Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games on Promoting Social Well-Being in the COVID-19 Pandemic

What is it about?

Social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic increased the popularity of online gaming; people used gaming as a coping mechanism to help relieve psychological distress while self-isolating. Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games (MMORPGs) in particular saw an increase in users through 2020. We present a study of the impact of established in-game communities in World of Warcraft (a popular MMORPG) on players’ social well-being. We conducted a survey in World of Warcraft-specific online communities in March 2021. Our survey questions were used to gauge how players’ perceived well-being was impacted by in-game relationships and interactions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on our results, we describe the unique affordances of MMORPG platforms that support social connection.

Featured Image

Photo by Sean Do on Unsplash

Photo by Sean Do on Unsplash

Why is it important?

Our work provides insight into the effects of MMORPG communities on social well-being that can inform MMORPG developers on how to facilitate positive social interactions in their games. Our results indicate that World of Warcraft helped participants form valued, meaningful relationships with other players, gave them a sense of purpose, and alleviated negative feelings brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.