research-article

Uses of Multiple Characters in Online Games and Their Implications for Social Network Methods

Authors:

Dennis WixonAuthors Info & Claims

CSCW '16: Proceedings of the 19th ACM Conference on Computer-Supported Cooperative Work & Social Computing

Pages 648 - 663

https://doi.org/10.1145/2818048.2819980

Published: 27 February 2016 Publication History

Abstract

In most sociotechnical systems, individuals are tracked through user accounts. This paper explores the various ways in which people create and use multiple user representations, specifically in online games. Using 8 years of population data from a popular multiplayer online game, EVE Online, we examine how multiple character creation and use occurs at scale and how operationalization of individuals between accounts and characters impacts methods. We suggest that conceptualizing participants in online games based on the assumption that one character equals one individual can lead to incorrect analyses regarding the demographics or behaviors of the population. Additionally, social network analysis suggests that a character-centric, rather than account-level, viewpoint can change the results of statistical relationships with network metrics such as eigenvector centrality.

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Cited By

Morstatter FKim DJonckheere NLiu CSeth MWilliams D(2021)I'll Play on My Other AccountProceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction10.1145/34747045:CHI PLAY(1-18)Online publication date: 5-Oct-2021
https://doi.org/10.1145/3474704
Poor NDeterding SKhosmood FPirker JApperley T(2019)Building and sustaining large, long-term online communitiesProceedings of the 14th International Conference on the Foundations of Digital Games10.1145/3337722.3337760(1-12)Online publication date: 26-Aug-2019
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3337722.3337760
Kou YGui XZhang SNardi B(2017)Managing Disruptive Behavior through Non-Hierarchical GovernanceProceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction10.1145/31346971:CSCW(1-17)Online publication date: 6-Dec-2017
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3134697

Uses of Multiple Characters in Online Games and Their Implications for Social Network Methods

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cover image ACM Conferences

CSCW '16: Proceedings of the 19th ACM Conference on Computer-Supported Cooperative Work & Social Computing

February 2016

1866 pages

ISBN:9781450335928

DOI:10.1145/2818048

General Chairs:
Darren Gergle
Northwestern University
,
Meredith Ringel Morris
Microsoft Research
,
Program Chairs:
Pernille Bjørn
University of Copenhagen
,
Joseph Konstan
University of Minnesota

Copyright © 2016 ACM.

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Published: 27 February 2016

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CSCW '16 Paper Acceptance Rate 142 of 571 submissions, 25%;

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Cited By

Morstatter FKim DJonckheere NLiu CSeth MWilliams D(2021)I'll Play on My Other AccountProceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction10.1145/34747045:CHI PLAY(1-18)Online publication date: 5-Oct-2021
https://doi.org/10.1145/3474704
Poor NDeterding SKhosmood FPirker JApperley T(2019)Building and sustaining large, long-term online communitiesProceedings of the 14th International Conference on the Foundations of Digital Games10.1145/3337722.3337760(1-12)Online publication date: 26-Aug-2019
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3337722.3337760
Kou YGui XZhang SNardi B(2017)Managing Disruptive Behavior through Non-Hierarchical GovernanceProceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction10.1145/31346971:CSCW(1-17)Online publication date: 6-Dec-2017
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3134697

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