Transmog yourself into an Avenger!
6 blue posts to read before Diablo 3's launch
Cross-realm zones coming soon
All of the latest Mists of Pandaria newsThe WoW Factor, page 2
by Lisa Poisso 
Dec 22nd 2010 at 3:00PM
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion
Posts with tag parc
The WoW Factor: How much do you know about the players behind the avatars?
by Lisa Poisso Dec 22nd 2010 at 3:00PM
Think you know what players are really like? Come find out what your WoW Factor is. (Answers and conclusions following the quiz.)
1. The average age of WoW players is:
a. 18
b. 24
c. 30
d. 36
2. Which of these groups of players is most likely to be gender-bending?
a. younger women (<30)
b. older women (>30)
c. younger men (<30)
d. older men (> 30)
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion
15 Minutes of Fame: Researcher Nick Yee digs into the numbers, people behind WoW
by Lisa Poisso Dec 22nd 2010 at 3:00PM
If you're into research about the World of Warcraft and the world of MMORPGs, the name Nick Yee will be instantly recognizable. A research scientist at the Palo Alto Research Center (PARC), Yee is well known in WoW circles for his work on The Daedalus Project, an online survey of MMORPG players that's yielded profiles of gamers and the gaming life that are ripe for the picking.
Despite a powerhouse academic background, Yee's no ivory tower recluse. He's an active WoW player who relishes the happy intersection of game time as background for work time. And while his Daedalus Project has been "in hibernation" for some time now, Yee's been working on a new study for PARC. We'll chat with Yee about his work after the break -- plus test your knowledge of your fellow WoW players in a special quiz he's prepared especially for WoW Insider readers spotlighting findings from his new MMORPG research.
Filed under: Interviews, 15 Minutes of Fame
Gnome Rogue with Pink Mohawk wants your data
by Matthew Rossi Mar 17th 2010 at 5:00PM
The full text of the press release will be behind the cut for those interested.
Filed under: News items
Making Virtual Worlds More Lifelike
by Elizabeth Harper Jun 9th 2006 at 4:00PM
Researchers at PARC have spent the past three years studying the social aspects of MMO's, and have come to some interesting conclusions. In their minds, making the games better places to socialize and interact with others could mean an improved bottom line for the game developers - even though they may not realize it. From the article: "When faced with the decision, 'Do I put in another dungeon or do I improve the experience for (groups of players)?'" said Ducheneaut, publishers often say "'I'll put in another dungeon.' I think that's incredibly shortsighted."
So what do you think - do these researchers have a point, or do you prefer the development cycle as it is?
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Virtual selves
