Musician Archive
Thread: Study of social interaction in SWG
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NewJedi
Wed Nov 10, 2004 5:53 pm
#1
I thought some of you might be interested in this rather scholarly study of social interaction in SWG and MMORPGs more generally:
SWG Study
Message Edited by NewJedi on 11-10-2004 04:54 PM
Vorpaks
Wed Nov 10, 2004 6:08 pm
#2
Oh. My. God.
If only SWG had been around when I was in college.
The possibilities!!
Okay, what little I could understand of that paper I found highly hilarious. And strangely remincent of that movie PCU... wasn't there a guy doing a dissertation or something on how constant TV watching effected the brain?
Most impressive. I hope they got an A. My entire existence would be validated.
Of course it could all be some really high-minded geek joke and not a real paper... /sigh. All of my hopes of actually getting a Ph.D would go down the drain...
Edit: Okay I just backtracked and realized what parc stands for LOL. Uber-geeks and the things they get paid for... now I am REALLY jealous.
If only SWG had been around when I was in college.
The possibilities!!Okay, what little I could understand of that paper I found highly hilarious. And strangely remincent of that movie PCU... wasn't there a guy doing a dissertation or something on how constant TV watching effected the brain?
Most impressive. I hope they got an A. My entire existence would be validated.
Of course it could all be some really high-minded geek joke and not a real paper... /sigh. All of my hopes of actually getting a Ph.D would go down the drain...Edit: Okay I just backtracked and realized what parc stands for LOL. Uber-geeks and the things they get paid for... now I am REALLY jealous.
Message Edited by Vorpaks on 11-10-2004 08:12 PM
Xyrdre
Wed Nov 10, 2004 8:04 pm
#3
Umm... NJ, this paper really isa good study.
Though they seemed to forget to date it... it feels a bit old, with no specific references to buffbots that would certainly have made mention in spatial 'utterances', and referencing doc buffs at 8k.
Has anyone made any devs aware that this study is available? I don't mean this to be used directly as 'ammunition' in any way, but I'm sure that they'd be most interested in seeing it... really a good read.
Esharra
Wed Nov 10, 2004 8:23 pm
#4
I'm pretty sure I read this about a year or so ago. I'll see if I can locate some old notes and date it.
Coincidently, I'm trying to locate a survey that was on a web site a couple of years ago. The survey was intended to gather input from MMOG players regarding their game preferences and had a section inquiring what "new to the industry" featuresplayers wouldlike to see. I'm pretty sure the author was using the results for a thesis. Ultimately, I'd like to find his finished paper.The surveyasked some specific questions about what players would like to see with avatar appearance and features such as those incorporated in the ID profession.
Another interesting study to find would be one regarding what influence players' graduate papersabout MMOGs have had on the industry 
Message Edited by Esharra on 11-10-2004 09:32 PM
Xyrdre
Wed Nov 10, 2004 8:28 pm
#6
Ooh... hope you can find some evidence, Esh. Although the paper itself is not properly dated, there are dates of Nov. 6 - 10, 2004 mentioned in the notes about copyright and fair use, bottom left, page 1. Perhaps these were added recently to a new PDF rip of an older paper.
Though if we could show that it was a year or so old, what an interesting comparison (even if anecdotal)to the state of things as they still currently are?
I want devs to read this though. I think it could be useful to them. I know that it can be useful to entertainers now, when considering suggestions for changes/upgrades/revamps.
Very interesting paper indeed.
Esharra
Wed Nov 10, 2004 8:34 pm
#7
If it is what I think I recall reading (may have been as much as a year ago), it was not in PDF.
Banthabutcher
Thu Nov 11, 2004 8:57 am
#9
Wow, I've been waiting for a paper like this for ages!
Thanks a bunch NJ! I'm sure my guild will enjoy the read also!
LyteFoot
Thu Nov 11, 2004 8:59 am
#10
It was also telling. The whole idea that people have a hard time determining whether there is a person there to interact with or not says so much. I hope SOE actually sees it and listens.
Banthabutcher
Thu Nov 11, 2004 2:17 pm
#12
I would love to read a report like that Esharra.
Why?
Because I'm completely fascinated by how well Rodians get along on my server (Naritus). All the people who play Rodians seem to have the same personality... and I've yet to see a single flame Rodian-Rodian. In fact, through personal experience, every Rodian I've got to know has become my friend literally overnight.
It could also be a window into the human psyche. If a person plays a Rodian or Ithorian, does that mean they're content with their appearance and self-esteem that they don't need to personify themselves into a supermodel body online?
Urgra
Thu Nov 11, 2004 4:06 pm
#13
I liked this article. As a 4th year Counseling Psychology Doctoral student (having completed a thesis and halfway through my dissertation), I wish I would have thought about working in this area instead. My current research is fun, but not this fun . /sigh
Anyway, the research waspretty good. It would be nice if this were published in Journal of Social Psychology oranother mainstream journal. These type of studies have made it to other journals such as:
Emotional stability pertaining to the game Vampire: The Masquerade. By: Simon, Armando. Psychological Reports, Oct98, Vol. 83 Issue 2, p732, 3p; (AN 1275336)
Personalities of players of dungeons and dragons. By: Carter, Robert; Lester, David. Psychological Reports, Feb98, Vol. 82 Issue 1, p182, 1p; (AN 318511)
Do Role-Playing Games Promote Crime, Satanism and Suicide among Players as Critics Claim? By: Lancaster, Kurt. Journal of Popular Culture, Fall94, Vol. 28 Issue 2, p67, 13p; (AN 9508060208)
The personality of fantasy game players. By: Douse, Neil A.; McManus, I. C.. British Journal of Psychology, Nov93, Vol. 84 Issue 4, p505, 5p, 1 chart; (AN 9408020600)
From the first day I logged onto SWG, I thought, "Ah, I should change my dissertation" but then I decided not to because... well, a "good dissertation is a done dissertation." Plus, my husband would have killed me if I was always taking notes while we were playing. I have started thinking abouttaking my degree into the gaming industry in some way -- to help make psychological thrillers more realistic, etc. Hopefully that isn't a pipe dream.
I have started thinking abouttaking my degree into the gaming industry in some way -- to help make psychological thrillers more realistic, etc. Hopefully that isn't a pipe dream.Chyann
Message Edited by Urgra on 11-11-2004 03:07 PM
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