Massively Multiplayer Research Articles

A systematic review of problematic gaming: Escapist strategy to cope with difficult life situations

ABSTRACT Gaming as an increasingly common phenomenon and is frequently used as a coping mechanism during difficult life situations, such as grief and bereavement. This coping usually takes place as an avoidant, escapist strategy, which can lead to problematic or excessive gaming, with harmful outcomes. The aim of this study was to review and collate findings from literature on gaming use as an escapist coping strategy during difficult life situations. A systematic review was carried out with the use of the databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar, Research Gate, and APA PsycNet, where English language studies published in peer-reviewed journals were perused. The full text of the studies selected were then reviewed and suitability for the present study was checked with the eligibility criteria. Out of the 35 texts fully reviewed, 18 studies were finalised that fit the eligibility criteria, and out of these, three themes were derived – “Problematic online gaming and difficult life situations”, “Problematic online gaming, coping and escapism “, and “Types of gaming”, which demonstrated the psychosocial perspective on gaming used as a coping mechanism for difficult situations. This association is further affected by the type of gaming, whether Massive Multi-player Online Role Playing Games (MMORPG) or otherwise. The aetiology (life situations as a causative factor) and manifestation (gaming used for coping), along with the type of gaming were significantly affected by personal and social factors. The study showed findings that support the view of gaming as an escapist coping strategy in difficult life situations. It is therefore important to look into provisions for better social support and individuals’ psychosocial environment while evolving interventions that enhance coping among gamers.

Learning by gaming: nonwork-to-work enrichment among successful massive multiplayer online gamers

ABSTRACT Online gaming is stereotypically associated with negative outcomes, partially due to social stigmas. Given the large population of massive multiplayer online (MMO) gamers, in this qualitative study, we explored if and how gaming resulted in positive outcomes by enriching employees’ work. To do so, we interviewed 23 employed adults with extensive gaming experience. Our analysis revealed that MMO gaming resulted in several learning outcomes that were directly related to general workplace skills. We categorised these learning outcomes as affective (i.e. viewing work as solvable puzzles, developing self-confidence, developing self-awareness), behavioural (i.e. leading and working with a team, coaching and developing others, developing social connections, conflict resolution), and cognitive (i.e. gaining knowledge; goal setting, strategising, and planning; adaptability and agility; and problem-solving). Also, we highlighted the social and individual factors that played a role in how learning outcomes were transferred from gaming to work. Our findings broaden the limited scholarship on employee enrichment experiences, extending our understanding of how an individual’s hobby, as an understudied and critical part of the nonwork domain, is associated with the work domain. Our study challenges the common negative stereotypes about gamers and advocates the potential enrichment of workplace skills resulting from gaming during nonwork time.

Gender swapping in massively multiplayer online role-playing games in China: Relationship to gender nonconformity and gender dysphoria

Video games are identified as rich environments for the extension and development of the self. Gender swapping is common in massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs). Drawing on self-discrepancy theory, this study aims to examine whether variables reflecting actual-ideal self-discrepancy in gender-atypical behaviors and gender identity contribute to gender swapping. Specifically, we examine associations between childhood gender nonconformity (CGN), adulthood gender nonconformity (AGN), gender dysphoria, and gender-swapping. An online survey was conducted with 586 players of MMORPGs in China. CGN, AGN, and gender dysphoria were positively associated with gender-swapping. Gender dysphoria fully mediated the associations between CGN and gender swapping. The current findings indicate the effects of gender-atypical behaviors and gender identity on gender swapping among Chinese MMORPGs players.

Мотивационные корреляты жизнестойкости и виртуальной идентичности молодых геймеров

