Explanations
I won't bore you with who I am. No real credentials to flash. I won't even try to submit a treatise on the psychology/sociology of Internet communities, since I'd just embarrass myself and confuse you. But I will try to explain why I'm wasting my time here with this blog.
Ever since I found my way onto the internet, I've been fascinated by the communities that spring up around a certain subject, be it cars, sports, quilting, or as in this case, an online video game. My first couple of forays into a 'gaming community' found me at once repulsed and attracted. I stumbled onto a fansite for a game I had been playing. Already well established with it's cliques and warring factions, I jumped in with both feet and began posting. Nobody told me I should've brought an asbestos suit to the party.
A few layers of callouses and many postings later, my fascination for these communities still lives. So now I'm going to attempt to do what so many other Bloggers have been doing: Watching and Posting. I've invited others to join me here as well. Most with a much more intelligent outlook on things than I usually exhibit. So look for their posts soon.
The subject in question here is the Community of individuals surrounding LOTRO (see my first post for a definition of that soon-to-be ubiquitous acronym). The game concerns the world of Middle Earth, as created by JRR Tolkien. Ever since it's publication, The Lord of the Rings (another acronym: LOTR) has elicited many things from many people. Scholarly papers from some very intelligent individuals have been written about the world of Middle Earth and it's inhabitants. Debates over nearly every detail in the books have raged for longer than most dogs live. Don't worry, you won't find more of any of that here either. Many of these long-time fans who happen to be gamers will be participating in LOTRO. So will people who have never read the books.
Sounds like the makings of a 'Perfect Storm'. But surprisingly, the Community as it stands now is fairly respectable, as well as being endlessly entertaining. Some individuals have definitely made names for themselves. As you'll soon see. It's this Entertainment, and the dynamics of the group as they stand at the feet of Turbine, waiting for a video game based on a much beloved fictional world to be released, that I'm hoping to share with you. Maybe it'll open some eyes. Maybe even mine.
Ever since I found my way onto the internet, I've been fascinated by the communities that spring up around a certain subject, be it cars, sports, quilting, or as in this case, an online video game. My first couple of forays into a 'gaming community' found me at once repulsed and attracted. I stumbled onto a fansite for a game I had been playing. Already well established with it's cliques and warring factions, I jumped in with both feet and began posting. Nobody told me I should've brought an asbestos suit to the party.
A few layers of callouses and many postings later, my fascination for these communities still lives. So now I'm going to attempt to do what so many other Bloggers have been doing: Watching and Posting. I've invited others to join me here as well. Most with a much more intelligent outlook on things than I usually exhibit. So look for their posts soon.
The subject in question here is the Community of individuals surrounding LOTRO (see my first post for a definition of that soon-to-be ubiquitous acronym). The game concerns the world of Middle Earth, as created by JRR Tolkien. Ever since it's publication, The Lord of the Rings (another acronym: LOTR) has elicited many things from many people. Scholarly papers from some very intelligent individuals have been written about the world of Middle Earth and it's inhabitants. Debates over nearly every detail in the books have raged for longer than most dogs live. Don't worry, you won't find more of any of that here either. Many of these long-time fans who happen to be gamers will be participating in LOTRO. So will people who have never read the books.
Sounds like the makings of a 'Perfect Storm'. But surprisingly, the Community as it stands now is fairly respectable, as well as being endlessly entertaining. Some individuals have definitely made names for themselves. As you'll soon see. It's this Entertainment, and the dynamics of the group as they stand at the feet of Turbine, waiting for a video game based on a much beloved fictional world to be released, that I'm hoping to share with you. Maybe it'll open some eyes. Maybe even mine.
posted by Vastori | 4/26/2006 06:46:00 PM
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