Online Video Games Research Articles

Predicting subscription renewal using binary classification in World of Warcraft

Multiplayer online video games in the past decade have become one of the world's most popular gaming formats. Analyzing player data can provide insights into player behavior, such as how long players continue to play or where they stop playing. This information can help developers to come up with solutions to retain their players. We have compared binary classification algorithms on different time frames of player history data along with level and guild from World of Warcraft – a previously popular massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG), to assess the probability of subscription renewal. Our findings suggest that random forest and decision tree algorithms give the highest accuracy in all cases (more than 90 %). This was achieved using level and guild as parameters along with a combination of active days and total playing time taken from different time frames in the past month along.

Rocking the Boat: Loot Boxes in Online Digital Games, the Regulatory Challenge, and the EU’s Unfair Commercial Practices Directive

The loot box, a feature of online video games, contains randomised virtual items of importance to gameplay. Comparisons are drawn between chance-based loot boxes and the legal and psychological definitions of gambling, leading to concerns that the format may be an unregulated form of quasi-gambling. Globally, several jurisdictions have intervened to control the loot box, some applying national gambling laws, while others have implemented more general rules, an alternative described as “consumer protection”. In 2020, a study commissioned on behalf of the EU Parliament recommended that loot boxes and in-game purchasing systems be regulated from a “consumer protection” perspective. This paper questions firstly whether the debate on product-specific rules for loot box games was conducted in reverse, commencing with a set of potential solutions, while research on harms is still at an early stage. It interrogates the “consumer protection” route, critiquing proposals that borrow from the conceptually and structurally distinct areas of gambling law and consumer protection law, without first resolving the tensions between them. The paper proposes that an alternative paradigm of “player protection” may be the better route towards solving the regulatory puzzle of loot boxes. The paper secondly argues for the EU and its Member States to adopt an interim approach, relying on existing legislation to tackle immediate concerns and facilitate testing of remedial measures, but which leaves the door ajar to alternative options, including regulation under national gambling law frameworks. It examines the UCPD as an immediate solution and considers how the updated UCPD Guidance addresses questions of potentially exploitative game design.

Studying predator foraging mode and hunting success at the individual level with an online videogame

AbstractPredator–prey interactions are important drivers of community and ecosystem dynamics. With an online multiplayer videogame, we propose a novel system to explore within population variation in predator hunting mode, and how predator–prey behavioral interactions affect predator hunting success. We empirically examined how four predator foraging behaviors covary at three hierarchical levels (among environments, among individuals, and within individuals) to assess the structure of predator hunting mode. We also investigated how prey activity affects the foraging behavior and hunting success of predators. Our study supports key findings on predator foraging mode and predator-prey interactions from behavioral ecology. We found that individual predators displayed a diversity of hunting tactics that were conditioned by prey behavior. With prey movement, individual predators specialized either as cursorial or ambush hunters along a continuum of their hunting traits, but also shifted their strategy between encounters. Both types of hunters were generally better against slower moving prey, and they achieved similar prey captures over the sampling period. This suggests that virtual worlds supporting multiplayer online videogames can serve as legitimate systems to advance our knowledge on predator–prey interactions.

GAMING DEPENDENCE AS A SUBJECT OF RESEARCH

This article is devoted to the philosophical analysis of the formation and development of games as a social phenomenon. The game is the most necessary part of the universal and national culture, the basis of the ethical and aesthetic development of objective reality. In this regard, all the peoples of the world have generally accepted norms for the prohibition of gambling, in particular, the religions of the East consider it as a serious problem in the perfection of the individual. Thus, the author draws attention to online computer games among young people, the popularity of which is growing dynamically, which requires the search for new solutions from the destruction of the social foundations of public life.

Analyzing education based on metaverse technology

The Metaverse is a post-reality universe, a perpetual multi-user environment that combines physical reality and digital virtuality. It is based on the convergence of technologies that enable multisensory interactions with virtual environments, digital objects, and people, such as virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR). As a result, Metaverse is a web of social, networked immersive environments on persistent multi-user platforms. It allows for real-time, embodied user communication and dynamic interactions with digital artifacts. Its first incarnation was a web of virtual worlds between which avatars could teleport. The modern Metaverse includes social, immersive VR platforms that are compatible with massive multiplayer online video games, open game worlds, and AR collaborative spaces.
 The aim of the research is to thoroughly examine the perceptions and educational requirements of Metaverse-based education and to investigate its educational applicability. Using a mixed research method, the study investigated instructors' and students' perceptions of the use of the Metaverse in education, as well as the support system for classes that use the Metaverse. And determining the implications for action. plans and directions for its application in education.

