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Games and Culture
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Relating Online

Managing Dialectical Contradictions in Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game Relationships

Nan Li

University of Colorado, Boulder

Michele H. Jackson

University of Colorado, Boulder

April R. Trees

St. Louis University

The theory of dialectical contradictions (L. A. Baxter & B. M. Montgomery, 1996) is used to examine relationships developed in a Chinese online role-playing game, Legend of Mir. Analysis of discourse on a Web-based Legend-theme bulletin board system and a series of online articles identified oppositional tensions in discussion about relationships. Seven contradictions representing three basic thematic families—integration—separation, expression—nonexpression, and stability—change—were identified. Four contradictions signified internal tensions between relational partners, and the rest addressed a relationship's connection with others. Players coped with these contradictions in various ways, drawing on game infrastructure and elements of offline life.

Key Words: China • dialectics • gaming • MMPORG • relationships

Games and Culture, Vol. 3, No. 1, 76-97 (2008)
DOI: 10.1177/1555412007309529
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