Nottingham Trent University has published a study within the US journal CyberPsychology and Behaviour that reveals online gamers are, contrary to popular belief, socially active. No, really!

The Social Interactions in Massively-Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Gamers study debunked the myth that all MMO players are awkward geeks, unable to communicate with others by examining nearly 1000 online gamers from around the world.

"This study has revealed many aspects of MMORPGs that were not known before," said University spokesman Mark Griffiths. "Previous research has suggested that gamers are socially inactive, but MMORPGs are actually extremely social games, with high percentages of gamers making life-long friends and even partners."

Of those interviewed and studied nearly three quarters made good friends with people they met while playing, nearly half have met up with those friend in real life and one tenth went on to develop physical relationships.

"As well as making good friends online, 81 per cent of gamers play with real-life friends and family, suggesting MMORPGs are by no means an asocial activity, nor are the players socially introverted," continued Griffiths. "The virtual world that these games offer, allow players to express themselves in ways they may not feel comfortable doing in real life because of their appearance, gender, sexuality, age, or other factors. They also offer a place where teamwork, encouragement and fun can all be experienced."

The study found that World of Warcraft is the most popular MMO currently on the market with players spending an average of 22.85 hours in the game per week. Is that all...?