According to a recent study of Everquest II players, it looks like online gamers tend to spend most of their time hanging out with real world friends and family members. I guess I have to say this one surprises me just a bit.

I’ve mentioned this before, but I’ve been an online gamer for more than a decade and have played in nearly a dozen of these virtual worlds. I’d have to say that most of my gaming time has been spent with people I’ve never met in person. Maybe I just like the idea that most of my fellow orc-slayers have no idea what I really look like or what I do for a living, etc.

But according to the study, covered in this story at MSNBC, I’m not the norm.

That’s not to say that people don’t meet new folks playing “EverQuest II,” says Dmitri Williams, one of the study’s investigators. But the research shows that the Internet - and online games - are used mostly as a way to stay in touch with friends and family.

I will say, though that I think it’s really cool when I come across a parent who’s playing alongside a son or daughter in World of Warcraft or some other game. Nothing like a little virutal play to enhance real world bonding.