The Impact of Communication Methods on Online Cooperative Play with Non-Familiar Co-Players

Multiplayer play is commonplace within contemporary digital games, with many requiring collaboration or cooperation between multiple players to effectively achieve gameplay objectives. Often noted as an integral part of successful cooperative play is communication, with commercial online games most commonly featuring some permutation or implementation of mediated vocal communication (Voice Chat), or written communication (Text Chat). This thesis explores the influence of the method of communication available to players over several facets of player experience and player behaviour within the context of online multiplayer play between non-co-located non-familiar co-players. Through this we broaden the understanding of the interplay between communication and player experience and to inform the design of future commercial multiplayer games. In fulfilment of these research aims, we conduct a participant study using an experimental online multiplayer 3D puzzle-platform game artefact, designed under the influence of a taxonomy of collaborative multiplayer game design elements. This study tasks pairs of non-familiar participants to complete a series of cooperative challenges, each focusing of differing gameplay elements, using one of either Voice Chat or Predefined-Text Chat, before evaluating their play experiences through validated questionnaires and interviews. From this research we find that different facets of player experience are influenced to differing extents; the immersion facet of player experience is not influenced by the communication used, whilst the degree of social presence that was experienced is significantly greater for participants using Voice Chat. This research also indicates several influences on player behaviour, both strategically and socially, that are associated with the use of differing communication methods