Living in Multiple-Spaces: MMORPGs and their Business Implications.

Abstract. The rapid development of massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs) is

creating new virtual worlds that significantly extend our socioeconomic environment. Increasingly,

organisations and individuals have to live in multiple spaces incorporating physical, electronic, and

virtual spaces, which are creating numerous new business and social opportunities and challenges.

Today, MMORPGsöboth virtual social worlds and online fantasy gamesöhave evolved far beyond

mere online computer games. From a business perspective, the new environment challenges existing

management theories, creating new opportunities for businesses and entrepreneurs and calling for the

development of new management theories and new research methods. From a social perspective,

the virtual world represents the frontier of social computing, with profound implications for policy

and our society at large. This paper will explore the concept of `multiple spaces', examine the

interplays and connections among the different spaces, and discuss their business and social

implications. New themes for future research will also be highlighted.