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Updated: Feb 8, 2026
06:18
The Collective Trust Game: An Online Group Adaptation of the Trust Game Based on the HoneyComb Paradigm
Published on: October 20, 2022
2.6K
Exploring the enjoyment of playing browser games
Christoph Klimmt1, Hannah Schmid, Julia Orthmann
1Department of Communication, University of Mainz, Mainz, Germany. klimmt@uni-mainz.de
Summary
Multiplayer browser games are popular due to social connections and flexible play. Competition is less important for these players compared to other game types, highlighting unique player motivations in digital gaming.
Area of Science:
- Digital Games
- Human-Computer Interaction
- Online Communities
Background:
- Browser games are an understudied digital game genre despite large player bases.
- Persistent game worlds accessible via web browsers offer unique play characteristics.
- Understanding player motivations is crucial for digital game design and research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate player enjoyment factors in multiplayer browser games.
- To compare the importance of social relationships versus competition in browser gaming.
- To explore the "easy-in, easy-out" nature of browser game accessibility.
Main Methods:
- Online survey methodology.
- Data collected from 8,203 players of the German strategy browser game "Travian".
- Analysis of player-reported motivations and game experience.
Main Results:
- Social relationships are a primary driver of enjoyment in browser games.
- Time flexibility and "easy-in, easy-out" characteristics are key factors.
- Competition plays a less significant role compared to other digital game genres.
Conclusions:
- Browser game design should prioritize social features and accessibility.
- Player motivations in browser games differ from other digital game types.
- Findings contribute to understanding video game enjoyment and potential addiction.
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