Gaming with IRL Friends, Family, and/or SOs

[Charmin]

Another thread prompted me to actually want to make a specific one discussing this topic. In the time I have been playing in game let alone what you learn about people out of game, there are a great many of us who play with our real life friends, family, and significant others. On Aegis in general or one of my linkshells specifically I can name several gaming couples, myself included. I have also had the fortune to play with some of my friends from my shop as well. I also know of at least two sets of siblings that play on our server.

To explore this occurrence some I was curious how many of us play with those we know in real life and not just through the forums, Lodestone, or game (not diminishing those relationships or those who may not share in one, but simply to explore offline ones). Do you play with someone with which you are in a relationship? Do you and your brother share an account? Do you have a group of friends from work or school you share with in this game?

You don't have to name them or identify them specifically like "wife" or "best friend" if you don't wish, but if you want to share your circle of IRL people online feel free to!

Family: 0 (tried to get my sister to play, but oh well)
Friends: 4
S.O.s: 1, Tansy

I've found that by playing with them it has made the game a lot more fun. I look forward to trying to recruit new friends and others into the game once ARR drops. If nothing else these kind of personal, OOG relationships take some of the scary edge off an investment of time and money in a game. Plus you can't really feel bad about helping them because you know it is going to a good cause and can actually strengthen the bonds you share! Have any of you felt the same?

[rina_inverse]

I prefer to draw a strict line between online and offline
People can get angry because of some petty thing, and I dont want that happen to a close friend/relative

[Charmin]

That is a good and understandable point, Rina.

[Jinrya-Geki]

I have 4 friends that played this game. They aren't going to give 14 a second chance.

So it's just Kouji and I playing.

[Babydoll]

I play with my boyfriend..whom I met in FFXI lol.

My little brother plays sometimes! I think he is going to play ARR with me and my nephew wants to as well that should be fun ^^

Other then that most of my long time online friends are coming to play for ARR...I am very close with them and can't wait

[PurrrjinKitteh]

I play with my husband and children plus RL friends. It does make a huge difference for me to play with people I know, but it hasn't stopped any of us from making friends and meeting new people outside our group. Most of those people become honorary "family" members themselves LOL...

[Searious]

I tried to get my girlfriend to play but so far no luck.

[Soukyuu]

One of my brothers used to play, but quit because he got bored after getting to level50 on his MRD.
Though I guess another reason was his lappy struggling with the game (dualcore+8600m GT).

[Eldaena]

I actually met my significant other on FFXIV. ^^; We met around launch, and got together in December 2010. =p We live together now and play with his brother. We also play with another couple that met on FFXIV, and two people that are friends in person as well. We are all like a big family now and care about each other. It really does change your perspective on multiplayer online games and what they are capable of. It really feels like you accomplish something important when you play this game with people you care about. Our linkshell has even become close with a few Japanese players that are now part of our extended family too. It's hard to revert back to playing with random people that don't really care about you all that much when you have a family linkshell, if anyone else has experienced this kind of thing. =p

[Scy]

My best friend in r/l as of 10 years plays, we both played FFXI as well. My g/f plays but is holding(was) holding out till ARR. Currently lobbying my cousins (x3) to play. R/l recruitment bishes! Its the only way to grow your LS