The research is relevant due to the necessity to explore how gaming motivational mechanisms reduce internal tension and shape gamers’ identity in massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPG). The aim of the research is to investigate the role of gaming motivation shaping virtual identity and hardiness of young gamers. Hypothesis: gaming motivation correlates with reduced internal tension and influences the formation of gamers’ virtual identity in cyber space. Participants: N = 120 aged 18–25 years (n male = 72; n female = 48; M = 20.4; SD = 2.5) living in the central region of the Russian Federation. Methods (tools): The Gaming Motivation Scale (Nick Yee adapted by N. V. Bogacheva, V. E. Epishina, A. V. Milyanskaya) was used to assess game motivation for playing massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPG); an abridged version of the Hardiness Test (S. Maddi adapted by E. N. Osin, E. I. Rasskazova) was used to assess resilience; the Virtual Identity Status Inventory (VISI) (M. V. Klementyeva) was used to assess the status of virtual identities; the Game Experience Questionnaire (W. A. Ijsselsteijn, Y. A. W. de Kort, and K. Poels adapted by M. V. Klementyeva, M. V. Kurguzov) was used to assess players’ competence. Results: the research demonstrated significant differences in the manifestation of gamers’ “hardines”: higher values were recorded during gameplay. We found strong links between gaming motives, hardines, gaming skills and virtual identity. Despite their seamless gaming motivation and perfect gaming competence, gamers experience internal tension, helplessness in real life and strive to escape reality while forming a virtual identity based on the images of their gaming avatars. Main conclusions: in an online game, young gamers are able to cope more effectively with internal stress, compared with the real environment; they are able to maintain identity, and successfully implement gaming motives. Practical application: the research results can be used to develop techniques aimed at strengthening hardines and supporting identity formation in young gamers.

Why do players spend money on mobile massively multiplayer online role-playing games? A Wixom and Todd framework

Mobile massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs) effectively motivate players to purchase in-game items, but the factors underlying purchase behavior in mobile MMORPGs remain inadequately understood. Utilizing the Wixom and Todd framework, our study explores how technological characteristics, gameplay experience, and attitudes drive players’ purchase behavior. Through online surveys and interviews, we found that advancement motivation and immersion significantly influence purchase intentions, with immersion being impacted by aesthetic design, customization, and sociability. This research expands the application of the Wixom and Todd framework into the realm of gaming and refines the immersion concept in the mobile MMORPG context.

Assessing the impact of griefing in MMORPGs using self-determination theory

Toxic behavior has been impacting players in online multiplayer environments since their inception. Griefing is a type of toxic behavior that focuses on player-to-player in-game disruption and is quite prevalent. However, research into the extent of the impact is still scarce. The present study investigated the impact on the psychological needs of autonomy, competence, and relatedness, as defined by the self-determination theory, for players that perform griefing (the griefers) and those subjected to griefing (the griefed). A sample of 656 respondents from massively multiplayer online role-playing game communities participated in the study. The results discovered that for the majority of players there is no change to their wellbeing, but that when there was a change, the griefed players in general were impacted more negatively, and the perpetrators were impacted more positively. Significant associations also revealed that the magnitude of impacts increased as the player was subjected to or performed griefing more frequently.

Can likes returned by peers within a day improve users’ depressive/manic levels in a massive multiplayer online game? A randomized controlled trial

Can likes returned by peers within a day improve users’ depressive/manic levels in a massive multiplayer online game? A randomized controlled trial

Disrupting MMORPGs gaming: Exploring and renegotiating end-user license agreements in the Metaverse

This paper explores key legal issues surrounding gaming platforms that provide/host Massive Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games. Since we are entering the next epoch of the Internet, Web3.0 – and the emergence of Metaverses that operate within this space, this paper conducts an inquiry into the key facets of end-user license agreements (EULAs) used in the platforms that may likely need to be renegotiated. Firstly, how do we reconcile the legal regulatory status of gaming platforms in a decentralized Web3.0 Metaverse? Secondly, how can the rights of end users of gaming platforms be protected vis-à-vis the EULAs in this space? And thirdly, what specific aspects in existing EULAs are likely needed to be renegotiated in light of a decentralized Web3.0 Metaverse? This paper will utilize a case study using the EULAs of Blizzard Entertainment Inc. and provide a possible reformulation of specific terms and conditions of EULAs.

Disordered gaming: the interplay between user-avatar bond and sexual minority status

ABSTRACT Online gamers represent themselves virtually through their in-game avatar, providing opportunities for connection and self-expression. Prior research indicates associations between aspects of the user-avatar bond (UAB) and more intensive gaming involvement. However, experiences may vary based on individual differences like sexual minority status (i.e. LGBTIQ+), warranting further investigation. Thus, the present study examined whether UAB profiles varied for heterosexual versus non-heterosexual gamers, to elucidate potential discrepancies in avatar engagement and gaming experiences related to sexual orientation. The study comprised an Australian community sample of 488 players (48.2% women, 73.3% heterosexual, Mage = 31.6 years) of Massive Multiplayer Online games. An online survey assessed demographic characteristics, user-avatar bond (UAB), and disordered gaming – which was additionally measured after six months (n = 270). Latent profile analysis revealed the presence of four UAB profiles: Compensated, Differentiated, Identified, and Moderate gamers. There was no association between one’s UAB profile and their sexual orientation. No interaction was observed between sexual orientation, UAB profile, and disordered gaming behaviour. However, differentiated gamers (characterised by weaker UAB connection) displayed significantly lower disordered gaming scores cross-sectionally and longitudinally. Findings highlight variations in how heterosexual and non-heterosexual identifying gamers connect with their gaming avatar, cautioning definitive and stereotypical assumptions.

