Massively http://massively.joystiq.com Massively http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Massively http://massively.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[The Guild Counsel: Time for a mutiny!]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/29/the-guild-counsel-time-for-a-mutiny/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/29/the-guild-counsel-time-for-a-mutiny/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/29/the-guild-counsel-time-for-a-mutiny/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Guild Counsel
In last week's Guild Counsel, we looked at some of the qualities required of guildleaders for those who might be thinking of trying it out. But what if you're someone who's already a member of a guild? If I had a nickel for every time a guild member thought to himself, "I could do a better job," I'd be able to retire and buy a ticket to fly in space. In some cases, it's just an issue of backseat driving, but in others, there's some merit to that point of view. When is it time to step in and replace the guild leader? And if so, how do you do it without the usual Hindenburgesque drama that ensues?

Continue reading The Guild Counsel: Time for a mutiny!

MassivelyThe Guild Counsel: Time for a mutiny! originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 29 Mar 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advicefeaturedguildguild-adviceguild-counselguild-leadershipguild-managementguild-mutinyguildsinactive-leadersleadershipnick-yeeopinionthe-guild-counselworld-of-warcraft-inactive-leaderThu, 29 Mar 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Guild Counsel: A color-blind world]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/18/the-guild-counsel-a-color-blind-world/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/18/the-guild-counsel-a-color-blind-world/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/18/the-guild-counsel-a-color-blind-world/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

EverQuest II guild
A couple of interesting points came out of last week's review of The Raid, and I'm going to use them as a springboard for this week's column. There were two topics that dominated the discussion: one was Edward Castronova's analogy of raiding as sport and the downing of the Lich King as a World Cup Championship victory. The other was about the use of inappropriate language in game, including some racist and sexist remarks.

In this week's Guild Counsel, we'll look at soccer and sexism, and we'll see why Castronova was worth hearing out and why there's a big difference between what players say and what they do.

Continue reading The Guild Counsel: A color-blind world

MassivelyThe Guild Counsel: A color-blind world originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 18 Aug 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>double-dragonsedward-castronovafeaturedguildguild-counselguildskaren-bryannick-yeeopinionracismsexismthe-raidThu, 18 Aug 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[New study reveals insights into gender in MMOs]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/12/new-study-reveals-insights-into-gender-in-mmos/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/12/new-study-reveals-insights-into-gender-in-mmos/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/12/new-study-reveals-insights-into-gender-in-mmos/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

A new study has appeared over at the Virtual Worlds Observatory, the home of a team of social scientists interested in researching online games, and it delves into perceptions of gender in online games and the reality behind it.

Utilizing EverQuest II, the study uses a sample size of over 7,000 players to measure player interactions along gender lines and learn more about the gamers behind the keyboards. Surprisingly enough, while males exhibited predicted aggressiveness and achievement-oriented gameplay, it was the female gamers that exhibited more "hardcore" behavior. The top 10% of male gamers only played an average of 48 hours a week, while the top 10% of female gamers played an average of 56 hours a week. Yet, during the study, females under-reported their playing habits more than male gamers, as if unconsciously reacting to a stereotype.

The study is full of interesting details, and the full report is available for your viewing pleasure online.

[Via The Border House]

MassivelyNew study reveals insights into gender in MMOs originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 12 Dec 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>academicculturedimitri-williamseverquest-2everquest-iigamersgendermennick-yeesoesony-online-entertainmentstudyvirtual-worlds-observatorywomenSat, 12 Dec 2009 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Nick Yee puts the Daedalus Project into hibernation]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/09/nick-yee-puts-the-daedalus-project-into-hibernation/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/09/nick-yee-puts-the-daedalus-project-into-hibernation/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/09/nick-yee-puts-the-daedalus-project-into-hibernation/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


The Daedalus Project, for those who aren't familiar with this fantastic project by Nick Yee, is an in-depth look at the psychology of MMO gamers. As someone who plays MMOs, Nick has always taken a very fair and balanced look at the intricate worlds spanning the MMO genre, with results that were sometimes surprising. During the course of ten years of research, he's looked into everything from basic gender alignment questions to in-depth looks at genre, how emerging changes in game mechanics affect social interaction, and so very much more. To say it's been important, enlightening work is an understatement.

