Gift and Anti-gift : The Dynamics of Relationships in MMORPGs

Hu, Feihong and Zhao, Xin and Gadalla, Eman (2026) Gift and Anti-gift : The Dynamics of Relationships in MMORPGs. PhD thesis, Lancaster University.

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Abstract

This dissertation explores the evolving dynamics of virtual gifting practices, with a specific focus on the interaction between human actors and non-human digital beings, such as computer-generated entities (CGEs), in Massively Multiplayer Online RolePlaying Games (MMORPGs). Drawing primarily on theories of gift exchange and employing Actor-Network Theory (ANT) as a theoretical lens, the study examines how these interactions shape the socio-cultural and relational dimensions of virtual environments. A key contribution of this research is the conceptualization of anti-gift, a deliberate and adversarial form of exchange characterized by actions such as resource exploitation, marauding, and conflict-driven interactions. While inherently malicious, anti-gift paradoxically fosters social cohesion by strengthening bonds within virtual communities through shared experiences of loss, retaliation, and collective counteractions. Additionally, the study highlights the unique dynamics of humandigital interaction, revealing how digital beings, as active participants, influence reciprocity and gifting behaviors in MMORPGs. By contextualizing anti-gift within broader frameworks of malicious reciprocity and digital gift exchange, this research provides novel insights into the cultural and social mechanisms of virtual communities. These findings advance theoretical discourse on human-non-human interaction and have practical implications for understanding the social dynamics of online networks and virtual economies.