Experience shapes non-linearities between team behavioral interdependence, team collaboration, and performance in massively multiplayer online games

This paper examines quantitative predictors of team performance in Massively Multiplayer Online Games (MMOGs) based on team management literature. Analyzing data from more than 140,000 squad-mode matches involving over 500,000 players, we replicate and extend existing research by confirming a curvilinear association between behavioral interdependence and team performance and introduce the moderating effect of experience. For less experienced teams, behavioral interdependence follows an inverted U-shaped pattern showing that excessive collaboration may be counterproductive. However, this is not the case for experienced teams, where the relationship is fairly linear. Additionally, we observe that riskier teams tend to perform worse. Moreover, our research also highlights the potential of e-sports data in advancing behavioral science and management research. The digital nature of e-sports datasets, characterized by size and granularity, mitigates concerns related to reproducibility, replicability, and generalizability in social science research, offering a cost-effective platform for scholars with diverse backgrounds.

Sociotropy and video game playing: Massively multiplayer online role-playing games versus other games

IntroductionInternet Gaming Disorder (IGD) is associated with several psychiatric disorders. Previous research on IGD has predominantly focused on Massively Multiplayer Online Role-playing Games (MMORPGs), considered to be pro-social games as they foster interpersonal relationships necessary for in-game progress. Sociotropy is a personality trait characterized by a cognitive approach to dealing with interpersonal relationships. Individuals with high sociotropy have a strong desire for approval from others. Beck's cognitive theory of depression posits that high sociotropy can lead to depressive symptoms when faced with interpersonal stress. We used the I-PACE model to account for the consequences of distal factors such as sociotropy on the development and maintenance of IGD. The aim of this study was therefore to compare MMORPG players with players of other game genres in terms of sociotropy, social anxiety and depression. We hypothesized that sociotropy could serve as a predictor of IGD, particularly among MMORPG players. MethodsA total of 233 French videogame players recruited from specialized internet gaming forums participated in the study via questionnaires. Different scales were used to assess depression and social anxiety symptoms, IGD intensity, and sociotropy and autonomy. Results & discussionMMORPG players reported higher psychological distress than players of other game genres. For all players, sociotropy, rather than autonomy, was found to be a predictor of social anxiety symptoms and IGD intensity. Sociotropy and depression explained IGD intensity only for MMORPG players and not for players of other game genres. The social dimension appears to be more prominent among MMORPG players and could be one of the main personality traits predicting this specific internet gaming disorder. The treatment implications for internet gaming disorder are discussed.

Knowledge sharing leads to engagement during Covid-19 for online gamers

Online games have emerged as a breath of fresh air in the lives of the current digital generation amidst the backdrop of COVID-19 and subsequent global lockdowns. Within Internet communities, online gamers actively engage in knowledge sharing, exchanging insights and updates on their experiences. This study introduces a model designed for Massive Multiplayer Online Gamers of Travian, focusing on intrinsic factors such as perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and the flow state, supported by the Technology Acceptance Model. Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, with lockdowns and quarantine as moderators, this study uses partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) methodology, encompassing 496 gamers, to elucidate the impact of technology acceptance and flow theory on intrinsic motivational factors that drive online gamers' knowledge-sharing activities, underpinning the social protection theory. This pioneering research explores the implications of COVID-19 restrictions on gamers' behavioral patterns, contributing significantly to the existing literature by providing a deeper psychological understanding of the less-explored realm of diverse online gamers' activities during the pandemic.

