Real reactions to virtual environments
by Mike Schramm 
Jul 12th 2007 at 3:00PM
The always-interesting Terra Nova has a piece up about Nick Yee's the Proteus Effect, which is based around how we relate to (and interact with) stimuli in virtual worlds, specifically our and others' avatars.Basically, almost all of the research so far shows that we react to virtual stimuli exactly the same way as if it were real stimuli-- we don't want our characters standing too close to other characters, because it's a social convention in the real world that we all have our own individual space. But we still react positively to attractive avatars, whether we know it or not. No matter how much we're supposed to be roleplaying, or how much we realize consciously that the virtual world is different from the real world, we still react in a real way to virtual stimuli. It's heady stuff, but here's Terra Nova's soundbite, by Dmitri Williams: "You can take the person out of the real, but not the real out of the person."
And Williams closes with an extremely interesting proposition, considering how the interaction works: what if, by making many parts of Outland dark and gloomy, Blizzard has caused us to react realistically and feel depressed? TN's informal survey says that players' favorite zone is Nagrand-- is that because it's sunny and green there? And if so, what does that say about our reaction to the expected upcoming expansion-- should Blizzard reconsider the dark, cold stretches of Northrend for a more tropical locale?
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Virtual selves, Blizzard
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
chaz Jul 12th 2007 3:11PM
Why do the allies all hang out in Ironforge then? It's pretty dark there. It's cooler than Stormwind, but SW is much "cheerier".
I guess Org out-populates UC on the horde side. I'm not so sure about this Proteus Effect.
RogueJedi86 Jul 12th 2007 3:19PM
Because Ironforge is a lot more open. Stormwind has sunlight, but players are confined to narrow alleyways. Ironforge is appealing for the space. We hate being confined.
mark Jul 12th 2007 3:22PM
I think they like IF better because it is open. SW is kind of cramped with the narrow streets and tight quarters.
I totally believe this article, I personally love Nagrand and I'm sure it's for the reason stated. I can't wait for Zul'Aman and I think I would almost prefer the Maelstrom (assuming its like a tropical island area) over Northrend. But on the other hand- a chance to fight Arthas? SIGN ME UP.
Frogs Jul 12th 2007 3:29PM
This all sounds like common sense to me: people react in the same way to movies, books, television, plays, and all forms of entertainment.
I've always liked Zangarmarsh, because it's so peaceful and soothing (apart from the naga :P )
RogueJedi86 Jul 12th 2007 3:33PM
Plus Zangarmarsh is very open. And very bright. Blue evokes feelings of water, of coolness, of relaxation. A stark contrast to Hellfire Peninsula. I can't imagine anyone feels relaxed in Hellfire.
Pingmeister Jul 12th 2007 3:34PM
I don't doubt that we react to certain game designs in this way, but not EVERYTHING is because of this.
I prefer Undercity to the other capitals because of how easy it is to navigate.
Not because I'm EMO. :)
Heraclea Jul 12th 2007 3:37PM
On the Alliance side, Ironforge is laid out for the sake of convenience, like a big shopping mall. The bank and AH are practically next door. The weapons and class trainers are bunched conveniently, there are several conspicuous mailboxes everywhere. Also, it features the major convenience of the train to Stormwind, in case you need to go there. For all of this convenience, I can forgive its lack of blue skies and greenery.
Travel convenience increases traffic. Moving from one half of the Eastern Kingdoms to the other, it is almost always faster and cheaper to go to Stormwind or Ironforge and use the tram, rather than take the bird the whole distance. Most people in Stormwind are moving from the bird roost to the tram, unless they are in the trade districr - the most open and accessible area there. Hardly anyone except shamans in the Eastern Kingdom trains at the trainers in Stormwind after they've reached the level where they have moved past Elwynn and Westfall.
The same is even more true of Shattrath, the hub of Outland.
Exodar might have potential to become a minor hub, once you get used to its Frank Lloyd Wrong architecture; it is laid out in a fairly systematic way. But Exodar needs to capture an orb of translocation or something, or at very minimum open up a bird path to Kalimdor.
The capital that's truly a ghost town is Darnassus. You'd think that elves would avoid urban sprawl. Though it's in a tree, Darnassus is built like a city on the plains: you have to ride to the trainer, ride to the auction house, ride to the bank, ride to the mailbox, just like it were Dallas or some such place. So trading and socializing in Darnassus does not happen.
The zones in the game I like best just to be in are Nagrand and Mulgore, with perhaps Feralas and Ashenvale tying for third.
usandar Jul 12th 2007 3:39PM
Hey, all I can say is when I'm in Dun Morah (okay so I can't spell) I get physically cold and when I'm in STV I feel warm and humid. *shrug*. I also walk around other people standing/walking. So Proteus effect or whatever you want to call it, it happens to me.
Quoi Jul 12th 2007 4:17PM
I HATED Shadowmoon Valley. I would have much rather had a bright, sunny place to quest.
