Algunas reflexiones a propósito de los juegos (y los jugadores) de rol online: Identidad y adicción

The number of online role-playing users, especially those engaging in the so-calledMassively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games (MMORPG) increases from year toyear. The scientific literature has not yet overseen all the factors and varieties relatedto this phenomenon. In the present article the main characteristics of this type of gamesare described, as well as some questions related to the identity of these gamers and topossible phenomena of addiction. There are different motivations for the users to engagein this type of games, one of them being the possibility to represent themselves with a newidentity in a virtual environment. The possibility of developing addictive behavior is low,but it is not necessary to suffer from a previous mental or personality disorder in orderto become addicted. The degree of the individual’s vulnerability is crucial, and theaddiction can appear especially in those players who are neither aware of the time theyspend engaged nor of the consequences of their behavior.