Online Game Based Learning: Quizzicle

Abstract: Quizzicle: An internet site for children to learn and understand topics and statistics using online video games. nowadays, children of gen-z lose interest easily and have a very less interest span, which leads them to now not take note of instructors inside the school room. due to this problem game-based totally mastering has been introduced to have interaction with youngsters to learn successfully and successfully. This paper fosters a sport-based totally getting to know framework to paintings on studying and education. The game-based studying is joined with instructive and statistics innovation. The sportprimarily based studying is standing out enough to be observed. In online game-based studying, the course content material is deliberate into the sport to give a scenario of getting to know in sport thru thrilling activities and the non-stop conversation and input which can build the getting to know interest and notion of children. In the end, video game-based mastering could arrive on the goal of adapting correctly. For assessing the learning influences, this paper utilizes the gaming model that is presented within the shape of racing games and answering quizzes, in order that the youngsters getting old from 8-12 years can study from it while having less technical understanding and spending extra display screen time on analyzing stuff on-line. Keywords: Оnline Gаme-bаsed leаrning, Eduсаtiоnаl gаmes and Quizzes , Holistic Development

'I can actually do it without any help or someone watching over me all the time and giving me constant instruction': Autistic adolescent boys' perspectives on engagement in online video gaming.

Research into autistic adolescents' engagement in online gaming has so far focused on time spent gaming, or characterizing problematic gaming behaviour and has relied mostly on caregiver report. In the current study, we interviewed 12 autistic adolescent boys, asking about their perspectives on their engagement in online gaming, and their motivations. We analysed the interview data using thematic analysis and identified three key themes in the data, which focused on agency and a sense of belonging, emotion regulation, and acknowledgement of the differing perceptions that the young people and their caregivers had of gaming. Our findings show the need to include the viewpoints of autistic young people in research about their interests and well-being, and provide insights that can help caregivers and professionals to support autistic young people in flourishing.

State anxiety and frontal alpha asymmetry effects of the REThink online video game for children and adolescents: A six-month follow-up

BackgroundEmotional disorders are the most prevalent mental health conditions affecting children and adolescents. Thus, it becomes essential to develop and test early intervention strategies that are accessible and attractive as therapeutic strategies and can effectively improve youth's emotional and psychobiological reactivity to distress. MethodsA randomized control trial compared the prevention effects of a newly-developed therapeutic game based on Rational Emotive Behavior Education, REThink, to those of a standard, face-to-face group Rational Emotive Behavior Education (REBE) and those of a waitlist. Out of 142 healthy children and adolescents who completed the intervention stage, 137 completed follow-up assessment measuring subjective anxiety and biological stress reactivity in an impromptu speech task. ResultsNo differences were found between groups at follow-up in terms of subjective state anxiety variations between baseline, anticipation, speech and recovery. In terms of the psychobiological index, results showed an increase in left asymmetry for the REThink group at post-test and follow-up compared to pre-intervention levels. The same trend was found for the WL group, but not for the REBE group. ConclusionsPreliminary results suggest that decreases in the biological reactivity can be maintained in the long run following a therapeutic video game for children and adolescents. Future research needs to clarify the adequate usage of the therapeutic videogames to bring significant improvements in the psychobiological functioning of the youths.

