Expert opinion on the influences of bots on the economy and gaming enjoyment in mmorpgs Version dated 29 th March 2012 Compiled by Prof. Dr rer nat. Wolfgang Broll on behalf of Bossland GmbH

Expert opinion
on the influences of bots on the economy and gaming enjoyment in MMORPGs
Version dated
29
th
March 2012
Compiled by
Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Wolfgang Broll on behalf of
Bossland GmbH
Leipziger Strasse 72 08056 Zwickau

Prof. Dr. W. Broll
Expert opinion on the influence of bots on the economy and gaming enjoyment in MMORPGS
iii
Contents
1. Executive Summary ......................................................................................................1 2. Commissioning and sources of information .................................................................5 3. Introduction ..................................................................................................................6 3.1. Online games ........................................................................................................6 3.2. MMORPGs .............................................................................................................6 3.3. Bots .......................................................................................................................7 3.4. Procedure .............................................................................................................8 4. The economy in MMORPGs .........................................................................................9 4.1. The internal gaming economy ..............................................................................9 4.2. The relationship between gaming economies and the real economy ................11 4.3. Conclusions ..………...............................................................................................12 5. Bonuses and the entertainment experience in MMORPGs .......................................13 5.1. Duration of use ....................................................................................................13 5.2. Gaming motivation and usage experience ..........................................................13 5.3. The relationship between players and their avatar ............................................14 5.4. Conclusions ……………............................................................................................15 6. The influence of bots on gaming enjoyment in MMORPGs ..........................................16 6.1. Regulations concerning bots in the conditions for use .......................................16 6.2. Use of bots to maintain and increase gaming enjoyment ……………………................16 6.3. Use of bots to maintain social contacts …………………..............................................17 6.4. Use of bots for stronger identification with the game avatar ………........................19 6.5. Conclusions …………….............................................................................................20 7. The influence of bots on the economy in MMORPGs …...............................................22 7.1. Effects of bots on the internal gaming economy ……………......................................22 7.2. Effects of bots on the relationship between the virtual and real economies .......23 7.3. Conclusions……………..............................................................................................24 8. Critical apreciation of Dr. Edward Castronova’s expert opinion (2007) ……..................25 8.1. The legality of bot production …………......................................................................25 8.2. Bots‘ skills and effects on other players ……………………………………..............................25

Prof. Dr. W. Broll
Gutachten zum Einfluss von Bots auf Spielspaß und Ökonomie in MMORPGS
iv
8.3. Length of use for players and bots ...............................................................................26 8.4. The influence of deflationary and inflationary effects ------.......................................26 8.5. Problematisation of bots on the basis of user complaints ………………….........................27 8.6. Calculation of the amount of loss ……….......................................................................27 8.7. Classification of bots …….............................................................................................28 8.8. Conclusions …………………..............................................................................................28 9. Final statement ………………….................................................................................................29
Signature ……………..........................................................................................................................31
Sources .....................................................................................................................................32
Glossary ……...............................................................................................................................35

Prof. Dr. W. Broll
Expert opinion on the influence of bots on the economy and gaming enjoyment in MMORPGS
1