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Exploring Social Network and Interaction Patterns of Massively Multiplayer Online Role-playing Players

The interaction in massively multiplayer online role-playing games¡]MMORPGs¡^form a considerable component in enjoyment of playing¡]Kerr, 2006¡FCole & Griffiths, 2007¡^. So player is attracted by the more interactive online gaming. Therefore interaction is extremely important for MMORPGs.
However, according to Freeman (2004), much of the research focused on individual behavior, but ignored the social dimensions of the influence between relationships and individual behavior. The research of online gaming has neglected that too. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to explore how is the social network of MMORPGs players in the game¡HAnd what effect will social network have on players¡¦ interaction patterns¡H
In this paper, the survey has been completed online by 337 players, who reported on their buddy list, ego-centered network, and interaction patterns. This study explored that male role is more skilled in technical behavior¡Fthe social capital of players involved in online gaming communities is more prosperous. It is found that the ego-centered network of players positively affects players¡¦ interaction patterns. Friendships are connected with strong ties, but acquaintances are connected with weak ties. Both of them could affect players¡¦ interaction patterns, but the influence of friendship is relatively higher than that of acquaintance on players¡¦ interaction patterns.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:NSYSU/oai:NSYSU:etd-0806111-014320
Date06 August 2011
CreatorsLai, Yen-Ling
ContributorsSu-Chen Lin, Ching-Ning Wang, Deng-Neng Chen, Shao-Jung Wang
PublisherNSYSU
Source SetsNSYSU Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Archive
LanguageCholon
Detected LanguageEnglish
Typetext
Formatapplication/pdf
Sourcehttp://etd.lib.nsysu.edu.tw/ETD-db/ETD-search/view_etd?URN=etd-0806111-014320
Rightsuser_define, Copyright information available at source archive

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