Truce in online games

Abstract

This paper reports on the preliminary findings of a study examining the nature of rules in the online multiplayer game modification Defense of the Ancients (DotA). It was found that players use numerous truce calls (categorised broadly as fainties, parlay, pax and cheap) to negotiate rules or the maintenance of 'fair play' in a game. The possibility of providing feedback on the use of truce calls to developers as part of the design process is also considered. © ACM 2009.