The Great Escapism

This Christmas I'll be spending a lot of time with my friends. Some of them have got flu, but they still spend time with us unless we tell them to go to bed. Some will be drinking a lot, and while I don't drink, I appreciate having the freedom to have a cigarette while I drink my tea. Lucius and Lila (not their real names) will be there, although Lucius will probably go off at some stage to put the turkey on - they are traditional like that. Jasper (real name) prefers noodles.

You might be wondering how we can spend the time so differently while still being together. The answer is, we are all online together, but in our various houses and countries we can make personal choices about how to spend the time. Lucius and Lila live in Wales, and Jasper lives in the Netherlands, yet I still count them as friends even though I haven't met them face to face, and possibly never will. I don't have to dress up to impress them, and I don't have to worry if someone's a vegetarian or who takes sugar in their coffee.

You might argue that not spending time together - physically co-located, if you will - reduces the value of a relationship. How often do you get to spend time with friends? And is it always convenient to do so? There are pros and cons on both sides of the argument, but for me, having that link to real people (via voice chat software called Ventrilo) is indispensible. I can moan at them about my family, we can talk about the weather, what's on TV - any number of subjects. Meanwhile, we are engaging in a fun activity - in this case, Warhammer (see Shopper, Issue 250) - that is also mentally stimulating and engaging.

A recent study has shown a lot of stereotypes about gamers (as lonely, middle-aged male geeks) to be false, showing that for example there is a healthy population of women in the online gaming community. As gaming grows in popularity, it's becoming clear that gamers are just normal people who choose to spend their time doing something different. Rather than soaking up the Sound of Music on the telly this Xmas, a lot of gamers will be actively engaged in filling out their fantasy worlds, solving complex problems and role-playing their online characters.

The study also shows that gaming, rather than being lonely and geeky, is increasingly a social and fun pastime. If you're sat watching another repeat of The Great Escape, with family you've maybe seen enough of already for one year, and craving a drink, a cigarette or a cup of tea, maybe you should consider spending some time with friends instead - wherever they are.

PS get well soon Matt!