GAME-BASED LEARNING: A REVOLUTION IN THE TEACHING OF SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT

This study explores the profound influence of Gamified education on the enhancement of programming abilities and strategic cognition, with a specific focus on the real-time strategy massively multiplayer online game "Screeps." The research had 50 participants who already had expertise in JavaScript programming. The objective was to evaluate the impact of "Screeps" on coding skill and strategic decision-making. The study used a thorough methodology that included assessments before and after the game. It examined several facets, including programming proficiency, strategic cognition, game involvement, scripting intricacy, community participation, and real-time adaptation. The study's results indicate that "Screeps" offers an engaging and difficult environment, successfully improving participants' skill in JavaScript programming and strategic thinking. The participants, who had prior knowledge of JavaScript programming, were fully engaged in the MMO environment, where their coding proficiency and strategic cognition were comprehensively assessed. The pre- and post-game evaluations enabled a sophisticated comprehension of the influence of "Screeps" on the enhancement of players' skills. The study revealed enhancements in coding proficiency and strategic cognition, highlighting the effectiveness of Gamified education in promoting essential abilities in software development. The captivating and demanding character of "Screeps" was specifically acknowledged, highlighting its potential as a powerful instrument for honing and implementing coding expertise in a dynamic professional environment. The study focuses on quantifying different aspects, such as the complexity of scripting, interaction within the community, and the ability to adapt in real-time. This approach offers a comprehensive perspective on how game-based learning, specifically through "Screeps," can contribute to the diverse field of software development education. The immersive aspect of the MMO not only catered to individual learning requirements but also functioned as a strategic tool for promoting teamwork, a highly esteemed talent in the software development sector. Keywords: Game-Based Learning, Software Development Education, JavaScript Programming Skills, Strategic Thinking in Gaming Massively Multiplayer Online (MMO) games, Screeps.

Role-Playing in Teacher Education with InCoLearn and its Qualitative Usability

Role-playing has long been a method in the professionalization of educators to emulate or anticipate everyday school and teaching situations. This paper introduces InCoLearn, the first multiplayer online role-playing game (RPG) developed for student teachers to facilitate professional and action-based knowledge of inclusion and heterogeneity in the classroom with non-linear storytelling through individual quests. A qualitative usability study conducted via focus groups aims to provide insights into usability. It seeks to answer the research question of which aspects are perceived as the most important and problematic to student teachers using InCoLearn. To answer another research question, whether previous quantitative usability results can be confirmed and explained by the qualitative results, the qualitative results are set into the context of a quantitative usability study.

Digital labor in free-to-play games: player as commodity and interaction as labor in MMOGs

ABSTRACT As the lines between leisure and work have become increasingly indistinct, gaming has evolved from a purely recreational pastime to a productive endeavor, leading to a shift from players as consumers to players as laborers. Inspired by “women's work” studies and audience commodity theory, this research takes League of Legends (LoL) as a case to analyze how player interactions, as labor, create value within free-to-play (F2P) massively multiplayer online games (MMOGs). This article employs a combination of political economic, and critical analysis to demonstrate how free-to-play games monetize player interactions within them. It also proposes a pattern for understanding the exploitation of players' labor in three phases: the labor process, remuneration settlement, and consumption. Thus, this study contributes to the digital labor debate by combining the notions of “women's work” and digital labor and extending audience commodity theory into the domain of video games. It also enriches the scholarly conversation on the monetization strategies of video games and free-to-play commodities, emphasizing the unrecognized labor inherent in player interactions.

Mitigating Attentional Bias: The Impact of Perceived Social Self-Efficacy in Individuals with MMO Games Addiction Tendency

Low self-efficacy in interpersonal relationships, linked to MMO game addiction, worsens the inclination towards addiction as individuals seek social interaction within the game, leading to attentional bias towards game stimuli. This study aimed to investigate if manipulating perceived social self-efficacy levels could reduce attentional bias in MMO game addiction compared to non-addictive gamers. 503 undergraduates participated, including the MMO addiction group (n=60) and the control group (n=60), identified through the Korean version of the Internet Game Disorder Scale. Participants were divided into high and low perceived social self-efficacy conditions through false feedback. Dot probe tasks assessed attentional bias changes before and after manipulated feedback using a “social intelligence test.” The attentional bias score, initially higher in the addiction group, decreased after intervention with increased social self-efficacy. No significant changes were observed in control groups and the addiction group with decreased social self-efficacy. These findings confirm that boosting perceived social self-efficacy in MMO addiction can reduce attentional bias towards game stimuli, suggesting crucial interventions for alleviating addictive behaviors.