They didn't ask: Online innovation communities as a latent dynamic capability

Many contemporary video games demand considerable involvement from players, but in general, researchers have not considered such contributions as an innovation activity. To address the nature of gamer contribution, we conducted a longitudinal qualitative case study of the community surrounding the EVE Online video game. We employed grounded theory to investigate how the role played by community members changes over time, which influences their contribution to the innovation process. A dynamic classification model that highlights patterns of innovation contributions by different subgroups of the community emerged from this investigation. The findings were further analyzed utilizing Hirschman's theoretical framework, which was integrated with research on innovation communities. The results indicate that when properly activated, gamer communities can function as online innovation communities capable of contributing not only to product development but also to co-creation and strategy processes, constituting an external dynamic capability. This paper contributes to the literature concerning innovation communities and the dynamic capabilities of companies. Such insights also have practical implications because identifying different subgroups within communities is of strategic importance for companies, assisting managers in targeting segments of the community that could contribute more to the innovation process, as well as to other business operations.

Virtual-self Identity Construal in Online Video Games: A Repertory Grid Study Protocol

The aim of this project is to study the role that online videogames play in the way people build their identities. More specifically, the project is intended to study how people use online videogames and virtual avatars to explore alternative identities. It is possible for people to manifest entirely different versions of themselves through their virtual characters. Sometimes, those alternative identities may be a projection of what players consider ideal versions of themselves. Several variables may strengthen or hinder this capacity to project the ideal self onto a customizable “virtual self”. Some of these factors are inherent to the individual, while others may be more related to the specific game they play. The repertory grid technique will be used to explore online videogame players’ construct systems and to understand their need to explore alternative identities through their videogame characters. Other instruments will also be administrated to measure the degree of immersion that game players experience, to determine which aspects of play are the most appealing to them, and to gather data on their degree of subjective psychological well-being, all in order to assess how these variables, in addition to the others extracted from the repertory grid, may affect this identity exploration.

Politics, pronouns and the players

Despite being released in 2004, the online videogame World of Warcraft (WoW) introduced its first transgender character only in 2020. This article examines how players responded to this new character, named Pelagos, analysing how many players were for/against the inclusion of Pelagos, how these views were constructed and how players interact with each other. Data from official WoW fora demonstrate a surprising backlash against transphobia and overwhelming support for the inclusion of a transgender character. Those who were against the inclusion of Pelagos framed their arguments in terms of objections to political correctness, arguing that gaming should remain politically neutral. By contrast, those in favour of including Pelagos argued that videogames are political by nature. Further, examination of pronouns revealed that Pelagos is very rarely misgendered. Such a positive response has implications for research into Critical Discourse Studies and for videogame companies.

Social Media Use Early in the Pandemic Predicted Later Social Well-Being and Mental Health in a National Online Sample of Adults in the United States

Social media use increased early in the Covid-19 pandemic, but little information is available about its impact. The present study examined associations of frequency of use of different social media and the motives for use with subsequent social well-being and mental health. Data were gathered on a nationwide sample of 843 Americans during the first wave of lockdowns and infections in mid-April 2020, and again five weeks later. Participants were adults ages 20 to 88 years old (M = 39.3 years old) recruited from Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk). Controlling for age and gender, greater frequency of Facebook and video chat app use predicted higher levels social support but also higher levels of cumulative Covid-19–related stress appraisals and posttraumatic stress symptoms. Greater use of video chat apps also predicted less loneliness. Greater use of both Instagram and Snapchat predicted more anxiety and cumulative Covid-19–related stress appraisals. Greater use of Instagram also predicted higher levels of posttraumatic stress symptoms. Motives for use (e.g., connect with others, waste time/avoid responsibility, online video gaming with others) also differentially predicted social well-being and mental health. Results indicate that greater social media use early in the pandemic was often associated with more distress and lower levels of social well-being but, effects varied depending on types, frequency, and motivations for use. Overall, the study revealed that social media use related to social well-being and mental health in complex ways.

Importance of Social Videogaming for Connection with Others During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

This study focused on the importance of social videogame play for remaining connected to others early in the COVID-19 pandemic. While social isolation and loneliness negatively affect well-being, social interaction is important for positive outcomes. During the pandemic, online videogame play has offered a safe outlet for socialization. Participants (n = 45) completed a survey rating the importance of gaming for feeling connected to family, friends, and co-workers, before, during, and after stay-at-home orders. As expected, the results indicate that social videogame play and its importance increased significantly during the stay-at-home period and decreased afterward. The importance of gaming with friends and co-workers increased significantly during the stay-at-home period but did not decrease significantly afterward. Social gaming was more important for remaining connected with friends and co-workers than family. Participants likely had more direct interaction with family members, while more effort was necessary to maintain contact with non-family members.

