Addiction and the Structural Characteristics of Massively Multiplayer Online Games

[privateer]

To ar8ro:

 

http://gamasutra.com/features/20060822/clark_01.shtml

 

I recently completed a study at the University of Hawaiʽi at Manoa finding that gamersʼ activities and preferences within games could be linked to addiction. The study looked at players within massively multiplayer online games, for instance Blizzardʼs World of Warcraft or Square Enixʼs Final Fantasy XI.

 

The study, which examined in-game behaviors on a number of levels, found that playing with real life friends, side activities like exploration or taking pictures, and membership to social guilds may be related to less harmful play. On the other hand, stealing from or otherwise manipulating players, along with membership to more goal-oriented “hardcore” raid guilds may be related to addiction. Player versus player activity was related to both less damaging and addictive behaviors on different levels of data analysis. While these relationships are present, it is not known whether games are actually the cause of this behavior, or if these are simply behaviors that already addicted players seek out.

 

Based on these relationships, the study suggested that the process of becoming addicted is likely very complex. It is suggested that more research connecting in-game activities and addiction is needed, and that determining whether games are to blame will most likely require a longitudinal study, looking at a group of gamers over a length of time. It is also noted that studying this link between gameplay and addiction could open doors for addicts generally.

 

Kai edw h ergasia:

 

http://gamasutra.com/features/20060822/vgsca_gama.pdf