In a recent blog posting, Nick has announced that he's going to be placing the Daedalus Project into 'hibernation' due to time constraints, the rigors of his everyday work, and his need to publish as a PhD. As anyone can imagine, running an enormous project like Daedalus has to take a great deal of time and effort. It would appear that rather than letting the quality of the work for this project of love suffer, he's opted to place it on hold for now. While it's definitely a loss for the MMO - and indeed educational - community, we can totally understand. All of us here at Massively would like to thank Nick for his unwavering dedication to bringing so many important things to light over the last ten years, and hope that all of his future challenges are equally as rewarding.

MassivelyNick Yee puts the Daedalus Project into hibernation originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 09 Mar 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>daedalus-projecteducationhibernationmmo-studynick-yeephdpsychologystudyMon, 09 Mar 2009 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Behind the Curtain: Multiple MMOs pt. 2]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/20/behind-the-curtain-multiple-mmos-pt-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/20/behind-the-curtain-multiple-mmos-pt-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/20/behind-the-curtain-multiple-mmos-pt-2/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

When I started thinking about this subject, I remembered reading something on the subject a while back on the Daedalus Project.

Going by the figures Nick Yee collected back in 2006, less than a quarter of the players he spoke with had more than one account.

I can't help but wonder if that number will have increased or decreased with time.

Without getting too much in the state of the world-economy, as we all have to tighten our belts that little bit more, we'll end up looking for cheaper ways of relaxing and blowing of some steam. I wouldn't be the first person to point out that the average cost of a monthly MMO subscription is less than you'll spend on one night at the cinema.

While it's absolutely not my place to fault Dr. Yee's work, and I certainly don't intend to, I would have liked to see him also ask about how many players had more than one account active for the same game, and the reasons why.

The reasons given for having subscriptions to more than one game aren't surprising. Players maintain several subscriptions due to having friends and family still active in the game; or they feel that the time spent so far with the game will be wasted if they cancelled the account; or for financial reasons like waiting for the subscription plan to expire, or simply forgetting the subscription was there.

If people were asked why they play more than one game, I'd expect to see similar answers, but I'd hope to see some others, too. Game mechanics, for one. When I went back and looked at Star Wars Galaxies a while back, I didn't feel like it was a game I'd really want to play on a regular basis. That said, the crafting in the game was still as interesting as I remembered. A crafting system that isn't a simple pass/fail mechanic, rewarding time spent hunting for high-quality raw materials, and classes whose sole purpose is to craft rather than quest ticked a lot of boxes for me. And while the ground game left a lot to be desired, there was still a lot of fun to be had in space, hunting Rebels or Imperials, depending on which side your bread was buttered on.

My point is that it's a rare game that provides you with everything you want. Maybe you play one game because the combat system is second to none, but another one because the RP tools in it haven't been bettered yet. Graphics are a big thing for a lot of people, and the cartoonish graphics of WoW have put off more than one person in the past, without a doubt. Realistic graphics and presentation, on the other hand, won't stop your game from being slated if it deserves it - see Age of Conan for proof.

Your turn now. Do you run more than one MMO at a time? Which ones are they, and why? Hit the comments, and let the world know.

MassivelyBehind the Curtain: Multiple MMOs pt. 2 originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 20 Dec 2008 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-conanaocbehind-the-curtaindaedalus-projecteveeve-onlinegalaxiesmulitple-mmosmulti-boxingmultiple-accountsnick-yeestar-wars-galaxiesworld-of-warcraftwowSat, 20 Dec 2008 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Behind the Curtain: Multiple MMOs]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/20/behind-the-curtain-multiple-mmos/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/20/behind-the-curtain-multiple-mmos/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/20/behind-the-curtain-multiple-mmos/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

Is one MMO ever enough?

