OU - Graduate Student Publications

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Browsing OU - Graduate Student Publications by Subject "Communication and Technology"

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    Concerning gamer identity: An examination of individual factors associated with accepting the label of gamer
    (2019-03) Howe, William; Livingston, Dalaki; Lee, Sun Kyong
    This study examined characteristics of players that self-identified as gamers. Participants (N=476) were asked to complete an online survey and provide information about their video game play. Analyses of the survey responses found support for gamers being younger, men, and playing more. We also found that some of the genres of play and technology used diverged from previous research. The two most surprising findings were that gamers preferred to play on consoles more than on computers, and massive-multiplayer online games were not the most played genre. This paper contributed to research in three ways: previous assumptions surrounding gamer identity and demographics were tested, the genre of games and method of play were examined to refine the definition of a gamer, and the implications of gamer identity were discussed.
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    ItemOpen Access
    Social exchange is in the game: Communication and resource flow in an Xbox gaming clan
    (2018) Howe, William; Lee, Sun Kyong
    This study examined the international social network of a bounded Battlefield 4 gaming clan considering social exchange theory. We found that more central members of the clan contributed more time and money to the clan than others. In addition, central members of this clan revived other members in-game more often. This study extends social exchange theory from face-to-face interaction to the virtual world, by showing communicative factors that influence online gaming networks, and to game studies by offering results applicable to online gaming clans. This study also shows how gamers engage in various social exchanges and earn central positions within the network in return for their investment of time, money, and communication.