Hi all, 

Hope you’re all keeping well and stay safe. 

I want to give you a quick background of this post. I need some help with part of my primary research for a study I am doing. Yes, you might wonder this is deviating from my natural field of expertise in economics, but I want to further explore the ‘economics’ of long distance online relationships. I am a firm believer that there is indeed an economy in everything we do, and my understanding thus far is that this ‘space’ is somewhat understudied and untapped. 

To further digress, I am working with some friends in developing an app which is catered for long distance/online relationships. This is an enhanced way of maintaining healthy and working long distance relationships. The online gaming industry is massive, and a huge number of people play from all walks of life, from all across the world. People are therefore ultimately bound to be connected and attracted with other users. This is normal. 

I come here with this post, because I believe around 90% of you have had online/cyber relationships of some sort. In fact, you’d probably be surprised that a large number of people have had online relationships, difficult to quantify this on a larger scale but yes people do, and for some odd reason this is generally perceived still be seen as taboo... and people are embarrassed to admit they’ve had these relationships.

In essence, I want to know a few things, maybe you don’t feel comfortable sharing this in an open space, in that case please PM me. But I am hoping for some sort of discussions on the following points. 

1. Do you think it is ‘socially normal’ to have an online related long distance relationship, i.e meeting someone in a game such as this and therefore creating a romantic relationship?
2. What is important for a long distance relationship to work? I would like some male and female input on this
3. Do you think these sort of relationships work? Have you got friends or examples of these sort of relationships working? What were the main issues that arises?
4. What interests you about someone behind a screen? And can you fall in love with them?
5. Have you had an romantic relationship with a fellow game user (doesn’t necessarily have to be this game, any game works)

The above questions are open, please feel free to answer and interpret them however you wish. 

In anticipation of your valued replies.

With thanks, 

Karl Marx.

Do you think it is ‘socially normal’ to have an online related long distance relationship, i.e meeting someone in a game such as this and therefore creating a romantic relationship?

• Imo it is possible since human relations transcend logic and what we call "costumes". We are in some way or another infatuated with someone when we spend enough time talking, watching, think about them. Who am I to define the "socially normal"? What is important for a long distance relationship to work? I would like some male and female input on this

What is important for a long distance relationship to work?

I'm a guy. There are a lot of factors. I'm no expert but I know constant and easy communication are key to any successful relationship. Romantic relationships have some other problems like affection, acceptance, understanding, etc.. And it really depends on how ready for it the couple is. How will they have dates? How wiill they have physical interaction? How will they show in "a meaningful way" their love for one another? I also have this questions!

Do you think these sort of relationships work? Have you got friends or examples of these sort of relationships working? What were the main issues that arises?

  Yeah... No. I read on the the internet some couples that could overcome all the barriers that come with the LDR, but all the cases I personally know coulnd't. It's also a matter of will and means. I know of a couple that couldn't even afford the tickets to travel so they could at least see each other once a year. Also, people with trust issues shouldn't do this, or even think about it.

What interests you about someone behind a screen? And can you fall in love with them?

I think that falling in love is easy enough if you're willing to or if you're really naive. Behind a screen or not, people are people. How real they are, is another question with a million different answers. The time, personality, that part of us that we make hinding behind our computers and phones, are also very real. For some of us is the only time we are really ourselves.

I hope my reply isn't stupid xD 

• Do you think it is ‘socially normal’ to have an online related long distance relationship, i.e meeting someone in a game such as this and therefore creating a romantic relationship?

When the internet first became a thing, it wasnt normal, but with dating apps and messengers, It's becoming more Normal.

• What is important for a long distance relationship to work? I would like some male and female input on this

Trust... or an acceptance of open relationships. The fact is that you're dating someone long distance... But this is needed anyways. :/

• Do you think these sort of relationships work? Have you got friends or examples of these sort of relationships working? What were the main issues that arises?

I mean, they can work out, I've seen people meet people in a game and marry them...

• What interests you about someone behind a screen? And can you fall in love with them?

I tent to be attracted to personalities, not just body shapes... so, it's the same online.

• Have you had an romantic relationship with a fellow game user (doesn’t necessarily have to be this game, any game works)

Yes.. a few. In some cases, they ended because we got to know each other better and it wasn't meant to be, in others, it just ran it's course and the romance faded.

At the end of the day, Dating is challenging. If you meet the right person, things tend to work out, but the internet has brought us a whole new pool of people to get to know and it opens us up to a whole new version of dating. You kinda have to weight the pros and cons for yourself.

Online friendships are the best having spanish, german, american, italian and swedish friends gives me a sense of their culture and understanding more than just a certain way of life