Focused on the prize: Characteristics of experts in massive multiplayer online games

First Monday ◽  
2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jing Wang ◽  
David A. Huffaker ◽  
Jeffrey W. Treem ◽  
Lindsay Fullerton ◽  
Muhammad A. Ahmad ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Achievement Motivation ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Role Playing ◽  
Online Games ◽  
Personality Characteristics ◽  
Multiplayer Online Games ◽  
Role Playing Game ◽  
Demographic Attributes ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Game Performance

This study is the first large–scale multi–method attempt to empirically examine the characteristics leading to development of expertise in EverQuest II, a popular massively multi–player online role–playing game (MMOs). Benefiting from the unprecedented opportunity of obtaining game log data matched with survey data, the project investigated the relationship between player motivations and in–game behavior, personality characteristics, and demographic attributes with game performance and achievement, which we refer to as game “expertise.” Players who were high on achievement motivation or social motivation had higher game expertise, while those high on immersion motivation had lower expertise. Game experts were also characterized by focusing their game time on completing tasks. Younger players showed a slim advantage over older players. Male and female players exhibited similar expertise levels in this MMO.

A study of motivation and team member selection in online games

2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (6) ◽  
pp. 1286-1304 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tianyang Lou ◽  
Yuning Zu ◽  
Ling Zhu
Keyword(s):  
Achievement Motivation ◽  
Team Member ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Role Playing ◽  
Online Games ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Moderation Effect ◽  
Member Selection ◽  
Role Playing Game ◽  
Game Environment

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate impact of playing motivation on team member selection (TMS) in online games specifically related to Massively Multiplayer Online Role-playing Game environment. Design/methodology/approach A self-administered questionnaire was developed and administered to an online sample of 9,335 CR3 players. Findings The findings of this research indicated that social and immersion motivations have a significant effect on TMS. Additionally, it was discovered that achievement motivation has a positive relationship with dispositional TMS, a negative relationship to bond-based TMS. The moderation effect of frequency and gender is also demonstrated. Research limitations/implications The study verified the relationships of the theoretical model of the game motivation and TMS. Originality/value This study provides advice to operators of online games when motivating players to work in groups.

Dungeons & Dragons & Drama

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Darby Huk
Keyword(s):  
Game Theory ◽  
Game Design ◽  
Role Playing ◽  
Theoretical Research ◽  
Audience Participation ◽  
Fictional Character ◽  
Voice Change ◽  
Dramatic Theory ◽  
Role Playing Game ◽  
Game Performance

Players sit around a table. A group of adventurers pause in their pursuit of escape. Stunned, they stare at the die that just rolled poorly, resulting in the loss of a dear friend, his throat ripped out because they could not save him. The players mourn the death of a fictional character who only ever existed within the game. Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) is a popular role-playing game illustrating the interconnectedness of drama, performance, and games. My presentation will examine this relationship, identifying factors from gameplay that suggest how performance fosters success in D&D for both actual players and fictional characters. Research into dramatic theory and game theory reveals how interdisciplinary concepts such as the “magic circle”, the “lusory attitude”, and uncertainty can apply to elements of D&D (Salen and Zimmerman, Suits, Costikyan). Data collected from in-person observation of D&D sessions, coding participants’ behaviour, and watching for instances of performance (e.g. voice change, pronoun switches, or mimetic gesture), has been combined with theoretical research to determine elements that better facilitate success in the game/campaign. These elements range from emotional situations that provoke players, to forms of invitations encouraging participation (Isbister, White). I have discovered that while in theatre performance acts as a vehicle for story, in D&D the story acts as a vehicle for performance. The in-game performance often facilitates fun between players, as well as leading them to success in the game, so a campaign that maximizes theatricality will not only result in more fun, but also more success. Works Cited Costikyan, Greg. Uncertainty in Games. MIT Press, 2013. Isbister, Katherine. How Games Move Us: Emotion by Design. MIT Press, 2016. Salen, Katie, and Eric Zimmerman. Rules of Play: Game Design Fundamentals. The MIT Press, 2004. Suits, Bernard Herbert. The Grasshopper: Games, Life, and Utopia. Broadview Press, 2014. White, Gareth. Audience Participation in Theatre: Aesthetics of the Invitation. Springer, 2013.

