Feudal Alliances in a Hyper-Capitalist World: Power and Organization in EVE Online

Milik, Oskar and Webber, Nick (2020) Feudal Alliances in a Hyper-Capitalist World: Power and Organization in EVE Online. Journal of Gaming and Virtual Worlds, 12 (2). pp. 165-181. ISSN 1757-191X

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Abstract

EVE Online is a MMOG which has gained notoriety for player organizations boasting thousands of active members. The complexity of these groups presents substantial challenges, and leaders have explored multiple approaches to organization and governance. They often employ structures and language drawn from historical social systems, family, or nationality to create
social order.

Here we examine the use of feudalism in EVE: as a structure of power, an indicator of legitimacy, and a mechanism of waging war. We demonstrate that even as leaders incorporate feudal language into their organizations, their application of these concepts is influenced by capitalism and individualism. We argue that the final social and economic system is neither truly feudal nor capitalist, but instead an accommodation between the two, shaped by player knowledge, experience, and in-game needs. We conclude that such systems support legitimate structures of power which encourage player participation and produce more sustainable player organizations.

Item Type:	Article
Identification Number:	10.1386/jgvw_00012_1
Dates:	Date Event 11 March 2020 Accepted 1 October 2020 Published Online
Uncontrolled Keywords:	EVE Online; digital games; feudalism; leadership; social control; social organizations
Subjects:	CAH15 - social sciences > CAH15-01 - sociology, social policy and anthropology > CAH15-01-02 - sociology CAH24 - media, journalism and communications > CAH24-01 - media, journalism and communications > CAH24-01-05 - media studies CAH20 - historical, philosophical and religious studies > CAH20-01 - history and archaeology > CAH20-01-01 - history
Divisions:	Faculty of Arts, Design and Media > College of English and Media
Depositing User:	Nick Webber
Date Deposited:	16 Apr 2020 07:12
Last Modified:	20 Mar 2023 16:17
URI:	https://www.open-access.bcu.ac.uk/id/eprint/9125

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