ABSTRACT
In computer games, a particular type of involvement occurs when players start delving into the interior of the game, trying to unravel its internal mechanics. In some game communities, this kind of involvement is referred to as theorycrafting. This term is also used in the World of Warcraft community (Mortensen 2010, Paul 2011). The term originated in the Starcraft community and, according to the website wowwiki.com, ‘[t]heorycraft is the attempt to mathematically analyze game mechanics in order to gain a better understanding of the inner workings of the game’. Theorycrafting is usually conducted by the most dedicated players, also referred to as powergamers, hardcore players or simply as gamers (Taylor 2003, Karlsen 2004). Through theorycrafting the players can, in great detail, learn how to optimise their avatars and playing tactics. As theorycrafters often share their knowledge on the web, they also influence the larger game community, reshaping how the game is played and understood (Paul 2010, 2011).
