Reasons for Avatar Gender Swapping by Online Game Players

2014 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 1-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu-Jen Chou ◽  
Shao-Kang Lo ◽  
Ching-I Teng
Keyword(s):  
Social Interaction ◽  
Role Playing ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Game Playing ◽  
Online Game ◽  
Core Theme ◽  
The Core ◽  
Role Playing Games ◽  
Opposite Gender ◽  
Gender Swapping

Players of massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPG) frequently select avatars of the opposite gender, a phenomenon known as gender swapping. While this phenomenon is widely recognized, little is known about the underlying reasons. This study thus examines why players use opposite-gender avatars. Heterogeneity sampling is used to maximize information completeness. Data are obtained from interviews with 21 MMORPG players in Taiwan. The core theme identified is “increased enjoyment”, which itself integrates six more specific themes or aspects (social interaction, harassment avoidance, obtaining free gifts, fooling others, fantasy experiences and playing superior avatars) through which players derive increased enjoyment from game playing with gender-swapped avatars. This exploratory work creates a foundation for future research to develop and test hypotheses linking gender-swapping with player psychology or behavior.

Reasons for Avatar Gender Swapping by Online Game Players

2017 ◽  
pp. 202-219
Author(s):  
Yu-Jen Chou ◽  
Shao-Kang Lo ◽  
Ching-I Teng
Keyword(s):  
Social Interaction ◽  
Role Playing ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Game Playing ◽  
Online Game ◽  
The Core ◽  
Role Playing Games ◽  
Game Players ◽  
Opposite Gender ◽  
Gender Swapping

Players of massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPG) frequently select avatars of the opposite gender, a phenomenon known as gender swapping. While this phenomenon is widely recognized, little is known about the underlying reasons. This study thus examines why players use opposite-gender avatars. Heterogeneity sampling is used to maximize information completeness. Data are obtained from interviews with 21 MMORPG players in Taiwan. The core theme identified is “increased enjoyment”, which itself integrates six more specific themes or aspects (social interaction, harassment avoidance, obtaining free gifts, fooling others, fantasy experiences and playing superior avatars) through which players derive increased enjoyment from game playing with gender-swapped avatars. This exploratory work creates a foundation for future research to develop and test hypotheses linking gender-swapping with player psychology or behavior.

scholarly journals Social capital in video game studies: A scoping review

2021 ◽  
pp. 146144482110547
Author(s):  
Henry Korkeila
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Video Game ◽  
Quantitative Method ◽  
Role Playing ◽  
Game Studies ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Role Playing Games ◽  
Video Game Studies ◽  
Sphere Of Influence

This study explored how social capital has been utilized in video-game studies by conducting a scoping review. In total, 74 peer-reviewed publications were analysed from three different databases. The following aspects pertaining to social capital were analysed: definition, methodology, game or genre as stimulus, its utilization inside or outside the stimulus, whether it was the sole concept or variable, how it was utilized, whether social capital was used to predict variables or whether variables were used to predict it, and what where the predicted or predicting variables. The results of the analysis show that Putnam’s research, the quantitative method and Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games were most commonly combined. Social capital was predominantly utilized in binary form. It was utilized almost equally inside and outside the video games’ sphere of influence. The study then presents the main findings and discusses future research avenues.

Revisiting MMORPGs in Support of Learning

2019 ◽  
pp. 187-214
Author(s):  
Bodi Anderson
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Role Playing ◽  
Operational Definition ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Educational Benefits ◽  
Role Playing Games ◽  
Player Game ◽  
Recent Trends ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Education Psychology

This enhanced chapter revisits a previous literature analysis of research on the potential educational benefits of the use of massive multiplayer online role playing games (MMORPG) by considering both changes in the medium itself and recent trends in research. Initially, a working operational definition of MMORPGs in education is considered in light of research to date with a focus on how MMORPGs differ from most video games in terms of types of player-game interaction, levels of player-player interaction, and environments in which interaction occurs. Next considering previous and current theoretical and empirical studies on MMORPGs from a variety of disciplines, including education, psychology, and linguistics, a conceptual framework for the use of MMORPGs in support of learning is created. Finally, an overview of current research trends in MMORPGs is provided, concluding with suggestions concerning future research of the use of MMORPGs in support of learning.

