my friends and child care is expensive as hell for 3 kids, so I spend my freetime (when I have it) online in games. My online friends are there for me, they email me, IM me, sometimes call me to check on me even if they are a country away, just to make sure I am safe. These relationships are as REAL as they are to me offline."

well i have played daoc for 6 years(almost) now and about 2 years into it i met someone i would call one of my best friends, we play daoc together at every opertunity, and our friendship extends beyond that...to talks of flying to each others home countries(US for me, Denmark for him) and spending a week hanging out there and such. i know his girlfriend, have talked to her, and our relationship(as friends) is no less than a friendship i might have with someone i have known in real life for 4 years.

if for nothing else daoc has given me a life long friend, and i think that is why i still log into the game today. The game itself has lost a huge draw for me, but it still connects myself and a bunch of friends...its all about the community feeling and i honestly believe that, that feeling is what keeps many subscribers to online games playing.

I think gaming can be a great way for people who are shy or self conscious to socialize, but it's no replacement for RL interaction. If I was still single, I'd probably have better luck meeting a person with the same interrests online rather than at a bar or party. Do what you enjoy and you meet like-minded people. It is a great way to meet people from all over the world and some conversations can be very educational in that regard. Provided the person you are speaking with is being real, you can certainly start some great friendships online. The only problem is when your 'friend' doesn't log in anymore. It's very easy to get attached quickly and deeply to people in this manner, and the possibility of experiencing negative feelings (jealousy,anger,resentment) increases. If you come into an MMO with the idea that you will meet some cool people,have fun and maybe start a frienship that can continue outside of the game/cyberspace, then you are ahead of the game so to speak

it double posted. sorry.

This stereotype fits most console gamers.. haha

ok. that's my 30 cents.

I don't believe that stereotype has fit gamers for a good many years now.

I think it's...DUH!

What do you folks think? I certainly feel that the stereotype of gamers living in basements doesn't fit.