Lots of people play more than one MMO. Among the staff here at Massively, you would be hard pressed to find a writer with only one active subscription. Ever the exception however, I am a one-game kind of guy.

"Is that through choice, or necessity though, Craig?" I hear you cry. The answer is that it's a little of both. It's easy to say that I don't have enough time to play a couple of MMOs, but if I was really honest with myself, I'd admit to that being a lie. If I'm able to free up a couple of hours every couple of nights to play World of Warcraft, then why can't I alternate those nights, for example, between WoW and another game?

Continue reading Behind the Curtain: Multiple MMOs

MassivelyBehind the Curtain: Multiple MMOs originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 20 Dec 2008 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-conanaocbehind-the-curtaineveeve-onlinefeaturedgalaxiesmulti-boxingmultiple-accountsmultiple-mmosnick-yeestar-wars-galaxiesthe-daedalus-projectworld-of-warcraftwowSat, 20 Dec 2008 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Newest Daedalus Project research highlights genre appeal]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/10/newest-daedalus-project-research-highlights-genre-appeal/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/10/newest-daedalus-project-research-highlights-genre-appeal/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/10/newest-daedalus-project-research-highlights-genre-appeal/#commentsFiled under: ,


The Daedalus project is the most important research project into MMO player demographics in the world. Run by the unflappable Nick Yee, it's a fantastic look into the minds of MMO guild leaders, female players, old players, young players, and everyone in between. Past Daedalus articles have tackled issues like playing with romantic partners, the willingness of players to buy gold online, and the importance of achieving goals in a virtual setting.

The newest round of research delves into some fascinating stuff. Probably this round's most interesting data surrounds genre preferences. Have you ever wondered how much people want to play super-hero games vs. sci-fi titles? Whether guys want to play vampires, or whether girls want to play vampire hunters online? All of these questions and more are addressed in the Game Choices article in this round of the Project. Plus! Find out how the demographics of guilds pan out, what the thought process is behind character creation, preferences in class role, and the logic behind choosing a 'main character'. Check it out!

MassivelyNewest Daedalus Project research highlights genre appeal originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 10 Oct 2008 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>daedalusdaedalus-projectgenrenick-yeeFri, 10 Oct 2008 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[WAR's anti-gold-selling policy challenged]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/03/wars-anti-gold-selling-policy-challenged/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/03/wars-anti-gold-selling-policy-challenged/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/03/wars-anti-gold-selling-policy-challenged/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

We're well aware of Mark Jacobs' and Mythic's views on gold sellers in Warhammer Online, but what about the opposite side of the fence? Could gold sellers in a young, potentially top-selling MMO actually help the game develop and attract the adult working class? That's what Gigaom's Wagner James Au argues in a recent article.

"When launching a big-budget online game, it doesn't strike me as a very good idea to risk alienating nearly a quarter of your user base right out the gate. That, however, is likely to be the consequence of an extreme anti-gold selling policy at Mythic Entertainment," writes Au. He also cites research by Nick Yee, who is fast-becoming the most popular gaming-related research scientist, stating that gold-buying is done mostly by those ages 35 and older, who don't have the time to play as those younger gamers.

MassivelyWAR's anti-gold-selling policy challenged originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 03 Oct 2008 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gigaomgold-sellersgold-sellingmark-jacobsmythicnick-yeewarwarhammer-onlineFri, 03 Oct 2008 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The advantages of being an online gaming parent]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/24/the-advantages-of-being-an-online-gaming-parent/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/24/the-advantages-of-being-an-online-gaming-parent/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/24/the-advantages-of-being-an-online-gaming-parent/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

The issue of parenting as it relates to online gaming is not only a delicate one, but its popularity is growing as more children are getting into the virtual space. We would be willing to bet that a healthy percentage of Massively readers are gamers with children. Not only that, but as online gamers age, their children inevitably continue into the next generation of online gamers.

