Since becoming MassivelyOP, our staff has worked hard to buff up our gaming science-related articles. Last year, we noted that our pile of science and science-adjacent content keeps growing larger thanks to the fact that politicians and health experts are paying more and more attention to the public impact of the growing global online gaming industry and its many shenanigans.
This year, two specific topics drove gaming science discourse: the World Health Organization’s heavily criticized and politically motivated decision to include “gaming disorder” in its most recent International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, and the mounting academic research that demonstrates video games do not cause violence and aggression.
We’ve gathered together the best science-related MMO articles on MOP from 2019 – don’t worry, there won’t be a quiz at the end!
For Science: The psychology of online gaming toxicity, fanpersonism, and gamer identity
The ESA met with the World Health Organization about the ‘gaming disorder’ classification
Project Horseshoe’s design papers confirm decades of MMORPG lessons
UK parliament committee seeks submissions about gaming addiction
Gaming behavior scientists gather for ‘Video Game Debate’ panel at PAX South
NetEase joins Tencent in move for ‘anti-addiction’ curfews on Chinese mobile gamers
MMO designer Raph Koster runs down the key mechanics that drive retention in online games
Reverse Engineering: The science of Elder Scrolls Online’s dragons
For Science: Yet another study finds no link between violent video games and aggression
Reverse Engineering: Predicting Fortnite’s earthquakes… with science!
The people best able to afford VR have the least interest in the gaming associated with VR adoption
The player endorsement system in Overwatch has actually cut down on toxic behavior
MMO Business Roundup: Prince Harry vs Fortnite, China’s big thaw, Gamigo’s new acquisition, and industry transparency
A new medical research paper attempts to set health guidelines for collegiate esports players
Academics argue WHO’s ‘gaming disorder’ classification could cost South Korea billions
MMO Business Roundup: Bonfire Studios’ new multiplayer game, EA Access on PS4, and Pokebrains
‘Gaming disorder’ has been officially added to the World Health Organization’s ICD-11
World Health Organization’s gaming disorder classification causes discord within South Korean government
New study finds connection between gambling addiction and lootbox purchases in adolescents
Google DeepMind is dispatching an AI to face EU StarCraft II players in the name of science
For Science: New longitudinal study demonstrates no link between video games and aggression
MMORPG Seed’s devs want their AI NPCs to learn from, simulate, and fool actual players
For Science: Exploitative monetization, pathological gaming, and the Proteus effect
Researcher stomps the ‘lockboxes are Kinder Eggs’ defense into paste
Massively Overthinking: Morality and compelling choices in MMOs
The APA rejects link between video games and real-world violence
Extra Credits examines how UI style can alter video game experiences
For Science: A deeper look at the Proteus effect and Toronto’s game dev mental health summit
Gaming psychologist Jamie Madigan explains what ‘surprise mechanics’ actually are
For Science: Another longitudinal study demonstrates no link between video games and aggression
Harvard Business Review uses EVE Online corps for a study on country of origin and company structure
For Science: Study suggests racial stereotyping underpins campaign to blame real-world violence on video games
Computer science professor uses lessons he teaches to set a new flight record in Elite Dangerous
MMO Business Roundup: Amazon, gaming toxicity research, Blizzard’s court victory, and why people love Mike Morhaime
The Daily Grind: How much do you mind loading screens in MMOs?
