A LOOK INTO MMORPG

COMMUNITIES

By Cody Yong

• MMORPG Predecessors

• Integration of social media

• Incentives/motivation of play

• Guilds and Parties

• Idea of playing “Alone Together”

• Tying it all together

OUTLINE

• MUD – Multi-User Dungeon– Text based gameplay– Online chat

• RPG – Role-Playing Game– Interact with NPC’s to follow a narrative

• Both hold emphasis on character development.

PREDECESSORS

• MUD + RPG = MMORPG

• Avatar – customizable character/persona

• Online Chat (private messaging, shout, friends list)

• Still interact with many NPC’s, but a high reliance is placed on other users– LFP, WTS, WTB, LFG, WTF…?

INTEGRATION OF SOCIAL MEDIA

• There are no final victory or loss conditions– Therefore the game continues to evolve

• “Emotional proximity” for their avatar• Although there is a single background narrative, the

player is allowed to interact with the environment and help shape the game.

Dickey (2007)

INCENTIVES/MOTIVATION OF PLAY (GAME SIDE)

• Shared experience with others• Role-Playing concept• Collaborative nature of in-game activities• Most importantly, the reward of being socialized into a

community of gamers and acquiring a reputation within it.

Ducheneaut, Yee, Nickell, Moore (2007)

INCENTIVES/MOTIVATION OF PLAY (SOCIAL SIDE)

• A way to cumulate in-game social capital.– Guild mates function as weak ties typically

• Many aspects of an MMORPG require/encourage Guilds and/or Parties.

– Difficulty of level– Class variety– GvG

• Social pressure to play presented by guild.

GUILDS AND PARTIES

Ducheneaut, Yee, Nickell &Moore (2007)

• Players seem to play surrounded by others, instead of playing with them.

• Background chatter supplies a sense of social presence.– Player can input at anytime.

• Other players provide an audience and a sort of spectacle.

Ducheneaut, Yee, Nickell, Moore (2007)

NOT THAT SOCIAL? WHY NOT PLAY “ALONE TOGETHER?”

Seay, Jerome, Lee, & Kraut (2004)

TYING IT ALL TOGETHER

• Social aspects of an MMORPG are nearly unavoidable.

• The game itself helps facilitate and encourages social interaction.

• “community of practice” (Bogost 2007)

TYING IT ALL TOGETHER (CONT’D)