Motivations and social conventions of online video game play among young adult males
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Date
2015-04-06
Authors
Land, Bonnie
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Abstract
This study sought to understand: Why do young men play online games? How are the social aspects of the online gaming community governed? How is this virtual gaming world connected to the real world? The study explored the motivations and social conventions in online first person shooter games, and how they impact each other. As well, this study examined the relationship between this virtual world and the real physical world.
A group of six young males between the ages of 18-30 years shared, in-depth, their opinions during individual interviews and a focus group discussion. First hand data were observed and collected during live online video gaming sessions. The data were coded and sorted according to themes in order to identify coding groups. The data revealed several motivating factors to play online first person shooter games, which are discussed in detail. As well, the research provided a better understanding of the social conventions in the online gaming community and how motivating factors and social conventions influence and impact one another. Many different ways in which this virtual environment is connected to the real world were discovered and many different factors can carry over into real life, such as relationships and money.
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Keywords
motivations, conventions, norms, online, gaming