Detailed Analysis of Social Interaction and Communication in MMOGs

This assignment analyzes the social dynamics within a Massive Multiplayer Online Game (MMOG), focusing on communication, player interaction, and coordination. It explores various aspects, including how players communicate through chats, gestures, and avatar expressions, and how awareness of other players is maintained. The analysis covers social protocols, virtual behavior, and the development of group and interpersonal relations. The assignment also examines interaction design issues, such as the modes of communication (text/audio) and the seamlessness of switching between interaction modes. It further discusses social phenomena specific to the MMOG context and proposes features to enhance communication, coordination, and collaboration within the game environment. The analysis references several academic papers to support its findings.

Running head: MMOG
MMOG
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

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General Social Issues
What is the purpose of the MMOG?
The popularity of the Massive –Multiplayer Online Game (MMOGs) has grown a lot
in the past few years. The main purpose of this platform is to allow thousands of players to
interact with other players and play as a team. In this MMOG there is no concept of win or
lose. The players are able to play for years on to rank up and complete their playing objective
(Ballard and Welch 2017).
What kinds of conversations are supported?
The communication between players typically are conducted in the form of chats
which are typed and gestures which are animated and avatar expression. The conversation
helps the players to strategize their gameplay for increasing their winning probability.
How is awareness supported of the others in the MMOG?
The awareness is usually supported by means of messaging and texting in the
environment (Ballard and Welch 2017). The game is played on a desktop system. The players
are provided with an avatar for the game to play and they play their way to the top while
earning rewards.
What kinds of social protocols and conventions are used?
The social interaction usually takes the form of communication which are in game,
virtual behavior and the development of group relation and interpersonal relation. The players
develop their characters with the quality and equipment of their choice. The player is able to
meet other players from all over the world.
What kinds of awareness information are provided?

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The awareness information which is provided is by means of social interaction which
is conducted in the form of chatting. There is the use of chats as well as audio triggers and
visual aids for the players.
Does the mode of communication and interaction seem natural or awkward?
The mode of communication with regards to a gamming platform is quite natural as it
involves an environment of competition and hunger to win (shanfirsty 2016). The main way
to play this game is to have proper communication with the other players and your team
members. Without the use of proper communication the games cannot be easily played.
How do players coordinate their actions in the game?
The players usually coordinate their action by means of different keys which are
predefined with their activity. Apart from this the players are to chat with the team mates and
work with them to play the game.
Specific interaction design issues
What form of interaction and communication is supported, e.g. text/audio/video?
The mode of communication and interaction which is supported is audio format. This
is conducted by means of chat box which exist and are predefined. By this means players can
interact with each other.
What other visualizations are included? What information do they convey?
Some form of strategy build up plan in a multiplayer environment can be provided
which alters the overall experience of the game (shanfirsty 2016).
How do users switch between different modes of interaction, e.g. exploring and
chatting? Is the switch seamless?

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The conversation is always within the peripheral of the chat area therefore it can be
stated that it is seamless (Ballard and Welch 2017).
Are there any social phenomena that occur specific to the context of the 2 MMOG that
would not happen in face-to-face settings?
The use of abuse language are getting spread on a large scale this would not be seen
in a face to face setting. The interaction would be very much precise and to the point in such
an interaction (Bergstrom et al. 2017). The interaction are important for the players to play as
a team.
Design issues
What other features might you include in the MMOG to improve communication,
coordination and collaboration?
There can be a features which allows the players to coordinate in a timely manner and
creating a means of willingness in the environment of the game (Chen, Shen and Huang
2016).

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References
Ballard, M.E. and Welch, K.M., 2017. Virtual warfare: Cyberbullying and cyber-
victimization in MMOG play. Games and Culture, 12(5), pp.466-491.
Bergstrom, K., Jenson, J., de Castell, S. and Taylor, N., 2017. Virtually Together: Examining
Pre-Existing Relationships in MMOG Play. Journal For Virtual Worlds Research, 10(2).
Chen, W., Shen, C. and Huang, G., 2016. In game we trust? Coplay and generalized trust in
and beyond a Chinese MMOG world. Information, Communication & Society, 19(5), pp.639-
654.
SHANFIRSTY, N., 2016. MMOG-DIRECT DIREKTORI GAME ONLINE (Doctoral
dissertation, Universitas Airlangga).