Wikiracing Explained

Wikiracing is a game in which players compete to navigate from one Wikipedia page to another using only internal links.^{[1] [2] [3] [4] [5]} It has many different variations and names, including The Wikipedia Game, Wikipedia Maze, Wikispeedia, Wikiwars, Wikipedia Ball, Wikipedia Racing, and Wikipedia Speedrunning.^[6] External websites have been created to facilitate the game.^[7]

The Seattle Times has recommended it as a good educational pastime for children^[8] and the Larchmont Gazette has said, "While I don't know any teenagers who would curl up with an encyclopedia for a good read, I hear that a lot are reading it in the process of playing the Wikipedia Game".^[9]

The Amazing Wiki Race has been an event at the TechOlympics.^[10]

The average number of links separating any English-language Wikipedia page from the United Kingdom page is 3.67. Thus, it has been occasionally banned in the game. Other common rules such as not using the United States page increase the game's difficulty.^[11]

The rules of wikiracing can be used as a method for studying aspects of Wikipedia.

See also

• Six degrees of separation
• Crowdsourcing
• Gamification
• Virtual volunteering
• Volunteer computing
• Wikipedia community

External links

• Wikipedia's Wikirace project page
• Wikipedia's Wiki Ladders project page
• Web site: Harrison . Stephen . The Art of Wikiracing . . September 26, 2023 . September 27, 2023.

Notes and References

1. News: Aubrey . Whelan . 'Wikiracing' picking up speed among college students . . 2010-07-21.
2. News: Ben . Jones . Latest game for bored students? Wikiracing . . 2010-06-20.
3. News: Doctoroff . Ariel . 2010-07-22 . Want To Waste An Hour (Or Three)? Go On A Wikirace . Huffington Post.
4. Colin Hepke (2008). "On Your Mark, Get Set, Wikipedia"! Cornerstone 2(3), 8.
5. News: Jones . Ben . 2010-07-08 . Students glued to computers turn Wikipedia into a game . https://web.archive.org/web/20120718211900/http://www.ecollegetimes.com/music/students-glued-to-computers-turn-wikipedia-into-a-game-1.2494012#.TsNA68NFuso . 2012-07-18 . College Times.
6. Stefan Thaler, Katharina Siorpaes, Elena Simperl and Christian Hofe (2011). "A Survey on Games for Knowledge Acquisition". Semantic Technology Institute International. pgs 14-17.
7. News: Walker . John . 2010-06-10 . Searching For Fun: Wikipedia Game . Rock, Paper, Shotgun.
8. News: Heidi . Stevens . Zero in on your child's lack of focus" . . 2011-08-14.
9. News: Plumez . Jacqueline Hornor . 2008-09-25 . The Career Doctor . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20160304093833/https://www.larchmontgazette.com/2008/careerdoctor/20080925careerdoccteen.html . 4 March 2016 . 16 November 2011 . Larchmont Gazette.
10. Denise Smith Amos. "500 teens converge for TechOlympics". Cincinnati Enquirer, 3/5/2010
11. News: Read . Brock . 2008-05-28 . 6 Degrees of Wikipedia . The Chronicle of Higher Education.