Proposal

(Assignment 2 Proposal)** We will investigate the similarities and differences regarding the players and examine ways of approaching other members of the game. Also, we will take into account of the surroundings within the virtual world in comparison to reality, and how it differs from outside the gaming world of World of Warcraft. The groups main focus for this assignment will be to examine the relationship with the characters' surroundings (how one deals with people and or objects around them within the virtual world) and compare our findings of how humans deal with their surroundings in the real world. Close examination will be done in order to create clear similarities and differences between the real and virtual world The team will discuss how negative actions are more common while playing the game of World of Warcraft compared to reality.
 * __ Team S.A.L - World of Warcraft __

__ Theoretical Concepts __ Many course concepts will be used in order to support our thesis, while exploring World of Warcraft. The basis of our assignment will revolve around three major course concepts, these concepts are:

Also, in reality, different ways of interaction may result different types of relationship with the other person. In World of Warcraft, relationships made are pre-constructed.
 * Cognitive Mapping:** Desired Paths are common in the World of Warcraft game since its been developed by a team of creative game designers. Within the game, the player will have some clue on what is happening because the path has been constructed or it has been displayed (health status). You will encounter items that have been placed by game designers in the game for the players to heal and regain your health status. In reality, it does not have any indication of a person's health status bar. There are no items given to regain health back to a person dying.


 * Semiotics:** We will discuss the similarities and differences on how we interpret different kinds of symbols in the gaming world and in reality. The team will discuss how our interpretation of symbols while playing the game are any similar or different on how we interpret symbols in reality to help determine our interactions with people in game and in reality.

 __Methods of Research__ Our methods of research will include the World of Warcraft game, which will be supported by content from the course (including but not confined by Lectures, Readings and the use of our class WikiSpace). Further research will come from the internet and surveys completed by gamers of the WoW game.
 * Panopticon:** We will look at WoW with the theory of the pantopticon in mind. The pantopicon centres around the idea that we feel as though we are constantly watched and surveillenced therefore it will have an effect on the way we act. Within WoW, there are no norms, laws or social codes that must be abided; although players in the game are watching how you act, the lack of laws allows your character to act in any way.

We will use various ways to properly communiucate our thesis and findings to our peers. We will provide a WikiSpace with all our findings and research, a PowerPoint presentation to give a visual aid to our findings and also, video interviews with avid gamers World of Warcraft. Our group will also blog after playing the game, giving direct opinions and feedback on the game, we will also keep a diary of our virtual world experience.