Group Dynamics in Online Games: A Literature Review in Terms of Social Identity, Conformity to Norms and Social Behavior

Online multiplayer games offer players social opportunities such as meeting and communicating with new people or being part of a team. From the point of group dynamics, the players develop dynamics similar to real life in the game environment. Players develop social identity based on the team membership in the game, create norms and conform to the norms in the team. Also, it is observed that players generally exhibit in group favoritism in the game environment; they have adopted norms containing prejudices against out group members; and it is seen that they carry some real life stereotypes into the game environment. Accordingly, the players may exhibit negative behaviors between groups in the game environment. Besides, findings indicate that in some cases, intergroup biases can be reduced and positive outcomes can be obtained in games, in terms of group dynamics. In this article, firstly, some findings of the literature on social identity acquisition, norm development and negative behaviors between groups are given and the features of games that encourage negative norms and behaviors are mentioned. Then, in the light of the findings in the literature, suggestions were made to improve the negative group dynamics in games. In this respect, the article can give readers an idea about group dynamics in online multiplayer games; it is thought that it can shed light to researchers and game producers on how to create more positive game environments and, beyond this, how games can be used to give people positive behavior. Keywords: Online multiplayer game, social identity, norm, group behavior

Robo Ludens

The use of games as vehicles to study human-robot interaction (HRI) has been established as a suitable solution to create more realistic and naturalistic opportunities to investigate human behavior. In particular, multiplayer games that involve at least two human players and one or more robots have raised the attention of the research community. This article proposes a scoping review to qualitatively examine the literature on the use of multiplayer games in HRI scenarios employing embodied robots aiming to find experimental patterns and common game design elements. We find that researchers have been using multiplayer games in a wide variety of applications in HRI, including training, entertainment and education, allowing robots to take different roles. Moreover, robots have included different capabilities and sensing technologies, and elements such as external screens or motion controllers were used to foster gameplay. Based on our findings, we propose a design taxonomy called Robo Ludens, which identifies HRI elements and game design fundamentals and classifies important components used in multiplayer HRI scenarios. The Robo Ludens taxonomy covers considerations from a robot-oriented perspective as well as game design aspects to provide a comprehensive list of elements that can foster gameplay and bring enjoyable experiences in HRI scenarios.

‘Thank you for your compliance’: Overwatch as a Disciplinary System

Toxicity in online multiplayer games has long been an issue, and game developers implement various strategies such as reputation systems to curb such behaviour. Although Foucault’s notion of discipline seems an ideal lens through which to analyse such reputation systems, as of yet there has been little work on the subject. This article addresses the reputation system implemented in 2018 by Blizzard, who created an endorsement system in the team-based multiplayer shooter Overwatch. This successfully encouraged positive player behaviour by implementing rewards, rather than only punishments. In this article, we examine the endorsement system as an example of Foucault’s discipline, one that is particularly relevant to game design because it uses incentives as well as deterrents. We argue that the endorsement system is particularly effective as a form of discipline because it includes players as part of the process, by actively constructing subjects (gamers) to fit a pre-defined mould.

Technologies for Supporting Creativity in Design: A View of Physical and Virtual Environments with Regard to Cognitive and Social Processes

Creative activities are becoming more and more necessary in professional areas, such as in design, towards the development of new products that should be adapted to current (or future) users and usages. In a competitive context, it is crucial, especially for companies, to face the challenge of coming up with innovative products. However, creative activities are particularly difficult to perform, and they are associated with important risks. In this context, we report on major findings based on the analysis of designers’ cognitive processes involved in creativity, which has led to the development of computational systems used in physical environments. We also present studies related to technologies that are used in virtual spaces in order to support creativity. This last kind of technology seems to be more and more promising in the actual societal context, which requires remote working, all the more so during the current health crisis. More specifically, we discuss how virtual environments, particularly those from multiplayer games, not only redesign the way individuals work but can also contribute to enhancing creativity. Finally, we suggest perspectives towards the development of innovative new tools that aim to enhance creative performance in individual and collective situations.

Connected Play in Virtual Worlds: Communication and Control Mechanisms in Virtual Worlds for Children and Adolescents

Technology plays an essential role in shaping youth’s communication and social interactions in online multiplayer games. Due to physical distancing restrictions during the COVID-19 global pandemic, online multiplayer games like Minecraft and Roblox are well-positioned to amplify healthy communication/social connections and mitigate the impact of social isolation. Research so far has been focused on how these gaming environments support youth development from the perspectives of individual stakeholders (e.g., caregivers, educators, designers, and developers). However, features of these games, such as communication and parental controls, are often misaligned with the ways in which children develop communication and social skills. Using a series of case studies of popular virtual worlds and online games, this paper provides an analysis of critical design features that serve youth throughout different stages of childhood and early adolescence. We offer three main contributions: (a) a comparison matrix of similarities and differences in communication and control features between platforms; (b) an evaluation of design features in selected virtual world platforms that promote safe and positive social interactions; and (c) a method for cross-platform comparison aimed at helping researchers, designers, and practitioners examine specific dimensions of social communication and play experience in virtual worlds.

We-intention to continue playing mobile multiplayer games: the role of social play habit

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to develop and test a theoretical model that accounts for an individual's we-intention to continue playing a mobile multiplayer game.Design/methodology/approachDrawing on habit-intention and habit formation theories, this study conceptualizes social play habit as a determinant of the we-intention to continue playing and identifies its antecedents. The proposed model was tested through a survey of 277 players of Honor of Kings, a popular mobile multiplayer game.FindingsThe results indicate that developing social play habit is critical to the formation of a we-intention to continue playing in the context of mobile multiplayer games. The results also suggest that technological (social features embedded in the game) and individual (desire for co-play and privacy concerns) factors jointly influence social play habit.Research limitations/implicationsThis study contributes to the literature on we-intention by conceptualizing social play habit and verifying its role in facilitating a shared intention to continue playing mobile multiplayer games. Our work responds to the call for understanding the mechanism by which multiple people form a shared intention to continue using an information technology at a collective level. Our findings provide significant insights into the design of information technologies for collaboration.Originality/valueThis study is among the first to extend the literature on gaming habits by considering other players' involvement. Specifically, our study shifts researchers' attention from gaming habits characterized by individual properties to social gaming habits characterized by communal properties.