A Review of Research on the Application of Digital Games in Foreign Language Education

2022 ◽  
pp. 1948-1971
Author(s):  
Mark Peterson ◽  
Jeremy White ◽  
Maryam Sadat Mirzaei ◽  
Qiao Wang
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Language Education ◽  
Digital Games ◽  
Role Playing ◽  
Target Language ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Role Playing Games

The use of digital games represents an expanding domain in computer-assisted language learning (CALL) research. This chapter reviews the findings of 26 learner-based studies in this area that are informed by cognitive and social accounts of SLA. The analysis shows that massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs) are the most frequently investigated game type and the majority of studies involved EFL learners in higher education. Mixed methods were the most frequent research tool utilized by researchers. Limitations of current research include the preponderance of small-scale experimental studies that investigated only a limited number of factors. Although the research is not conclusive, findings indicate that game play facilitates collaboration, the production of target language output, vocabulary learning, and reduces the influence of factors that inhibit learning. This chapter concludes by identifying promising areas for future research.

scholarly journals Performing self, performing character: Exploring gender performativity in online role-playing games

2012 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heather Osborne
Keyword(s):  
Interpersonal Relationships ◽  
Sense Of Belonging ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Role Playing ◽  
Gender And Sexuality ◽  
Online Game ◽  
Gender Performativity ◽  
Role Playing Games ◽  
Role Players ◽  
Game Environment

Online narrative (fiction-based) role-playing games and massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs) provide a ludic structure in which role players enact the gender and sexuality of their avatars. To investigate how role players perceive and perform their avatars' gender and sexuality in online games, I invited role players from MMORPGs and narrative RPGs to participate in an online survey. This study examines how the online game environment mediates players' self-expression and their acceptance of minority identities. Qualitative analysis of the data collected suggests that players who demonstrate empathy with and examination of their avatars' genders and sexualities, and who experience a sense of belonging within the game structure, are able to form positive interpersonal relationships that allow them to accept others' expressed identities.

MMORPGs in Support of Learning

2010 ◽  
pp. 55-81 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bodi Anderson
Keyword(s):  
Conceptual Framework ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Role Playing ◽  
Research Trends ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Role Playing Games ◽  
Player Game ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Education Psychology ◽  
And Linguistics

This chapter provides an overview of current massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPG) research and creates a conceptual framework for their use in support of learning. Initially, a definition of MMORPGs in education is considered in light of research to date. Here attention is paid to how MMORPGs differ from most video games in terms of types of player–game interaction, levels of player–player interaction, environments in which interaction occurs, and the ability for MMORPGs to tap into student motivation levels. Based on this definition and considering previous theoretical and empirical studies on MMORPGs from a variety of disciplines, including education, psychology, and linguistics, a conceptual framework for the use of MMORPGs in support of learning is created. Next an overview of current research trends in MMORPGs is examined, concluding with suggestions concerning future research of the use of MMORPGs in support of learning.

scholarly journals From a Video Game in a Virtual World to Collaborative Visual Analytic Tools

1970 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Theresa A. O’Connell ◽  
Yee-Yin Choong ◽  
John Grantham ◽  
Michael Moriarty ◽  
Wyatt Wong
Keyword(s):  
Video Game ◽  
Virtual World ◽  
Role Playing ◽  
Digital Natives ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Research Directions ◽  
Role Playing Games ◽  
Collaborative Game ◽  
Future Research Directions ◽  
Age Range

We investigated collaboration during a riddle-solving video game in a virtual world that drew elements from massively multiplayer online role-playing games and serious games. This disclosed benefits of collaborative game play over non-collaborative play in a virtual world. Participants were in the digital natives age range. Collaboration conditions varied over five sessions. We derived implications for accommodating collaboration in visual analytic (VA) tools. We have determined future research directions with respect to borrowing from video games to design VA tools that accommodate the unique characteristics of digital natives who become information analysts as evidenced during collaboration in a virtual world.

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