Gamers form connections and relationships through playing online games together. Over time, these relationships go through different phases from initial engagement to building trust to peaking involvement to potential disconnect. Reconnections are sometimes possible depending on shared gaming interests. The document suggests an online tool to help gamers reconnect with former players based on recognizing the importance of social connections in retaining gamers.
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How
gourmand gamers
stay in contact.
How game related communications affect the interactions
between gamers and their attitudes towards on-line relationships
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Interviewees
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Cindy
working in the industry
Jane
playing wow for
Maria
experienced gamer
into browser games 4 years WoW
gaming for 5 years gaming for 10+ years gaming for 18 years
+ + + + + +
John
experienced gamer
Sam
Xbox wargames
Tom
veteran gamer
Peter
experienced gamer
Greg
Xbox
Mark
experienced gamer
into browser games Call of Duty WoW guild leader WoW guild leader Call of duty WoW
gaming for 15+ years gaming for 15+ years gaming for 25 years gaming for 15 years gaming for 5 years gaming for 12+ years
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Interviewees
o o o
+
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+ Cindy
working in the industry
Jane
playing wow for
Maria
experienced gamer
into browser games 4 years WoW
gaming for 5 years gaming for 10+ years gaming for 18 years
o o o o o o
+
+
+
+
+
+
John Sam Tom Peter Greg Mark
experienced gamer Xbox wargames veteran gamer experienced gamer Xbox experienced gamer
into browser games Call of Duty WoW guild leader WoW guild leader Call of duty WoW
gaming for 15+ years gaming for 15+ years gaming for 25 years gaming for 15 years gaming for 5 years gaming for 12+ years
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Initial Engagement
“I got into it because myself and my flatmates bought
an Xbox 360... and going on gaming websites
I made friends through that.”
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Building Trust and In-
game Network
“You usually need to know an alchemist so
they can make all your potions
and flasks.”
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Peak
“...at’s what basically makes me come back and play
the game - is knowing there is someone I can talk to,
knowing that there are people whose
company I enjoy.”
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Disconnect
“ey couldn’t understand why I would
choose to spend so much
time online...”
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Reconnect?
“I’d definitely continue to form that
relationship... it would depend on what they
were playing at the time and whether I was
interested in that as well.”
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Process
Interview Protocol
- Themes
- Questions
- Guidelines
- Best Practices
- Recording means
- Procedures
14 potential interviewees identified
industry experts to advanced gamers
9 total interviews conducted
face to face / skype
Arranged meetings twice a week
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Reflections
backup interviewees
preparation for interview
keep on the same page as a group
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Conclusion
The Game is the initial connector.
Gamers start playing for the experience of the
game. They end up staying for the friendships.
Game acts as common connection.
Shared and common interests for reconnections.
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Conclusion
Our suggestion is:
An online application or module within a
social networking site that would allow for
gamers to input information to reconnect
with former players.
