The Social and Communicative Aesthetic Of Gaming
In my WP2 project, I explore the external aesthetics of gaming experiences, focusing on elements that attract players to online games. To gain insights, I conducted a survey and follow-up interviews with participants who have differing views on gaming. This study revealed that, for many, gaming is not just a form of entertainment but a vital social tool. Through personal experiences and interviews, I delve into how games like League of Legends foster communication skills, teamwork, and deep social connections, enhancing both virtual and real-life interactions.
Survey:
1: What is your age range?
A. 16–20 years old
B. 21–25 years old
C. 26 years old and above
D. Refuse to answer
2: What is your gender?
A. Male
B. Female
C. Transgender
D. Nonbinary
E. Other (please specify)
F. Prefer not to say
3: Do you like online games?
A. Very much
B. Just so so
C. Don’t like it
D. Refuse to answer
4. What is the average time you spend playing online games per week?
A. Less than 5 hours
B. 5–10 hours
C. 10–15 hours
D. More than 15 hours
E. Refuse to answer
5. Approximate percentage of leisure time spent playing games
A. About and less than 25%
B. About 50%
C. Approx. 75%
D. 100% of the time
E. Refuse to answer
6. What is your main reason for playing online games?
A. To relax and have fun
B. To socialize with friends
C. To pursue achievements
D. To kill time
E. Other____
F. Refuse to answer
7. Do you think online games affect your normal life or study?
A. Yes (the benefits outweigh the disadvantages) It is conducive to broadening your horizons and activating your mind.
B. Yes (the disadvantages outweigh the advantages) It affects your study and life.
C. No effect
D. Refuse to answer
8. Do you realize or learn anything from the gaming experience? (namely, besides the game itself, what else does the game bring you?)
A. Yes
B. No
C. Refuse to answer
9. How often do you communicate with other players while gaming?
A. Always
B. Sometimes
C. Rarely
D. Never
E. Refuse to answer
The survey reveals that the majority of participants are my peers, predominantly male, and generally have a positive view of online gaming. They tend to spend varied amounts of time on gaming each week, with a significant portion dedicating about 50–75% of their leisure time to gaming. The main motivation for gaming is relaxation and fun, with socialization also playing a key role. These insights highlight the importance of both aesthetic and social aspects in attracting and retaining players in online games.
Interview:
For next step, I will select two participants with slightly opposite answers based on the survey and conduct a more in-depth interview with them. In other words, they will represent two very different groups of players.
1st Interview(who always plays game):
(1) Can you tell me a little bit about yourself, such as your age, gender, and general interests outside of gaming?
Sure. I’m currently 21 years old, female, and still in college. Aside from my love for gaming, I have many other interests outside of gaming. For example, I especially enjoy playing basketball because it makes me taller. For this reason, I usually play with my friends to exercise. In addition, I like traveling because I like to explore different cultures and landscapes and experience the diversity of the world.
(2) You mentioned that you like online games very much, can you elaborate on why you feel this way?
Of course!
I like to play the MOBA game “League of Legends” because it provides a platform to interact and compete with players from all over the world. Through gaming, I can also make friends and fight with them from different cultural backgrounds. For example, I like to play the champion Ashe, whose role is an ADC (Attack Damage Carry). Once, I was clearing a wave of minions when the enemy Jungler (name of one role) suddenly ambushed me from the bushes. I was directly hit and brought down to low health. At this time, I talked with my Support teammate (name of one role) to ask for their healing abilities to save me, allowing me to avoid a near-death situation. If you don’t communicate well with your teammates, you can’t maximize your team’s efficiency. So paying attention to the team’s rally signals and in-game chat is crucial, as this is a team game where success depends not only on individual skill but also on effective teamwork. By the way, when we work as a team, we become really close friends in game, so game can help with socialization.
(Explanation of MOBA: MOBA (Multiplayer Online Battle Arena) is a genre of online games where players control individual characters, often referred to as “heroes” or “champions,” and compete in team-based matches on a predefined map. The main objective is usually to destroy the opposing team’s base or main structure while protecting one’s own. MOBAs emphasize strategic team play, character roles, and tactical maneuvers. Popular examples include “League of Legends” and “Dota 2”.)
