• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.187-197
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• 2022

This study examined the effects of game genre, news media with differing political ideologies, and game-related information sources on gamer issue participation by performing a hierarchical regression model, using an online survey on Korean gamers (N=1,362). As a result of the study, playing specific genres of games played a positive role in gamer issue participation. The group behavior or collective action for or against game regulation reported in the liberal/moderate media acted as a mobilization cue for readers and potentially encouraged gamers to take social action. But the conservative media, which used governmental organizations and interest groups as sources of information, had a negative impact on real-life participatory behavior. The biased journalism practice of the mass media on game-related social issues influenced gamers' social and political behavior through corrective action. This study is significant in empirically analyzing the relationship between political ideology, game genre, media use, and gamers' social participation. The current research suggests the improvement of game regulation policy and the need for theoretical and conceptual expansion of game research.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.22 no.9
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• pp.95-103
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• 2022

This study aims to understand a gamer participatory mechanism by comparing Gamer Participation 1.0(Bartz Liberation War) and Gamer Participation 2.0(Truck Demonstration). The process of gamers' political participation is analyzed by applying the communication-mediated O-S-O-R model with the case of gamers' truck protests caused by probability items' issue. This study found out that changes in the social, technological, and discursive layers that constitute the gamer's communication ecology led to diversification of communication channels and changes in the perception of games. Gamers utilized the technological layer of the media environment that presupposes immediate mutual communication, expressed opinions on issues in the mobilization process, and shared the necessity of participation to derive collective mobilization. Through communication, gamers were able to participate in socio-political issues with high participation thresholds. This study is significant in that it discussed the gamers' democratic citizenship and role as issue publics. The study suggests that the need for theoretical and methodological expansion to analyze various participatory cases.

• THE INTERNATIONAL COMMERCE & LAW REVIEW
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• v.26
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• pp.285-313
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• 2005

Online game business has emerged as the most lucrative entertainment industry, with over 10 million players in South Korea and over 30 million in Japan in 2005. The popularity of online games can be attributed to the availability of broadband network, pushing online games into the mainstream entertainment culture. The age distribution of online game players is expanding and a variety of new games are under development to target certain age groups. While the interactive entertainment market continues to expand, with many new online game publishers entering Japan, relatively little is known about which factors influence online game players' behavioral intentions to play continuously in this area. It appears that in this extremely attractive and growing services segment, academics, as well as practitioners, would benefit from investigating the difference, among the types of players, in demographic and social trends, perceptions related to game-design factors, and attitude toward the games. Based on data collected from online questionnaire survey, the differences between hardcore and casual players have been analyzed, and interesting conclusions have been provided concerning the online-game design and development strategies for Japan online-game players.

• Journal of Korea Game Society
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.63-74
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• 2017

The study examined how the fun elements of online games and gamers' self-construals affected their flow experience and loyalty to games, focusing on the comparison between the social gamers and the asocial gamers. Results showed that, first, there were significant differences between the two groups in the respective fun elements of achievement, challenge, and closeness; second, differences of gamers' self-construals were found in game environment rather than lifeworld environment; third, the flow experience and game loyalty of social gamers were higher than those of asocial gamers; finally, there were significant differences between the two groups in the effects of the fun elements and gamers' self-construals on their flow experience and game loyalty.

• The Journal of Industrial Distribution & Business
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.63-72
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• 2018

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of online game properties, social interaction, and player satisfaction on intention to online games in Chinese gamers. Research design, data, and methodology - This study is an empirical analysis assuming that properties of online games, social interaction and satisfaction will induce Chinese gamers' intention to play online games. We set the relationship between the six variables as follows. First, the properties of online games, exogenous variables, were identified by three factors: entertainment, security, participation and challenge. Second, we had input social interaction among gamers as another exogenous variables. Third, the gamer's satisfaction of online games was added to the research model as a mediating variable between exogenous variables and endogenous variables. Finally, gamer's intention to play influenced by satisfaction and social interaction was used as final endogenous variable. The data used for the empirical analysis were collected through questionnaires for Chinese under age 35 who enjoy the online games. The data used in the research were finally extracted from 195 questionnaires. The collected data were tested through the analysis of the measurement model (Step 1) and the analysis of the structural model (Step 2). The covariance structure equation model (SEM) was used for the analysis. The measurement model and structural model were evaluated by the maximum likelihood method. Results - The results of the empirical analysis are as follows. The satisfaction of online games were entertainment and security had a significant effect to satisfaction; but participation and challenge and social interaction had no significant effect on satisfaction. The social interaction among gamers and the satisfaction with online games have a significant influence on the intention to play online games. As a result, the attributes of the game were affecting the intention to play the game after satisfaction. Social interaction influenced the intention to play online games rather than satisfaction itself. Conclusions - This study provide some practical implications for the new companies who want to enter the online game industry and seek to competitiveness in China, and provide theoretical implications on the role of interaction among gamers in the study of online games.

