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What is Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game (MMORPG)

Chapter 27
Handbook of Research on Methods and Techniques for Studying Virtual Communities: Paradigms and Phenomena
Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games commonly depict a world with real world rules such as gravity and real-time actions, and communication. Players create a character to travel the world and carry out business or leisure activities. Communication is usually textual, with real-time voice communication also possible. It is rare to conduct world-building activities as a principle goal in the MMORPG environment.
Published in Chapter:
Understanding and Using Virtual Ethnography in Virtual Environments
Robert Hancock (Southeastern Louisiana University, USA), Mindy Crain-Dorough (Southeastern Louisiana University, USA), Becky Parton (Southeastern Louisiana University, USA), and Jeff Oescher (Southeastern Louisiana University, USA)
Copyright: © 2011 |Pages: 12
DOI: 10.4018/978-1-60960-040-2.ch027
Abstract
This chapter proposes to outline a process of virtual ethnography that combines emic and etic methods of data gathering adapted to the virtual context to provide a ‘true’ (Richardson, 2000) accounting of the social constructs inherent in the virtual world. The first section of this chapter discusses the unique characteristics of virtual ethnography when used to explore virtual environments such as Second Life or MMORPGs such as World of Warcraft. The second section presents some of the methodological issues related to conducting such research. Finally, the third section offers for consideration some unique challenges related to the application of such methods. Two concerns are discussed: 1) identifying an understanding the phenomenological structures unique to a particular virtual environment and 2) the implications of such knowledge with regard to the design of new virtual educational environments.
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Chapter 30
The Virtual Social Continuum Expressed: Interaction and Community Formation in MMORPGs
Usually based on a Dungeons and Dragons theme, these games allow players to create avatars using races and classes similar to the tabletop D&D game. Players join guilds, go on quests, and compete in PVP combat. In recent years, the success of Everquest and World of Warcraft has increased people’s exposure to these games.
Published in Chapter: The Virtual Social Continuum Expressed: Interaction and Community Formation in MMORPGs; From: Handbook of Research on Social Interaction Technologies and Collaboration Software: Concepts and Trends
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Chapter 226
Understanding the Virtual Community of Gamers
A genre of online computer role-playing games (RPGs) in which a large number of players interact with one another in a virtual world.
Published in Chapter: Understanding the Virtual Community of Gamers; From: Encyclopedia of Networked and Virtual Organizations
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