PU-Detector: A PU Learning-based Framework for Real Money Trading Detection in MMORPG

Massive multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPG) have been becoming one of the most popular and exciting online games. In recent years, a cheating phenomenon called real money trading (RMT) has arisen and damaged the fantasy world in many ways. RMT is the sale of in-game items, currency, or even characters to earn real money, breaking the balance of the game economy ecosystem and damaging the game experience. Therefore, some studies have emerged to address the problem of RMT detection. However, they cannot well handle the label uncertainty problem in practice, where there are only labeled RMT samples (positive samples) and unlabeled samples, which could either be RMT samples or normal transactions (negative samples). Meanwhile, the trading relationship between RMTers is modeled in a simple way, leading to some normal transactions being falsely classified as RMT. In this article, we propose PU-Detector, a novel framework based on PU learning (learning from positive and unlabeled data) for RMT detection, considering the fact that there are only labeled RMT samples and other unlabeled transactions. We first automatically estimate the likelihood of one transaction being RMT by developing an improved PU learning method and proposing an assessment rule. Sequentially, we use the estimated likelihood as edge weight to construct a trading graph to learn trader representation. Then, with the trader representations and basic trading features, we detect RMT samples by the improved PU learning method. PU-Detector is evaluated on a large-scale real world dataset consisting of 33,809,956 transaction logs generated by 43,217 unique players. Compared with other approaches, it achieves the state-of-the-art performance and demonstrates its advantages in detecting underlying RMT samples.

The (unlocated) in-game gender performativity in contemporary China: exploring gender swapping practices in the online game sphere

ABSTRACT Gender swapping—selecting a different gender for an avatar in a game than the one assigned to the player in real life—is common, especially in massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs). Such swapping enables a livable transsexual experience. This experience is challenging and dangerous in the real world, which is dominated by gender dimorphism and heteronormative values. Building upon Terry Lovell’s (2003) critique of Judith Butler’s (1990, 2004) concepts of gender performance and performativity, this article identifies different gender swapping practices and their cultural and political implications in contemporary China. Through digital ethnography and in-depth interviews with 31 interviewees, we identified two distinct types of in-game gender swapping: in-game performance and in-game performance of performativity. Regarding in-game performance, heterosexual gamers choose an opposite gender to achieve better outcomes, to avoid sexual harassment, and to fulfill heterosexual- and homosexual-gazing desires. Lesbians’ and gay men’s in-game performance of performativity highlights the newly emerging practice of queer dating and socializing in MMORPGs, displaying a productive process of nonconforming identity creation. However, due to the extensive online censorship and an increasingly hostile environment towards queer culture, the performativity of in-game gender-swapping—which has the potential to disrupt the social order both within and outside the gaming sphere—cannot be identified.

Productive Word Knowledge Development and Its Relation to Informal Contact with English through Various Leisure Activities

Much of the previous research that has provided evidence for the relationship between engagement in out-of-class activities and vocabulary outcomes has focused on receptive word gains. However, little research has attempted to explore this relationship with productive word knowledge. Additionally, the contribution of various gaming genres to the relationship is particularly underexplored. The present mixed-method study fills these lacunas by employing a productive vocabulary levels test, a questionnaire, and semi-structured interviews to explore the relationship between 35 different leisure activities that English as a foreign language (EFL) learners engage in outside the classroom and their productive vocabulary growth. The study’s findings revealed that although learners frequently engaged in different activities, they spent most of their free time gaming, which contributed the most to productive word knowledge learning. Regression analysis showed that two gaming genres, massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs) and first-person shooters, significantly predicted productive knowledge of words. Qualitative analysis demonstrated that, in general, the participants had a positive perception of informal engagement with English activities outside formal learning contexts.

Socialization via Online Gaming: Perspectives of Five Autistic Adolescents and Their Parents

This study investigated whether autistic adolescents are socially motivated to play Massive Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games (MMORPGs) and sought to explore whether parents’ perceptions of MMORPGs and the closeness of the parent-child relationships’ impact upon gaming habits. In a qualitative-based study, we explored the perspectives of five pairs of autistic adolescents and one of their parents. The themes identified through adolescent interviews indicated that autistic adolescents who play MMORPGs perceive that in-game socializing enhances their gaming experience which motivates them to socialize with other players and facilitates development of friendships. The themes derived from interviewing parents indicated that parents perceive social benefits to playing MMORPGs for their child, but there are factors that impact their support of socializing via gaming such as their own game use, attitudes towards socializing via games, and the amount of time their child spends gaming. This study’s findings suggest that playing MMORPGs can potentially enhance quality-of-life for autistic adolescents through increased socialization and friendships and highlights the importance of the parent-child relationship and how this supports autistic adolescents to develop socially. However, as there were no parent-child pairs reporting low closeness, the transferability of these findings may be limited to parent-child pairs with close relationships. This research indicates that parents who play games alongside their autistic child are more likely to be more understanding of, and acknowledge, the social benefits of gaming in helping their child develop socially. These findings have implications for the development of cost-efficient, accessible interventions to facilitate socialization.