Basics

monochrom introduced the concept of 'Massive Multiplayer Thumb-Wrestling' in 2004.

The principle of thumb-wrestling is simple. Two players take each others right hand and entangle their fingers - except the thumbs - forming a fist. The players then try to catch and freeze the opponent's thumb.

By forming a star, it is also possible to play the game with three or four participants. The left hands are also free to hook up with even more players. Again a connection with up to 4 players is possible. By Massive Thumb-Wrestling according to the rules described above unlimited amounts of players can connect to join a Multiplayer Thumb-Wrestling Network. As the number of players is unlimited, global thumb-wrestling may emerge through self-sustaining peer-to-peer networks and ad-hoc socializing.

monochrom offered some models to play the game and various network patterns were tested. Everybody won!

This experimental project engages low-fi sweaty-fingers-entertainment and places it in the high TCP/IP context of recent Massive Multiplayer Online Gaming. Retrogaming meets MUD goes Ego-Shooter versus The Tendon.

Featured on Slashdot, CNN and Boing-Boing. Mentioned in Wikipedia.

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Fingers on, Users! Thumbs up! Squeeze!