Effect of different looting systems on the behavior of players in a MMOG: Simulation with real data

Abstract

Massively Multi-player Online Games (MMOGs) are complex and persistent video games developed for a large public of players. The complex relations and dynamics among players represent an interesting research topic not only for developers, but also for experts in social relations and psychologists. Looting Systems (LSs), i.e. the procedure applied to allocate goods or items to a group of players after a successful collaborative activity, can have an important role in the overall satisfaction of a player towards the game and the other players in her group, leading even to the decision to abandon the virtual world. In this work we analyze different types of LSs, and we try to simulate the behavior of different type of players using real data from World of Warcraft, in order to understand which LS can be the more appropriate to maintain a high level of satisfaction and engagement in the players.