Red 5 Studio’s MMO shooter game Firefall is still working its way through the stages of a beta and right now it’s a highly freeform, sandbox styled game. As a result, it also contains numerous dynamic events. Additionally, much advancement in the game requires resource gathering and management and this is done with an activity called “thumping.” This resource gathering event is imitated by players and appears on the radar of the map—informing other players that its happening—and being around when someone is thumping encourages others to participate by rewarding them with experience and resources. The folks at MMO Anthropology have written up an essay on the practice and strategies developed.

Link, via MMO Anthropology and YouTube.