QoE modeling for audiovisual associated with MOBA game using subjective approach.

With the advancement of multimedia communications and information technologies, online video games have become very popular recreational activities worldwide, while Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA) games have gained immense popularity from game players in recent times. Therefore, based on quality of experience, audiovisual quality evaluation models for MOBA games have been proposed in this study. The subjective data from 210 game players (both males and females) about audio quality during conversation, the video quality, the overall quality, and the weighted percentage of video and voice have been collected from small competition events of the Garena ROV (Arena of Valor) in Hua Hin, Thailand. The data from 160 game players have been used to create the models, while the data from 50 game players have been applied for model performance evaluation. After developing the models, Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) technique has been utilized for model evaluation. On completion of this study, it was found that two thirds of the proposed models provide better performance than the other previous works. All of them, called MOSAudiovisual-MOBA1 model, MOSAudiovisual-MOBA2 model and MOSAudiovisual-MOBA3 model, show excellent performances with MAPE values of 4.95%, 5.92% and 4.75% respectively. Therefore, excellent performance of these proposed models becomes one of the contributions of this study. Also, this evidence of excellent model performance makes the proposed models ideal for utilization for assessment of audiovisual quality of the MOBA games. All audiovisual quality evaluation models provide excellent efficiencies.

Addiction to Online Video Games among First Year Medical Students of a College located in Western India

Introduction: The elderly population is growing much faster. Ageing is a global phenomenon and it is expected that by 2050 every country in the world will have substantial increase in population aged 60 years and above. Malnutrition is common among older people over 60 years of age. They are likely to experience morbidity, premature mortality, poor quality of life and reduced functional ability than normally nourished persons. Malnutrition increases health care costs, reduces productivity, and slows economic growth, which can perpetuate a cycle of poverty and ill-health. Hence combating malnutrition in all its forms is one of the greatest global health challenges. Objective: 1) To assess the nutritional status among elderly population in Hyderabad. 2) To assess the risk factors which are associated with malnutrition among elderly population. Method: A Cross sectional study was conducted in July - September 2021 among elderly persons aged 60 years and above residing in urban slums of Hyderabad. Considering the estimated prevalence of malnutrition among elderly population to be 14.5%, the sample size was calculated as 198 and was rounded off to 200. Data was entered into Microsoft Excel and analysed using Epi Info version 7.2.2.6. A predesigned, pre-tested questionnaire was used to collect data. Malnutrition was assessed using Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA). Results: Among 200 participants, 52.5% were females. The mean age of the study population was 68.3 years. Among them 18% of the study participants were malnourished, 27% were at risk of malnutrition and 55% had normal nutritional status. Conclusion: Early diagnosis and prompt treatment of elderly people at high risk for malnutrition may improve their nutritional status and prognosis.

Hiperrealitas dalam Permainan Video Daring: Simulasi, Simulakra, dan Hiperrealitas Garena Free Fire

The aim of this article is to dissect the hyperreality side of the online video game Free Fire. Hyperreality can be seen from the war simulations contained in the course of the game, the weapons used, the selected characters that players can use, to the virtual world that becomes the battle arena. This article uses Jean Baudrillard's hyperreality concept which can show the sides of the game that make up the hyperreality conditions of the players, so that players can no longer distinguish between reality and the artificial. With a qualitative approach, this article explores and understands the meaning in the game by interpreting a collection of texts and then analyzing it by prioritizing the human side. The conclusion of this study shows that players are trapped in a world that no longer refers to a real prototype as usual simulations do. The simulacra contained in the game is in the form of a gameplay that does not refer to real warfare, character and weapon selection, team strategy as a productive form of simulacra, and the battle arena as a natural form of simulacra. The hyperreality in the form of war simulacra and scenes of violence is getting stronger with the interaction feature between players and the proliferation of e-sports competition ecosystems in Indonesia that offer big prizes.

