On the Research Value of Large Games

Natural Experiments in Norrath and Camelot

Bibliographic Data

ID2409342
AuthorsEdward Castronova (0000-0001-7517-5604, Indiana University, corresponding author)
Year2006
Volume1
Issue2
Pages163-186
Publication date2006-04-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueGames and Culture (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1555-4120 • E-ISSN: 1555-4139
PublisherSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/1555412006286686
OpenAlexW3123801233
LanguageEN
Citations received25
References cited2

Coordination game theory is quite important to a number of literatures but has had very few direct empirical tests because that would require experimental participation by large numbers of people. Large games however can produce natural experiments: situations that through no intent of the designer offer controlled variations on a phenomenon of theoretical interest. Unlike any other social science research technology, such games provide for both sufficient participation numbers and careful control of experimental conditions, making them like Petri dishes for social science. This article examines two examples of games as Petri dishes for macro-level coordination effects: (a) the location of markets inside EverQuest and (b) the selection of battlefields inside Dark Age of Camelot

Control (management · Empirical research · Epistemology · Geography · Macro · Mathematical economics · Natural (archaeology · Phenomenon · Selection (genetic algorithm · Sociology · Value (mathematics · Business Strategy and Innovation · Complex Systems and Time Series Analysis · Computer Science · Economic Theory and Institutions · Mathematics · Artificial Intelligence

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