DiGRA '05 - Proceedings of the 2005 DiGRA International Conference: Changing Views: Worlds in Play
, 2005
Volume: 3
ISBN / ISNN: ISSN 2342-9666
For a player to enter the game-world of EverQuest, they must choose a character. Each character fulfills a particular, functional role within the game that defines the game-play experience for the player. A character’s role defines the basis of identity formation within the game-space. Using sociological role theory as a point of departure, this paper will explore how class roles are designed into the game of EverQuest and how players redefine these roles through social interaction, role expectations and individualization, altering the structured roles designed into the game.