2010 -Virtual Playgrounds? Assessing the Playfulness of Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games

Abstract
Millions of children and adults devote much of their leisure time to playing massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs). Most observers commonly categorize computer games as a play activity, but this article asks whether MMORPGs contain activities that might not be play. The author examines the phenomenon of online gaming and compares it with several common characteristics and criteria of play behavior. This analysis suggests that while most participant involvement in MMORPGs seems to be play, in some cases, addiction may be an alternative explanation for some of the activities.

URL http://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ1070226
Title Virtual Playgrounds? Assessing the Playfulness of Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games
Author Graham, Kerrie Lewis
Publication title American Journal of Play
Volume 3
Issue 1
Pages 106-125
Number of pages 20
Publication year 2010
Year 2010
Publisher The Strong. One Manhattan Square; Rochester, NY 14607.
Publisher e-mail info@thestrong.org
ISSN 1938-0399
Source type Scholarly Journals
Peer reviewed Yes
Language of publication English
Document type 142 Reports - Evaluative, 080 Journal Articles
Subfile ERIC, Current Index to Journals in Education (CIJE)
Accession number EJ1070226
ProQuest document ID 1720065638
Document URL https://ezproxy.library.ewu.edu/login?url=http://search.proquest.com.ezproxy.library.ewu.edu/docview/1720065638?accountid=7305
Last updated 2015-10-09
Database ProQuest Social Sciences Premium Collection