Ten Ton Hammer - Taking MMO Gamers to the Next Level!

Researchers at Trinity University have started the Worldplay Research Initiative in an effort to collaborate on a research project exploring issues with cross-cultural interactions and region-locking in MMOGs. The research team hopes to draw on a number of opinions, suggestions, and ideas to improve cross-cultural interactions that are now hindered by modern game development issues such as regional IP blocking. Read more below.

Worldplay Project Urges Global Gaming in MMORPGs Researchers at Trinity University invite gamers to propose strategies for nurturing cross-cultural interaction in on-line games and virtual worlds.

San Antonio, Texas / November 22, 2009 - Researchers at Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas, concerned about  increasingly region-locked MMORPGs,
are asking players, politicians and game developers for input on how to solve the problem.

Researchers understand that game operators often have good reasons for walling off virtual worlds. Region locking is one way of circumventing strict content regulations in countries like China and Australia. It can also be a logical response to concerns about technical support. Furthermore, many companies are forced to engage in region locking under the terms of strict licensing agreements that limit the jurisdiction of their business.

But these new practices have made the world of online games smaller and less culturally diverse.  When virtual worlds first emerged, they were accessible to people from around the globe. Players overcame language barriers and gained deeper understanding of other cultures. On-line connections often evolved into real-world friendships. Now, most MMORPGs segregate players according to national and geographic boundaries. Many companies engage in region locking, using IP addresses to filter out players from other countries.

"Our goal is to gather a wide range of opinions, experiences and recommendations related to the phenomenon of transnational play," says games researcher Aaron Delwiche. "We firmly believe that every voice deserves to be heard, and so far have translated project materials into English, Chinese, German, Japanese, Korean, Spanish and Vietnamese." Researchers hope to identify creative ways that players, game developers and industry professionals can nurture opportunities for cross-cultural interaction in virtual worlds.  To do this, the Worldplay Project team is looking for volunteers to translate, post the survey to game forums around the world or provide specific suggestions through the survey.

As the project continues, Worldplay researchers will post the raw data - with the exception of personally identifiable information - on the project site.

"It is important for players to know that we're not asking them to give us something for nothing," says Delwiche. "In exchange for their time and ideas, we promise to make the data available to the entire gaming community." Gamers and developers who are interested in participating are encouraged to investigate the Worldplay project site at: http://www.trinity.edu/adelwich/transnational/

• Learn more about the project here.