A Social Network Analysis of a Massively Multi-player On-Line Role Playing Game

Abstract

An instance of a massively on-line role playing game called The Mana World is analyzed for its social networks. The gathered data is the result of the first phase of the ModelMMORPG project in which players played a specially designed quest during a controlled experiment. Observations based on the monitored virtual community behaviour and individual elements of interaction are visualised herein and analysed using social network analysis. Insight into the dynamics of the studied virtual society is given along with observations regarding structure of groups and individuals alike.