Multi-agent modeling methods for massivley Multi-Player On-Line Role-Playing Games

Abstract

Abstract-Massively Multi-Player On-Line Role-Playing Games (MMORPG) give us the opportunity to study two important aspects of computing: (1) large-scale virtual social interaction of people (players) and (2) the design, development and coordination of large-scale distributed artificial intelligence (AI). A common denominator for both aspects are the methods used to study them: social interaction can be described and simulated using agent-based models (ABM) whilst distributed AI is commonly modeled in terms of multi-agent systems (MAS). The important question to ask in both perspectives is how do agents organize in order to perform their tasks and reach their objectives? In the following paper we will present and overview of agent-based approaches to modeling MMORPG's agents including human players, artificial players (bots) and nonplaying characters (NPCs). We will put a special accent on useful agent behaviors, coordination and consensus mechanisms as well as organization and social network structure of agent societies.

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

“…5 detects the most active members of the community, based on whisper message exchange, and all the included player characters. With continuous growth, and increasingly large number of players, MMORPGs represent a vast playground for virtual society and virtual communities [1]. In a process similar to any computer-based activity, almost any activity in an MMORPG produces data, which is stored in order for the game to process smoothly.…”

“…MMORPGs are an interesting modern resource for analyses in various fields of research due to their numerous users, large market share and various opportunities for individual, group and global activities [1]. Apart from providing a data source with unprecedented quantity of data available, MMORPGs are a source with enhanced ease of access to the collected data, which is a crucial point in modern social sciences [2].…”

“…The quest 3 has been designed during a 3-day brainstorming session and later on developed by project members [1]. Afterwards, during a data collection phase players (mostly students from three countries) have played the game during a period of one month.…”

Social Networks in "The Mana World" - an Analysis of Social Ties in an Open Source MMORPG

“…friends, enemies, parties etc. ), (d) it is a (more or less) finished game featuring lots of quests that can be analyzed [8].…”

“…To be able to study the organizational behaviour of players, we have designed a special quest in which players ought to organize their activities in order to solve it. The quest3 has been designed during a 3-day brainstorming session and later on developed by project members [4,8]. Afterwards, during a data collection phase players (mostly students from three different countries) have played the game during a period of one month.…”