- Title
- Causes, magnitude and implications of Griefing in Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games
- Creator
- Achterbosch, Leigh
- Date
- 2015
- Type
- Text; Thesis; PhD
- Identifier
- http://researchonline.federation.edu.au/vital/access/HandleResolver/1959.17/97562
- Identifier
- vital:10236
- Abstract
- This thesis presents findings from research into the global phenomenon known as griefing that occurs in Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games (MMORPGs). Griefing, in its simplest terms, refers to the act of one player intentionally disrupting another player’s game experience for personal pleasure and potential gain. For too long it has been unknown how pervasive griefing is, how frequently griefing occurs and, in particular, the impact on players that are subjected to griefing. There has also been limited research regarding what causes a player to perform griefing. This thesis addresses these concerns by answering the research question “What are the causes and implications of griefing in Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games, and what magnitude of griefing exists in this genre?” Mixed method research was employed using the “Sequential Explanatory Strategy”, in which a quantitative phase was followed by a qualitative phase to strengthen the findings. The quantitative phase consisted of a survey that attracted 1188 participants of a representative player population. The qualitative phase consisted of interviews with 15 participants to give more personalised data. The data was analysed from the perspectives of different demographics and different associations to griefing. The thesis contributed original findings regarding the causes, magnitude and implications of griefing in MMORPGs. Some of the main findings were: • Factors that motivated a player to cause grief; • how griefers selected their targets based on particular demographics or avatar characteristics; • the pervasiveness, frequency and impact of different types of griefing; • the amount of griefing that can be tolerated; • how players reacted to griefing; • the impact to the well-being of the players after a griefing incident. The thesis concluded with advice to MMORPG developers regarding the most pervasive, frequent and impactful types of griefing, and how game design may increase or decrease the amount and intensity of griefing.; Doctor of Philosophy
- Publisher
- Federation University Australia
- Rights
- Copyright (c) 2015 Leigh Achterbosch
- Rights
- Open Access
- Rights
- This metadata is freely available under a CCO license
- Subject
- Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games (MMORPGs); Griefing; Game experience
- Full Text
- Thesis Supervisor
- Miller, Charlynn
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