Motivations and Social Conventions of Online Video Game Play among Young Adult Males by Bonnie Land A Thesis submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies of The University of Manitoba in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE Faculty of Human Ecology, Department of Family Social Sciences University of Manitoba Winnipeg Copyright © 2015 by Bonnie Land 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. ii Acknowledgments I would like to take this opportunity to thank my advisor Dr. Javier Mignone (University of Manitoba), who has been very influential in my academic career path, always supportive of this thesis project, and provided excellent guidance and encouragement throughout the entire process of completing my Master’s Degree. I would also like to thank the other members of my advisory committee Dr. Karen Duncan (University of Manitoba) and Dr. Bob Travica (University of Manitoba) for their patience, expertise, and support of this thesis research project. Another big thank you goes to the Government of Manitoba, which provided funds for this research project, through the Manitoba Graduate Scholarship (MGS). I appreciate the financial support and belief in my research. A special thank you to the participants of this research study, who made this project a success. I appreciate all the time you committed to this study. iii Dedication This research paper is dedicated to the amazing people in my life who have stood by my side during this wonderful, yet very time-consuming adventure! To my fabulous parents Ronald and Valerie, who have always supported my academic goals and encouraged me to succeed. To my loving husband, Chris who has been super supportive of my path to higher education and made many sacrifices over the years so that I could achieve this major goal in my life!! To my fantastic children, Kaiden and Nolan who are the driving force behind everything I do and have been extremely understanding when “Mom has to do homework.” Thank you all and I look forward to the celebrations!! iv TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER ONE - INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................................... 1 BACKGROUND ........................................................................................................................................................... 1 PURPOSE OF RESEARCH AND RESEARCH QUESTIONS ................................................................................................ 6 CHAPTER TWO - LITERATURE REVIEW ........................................................................................................ 10 GAMING STATISTICS ................................................................................................................................................ 10 PREVIOUS STUDIES – MOTIVATIONS OF ONLINE GAMERS ....................................................................................... 13 COMMON THEMES IN THE ONLINE GAMING MOTIVATION RESEARCH ..................................................................... 20 A NEW SOCIAL WORLD ........................................................................................................................................... 21 MOTIVATIONS AND SOCIAL CONVENTIONS ............................................................................................................. 26 THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK .................................................................................................................................... 27 ADVANCING SOCIAL SCIENCE, HUMAN ECOLOGY, AND CULTURAL ECOLOGY ....................................................... 29 CHAPTER THREE - METHODOLOGY............................................................................................................... 32 ETHNOGRAPHIC RESEARCH APPROACH ................................................................................................................... 32 METHODOLOGICAL FRAMEWORK ............................................................................................................................ 33 RESEARCH TOOLS .................................................................................................................................................... 35 Consent Form ..................................................................................................................................................... 35 Individual Interview Questions .......................................................................................................................... 35 Focus Group Questions...................................................................................................................................... 36 Equipment Setup & Testing ................................................................................................................................ 36 SAMPLING STRATEGY .............................................................................................................................................. 38 Participants ........................................................................................................................................................ 38 Demographics of the Participants...................................................................................................................... 40 Recruitment ........................................................................................................................................................ 40 Site ..................................................................................................................................................................... 41 Data Gathering .................................................................................................................................................. 42 Data Storage ...................................................................................................................................................... 44 Data Analysis ..................................................................................................................................................... 44 ETHICS BOARD APPROVAL ...................................................................................................................................... 48 CHAPTER FOUR – FINDINGS .............................................................................................................................. 49 MOTIVATIONS TO PLAY ONLINE FPS GAMES .......................................................................................................... 49 SOCIAL CONVENTIONS AMONG ONLINE GAMERS .................................................................................................... 60 Greetings and Farewells .................................................................................................................................... 61 Common Game Terms ....................................................................................................................................... 62 Acceptable Gaming Practices ............................................................................................................................ 64 Fair Game Practice .......................................................................................................................................................... 64 Skill Appreciation ........................................................................................................................................................... 65 Respect Private Property ................................................................................................................................................. 66 Controversial Online Gaming Strategies ........................................................................................................... 67 Spawn Trapping .............................................................................................................................................................. 67 Hacking ..........................................................................................................................................................................