Download - Groups, Guilds and Games: Cooperation and Complexity in Massively Multiplayer Online Games (MMOs)
Derek Pitman -- STSH-4961 1
Groups, Guilds and Games:Cooperation and Complexity in
Massively Multiplayer Online Games (MMOs)
Prepared by: Derek PitmanRensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Derek Pitman -- STSH-4961 2
Why Groups?
• Amount of material in the game– Constant creation of new material
• Reputation and reciprocation– “Tit for tat” at work
Derek Pitman -- STSH-4961 3
Problems with Groups?
• No different from any real life situation
• J.H. Smith:– Gamers want mechanisms to “facilitate
constructive behavior”– The “problem of other players”
• “Sucker factor”– Only way “mean” strategies can survive– Little effort needed to snuff out
Derek Pitman -- STSH-4961 4
Beyond Groups
• Many MMOs support bigger group systems (guilds)
• Correlation to social networks?– An “emergent property” of this environment?
• In-game guild vs. external features
• Capabilities of larger organized groups
Derek Pitman -- STSH-4961 5
Survey
The following slides present information gathered from a survey that was sent out to various MMO players
Derek Pitman -- STSH-4961 6
What is the main reason for grouping?
• Accomplishing tasks faster/taking on harder tasks
• Acquiring better rewards
• Ensuring security amidst other players
Derek Pitman -- STSH-4961 7
What problems exist with grouping?
• Uncooperative/selfish members (“ninja looters”)
• Incompetence
Derek Pitman -- STSH-4961 8
What are the characteristics of an effective group?
• Efficiency• Communication• Understanding of roles (class-based gameplay)
Derek Pitman -- STSH-4961 9
What is the main purpose of guilds?
• In-game social network
• Taking on even bigger challenges
Derek Pitman -- STSH-4961 10
What problems exist in guilds?
• Typically the same issues as groups
• Additional elements of “leadership” and “factionalism”
Derek Pitman -- STSH-4961 11
Analysis
• These answers support the information from the literature on cooperation
• Guilds, which were not mentioned as explicitly, now seem clearer, and more details could be considered in the future