scholarly journals Applying Massively Multiplayer Online Games (MMOGs) in EFL Teaching

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hazita Azman ◽  
Nurul Farhana Dollsaid
Keyword(s):  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Role Playing ◽  
Online Games ◽  
Language Learner ◽  
Massively Multiplayer Online Games ◽  
Multiplayer Online Games ◽  
Role Playing Games ◽  
Learning Principles ◽  
Communication Behaviours ◽  
Massively Multiplayer

This article explores the use of massively multiplayer online games (MMOGs) as a type of serious games that have English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learning potentials. It highlights evidence from a case study which investigated the effects of role-playing in MMOGs on communication behaviours among EFL game players. Additionally, findings from the study elucidate the learning principles of good games that incorporate the dynamics of gaming which induce the language learner to be active generators of information, knowledge and language. Essentially the preliminary findings reported affirm the viability of online games as a potential tool for teaching and learning in the 4.0 era, which endeavours to engage the digital natives of the 21st century. The study thus claims that MMOGs in particular the massively multiplayer online role-playing games or MMORPGs can facilitate in providing contextualized and authentic language interaction opportunities in English between online multilingual speakers.

Effect of game motivation on flow experience and companionship

2017 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 95-115
Author(s):  
Elena Carolina Li ◽  
Ding-Bang Luh
Keyword(s):  
Achievement Motivation ◽  
Online Games ◽  
Flow Experience ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Motivation Scale ◽  
Game Players ◽  
The Relationship

Motivation crucially influences the willingness to play online games. Game motivation can affect players’ flow experience and player’s companionship with their game roles or avatars. However, the relationship among game motivation, flow experience, and companionship is unclear; therefore, designing online games that improving the playing experience is difficult. This study chose online pet games as study samples, and this study used a game motivation scale, flow experience scale, and the Companionship Scale of Artificial Pets to identify the relationship among game motivation, flow experience, and companionship. According to 216 valid questionnaire responses, this study demonstrated that (a) game motivation for online pet game players was primarily immersion and achievement, (b) compared with achievement motivation, immersion motivation had a greater influence on flow experience and the development of player companionship with online pets, and (c) players with immersion and achievement motivation had a substantially enhanced flow experience and companionship with their online pets.

How avatars create identification and loyalty among online gamers

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (6) ◽  
pp. 1443-1468 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ching-I Teng
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation Modeling ◽  
Electronic Commerce ◽  
Physical Attractiveness ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Role Playing ◽  
Online Games ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Role Playing Game

Purpose Online games are popular electronic commerce platforms in which gamers use avatars to interact with others. Avatar identification (the extent to which gamers regard avatars as an extension of themselves) is known to be related to online gamer loyalty. However, few studies have examined how avatars could be designed to enhance avatar identification and online gamer loyalty, indicating a gap. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to contextualize self-affirmation theory into online gaming contexts, identified key theoretical elements and examined how they are related to avatar identification and online gamer loyalty. Design/methodology/approach This study surveyed 1,348 massively multi-player online role-playing game players, and their responses were analyzed using structural equation modeling. Findings The analytical results indicate that irreplaceability within a team and avatar customization are positively related to unique avatar image, while avatar customization is positively related to positive avatar image. Moreover, avatar physical attractiveness and avatar ability to achieve are positively related to positive avatar image. Both unique and positive images of an avatar (as perceived by the user) are positively related to avatar identification, and further to online gamer loyalty. Originality/value This study proposes new constructs: irreplaceability within a team, avatar ability to achieve, unique avatar image and positive avatar image. Such new constructs provide insights to aid electronic commerce managers in avatar design, thus instilling gamer identification with avatars, and thus loyalty.

scholarly journals Modeling utilitarian‐hedonic dual mediation (UHDM) in the purchase and use of games

