Published academic paper in CSCW that identifies and defines the presence of algorithmically-generated communities in online gamer space, the 100.io.
Algorithms affect much more than is commonly understood. What opportunities arise from seemingly random number generations and patterns? How does a shared group identity form? Questions like these guided the exploration I carried out in an undergraduate research setting, focusing on web experiences, video games, and the nature in which digital communities materialize via algorithmic programming.
Online experiences are molded and scaffolded by the platforms available to users. These social outcomes hold great power over the performance of certain applications or products, and in this case, video games.
The100.io affords an online space free of initial judgment or selection criteria for the user. The seemingly random algorithm led to niche community formation, meet-ups offline, and complemented thriving gaming interaction and shared success through its ability to optimize the organization of gameplay.
