A central tenet of anthropology is participant observation, a research method where the researcher lives for an extended period of time with the community being studied. This method serves both as an analytical and data collection tool, and is a very common practice amongst modern anthropologists.
The early decades of anthropology are often referred to as 'arm chair anthropology,' because anthropologists of the time did not go out 'into the field.' That is, intellectuals such as Lewis Henry Morgan, constructed grand theories about human evolution in their libraries, studies, etc. and then 'supported' their ethnocentric claims with travellers' accounts, missionary reports, etc. - (sometimes questionable) works written by others. Clearly, participant observation was considered of little value.
Another key source of information for anthropologists are interviews with community members. Interviewees, referred to as 'informants,' can make invaluable contributions to ethnographies (anthropological studies). Therefore, it is imperative that an anthropologist has strong connections with knowledgeable individuals in the community.
I am grateful and proud to be a part of Windia's most elite guilds, Illusion. However, in order to conduct further research, I need access to even more individuals than guildmates. Already I am making more attempts to befriend more Maplers. One basic way is through partying. Throughout my entire time on MapleStory, most of my experiences revolved around solo grinding. Only now am I coming to realize that partying has many potential, long-term benefits.
Yesterday I reached 66 during the 2x EXP event while training in a full party with some awesome individuals. We dominated FoG and drove away most would-be KSers. =) It all happened quite serendipitously, as I was only intending to party one of my recent buddies - a fellow Page. When the opportunity arose, I expanded the party to include a sin, DK, fighter and cleric. It was great.
I believe that some aspects of my initial research were hampered by my class and level. I was in my mid-50s at the time, and although I was able to recruit informants (-on facebook, anyway), getting respect was difficult, as I was often confronted by "lol page" or "lol bw page" remarks. Now that I'm nearly a WK, I've noticed that random Maplers are much less hesitant to party me and to actually talk to me. Things are looking good. ^_^
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Side order of academic, please!
I've been deliberating how "academic" (or lack thereof) I should keep this blog. I figure I will try to balance out the academic progress of my research with the progress of my character.
In which case, this post will contain little academic content! =O
EvilCowKing is nearing White Knight-hood at an incredible speed! =) Yesterday I gained +75% in one long sitting which consisted of FoG grinding during 2x EXP and then some MAD questing at Korean Folk Town, since I really wanted that lvl 65 +5 Str cape. (I blew 3M on an Str scroll that failed -_-") My girlfriend, in "RL" and "IG," (UndyingIce) and several guildmates came along as well. Tim, (Thrythwig), another Jr. Master in Illusion guided us through KFT. He's a low-dex warrior who's only a few levels above me. However, I'm embarrassed to see how much less damage Cow King does next to him -_-" When I get filthy rich, I will go low dex too!
Either way, I'm not discouraged. WKhood by the end of next week is almost guaranteed! ^_^
In which case, this post will contain little academic content! =O
EvilCowKing is nearing White Knight-hood at an incredible speed! =) Yesterday I gained +75% in one long sitting which consisted of FoG grinding during 2x EXP and then some MAD questing at Korean Folk Town, since I really wanted that lvl 65 +5 Str cape. (I blew 3M on an Str scroll that failed -_-") My girlfriend, in "RL" and "IG," (UndyingIce) and several guildmates came along as well. Tim, (Thrythwig), another Jr. Master in Illusion guided us through KFT. He's a low-dex warrior who's only a few levels above me. However, I'm embarrassed to see how much less damage Cow King does next to him -_-" When I get filthy rich, I will go low dex too!
Either way, I'm not discouraged. WKhood by the end of next week is almost guaranteed! ^_^
Thursday, May 17, 2007
In the beginning...
Okay, so perhaps level 63 doesn't count as 'the beginning'...
Nevertheless, you're here and you're probably wondering why you're even bothering to read the blog of some 1H BW WK. Yes, I said 1H AND BW. I came across a very interesting thread by justsomeguy on SW, and it certainly got me thinking about my own minority role in MapleStory. Perhaps here I can help mitigate the bad reputation of BW users, and 1H users as well while I conduct my research...
Research?
My name is Sebastian Campos, and I'm a 5th year undergraduate student at York University in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. I believe I'm one of the very few Maplers out there who not only plays MapleStory, but studies it academically as well.
I've been deliberating this for a while now, but today marks the day that I 'officially' set out on a new mission - a two year mission, in fact - to continue studying MapleStory culture as part of my Masters' degree in Anthropology.
But this is just a game! You can't be serious!
