shannon on social gaming...

Positive reinforcement and operant conditioning in MMO are the reason why games like WoW are so addictive. i wonder how important 'stroking' and other more social means of interaction reinforce the interest in the gaming experience.

Stats about MMOG usage. Playing with 'real' friends in MMOGs more widespread than strangers. Greatly heightens the experience and makes them far more interesting than TV

Influential researcher and writer about the social life of virtual worlds. A list of his publications is here. Recommend "virtual third places..." (2007)

A nice example of real-world 'use' for MMOGs. Using MMOGS as team-building sessions instead of adventure weekends in the Pennines.

Conflict is often seen as the essence of gaming. However, this article puts the emphasis on co-operation and explains how player co-operation is a vital part of MMOGs.

Aleks Krotoski "To suggests that interaction in virtual worlds is somehow inferior to physically proximate interaction is to take a very backwards point of view." Interesting debate.

Article from The Times about the success of SNS/MMOG Club Penguin especially amongst the younger 'tween' market.

MMOGs require too much effort, time and attention. "Passively Multiplayer Online Games take MMOs and feed them our everyday activities" the first step in ambient gaming!