Discussing Bartle and World of WarCraft

Key terms:

• Achievers--play to win are driven by in-game goals, usually some form of points gathering - whether experience points, levels, or money.
• explorers--social are driven to find out as much as they can about the virtual construct - including mapping its geography and understanding the game mechanics.
• socializes--use the virtual construct to converse and role-play with their fellow gamers.
• killers--use the virtual construct to cause distress on other players, and gain satisfaction from inflicting anxiety and pain on others.

Bartle and procedural rhetoric...the code sets out rules that govern the interaction between players. It's procedural; a process that's governed by rules and where winners have a defined path.
Achievers play to win


Espen Aarseth: World of Warcraft as Spatial Practice