2nd Interview(who never plays game):
(1) Can you tell me a little bit about yourself, such as your age, gender, and general interests outside of gaming?
I’m currently 26, female, and currently working. I enjoy shopping, catching up on shows, and tweeting. In my free time at work, I often go shopping with my friends, usually talk to my coworkers about the latest TV shows, and swipe through Twitter to rejuvenate.
(2) You mentioned that you don’t like online games, can you elaborate on why you feel this way?
Because I think online games require a lot of time and effort, whereas I prefer to spend my time interacting with and experiencing the real world. For example, I like to go shopping so I can experience the various items in person and share the joy of shopping with my friends. I like to catch up on dramas so I can immerse myself in the story and go through all the emotional ups and downs with the characters. Twitter is my main way of getting information and socializing. I have no interest in online games, they are a waste of time for me.
Feedback of Interview:
From the two interviews, it’s clear that one participant is a passionate gamer, while the other views gaming as a waste of time. These contrasting perspectives highlight the varied impact of online games on individuals. Interestingly, shopping can also be seen as a form of entertainment, particularly among women who often shop in groups for social interaction. For many men, gaming serves a similar purpose, offering a means of entertainment and socializing. This comparison underscores how different activities fulfill similar social and recreational needs for different people. Certainly, for me, gaming is how I socialize.
I also love playing League of Legends. I remember one time, my friends and I formed a team to participate in a campus tournament. Initially, the five of us were just neighbors in the dormitory, but after discovering our shared love for the game, we decided to form a team. To prepare for the tournament, we agreed to finish all our homework by 8:00 p.m., ensuring we had ample time to train. However, one of us struggled with studying efficiently, so we formed study groups to help each other overcome academic difficulties. After studying, we would return to our rooms and dive into the game. When one of us played well, I would rush to his room to celebrate with a fist bump. If we lost, we would meet in the conference room to encourage each other. Over time, we became very close, not only working well together in games but also frequently meeting offline to share our lives and interests. Ultimately, regardless of the game’s outcome, we cherished the process and the bonds we formed. One fascinating aspect of the game is how our social circles expanded as friends introduced each other to the game. Gaming has become an indispensable part of my life, a primary way to relax and socialize. Through gaming, I have found fun and a bridge to build deep connections with others. This experience has made me realize that games can be an effective social tool to help us build and strengthen real-life friendships and connections.
In addition to socializing, the game has made me realize the importance of communication. In League of Legends, teamwork and communication are the keys to victory. In the game, each player has specific roles and responsibilities, and it is only through effective communication that the team can fully utilize everyone’s strengths. For example, when I play as a Jungler, I need to communicate with my teammates at all times, informing them of the enemy’s movements and when I am ready to launch an attack. Through this real-time tactical communication, we are able to adjust our strategies in time and thus gain an advantage in the battle.
One time, my team and I were in the middle of an intense match. The enemy team used a fast-advanced tactic and tried to destroy our defense tower quickly. In this situation, without timely communication and coordination, the enemy was likely to break us down one by one. I told my teammates the enemy’s location via voice chat and advised them to gather for defense. Ultimately, we managed to counterattack and turn the tide of the battle.
This experience made me realize that communication is not just about transmitting information but also a bridge for teamwork. At the same time, effectively collecting and summarizing fragmented information to other team members is equally important in games and real life. Whether it is academic discussions, work collaboration, or communication in daily life, effective communication is the key to success. For example, when reporting work, clearly presenting the report content to the leader and extracting concise bullet points will convey the content more effectively. Through games, I not only improved my communication skills but also learned how to work better in a team, and these skills have had a profound impact on my personal development and interpersonal relationships.
Reference
How to answer common job interview questions. Madison. (2024, January 17). https://madison.co.nz/2023/09/how-to-answer-common-job-interview-questions/
