An analysis of open world PvP in LOTRO's PvMP

Toh Weimin

Abstract

This article proposes a methodological framework for the analysis of PvP (Player versus Player) in online games, based on the case study of PvMP (Player versus Monster Player) in Turbine's The Lord of the Rings Online. The argument is that although there is a core system of PvP which LOTRO shares with other online games, each type of online game has a specific kind of PvP system which attracts players to engage in the gameplay. For instance, the open world sandbox type of PvP attracts certain players to play in LOTRO's PvMP. One of the main aims of this study is thus to investigate some of the core systems of PvP gameplay in open world sandbox PvPs.