Coping with [R]evolution in Online Games: Vulnerability and Resilience Responses to Change in MMO Game Expansions

Jaime Banks, Rosa Mikeal Martey

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

Massively multiplayer online games (MMOs) often introduce new content and mechanics to increase player retention and enjoyment. Drawing on theories of socioecological risk response, this exploratory study examines players’ in situ responses to these changes by analyzing patterns in public, in-game chat acros. game expansions. Analysis reveals that a) change facilitates agenda setting in player chat, b) vulnerability and resilience expressions highlight tensions in player and game agencies, and c) increased semantic distance between the game and the “real” helps cope with game changes. In addition, sociotechnical affordances of MMO environments could b. mechanism for coping with change, more generally.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)269-286
Number of pages18
JournalJournal of Broadcasting and Electronic Media
Volume62
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 3 2018
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Communication

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Coping with [R]evolution in Online Games: Vulnerability and Resilience Responses to Change in MMO Game Expansions'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this