A main goal of the synthetic worlds initiative at Indiana University is to develop large games as research environments. To test some ideas, we have prepared a browser-based game of kingdoms, trade, diplomacy, and warfare in the stone age. The world is called Greenland and it enters open beta today. We invite those interested in such things to help us by testing the environment and contributing reactions and criticism to the forums.
To enter Greenland, go to http://greenlandgame.com/ and choose the Mercator server (the other two servers are closed for internal testing).You will need a code to register for the server; it is GLOPENACCESS.
If you have questions or problems, please contact our community manager Matt Falk at [email protected].
Thank you.
A couple of external resource comments...
1) Registration on the forums is turned off
2) The manual page at http://swiprojects.com/greenland/greenland_manual.htm seems to be 404
Mailing Matt...
Posted by: Henry Pootel | Feb 03, 2009 at 10:48
TY. Keep 'em coming.
Posted by: Edward Castronova | Feb 03, 2009 at 10:57
OK I'm slow - I didn't read the email it sent me telling me I'd be signed up later.
Realizing now that my starting hex hasn't been assigned yet, I understand why I have no idea where I am in the game.
As feedback, it's always bad design to impede people from joining your cause. The "up to" 24 hour delay is frustrating as I just got Ted's email and want to play! I'm curious! I'm excited to try this! I have to wait until tomorrow :(
Also I found the game hugely confusing at first, until I read that my starting hex actually hadn't been assigned yet. It explains why I couldn't figure out what I owned. It would be great if the game displayed this status in very prominent text for unconfirmed users.
Same idea with the forums. Edit the default "Registration has been disabled" message to indicate your registration will be activated after you register for the game (link).
Posted by: Henry Pootel | Feb 03, 2009 at 10:57
Posting some info on your site on how to actually play the game from a mechanics standpoint would be good. I have signed up and have no idea how to tell whether I have a turn or how to take actions if I do have a turn.
Posted by: Maess | Feb 03, 2009 at 11:00
We did not design a system for automatically assigning hexes, so it happens by hand. But you're right - people want to register and play. More notes for the team.
Posted by: Edward Castronova | Feb 03, 2009 at 11:00
Maess, the game manual does fail in this regard. However, the Quick Start guide should help.
http://greenlandgame.com/GL_guide.html
Thanks for the comment.
Posted by: Edward Castronova | Feb 03, 2009 at 11:43
I spent the last hour trying to figure out how to choose a starting hex. The manual and the quick start guide dont mention anything! You really need to make the manual clearer...
Posted by: Frans | Feb 04, 2009 at 08:25
How broadly do you want this beta advertised? Should I spread the word to non-social-scientist gamers?
Posted by: Timothy Dang | Feb 04, 2009 at 09:11
The consent form seems to have a contradiction in it. It says, "You will not be asked at any time for any information that could be used to identify you, specifically name or address", but the form at the bottom asks for full name and birthdate.
Posted by: Timothy Dang | Feb 04, 2009 at 09:15
Hi,
First of all, thanks for this, it would be GREAT if we saw more academic studies taking the form of games. :)
Just one note on the registration process, before I start actually playing the game: Sending your users a plain-text email with their passwords written on it is kind of a MAJOR privacy concern, don't you think?
Posted by: Marcelo | Feb 04, 2009 at 10:52
Just a question... you DO know that there's this huge Island, and a country, named http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenland>Greenland, right?
Posted by: Torill | Feb 09, 2009 at 03:54
I was in the initial beta and now playing the open beta, and I want to congratulate the team on the vast improvements in the game. That said, I sure would like to know who's ahead in rank (is there a leaderboard I'm missing somewhere?), and hope to become High Queen. The game does allow females to take high crown, right?!
Posted by: Cherisa B | Feb 11, 2009 at 11:29
Why is it called Greenland? Does it have anything to do with the large landmass?
Posted by: Omer | Mar 11, 2009 at 06:49
This is pretty cool. I am not exactly sure why its called Greenland though. I would have used Eiffel Tower or Great Wall of China or something like that.
Posted by: Kevin | Jul 11, 2009 at 12:14
I agree with the many other comments that to associate MMORPGs with loneliness is dopey, and that in fact such online interactions are an effective antidote to loneliness.
Posted by: tiffany jewelry | Aug 25, 2009 at 22:09