Off to Present a Paper at the NCA Conference in Orlando

This Friday I will be presenting a paper at the National Communication Association conference in Orlando, FL. This paper examines video games and consumption. Specifically, I argue that avatars in MMOs have become a way for people to display consumption and class. In order to illuminate this idea, I used Thorstein Veblen's idea of conspicuous and emulative consumption.

Ultimately, my research explores how video games are a substitute for the American Dream. To clarify this idea, video games allows us to be successful through hard work in these virtual worlds. In a life in which we work hard yet don't own what we produce, video games gives us that means to control what we produce. Video games becomes our American Dream because hard work ultimately is our own rather than someone else's.

This distinction further pushes ideas of class. In my research, I look at how hardcore gamers feel that, because they are able to consume video games more than others, they should benefit more fully form their hard work than casual gamers in MMOs. For example, when World of Warcraft introduced "Welfare Epics," hardcore gamers were irate  They felt that their hard work deserved them more rewards than others who are not able to put in the time to ascertain such items. The hardcore gamers thus equate the negative connotations associated with welfare with easier access to such rewards for casual gamers.

Furthermore, Star Wars Galaxies saw its destruction based on superseding the hard work of hardcore gamers. When they introduced the New Game Enhancements that allowed anyone to become a Jedi, which before could only be ascertained through investing months gaming, gamers were angered by Sony's decision and as a result left in droves. Gamers here saw their hard work to become a Jedi a waste because now anyone could easily become a Jedi in the game.

Consumption in games is the basis of all games: games are all about obtaining rewards through hard work. As a result, it becomes a means to display class. Don't you want to brag to your friends about your level 90 monk with amazing looking cloak or that you prestiged in Call of Duty for the sixth time?

Anyway, it's fun to take a deeper look at how culture is reflected through video games. And if you happen to be at NCA this year, hopefully you'll be able to take the time to drop by and see my presentation.

Now it's time to finish packing!