Kristine AskPhd

student

Scientific Play?How Players Remake World of Warcraft as a Game of

Numbers.

Kristine Ask, PhD Student Norwegian University of Science and Technology

Synopsis• Background: Steinkuehler, Chen, Taylor• Methodology: Ethnography• Theory: Idiom of co-production (Jasanoff 2004)• Case: Theorycraft in the MMO World of Warcraft• Research question: how does the use of specific

knowledge (theorycraft) shape player practices?• Main findings: Remaking of the game as numbers

Methodology

One year ethnographic study in a raidingguild in World of Warcraft during 2009

Between 20 and 50 hours pr week played

A cross medial experience: From face to face conversations to anonymous forums

In depth interviews with 19 WoW players at diffrent levels of progression/with different playing styles

Part of a project regarding player practices, everyday life, knowledge (both production and sharing) and game related technologies

Developing a research questionLF Two Healers Ulduar10 We Saved for Auriayna Link Me Epic For INV

3 each stay at st and lm, rest rush GM

Warlock with 2.6k+ XP LF arena partner

in any teams, u need atleast

2.3k+ /w for if intrested

To calculate the value of a spell, the formula (BaseValue + Spellpower * Coefficient) * Modifiers is used.

Truesilver Ore is a rare spawn on certain nodes

LF2M DM tribute need ranged and tank

Theorycrafting 101

“Theorycraft is the attempt to mathematically analyze game mechanics in order to gain a

better understanding of the inner workings of the game. “

Wowwiki.com

Example: Frostfire bolt

In game description

Example: Frostfire bolt

avg_damage_per_cast_noncrit = (avg_cast_base_dmg + (spell_coefficient + empowered_fire + empowered_frostbolt + arcane_empowerment) * final_spell_dmg) * (firepower + ffb_glyph + spell_impact + arcane_blast_buff + arcane_power) * pwf * piercing_ice [* ebon_plaguebringer or coe+malediction or earth&moon] * arcane_instability * frostbolt_glyph * molten_fury [* sanctified_retribution or ferocious_inspiration] * tricks_of_the_trade * troll_beast_racial/worgen_racial

ex: frostfire bolt -- molten fury + berserking(20%) + bloodlust + icy veins + 4pct7 + CSD included, 2000 spelldmg, 55% crit, 500 haste ratingavg_damage_per_cast_noncrit = ( (722+838)/2 + (3/3.5 + 0.15) * 2000 spelldmg) * (1.1 + 0.02) * 1.03 * 1.06 * 1.13 * 1.12 = 4324.43avg_damage_per_cast_critical = 4324.43 * (1 + 0.55 * (3.34565 - 1)) = 9903.41final_cast_time = 3 / (1 + 500/32.78998947/100) / 1.05 / 1.03 / 1.3 / 1.2 / 1.2 = 1.29

In game description

Theory-crafted version

In game description: 722-838 dmgTheorycraft: 4324,43 dmg

Framework for investigation

Sheila Jasanoff: Idiom of co-production Identity

DiscourseRepresentations

Institutions

Knowledge Society

Making identity: When being a jerk is idolized

”Rule no 7: Do not beg for hand-holding. ”

• Links expertise and elitism/jerkism

• Opens for evaluation of other players’ performance

«To quote one of my former guildmate and good friend on what he said about the Blizzard forums: I almost never use them cause there is nothing interesting

there and I tend to get a headache when that many retards are at one place»

Making discourses: Talking numbers to prove one’s skill

• Descriptive and non-emotive

language • Gatekeeping

funcitonality

• Few are able to do the calculations, but

talking as if you do still works!

Making representations: Tools for counting play

Making institutions: For those who know the numbers

• Evaluation of other players was central• Performance was based on logs• Resistance and acceptance of the game as numbers• Dedication is not enough – you also need to prove your worth

Concluding remarks

• ”scientification” of leisuretime• Gameplay is quantified and measured• Game performance as production and

evaluation of numbers• Homogenisation and hetereogenisation