2013 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 229-256 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Davis ◽  
Bodo Lang ◽  
Neil Gautam
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Causal Effect ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Role Playing ◽  
Hedonic Consumption ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Role Playing Game ◽  
Game Context ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeIt is assumed that consumers consume games to experience hedonic and utilitarian value. However, there is no conceptual model or empirical evidence that supports this hypothesis in the game context or clarifies whether these consumption values have dual mediated or individual effects. Therefore, the purpose of this research is to model the relationship between hedonic and utilitarian consumption and game purchase and usage.Design/methodology/approachThis research question is answered through two studies. In Study One, qualitative interviews with 18 gamers were implemented to explore the relationship between hedonic and utilitarian consumption and, game purchase and usage behaviour. In Study Two, we surveyed 493 consumers and conducted confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modelling across four game types to model this relationship.FindingsThe paper concludes that hedonic rather than utilitarian consumption positively impacts purchase and usage. Support was also found for the utilitarian‐hedonic dual mediation model (UHDM). Therefore, utilitarian consumption has an indirect causal effect on game purchase or usage through hedonic consumption.Practical implicationsGame development for consumers online, on wireless devices and on consoles should place greater emphasis on the practical implications of hedonic consumption. Attention could be focused on perceived enjoyment, self‐concept, self‐congruity and self‐efficacy as the primary drivers of use and purchase. Practical solutions should also be developed to develop the UHDM effect.Originality/valueThis is the first paper in the game context to explore and model the relationship between hedonic, utilitarian consumption and the UHDM effect on game purchase and usage. This paper is also unique because it provides results across four game groups: all games (ALL), Sports/Simulation/Driving (SSD), Role Playing Game/Massively Multiplayer Online Role‐Playing Game Strategy (RPG), and Action/Adventure/Fighting (AAF).

Collective Solitude and Social Networks in World of Warcraft

2009 ◽  
pp. 78-100 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicolas Ducheneaut
Keyword(s):  
Social Networks ◽  
Real World ◽  
Online Social Networks ◽  
Online Games ◽  
World Of Warcraft ◽  
Massively Multiplayer Online Games ◽  
Multiplayer Online Games ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Do So ◽  
Massively Multiplayer

This chapter investigates the nature and structure of social networks formed between the players of massively multiplayer online games (MMOGs), an incredibly popular form of Internet-based entertainment attracting millions of subscribers. To do so, we use data collected about the behavior of more than 300,000 characters in World of Warcraft (the most popular MMOG in America). We show that these social networks are often sparse and that most players spend time in the game experiencing a form of “collective solitude”: they play surrounded by, but not necessarily with, other players. We also show that the most successful player groups are analogous to the organic, team-based forms of organization that are prevalent in today’s workplace. Based on these findings, we discuss the relationship between online social networks and “real-world” behavior in organizations in more depth.

Detecting and monitoring game bots based on large-scale user-behavior log data analysis in multiplayer online games

2015 ◽  
Vol 72 (9) ◽  
pp. 3572-3587 ◽  
Author(s):  
YeonJun Choi ◽  
SungJune Chang ◽  
YongJun Kim ◽  
HunJoo Lee ◽  
WookHo Son ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Data Analysis ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
User Behavior ◽  
Online Games ◽  
Log Data ◽  
Multiplayer Online Games ◽  
Log Data Analysis

scholarly journals Immersion in Computer Games: The Role of Spatial Presence and Flow

2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Weibel ◽  
Bartholomäus Wissmath
Keyword(s):  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Computer Games ◽  
Role Playing ◽  
Spatial Presence ◽  
Common Variance ◽  
Key Concepts ◽  
Role Playing Game ◽  
Being There ◽  
The Relationship

A main reason to play computer games is the pleasure of being immersed in a mediated world.Spatial presenceandfloware considered key concepts to explain such immersive experiences. However, little attention has been paid to the connection between the two concepts. Thus, we empirically examined the relationship between presence and flow in the context of a computer role-playing game (), a racing game (), and a jump and run game (). In all three studies, factor analysis revealed that presence and flow are distinct constructs, which do hardly share common variance. We conclude that presence refers to the sensation of being there in the mediated world, whereas flow rather refers to the sensation of being involved in the gaming action. Further analyses showed that flow and presence depend on motivation and immersive tendency. In addition, flow and presence enhanced performance as well as enjoyment.

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