Multiplayer Online Game Research

Abstract

This chapter explains the process of collecting data for an ethnographic case study in a Massively Multiplayer Online Role-playing Game (MMOG) called Stronghold Kingdoms, describing the methodological aspects of the study such as the research site, participants, data collection sources, and analysis. Further, the chapter explains the challenges encountered while conducting the study, including entering and becoming a member of the game community, data collection and analysis in an ever-changing world, being a participant-observer and the risk of going native, and participant attrition. Finally, the chapter provides some solutions and recommendations for researchers interested in conducting studies in MMOG settings.