Long ago, anthropologists, (loosely,) individuals who study cultures, believed that in order to study culture, they had to travel to distant lands - places they believed were remote and untainted by 'Western' culture. That is, the 'home' was geographically distant from 'the field.' That began to change in the 1960s, notably with the avant-garde work of Hortense Powdermaker on Hollywood. Since that time, there have been many valuable contributions in studying culture 'at home,' and although traditional research models continue, non-traditional studies are much more common than they were before. My work on MapleStory is part of this movement. Basil Market, Sleepywood, Maple Tip, Hidden Street, are but a few sites that are a testament to the proliferation and diversity of MapleStory culture. Evidently, MapleStory is much more than just a game.
But World of WarCraft is soooo much better! Why not study that instead?
I've never played WoW, and I'm sure it's great. But I'm not interested in studying its culture at the moment. Truthfully, anthropological studies in MMORPGs are scant, yet, most of the studies conducted thus far, express favouritism towards 3D MMOs like EverQuest and World of WarCraft, largely ignoring contemporary 2D MMORPGs. I do not wish to follow these examples; I know MapleStory - this, fairly 'simple'-looking 2D side-scrolling MMORPG - has a rich culture, and I intend to study it as part of my graduate studies.
Hmmm... there might be something to this study of yours after all...
I have already conducted research and written a 50 page paper on MapleStory (-I'm working on getting it published). But this is not enough - there is still a lot more to be discussed. As such, if you would like to help me with my research, please get in contact with me. I am looking for committed Maplers who can picture themselves playing MapleStory for the next two years, who can tell me about its culture. (Believe me, you may know more than you think you do!) I am not actively conducting research at the moment, but having some committed buddies wouldn't hurt (-I have a bizarre habit of befriending individuals who seldom play or quit).
Happy Mapling!
Sebastian Campos
maplestorystudy@gmail.com
EvilCowKing
63/Page/Windia
Guild: Illusion
I am a proud Windian.
Nevertheless, you're here and you're probably wondering why you're even bothering to read the blog of some 1H BW WK. Yes, I said 1H AND BW. I came across a very interesting thread by justsomeguy on SW, and it certainly got me thinking about my own minority role in MapleStory. Perhaps here I can help mitigate the bad reputation of BW users, and 1H users as well while I conduct my research...
Research?
My name is Sebastian Campos, and I'm a 5th year undergraduate student at York University in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. I believe I'm one of the very few Maplers out there who not only plays MapleStory, but studies it academically as well.
I've been deliberating this for a while now, but today marks the day that I 'officially' set out on a new mission - a two year mission, in fact - to continue studying MapleStory culture as part of my Masters' degree in Anthropology.
But this is just a game! You can't be serious!
Long ago, anthropologists, (loosely,) individuals who study cultures, believed that in order to study culture, they had to travel to distant lands - places they believed were remote and untainted by 'Western' culture. That is, the 'home' was geographically distant from 'the field.' That began to change in the 1960s, notably with the avant-garde work of Hortense Powdermaker on Hollywood. Since that time, there have been many valuable contributions in studying culture 'at home,' and although traditional research models continue, non-traditional studies are much more common than they were before. My work on MapleStory is part of this movement. Basil Market, Sleepywood, Maple Tip, Hidden Street, are but a few sites that are a testament to the proliferation and diversity of MapleStory culture. Evidently, MapleStory is much more than just a game.
But World of WarCraft is soooo much better! Why not study that instead?
I've never played WoW, and I'm sure it's great. But I'm not interested in studying its culture at the moment. Truthfully, anthropological studies in MMORPGs are scant, yet, most of the studies conducted thus far, express favouritism towards 3D MMOs like EverQuest and World of WarCraft, largely ignoring contemporary 2D MMORPGs. I do not wish to follow these examples; I know MapleStory - this, fairly 'simple'-looking 2D side-scrolling MMORPG - has a rich culture, and I intend to study it as part of my graduate studies.
Hmmm... there might be something to this study of yours after all...
I have already conducted research and written a 50 page paper on MapleStory (-I'm working on getting it published). But this is not enough - there is still a lot more to be discussed. As such, if you would like to help me with my research, please get in contact with me. I am looking for committed Maplers who can picture themselves playing MapleStory for the next two years, who can tell me about its culture. (Believe me, you may know more than you think you do!) I am not actively conducting research at the moment, but having some committed buddies wouldn't hurt (-I have a bizarre habit of befriending individuals who seldom play or quit).
Happy Mapling!
Sebastian Campos
maplestorystudy@gmail.com
EvilCowKing
63/Page/Windia
Guild: Illusion
I am a proud Windian.
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