Power games just want to have fun?: instrumental play in a MMOG

Full text:	PDF
Authors:	Taylor T.L.
Source:	Level Up Conference Proceedings
	Utrecht: University of Utrecht, November, 2003
	Pages:
Export:	BibTex
	EndNote

Abstract:

In this paper I explore a particular slice of massive multiplayer participants known as power gamers. Through my ethnography of EverQuest, as well as interviews with players, I analyze the ways these participants, who operate with a highly instrumental game-orientation, actually facilitate their play style through a variety of distinctly social activities. Rather than seeing this segment of the gaming population as “lone ranger” figures or via various other “geek gamer” myths, this work explores the way high-end players are actually embedded in deeply social structures, rituals, and practices.

Keywords: Massive multiplayer online games, MMOG, EverQuest, socialization, styles of play, player typology, power gaming