Structural balance and optimized connectivity in peer-to-peer massively multiuser virtual environments

Abstract

This paper discusses a socio-aware approach inspired by structural balance theory for optimizing connectivity in peerto-peer massively multiuser virtual environments. The sensible reduction of edges in geometric overlays that are integral to such systems is crucial for their scalability and efficiency in light of critical surges and other exigencies. Harnessing implicit structural characteristics and processes identified in social psychology, the connection scheme proposed additionally aims at improving the quality of selforganized overlay construction with regard to a given set of inclination factors. Initial evaluations suggest that despite notably reducing the number of edges, sufficient connectedness can be maintained.