| There can be no question that multiplayer games | | | | experience a world that is different from the real |
| have hugely influenced the gaming community. | | | | world. But these games are not simply about |
| The question is whether these effects have been | | | | leisure and creativity. The researchers noted that |
| positive for the gaming community or whether | | | | these games provide numerous learning |
| they have affected the community adversely. In | | | | opportunities to youngsters. Young players |
| all reality, the multiplayer games are like | | | | possessing entrepreneurship skills engage in |
| double-edged swords. There are good and bad | | | | business deals online in a virtual world. Thus they |
| things that have happened to the gaming | | | | get to learn new things that are not often open |
| community as a result of online multiplayer games. | | | | to them in the real world or things that are |
| Let's take a look at some of the positive effects | | | | outside the realm of formal education. |
| that multiplayer online games have had on the | | | | A vast majority of doctors and researchers are |
| game enthusiasts: | | | | of the opinion that multiplayer games improve |
| Most multiplayer games attempt to foster | | | | logical thinking and significantly increase problem |
| interaction and coordination among the players. | | | | solving skills among the players. Role playing |
| One basic technique to encourage cooperative | | | | multiplayer games where the gamer needs to |
| playing is introduction of difficulties or hurdles in | | | | construct cities or protect his country from evil |
| the game which can't be resolved alone. In | | | | forces in collaboration with other players develop |
| addition to it, game developers and designers | | | | a player's decision making skills. There are also |
| utilize other design methods to encourage player | | | | many other positive effects that multiplayer |
| interaction and collaboration. For instance, gathering | | | | games have on players like better communication |
| and item crafting require interaction with other | | | | and problem solving abilities, improving alertness |
| players. Most of these games require the players | | | | and so on. |
| to form guilds and alliances in order to enhance | | | | Many educational institutes are currently trying to |
| their skill-base and capabilities of the role they are | | | | introduce multiplayer online games into school |
| playing. In a nutshell, gamers get greater | | | | curriculums as they have noticed that these |
| enjoyment in playing and interacting with other | | | | games improve students' mathematics, spelling, |
| gamers in a multiplayer environment. | | | | reading and comprehension abilities. Furthermore, |
| According to a research conducted by academics | | | | these games have all the elements needed to |
| at Brunel University, multiplayer online role-playing | | | | make learning a fun experience. We can't deny |
| games have a positive influence on young people. | | | | the truth of this statement "if you hear it you will |
| The researchers found out that role-playing | | | | forget it, if you see it you will remember it and if |
| games increases the imagination of young people. | | | | you do it you will know it" and multiplayer games |
| For kids these games are excursions into the | | | | do give the students hands on experience in |
| fantasy world - the world of dragons and | | | | practical learning. Just imagine a group of students |
| dungeons. These virtual worlds give the kids an | | | | in a school working towards a common goal and |
| opportunity to play with different identities. They | | | | learning on the way whilst having fun. Sounds |
| can change their gender, race and looks and | | | | interesting, doesn't it? |