WoWing Alone

Abstract

World of Warcraft (WoW) is one of the most successful and longest running multiplayer online games in gaming. Over time, Blizzard Entertainment's approach to multiplayer activities in WoW has changed. During the past decade, in-game world events, group matchmaking systems, and phasing technologies have been used to increasingly emphasize individual achievement rather than collaborative effort. The game is shifting away from sociable activities in favor of ones that situate players as powerful, atomized characters. WoW's governmentality now encourages players to see each other as obstacles to success and to see themselves as entrepreneurial subjects. These neoliberal strategies have the potential to impact our ability to collectively imagine and create alternative forms of social interaction and organization.

Connected Play in Virtual Worlds: Communication and Control Mechanisms in Virtual Worlds for Children and Adolescents

“…For younger players who are pre-literate, social interactions during online platforms may be limited, especially when players are getting familiar with the game content through independent play, as illustrated in the example from Whyville. As they learn to acquire computer proficiency with mouse control for complex customizations (e.g., avatar decoration) and the ability to type and chat via text, players transition from solo to cooperative play and communication becomes an essential tool for youth learning to confront difficult content by teaming up, forming bonds, organizing play, solving complex tasks, and learning to socialize and compete with others through play [27,[105][106][107]. Overly restrictive parental controls are typically designed based on a restrictive parental mediation style in order to limit and regulate children's access to online game content and features [108].…”