Someone on YouTube created an amazing mashup of dance videos showing the origins of the dance moves in the World of Warcraft. I think this video perfectly relays the importance of needing more ways to express ourselves in these online virtual worlds and communities. For example, I’m guessing a lot of the outfits used on the Warcraft characters were probably quite difficult to obtain in the game and also required level requirements to wear. I find this somewhat absurd, since it would be like walking into a store to buy a simple red t-shirt, only to find out you needed $1000 to pay for it, as well as be a rocket scientist. By creating restrictions like this, you’re only limiting the expressive capabilities of those within your communities which only ends up frustrating them.
Update: BTW I think this is one reason why online community sites like Gaia Online are so popular right now, even though it’s origins were just as a online forum. Here’s a quote from their About Us page that talks about the way their members can express themselves much more so than other typical forum sites or services.
Endless Customization: Gaia revolves around creative customization. Every member can create their own virtual character and dress it up with over five thousand items: clothes, accessories, pets, masks and just about anything else imaginable.