Lessons from eGamer Networks

Alex Bisberg, a PhD candidate at the University of Southern California, specializes in network science and game analytics, with a focus on understanding social and competitive success in multiplayer online games.

In this episode, listeners can expect to learn from a network perspective about players interactions and patterns of behavior. Through his research on games, Alex sheds light on how network analysis and statistical tests might explain positive contagious behaviors, such as generosity, and explore the dynamics of collaboration and competition in gaming environments. These insights offer valuable lessons not only for game developers in enhancing player experience, engagement and retention, but also for anyone interested in understanding the ways that virtual interactions shape social networks and behavior.

Guest

Alex Bisberg: Alex Bisberg is a Computer Science Ph.D. candidate exploring how players interact in online games and what drives community dynamics in virtual worlds. His research uses a mix of data and social science techniques to build player taxonomies and predict their behavior. He accesses these datasets through partnering with—and working for—some of the largest gaming companies in the world. He’s also passionate about teaching, guiding students through AI and data mining courses, and is interested in finding ways to make learning more inclusive and engaging. Outside of his research and teaching, he’s a biking enthusiast who volunteers at his local bike co-op and is an avid (albeit not adept) disc golfer.