Virtual collaboration in MMOG: Lessons for improving team relationships and player engagement

Although players actively form teams to participate in games, research on the stability and development of relationships within gaming teams remains insufficient. The factors influencing the stability of these relationships are still unknown. This paper investigates the factors influencing the stability of team relationships (TR) in MMOG, with a focus on trust, shared goals, cooperative attitudes, and team cohesion. Using the Social Identity Theory framework, the study explores how these factors contribute to successful virtual team collaboration. Structural equation modelling was employed to analyze data collected from MMOG players. The results indicate that trust, shared goals, cooperative attitudes, and team cohesion significantly enhance the stability of team relationships. In MMOG, simulating environments that reflect real-world team challenges provides a valuable model for studying virtual collaboration. The findings offer practical insights for game developers and organizations aiming to improve virtual team efficiency. By emphasizing trust-building and goal alignment, developers can enhance player engagement and team performance in MMOG. Professionals in fields such as corporate management and educational environments can apply these findings to optimize virtual team collaboration. This study extends the existing literature by demonstrating the relevance of gaming platforms in understanding and improving the stability of virtual teams.