A Critical Analysis of Pop Culture and Media

Studies have revealed that in the age of digital media, popular culture has emerged as a powerful phenomenon. With this in mind, this article critically examines how media is the key player in promoting and reinforcing popular culture. Further, it illuminates the cultural shift with urbanization and industrial progress. In this regard, available literature of the past twenty years has been critically reviewed. This piece of research confers different sources of popular culture such as movies, TV programs, online video gaming, politics, music, sports, advertisements, e-commerce, and mobile applications and describes the significant role of the media in popularizing and endorsing it. This study concludes that the media has played a significant role in cultural change and that the media and pop culture are inter-reliant. This study also suggests that popular culture has a significant influence and power that can be helpful for agenda setting and cultural diplomacy. Pop culture is dynamic and the media plays a crucial role in promoting popular culture.

Metaverse

The Metaverse is the post-reality universe, a perpetual and persistent multiuser environment merging physical reality with digital virtuality. It is based on the convergence of technologies that enable multisensory interactions with virtual environments, digital objects and people such as virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR). Hence, the Metaverse is an interconnected web of social, networked immersive environments in persistent multiuser platforms. It enables seamless embodied user communication in real-time and dynamic interactions with digital artifacts. Its first iteration was a web of virtual worlds where avatars were able to teleport among them. The contemporary iteration of the Metaverse features social, immersive VR platforms compatible with massive multiplayer online video games, open game worlds and AR collaborative spaces.

What online game spectators want from their twitch streamers: Flow and well-being perspectives

Over the last five years, live-streaming platforms, such as Twitch and YouTube, have been dramatically developed and used for individuals' broadcast of digital content, including online video games. Consequently, online game live-streamers have played an important role in the business industry (e.g., advertisements) as well as the online video game industry. By focusing on this context, this study identifies streamer attributes and live-streaming mobile application attributes, and examines how each attribute influences spectators’ flow experience, psychological well-being, commitment, and loyalty toward their favorite streamer. Based on the cognitive appraisal theory and social media influencer literature, the authors classify streamer attributes (i.e., friendship, interaction, and streamer skills) and live-streaming mobile application attributes (i.e., perceived usefulness, technology & functional quality, convenience, and security quality) in the context of Twitch. The data were collected from Twitch users in the United States via two waves. The empirical findings indicated: (1) friendship, technology & functional quality, convenience, and security quality significantly affected flow experience; (2) friendship, streamer skills, convenience, and security quality significantly influenced psychological well-being; (3) flow experience significantly impacted commitment and loyalty; (4) psychological well-being had a significant effect on commitment; and (5) commitment significantly affected loyalty. The empirical findings of this study provide meaningful implications to scholars and practitioners in the social media and online video game contexts.

COVID-19-Related Social Isolation Predispose to Problematic Internet and Online Video Gaming Use in Italy.

COVID-19 pandemic and its related containment measures have been associated with increased levels of stress, anxiety and depression in the general population. While the use of digital media has been greatly promoted by national governments and international authorities to maintain social contacts and healthy lifestyle behaviors, its increased access may also bear the risk of inappropriate or excessive use of internet-related resources. The present study, part of the COVID Mental hEalth Trial (COMET) study, aims at investigating the possible relationship between social isolation, the use of digital resources and the development of their problematic use. A cross sectional survey was carried out to explore the prevalence of internet addiction, excessive use of social media, problematic video gaming and binge watching, during Italian phase II (May–June 2020) and III (June–September 2020) of the pandemic in 1385 individuals (62.5% female, mean age 32.5 ± 12.9) mainly living in Central Italy (52.4%). Data were stratified according to phase II/III and three groups of Italian regions (northern, central and southern). Compared to the larger COMET study, most participants exhibited significant higher levels of severe-to-extremely-severe depressive symptoms (46.3% vs. 12.4%; p < 0.01) and extremely severe anxiety symptoms (77.8% vs. 7.5%; p < 0.01). We also observed a rise in problematic internet use and excessive gaming over time. Mediation analyses revealed that COVID-19-related general psychopathology, stress, anxiety, depression and social isolation play a significant role in the emergence of problematic internet use, social media addiction and problematic video gaming. Professional gamers and younger subjects emerged as sub-populations particularly at risk of developing digital addictions. If confirmed in larger and more homogenous samples, our findings may help in shedding light on possible preventive and treatment strategies for digital addictions.