Network analysis among World of Warcraft players’ social support variables: A two-way approach

Abstract

World of Warcraft (WoW) is one of the most popular massively multiplayer online games. Previous studies have found evidence of in-game and offline social support among WoW players; however, the interplay of different types of social support such as informational and emotional support among this cohort has not been examined. This study used a reciprocal social support perspective to explore the system-level relationships among different types of social support in a sample of WoW players (N=181). Using network analysis, two major types of social support, informational and emotional, given and received within WoW and offline systems were included as model indicators. Social support networks of guild and non-guild members were compared. Clear separation was found between offline and in-game social support. Informational support played a key role in all networks but differences in the social support networks were identified between guild and non-guild members. These findings indicate dynamics between different types of social support overlooked in previous studies. By revealing such dynamics, network analysis has been shown as a promising tool for evidencing the subtle dynamics between distinct constructs.