Accurate Player Modeling and Cheat-Proof Gameplay in Peer-to-Peer Based Multiplayer Online Games

<p>We present the first detailed measurement study and models of the virtual populations in popular Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games (MMORPGs). Our results show that, amongst several MMORPGs with very different play styles, the patterns of behaviors are consistent and can be described using a common set of models.</p> <p>In addition, we break down actions common to Trading Card Games (TCGs) and explain how they can be executed between players without the need for a third party referee. In each action, the player is either prevented from cheating, or if they do cheat, the opponent will be able to prove they have done so. We show these methods are secure and may be used in many various styles of TCGs. We measure moves in a real TCG to compare to our implementation of Match+Guardian (M+G), our secure <em>Peer-to-Peer</em> (P2P) protocol for implementing online TCGs. Our results, based on an evaluation of M+G's performance on the Android (TM) platform, show that M+G can be used in a P2P fashion on mobile devices.</p> <p>Finally, we introduce and outline a HYbrid P2P ARchitecture for Trading Card Games, HYPAR-TCG. The system utilizes Distributed Hash Tables (DHTs) and other P2P overlays to store cached game data and to perform game matchmaking. This helps reduce the network and computational load to the central servers. We describe how a centralized server authority can work in concert with a P2P gameplay protocol, while still allowing for reputation and authoritative account management.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Year dc:date.available

2012

Author dc:creator

• Pittman, Daniel Everett, Jr.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Chris Gauthier-Dickey, Ph.D.
• Scott Leutenegger
• Nathan Sturtevant
• Mario Lopez

• Architecture
• Massively multiplayer online role-playing games
• MMORPG
• Multiplayer online game
• Networking
• Peer to peer
• Trading card games
• Computer Sciences
• Game Design

Statement dc:rights

• <p>Copyright is held by the author. User is responsible for all copyright compliance.</p>

Language dc:language

en

Repository record dc:identifier

https://digitalcommons.du.edu/etd/518

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:digitalcommons.du.edu:etd-1517