2016 Volume 5 Issue 1 Pages 89-105
Quantitative studies have suggested that teamwork in massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs) enhances problem-solving skills and teamwork competency. However, these studies lacked the distinction between the degrees of difficulty of the quests and did not explicitly mention the features of cooperative work. This study is a preparatory work aiming to fill this gap through observation and interviews of players in groups with flexible memberships. The data obtained was analyzed using open coding.
The major findings are as follows: (1) Playing higher-level quests required higher communication and problem-solving skills (as was shown in previous studies) because quests are performed as team activities, which leaves little scope for non-verbal communication. (2) The rational problem-solving skills, which are enhanced when playing higher-level quests, comprised four subcategories: problem clarification, information gathering, cause analysis and devising solutions, and implementation and evaluation. Moreover, teamwork competency comprised two subcategories: conformity and harmonization.
Therefore, as the higher-level strategy tasks in MMORPG are highly realistic, collaborative work that is performed is based on the two functions of goal achievement and group maintenance. These functions are similar to those facilitated by leaders in a real organization; however, these functions were enhanced without any leadership in higher-level quests that were challenged by groups with flexible memberships.
