Players of massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs) build online knowledge communities that can serve as learning environments for informal adult learning. Technologies that can make these communities “smart” require quantitative models of specific processes. Aiming to inform the development of smart technologies for MMORPGs, the present research proposes and validates questionnaire survey scales that quantitatively explore the process of newcomer integration in German MMORPG player communities. Two correlational studies within samples with a total of N = 276 participants reveal players’ perceptions of recruiting strategies, monitoring, and consistent training, influenced by gender, age, and community exposure time. These perceptions, in turn, significantly impact players’ subjective competence, sense of community, and evaluations of community practice. The findings make headway in smart community research by suggesting quantitative models for social processes in MMORPG communities.    «

Players of massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs) build online knowledge communities that can serve as learning environments for informal adult learning. Technologies that can make these communities “smart” require quantitative models of specific processes. Aiming to inform the development of smart technologies for MMORPGs, the present research proposes and validates questionnaire survey scales that quantitatively explore the process of newcomer integration in German MMORPG pl...    »