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The purpose of this study is to achieve a deeper understanding of players’ information behavior in regard to MMORPGs’ external information sources. Despite MMORPGs being a popular recreational activity, and players of this genre of games demonstrating novel information search strategies, this is still an understudied aspect of LIS research. The empirical material was gathered by conducting five semi-structured interviews, and analyzed using a model based upon Harviainen and Savolainien’s (2014) theory of MMORPGs as information systems, along with Wilsons (1999) nested model for information-seeking and information search behaviour. The findings show that external information sources play an important role for players in the information infrastructure of MMORPGs as is also confirmed by previous research on this topic. Which information sources players choose to access is determined based on convenience, habits and the nature of the players information need. The players demonstrate differences in their information behavior depending on if they are less experienced or experienced players. Less experienced players prefer utilizing other players before utilizing external information sources, while experienced players prefer utilizing external information sources as their first option. The findings show that the MMORPG Warframe is also applicable in Harviainen and Savolainen’s (2014) theory of MMORPGs as information systems. The different types of information behaviors that a player can manifest during play seems to align with previous research on the subject. |