Nagrand is my favorite zone by far. My favorite Alliance city would have to be SW, followed by IF, then Darn. My favorite Horde city is definitely Silvermoon, then Org. Thunder Bluff is cool too, but I can't stand UC.
Slayblaze Jul 12th 2007 3:52PM
I disagree that the zones without green grass and bright sunlight make you feel depressed...two of my favorite lowbie zones are darkshore and duskwood. I sometimes go back there just for the fun of basking in the atmosphere of doom and gloom.
Urthona Jul 12th 2007 3:59PM
While I too hope for the aquatic themed zones for the next expansion, I think there's a lot that can be done with Northrend. There's all sorts of climates that can be done in a less-than-body-temperature themed continent.
There's your basic snow covered landscapes like Dun Morogh and Winterspring, but there are degrees at which cool turns to chill to cold to frozen to dangerously entropic. Darkshore, Loch Modan, and Desolace are all examples of "cold" done in different tones. None can really boast being fan-favorites though.
I dont really mind. I'm betting that there will be as many variations of lands in Northrend as there are everywhere else.
Nagrand: the land whose parents are the Barrens and Elwynn Forest. Thank god it's not another damn desert.
RogueJedi86 Jul 12th 2007 4:17PM
I'd actually Nagrand's parent is Mulgore. Distant cousins are Barrens and Elwynn.
Snow can be done differently. As seen here
http://www.wowinsider.com/2007/07/08/wow-moviewatch-wandering-dreamscape/
He threw a snowy filter onto Stonetalon Mountains, and it gave it an entirely different, peaceful feel. Snow can evoke different mood, depending on the terrain used.
Scruffy Jul 12th 2007 4:34PM
Well, the thing about Nagrand, you got Halaa (fun to defend or take), low mob density but very segragated (easy to avoid fights and/or just pick the ones you need drops from), lots of elementals to farm, easy netherweave and rep for soloers, etc..
Hellfire? Is there ANYTHING that is neutral there?
Zanga? Little gloomy but still better than Hellfire. Not a whole of easy rep nor does it have the best herbs. If you're in Zanga, you're either working your way out, in an instance, or getting some rag herbs (ghost mushrooms too I guess).
Terokkar? Like Zanga, a bit gloomy. Better herbs are found here and you got a couple daily quests. Not much rep farming outside of instances. Lots of damn beasts that'll aggro you but good if you're a cook and/or skinner.
Blade's Edge? I have yet to quest there. I didn't particularly enjoy my brief stay before I had a flying mount but will be back to milk the quests for rep and moola.
Netherstorm? Fun! ...but I highly recommend a flying mount. Nice herbage and, c'mon, mana elementals!
Shadowmoon Valley? Mmm... so-so. Herbs are decent. Elementals are nice. Essential if you want a Netherwing Drake. LOVE the atmosphere and the meteors. But, lots of undead, very few neutrals, flying mounts highly recommended, etc..
MFCT Jul 12th 2007 4:47PM
I would personally love to build a house in Darkshire. I just dig hanging out there.
Geo Lara Jul 12th 2007 4:50PM
I like Exodar as a city because on the parts that are important its well thought out: There are mail boxes everywhere! Outside the bank, outside the auction house. Near the flight path to Bloodmist. On the downside: The layout is a bit confusing at first, and there is no direct FP to the rest of Kalimador.
Regarding Zones, when I was grinding Argent Dawn Rep up in Eastern Plague Lands, I would log off totally depressed. Everything was brown, decaying, undead, brown haze, it was awful - the zone does a good job sucking the hope from you. Thanks to BC I'll never have to go there again.
Along those lines...Shadowmoon Vally is a very pretty name for a very creepy zone.
Geo Lara Jul 12th 2007 4:54PM
Oh I forgot, I love Zangarmarsh: It's very Alice in Wonderland. The first thing I did was search the entire zone for "Hooka Smoking Caterpillar" tucked somewhere (alas there is none), and I would give anything for a stuffed Sporegaar doll. They are so cute!
ThorinII Jul 12th 2007 4:58PM
I'd have to agree to an extent. I don't think the dark places are depressing, but I do tend to feel more anxious when in the dark area. I get a feeling of doom and danger when the area is dark and gloomy. I find myself using my spacebar a lot more in the cold places to help keep my toon moving so it will stay warm. And I hit the water as often as possible in the warm areas to keep it cooled off. Silly? You bet, but it’s fun.
Virtual stimuli: naked female Night Elf dancing, need I say more? :0P
mattyt17 Jul 12th 2007 6:34PM
darkshire is a fun creepy like halloween...where shadowmoon valley is just a morbid apocalyptic creepy.
I prefer happy zones...like elwynn forest is one of my favorites along with mulgore.
HiWay Jul 12th 2007 5:00PM
I beg to differ; I intentionally stand inside other peoples characters all the time and run through them to get places just to see if it pisses them off that I ran through them IN A GAME. I find it quite amusing when I do that and then turn around to look at me.
HiWay Jul 12th 2007 5:01PM
As far as zones go, I do react to the brilliant creativity in the art work, especially the outland zones.