According to a new video podcast by Palo Alto Research Center's Nick Yee, parents who game have an advantage over those who don't game. This video -- the first in his series -- aims to show non-gaming parents how they can set reasonable guidelines and provide leverage for their children's online activities. He interviews several parents and gets their own experiences with how they raise their online gaming children. You'll find the complete 12-minute video right after the jump.

[Thanks Efrem!]

Continue reading The advantages of being an online gaming parent

MassivelyThe advantages of being an online gaming parent originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 24 Sep 2008 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>childrenkidsnick-yeepalo-alto-research-centerparentingpodcastresearchvideoWed, 24 Sep 2008 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Daedalus Project presents new findings]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/13/daedalus-project-presents-new-findings-working-title/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/13/daedalus-project-presents-new-findings-working-title/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/13/daedalus-project-presents-new-findings-working-title/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

The Daedalus Project has gotten Massively coverage previously, but it's worth revisiting, as Nick Yee continues to gather information on virtual spaces. In the most recent issue, you can peruse such topics as how changing game mechanics changes social interactions within those games; what do players want to see in MMOs; and thoughts from parents who are gamers on how to manage a child's MMO time.

Additionally, there is always a survey in progress to which you may contribute. Your opinions are valid, O Learned Audience. If you're tired of demographic results that don't accurately represent the way you feel about our industry, now's your chance to have your say!

[Thanks, Nick!]

MassivelyDaedalus Project presents new findings originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 13 Jun 2008 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>daedalus-projectdemographicsnick-yeesurveysFri, 13 Jun 2008 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daedalus Project tracks MUD]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/29/the-daedalus-project-tracks-mud/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/29/the-daedalus-project-tracks-mud/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/29/the-daedalus-project-tracks-mud/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Actually, it tracks MMOs, but what a clever title, huh? The Daedalus Project is the demographic/analysis website created and maintained by Nick Yee, a graduate student of Stanford University in the field of Communications who now works at the Palo Alto Research Center (PARC). Nick's site is noteworthy both for the online surveys of MMO players that are open to anyone who wants to participate, and also for the conclusions he draws based on those survey results.

This statistical data has been used by Washington Post, CBS, TechWeek, CNET, the Associated Press, Nature.com, the New York Times, and the Wall Street Journal, among other publications. Nick always has a survey or two running, so if you're interested in contributing your experiences and thoughts to the collective (and growing) body of knowledge concerning MMOs, you can do so at the 'Current Surveys' section of his site.

For those of us interested in metadata, The Daedalus Project is a genuine boon, and we hope he continues his necessary and groundbreaking work well into the future.

[Thanks, Nick!]

MassivelyThe Daedalus Project tracks MUD originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 29 Feb 2008 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>associated-presscbscnetdemographicsmetadatanature.comnew-york-timesnick-yeepalo-alto-research-centerparcstanfordstanford-universitysurveystechweekthe-daedalus-projectwall-street-journalwashington-postFri, 29 Feb 2008 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Judging yourself by appearances]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/19/judging-yourself-by-appearances/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/19/judging-yourself-by-appearances/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/19/judging-yourself-by-appearances/#commentsFiled under: , ,

They say you can't judge a book by its cover - an exhortation against judging the character of people based on factors they have no control over. Nonetheless, people do do it, and frequently.

There are some interesting aspects to this. One is that we judge ourselves this way. The other comes when we can choose those covers - for example, our avatars.

In the physical world, we power-dress, we dress-for-success, we craft visual identities based on celebrities on television, in movies, in books and in magazines. Power dressing was more about how the outfit made you feel, and the way that shifted your psychology and affected your interactions with the people around you than strictly with how you were judged visually by others.

Continue reading Judging yourself by appearances

MassivelyJudging yourself by appearances originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 19 Feb 2008 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>jeremy-bailensonnick-yeeproteus-effectstanford-universityTue, 19 Feb 2008 11:00:00 EST