Suck on this, Jack Thompson and Co: according to a recent Wired article, it seems that virtual terrorists within World of Warcraft are providing an interesting parallel to the types of activities real world terrorists engage in, making for some fascinating studies and really making you consider some of the frightful potential of MMOs. From the article:
Scientists have already noted World of Warcraft's usefulness in studying how diseases spread. The game's network of 10 million players -- each capable of making decisions, either logical or illogical, rational or irrational -- gives scientists a ready-made virtual world to scrutinize that's not based on computer models or artificial intelligence. The game could be an invaluable tool not only for counterterrorists and epidemiologists but also sociologists and economists.
Gamers doubling as Bioterrorists? You bet, at least as much as they can be within WoW. The deputy director for Center for Terrorism and Intelligence Studies, Charles Blair, has commented that he thinks these studies can make leaps and bounds in learning how terrorist cells come together and successfully execute their plans. A little bit more from Blair himself:
"The main strength is that [Warcraft] involves 'real' people making real decisions in a world with some kind of [controllable] bounds," said Blair, who said studying players' actions could prove useful to military intelligence analysts. "To put it academically, you have both dependent and independent variables."
It's boggling the more you think about it, but likely the average WoW player doesn't think about it -- ever. Blizzard is a bit uncomfortable with the entire thing, stressing that WoW is first and foremost a game and was never designed to imitate reality. But does that mean it can also be a tool? Yes, it seems so. Is this scary to you as a gamer, or do you find yourself mostly unfazed by it?
[Thanks, Justin]
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Contest:
3:29 PM on 03.21.2008
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...Yeah, you're a fucking moron.
Wait, what?
Do they expect terrorist to go LFM on Orgrimmar general chat?
terrorist != religious fundamentalist
you are indeed fucking stupid
yep. youre not understanding theres more than one kind of terrorist.
also, i dont really understand this WoW plan they have. vague article is vague.
That sums up my sentiments exactly.
Let's look at the facts:
1. Video gamers are prone to running amok and killing lots of innocent people, just like terrorists. In fact, the only difference is that terrorists tend to form interest groups whereas gamers are antisocial loners. Well, not any more because nowadays gamers meet up on the internet in those satanistic online video games. Therefore, the difference between terrorists and gamers are disappearing.
2. Video gamers surf the internet. Do I need to say more? Yes? Ok, the internet is full of instructions to build bombs, subversive propaganda and child pornography.
3. Video games have a strong influence over gamers that can be likened to that of religious cults and drug addictions. Plans to restrict the access to video games (rightfully so because they are full of smut!) have been met by gamers with a religious zeal similar to the islamic "holy war".
To conclude, we find that video gamers have the disposition, the knowledge and the motivation to commit terrorist acts. Let's look them up.
(Brian, not all terrorists are religiously motivated. It can be any sense of fanaticism. Also if you look at instances like the Uni-Bomber and the OKC bomber, they were both attacking targets of the government that they felt were to blame for contradicting their ideals. So that's two right there. Terrorists can also be led by monetary goals and have no real concern to their actions beyond a pay check.)
These two incongruities alone mean that any conclusions will be biased if they're trying to attribute them to the rest of the world.
irrelevant point is irrelevant, but amused me, so w/e
also your profile image screams douche imo. sorry :/