Socialization in virtual worlds : how the power gap affects the socialization process

Abstract

With every passing year, the number of people who play video games as a form of leisure activity increases and so does the importance of understanding the social aspects of the virtual realm. This paper seeks to grasp the process of socialization that occurs when a raid group of ten members decides to admit ten more players in a virtual game world known as World of Warcraft. This paper first breaks down the socialization process into four distinct stages of investigation, socialization, maintenance and re-socialization. At each stage, the power gap between the leaders and the newcomers is argued to be either wide or (perceived to be) narrow. This paper posits that the key to socializing loyal members who are able to contribute effectively to the group’s goals is the alternation between wide to (perceived) narrow of the power gap from one socialization stage to another.