Using Value Nets to Map Emerging Business Models in Massively Multiplayer Online Games

The authors map some of the current Business Models in the Massively Multiplayer Online Player scenario. These maps represent Value Creation Systems by resorting to Value Net constructs and notations, and are offered here as a proof of concept and utility. The authors claim that these mappings can enable “readers”, managers and IT experts, to build new insights onto such Business Models and develop requirements for Information System infrastructure. When approaching the Value Creation System as a Value Net the goal is to think outside the conceptual box of Value Chains and understand how the different activities interact, by exposing the multiplicity of value types and flows. In doing this study the authors are attempting to synthesize a new Business Model proposal that could underlie the development of an infrastructure for the collaborative creation, distribution and exploration of online massively multiplayer games, beyond the traditional producer-consumer roles

A Conceptual Business Model Framework for Strategy and Value Addition: A Case Study of a Middleware Firm

The traditional business model frameworks and concepts have been mainly used in the field of Information System (IS) and e-commerce for explanatory and descriptive purposes. I believe that there is a potential for the business model concept to be expanded for use by general businesses in strategic management. In this report, I will outline a conceptual framework for building a visual mapping of a business model. The conceptual model is a hybrid of two frameworks with the purpose of being used as a strategic tool for gaining new insight and value addition for any business. The model will be illustrated by a case study of a firm offering Massively Multiplayer Online Game (MMOG) middleware solutions for the online games industry

A Conceptual Business Model Framework for Strategy and Value Addition: A Case Study of a Middleware Firm

The traditional business model frameworks and concepts have been mainly used in the field of Information System (IS) and e-commerce for explanatory and descriptive purposes. I believe that there is a potential for the business model concept to be expanded for use by general businesses in strategic management. In this report, I will outline a conceptual framework for building a visual mapping of a business model. The conceptual model is a hybrid of two frameworks with the purpose of being used as a strategic tool for gaining new insight and value addition for any business. The model will be illustrated by a case study of a firm offering Massively Multiplayer Online Game (MMOG) middleware solutions for the online games industry

Living City, A Collaborative Browser-Based Massively Multiplayer Online Game

This work presents the design and implementation of our Browser-based Massively Multiplayer Online Game, Living City, a simulation game fully developed at the University of Messina. Living City is a persistent and real-time digital world, running in the Web browser environment and accessible from users without any client-side installation. Today Massively Multiplayer Online Games attract the attention of Computer Scientists both for their architectural peculiarity and the close interconnection with the social network phenomenon. We will cover these two aspects paying particular attention to some aspects of the project: game balancing (e.g. algorithms behind time and money balancing); business logic (e.g., handling concurrency, cheating avoidance and availability) and, finally, social and psychological aspects involved in the collaboration of players, analyzing their activities and interconnections

Bipartite electronic SLA as a business framework to support cross-organization load management of real-time online applications

Online applications such as games and e-learning applications fall within the broader category of real-time online interactive applications (ROIA), a new class of ‘killer’ application for the Grid that is being investigated in the edutain@grid project. The two case studies in edutain@grid are an online game and an e-learning training application. We present a novel Grid-based business framework that makes use of bipartite service level agreements (SLAs) and dynamic invoice models to model complex business relationships in a massively scalable and flexible way. We support cross-organization load management at the business level, through zone migration. For evaluation we look at existing and extended value chains, the quality of service (QoS) metrics measured and the dynamic invoice models that support this work. We examine the causal links from customer quality of experience (QoE) and service provider quality of business (QoBiz) through to measured quality of service. Finally we discuss a shared reward business ecosystem and suggest how extended service level agreements and invoice models can support this

Using massively multiplayer online role playing games (MMORPGs) to support second language learning: Action research in the real and virtual world

Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games (MMORPGs) create large virtual communities. Online gaming shows potential not just for entertaining, but also for education. The aim of this research project is to investigate the use of commercial MMORPGs to support second language teaching. MMORPGs offer a digital safe space in which students can communicate by using their target language with global players. This qualitative research based on ethnography and action research investigates the students’ experiences of language learning and performing while they play in the MMORPGs. Research was conducted in both the real and virtual worlds. In the real world the researcher observes the interaction with the MMORPGs by the students through actual discussion, and screen video captures while they are playing. In the virtual world, the researcher takes on the role of a character in the MMORPG enabling the researcher to get an inside point of view of the students and their own MMORPG characters. This latter approach also uses action research to allow the researcher to provide anonymous/private support to the students including in-game instruction, confidence building, and some support of language issues in a safe and friendly way. Using action research with MMORPGs in the real world facilitates a number of opportunities for learning and teaching including opportunities to practice language and individual and group experiences of communicating with other native/ second language speakers for the students. The researcher can also develop tutorial exercises and discussion for teaching plans based on the students’ experiences with the MMORPGs. The results from this research study demonstrate that MMORPGs offer a safe, fun, informal and effective learning space for supporting language teaching. Furthermore the use of MMORPGs help the students’ confidence in using their second language and provide additional benefits such as a better understanding of the culture and use of language in different contexts