Understanding of Social Camouflage through Monikers in Video Games and Gaming Communities

C
Christena Nippert-Eng

Primary Investigator

Overview

Although many people are not able to entirely choose the names they use in day-to-day life, they are able to choose the names they go by online. In the context of gaming, this might mean your in -game username or gamertag as well as names you use on gaming forums, when streaming, and when watching. We are interested in hearing about the reasons and experiences behind the gaming monikers you use, especially in how these names help you to achieve specific social ends, not unlike camouflage.

Description

In this study, we are interested in investigating how gamers and casters choose online monikers, and how these names are used to help achieve specific social ends, including those of (intentional) camouflage. More specifically, we are interested in name choice and identity management, given a player?s or caster?s higher level social goals.

Eligibility

You may be eligible for this study if you meet the following criteria:

  • Conditions:
    healthy
  • Age: Between 18 Years - 100 Years
  • Gender: All

Inclusion Criteria
In order to participate in the study, potential participants must be either gamers, or users of peripheral games services. These peripheral games services include but are not limited to:
Video game forums (e.g.: Reddit, games publishers communities such as Bungie.net, games news communities such as Kotaku);
Gaming communications services (e.g.: Discord); and
Streaming services (e.g.: Twitch, YouTube Gaming, and NVIDIA GameStream).
Exclusion Criteria
Must not require parental/guardian consent to participate in the study
Participants must also be able to meet for an in-person interview, though exceptions may be made for individuals of special interest who cannot make it in person, in which case a Skype interview may be considered
Additional Information:
Participants will not be paid for their participation.

Updated on 03 Aug 2023. Study ID: 1810803665

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