According to Gamernode, a study was recently conducted by researchers at Nottingham Trent University, and is being published in the US journal CyberPsychology and Behavior. This study says that gamers do their guildmates.

Click me, baby…click me HARD.

Okay, so it doesn’t put it exactly like that, but that’s the gist of the most interesting part of the survey.

It’s no surprise that the study found that people form lasting friendships online, and the fact that this would be considered news indicates to me that the majority of people aren’t MMORPG players (not even close, of course). You have to make a friend in a persistant world to understand; most non-gamers still equate it with picking up someone in the “Hot Steamy CyberLove Chat Channel” (slogan: “We’ll get your connection UP, baby!”). It’s not, as you know.

I have personally made quite a few friends through game play…no, I haven’t had sex with any (I’m looking specifically at YOU, Exxile), but I can understand where that type of bond can form. Most people have a story of someone they know meeting in an MMO, and going on to get married…I know quite a few myself.

When will the attitudes about gamers change? When you stop seeing studies like this one. Because, when they stop (or at least slow down), that will mean that people who are familiar with the current culture will be the generation “in charge”.

In the meantime, I’m willing to show my epic staff to anyone that wants to see it…it’s got a modifier to stamina, baby.