Topic

Is My Glitch Me?

I might view my Glitch character as an inanimate object that I manipulate for entertainment.  Alternatively, I might view my Glitch character as a symbolic representation of myself. Then again, I might view my Glitch character as a creative work or performance. Or, I might view my Glitch character as a mix of these. There are psychologically valid reasons for each form of game play, and none is "right" or "wrong." They are simply different. 

If I see my Glitch character as an inanimate, manipulative object, should I expect you to understand it is "not me" in the same way you would understand that a toy dinosaur I might pick up and fool around with is not me? In fact, I don't expect that because I realize that a Glitch avatar is different from a toy dinosaur. There's no clear boundary as there is between the hand and the toy dinosaur. A Glitch character is malleable and allows a wide range of action and expression. The creators of Glitch may have expected most players to view their characters as a creative performance. However, by its design, Glitch invites people to go beyond that and to treat their character as a symbolic representation of self -- and there is nothing abnormal or even very unusual about that.  Humans, by nature, create and become invested in symbols. Consider how people react when the symbol of a nation or a religion is treated in a disrespectful way.

When you interact with a Glitch character within the game, in most cases you don't know the person behind that character.  You cannot assume that they know, understand, or believe the same things as you.  You don't know their background or their culture.  Their native language may be different from yours.  They may have a medical condition that impacts their life in a way you've never experienced.  They may be recovering from a stroke, or be developmentally delayed, or have atypical brain wiring. They also may be someone very much like you who happens to be playing the game very differently. 

So what is my Glitch?  Is it a toy that anyone in the sandbox can play with in any way that they wish?  Is my Glitch a performance I hope you will enjoy, while understanding I need to make sure my performance doesn't get in your way?  Is my Glitch "me" hoping to interact with and get to know "you?"  If you don't know me, then you don't know.

Posted 12 months ago by Splendora Subscriber! | Permalink

Replies

  • This is a fascinating question, and one that has prompted a great deal of study and speculation. 

    Scholarly articles on the subject
    A slideshow on topics pertaining to MMO identity and how avatars reflect who we are
    A Book about the Prevalence of this phenomenon in role-playing games
    An essay on Avatars and Identity

    It can be very difficult to understand this, especially if you play the same game but do not identify with your avatar in the same way others do. For some, an avatar is a tool used to experience the game, but they identify as the person behind the computer playing the game. For them, it is not a role play, it is an objective experience.

    But for others, it's deeply personal, and when something negative happens to their avatar, it has a tremendous impact on them in real life. Glitch is weird, because there seems to be a wide range of perspectives. Unlike other RPGs, Glitch doesn't require you to suspend your disbelief and become a part of the game in order to play and enjoy it. In a sense, it IS an RPG, but at the same time, it isn't. It's a very casual game and you can play it as a person who is interested in it as a social experience with more structure and purpose than, say, Second Life or a chat room.

    It's valuable to understand that other people are coming into this game from a very different place. If you have ever played a game and winced when your character was killed, or got upset when another player did something callous to you in play - not taking it with the same gravity that you brought to the game - you DO understand. It just happens that you haven't approached this game in that same way.
    Posted 12 months ago by Xev Subscriber! | Permalink
  • To be honest I could say exactly those same things about my 'real' self.

    I'd be quite happy to consider myself an inanimate object that I manipulate for entertainment or as a symbolic representation of myself, as a creative work or performance or a mix of these. 

    For me, there is no difference between the two.
    Posted 12 months ago by SacredBob Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I have to agree with SacredBob here. My character is me for the most part and my character has good days and bad days, good mood vs grouchy, etc. just like I do in real life.. If Casombra is being rather grouchy it is because I am probably grouchy in RL, although she is never mean, cruel or rude. Grouchy days she keeps to herself pretty much!

    For me... there is no difference between myself in RL vs my Glitchen!
    Posted 12 months ago by Casombra Amberrose Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Interesting, I haven't really thought much on this subject before. On considerable reflection, I have come to the conclusion that I think of my avatar as an extension of myself, but with a slight detachment, so if something bad happens to my avatar, or someone is mean to her, I don't take it as personally as I would if it was done to me in person. Thinking back on other games I have played, I only feel this attachment to avatars that I can customize, at least to some degree.

    I wonder what all this says about our respective personalities in general? Any Psychologists out there who would care to take a stab at this?
    Posted 12 months ago by Draeli Subscriber! | Permalink
  • For me... there is no difference between myself in RL vs my Glitchen! - said by Casombra

    Same goes for me.
    Posted 12 months ago by Chanteusse Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I think of my Glitchen as an extension of myself. I know I'm not actually my Glitchen, not in a literal sense (ie I am not a masterfully assembled conglomerate of pixels) and, on the outside, I look nothing like her, but while I'm playing I am my Glitchen in virtually every other way.
    This is a very interesting question, and it does shed some light onto why people feel so strongly about their alts/alter egos.
    Posted 12 months ago by ~Scilly~ Subscriber! | Permalink
  • You gave me a headache.  My Glitch is ME as long as I am playing.  I have no idea who it is when I am not here.
    Posted 12 months ago by Brib Annie Subscriber! | Permalink
  • My Glitch is definitely not me, although I do sometimes wonder whether I am becoming my Glitch (Ludo ergo sum, etc.)
    Posted 12 months ago by dr_loplop Subscriber! | Permalink
  • The funny thing is, I designed against type with my glitch.  I made the glitch as far from me as I could, while still being able to comfortably play it.

    So in a way, it still reflects me.

    I didn't put fangs on it, I didn't make it blood red, these where changes past my comfort.
    Posted 12 months ago by ICountFrom0 Subscriber! | Permalink