The Daeddalus Project

What is it?
The Daedalus Project is a long running study of massively multiplayer online (MMO) gamers with data collected through surveys over the past 10 years. It is currently in hibernation mode as the creator, Nick Yee, has decide he is unable to continue it now that he is working full time and moving on with his life.

I’m still deeply interested and fascinated by the MMO space, but I think I came to realize that continuing the project would require more time than I could devote to it.

Who is Nick Yee?
Nick Yee, the creator of The Daedalus Project, is a Hong Kong born American resident. He studied psychology with a major in computer science. For his senior year he did a large scale survey project on EverQuest, a MMORPG (massively multiplayer online role playing game).

Through this study he realised he thoroughly enjoyed the topic and the interaction with players. He also realised there was an increase in MMO gamers, however there was a shortage of available research and studies on the topic.

What are some addiction issues discussed?

-Q & A with a Therapist
Therapist Shavaun Scott, a gamer herself, establishes that addiction is all about level of functioning. Some people can play a video game for 8 hours a day, and still manage real life relationships, have good health and have the ability to support themselves. In this case, even though they may play excessively, they don’t have an addiction.

She also acknowledges that some people are happy to have virtual relationships instead of real life relationships and this is not necessarily a bad thing as it means they are still interacting and forming social connections.

In many situations individuals may experience more intimacy with online friends than they do with those they know in real life.

-Data on addiction
This study using surveys by over 2,200 people of varying ages found that 40% of users believe they have some form of an addiction to MMORPG.

It also found that most people consider over 24 hours per week of gaming to be too much. By comparison, the average American watches 27 hours of television a week.