• Journal of Korea Game Society
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.61-74
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• 2020

Northeast Asia accounts for half of the world game market, worth $ 152.1 billion, and has abundant growth potential. Early e-sports in Korea could be formed through the distribution of affects of active participation of gamers and fans. Since then, the establishment of a corporate team has continued, securing stability as an industry. However, mediation rights, intellectual property disputes, and game manipulations continue, leading to a massive escaped of early fandom and the collapse of StarCraft-based ecosystems.

• Journal of Korea Game Society
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.95-108
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• 2021

This study explored the motivation for adolescents to watching games and analyzed the relationship between motivation, satisfaction, and intention to use. The study surveyed 274 middle and high school students, and the results of the analysis are as follows. First, five motivations for adolescents to watching games were extracted: 'Acquire Information', 'Social Relations/Multitasking', 'Gamer/Creator Preference', 'Escape/Habit', and 'Vicarious Satisfaction/Fun'. Second, 'Vicarious Satisfaction/Fun' motivation influenced the satisfaction and the intention to use of game. Lastly, Groups based on usage showed differences in motivation. The findings could be used as data to explore the factors of adolescents's game motivation and viewed the game markets.

• Cartoon and Animation Studies
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• s.29
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• pp.129-149
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• 2012

The purpose of this study was to investigate the clustering and Big Five Personality domains in discriminating groups by level of school-related adjustment, as experienced by Social Sims game users. Social Games are based on web that has simple rules to play in fictional time and space background. This paper is to analyze the relationships between social networks and user behaviors through the social games . In general, characteristics of social games are simple, fun and easy to play, popular to the public, and based on personal connections in reality. These features of social games make themselves different from video games with one player or MMORPG with many unspecific players. Especially Social Game show a noticeable characteristic related to social learning. The object of this research is to provide a possibility that game that its social perspective can be strengthened in social game environment and analyze whether it actually influences on problem solving of real life problems, therefore suggesting its direction of alternative play means and positive simulation game. Data was collected by administering 4 questionnaires (the short version of BFI, Satisfaction with life, Career Decision-.Making Self-.Efficacy, Depression) to the participants who were 20 people in Seoul and Daejeon. For the purposes of the data analysis, both Stepwise Discriminant analysis and Cluster analysis was employed. Neuroticism, Openness, Conscientiousness within the Big Five Personality domains were seen to be significant variables when it came to discriminating the groups. These findings indicated that the short version of the BFI may be useful in understanding for game user behaviors When it comes to cultural research, digital game takes up a significant role. We can see that from the fact that game, which has only been considered as a leisure activity or commercial means, is being actively research for its methodological, social role and function. Among digital game's several meanings, one of the most noticeable ones is the research on its critical, social participating function. According to Jame Paul gee, the most important merit of game is 'projected identity'. This means that experiences from various perspectives is possible.[1] In his recent autobiography , he described gamer as an active problem solver. In addition, Gonzalo Francesca also suggested an alternative game developing method through 'game that conveys critical messages by strengthening critical reasons'. [2] They all provided evidences showing game can be a strong academic tool. Not only does a genre called social game exist in the field of media and Social Network Game, but there are also some efforts to positively evaluate its value Through these kinds of researches, we can study how game can give positive influence along with the change in its general perception, which would eventually lead to spreading healthy game culture and enabling fresh life experience. This would better bring out the educative side of the game and become a social communicative tool. The object of this game is to provide a possibility that the social aspect can be strengthened within the game environment and analyze whether it actually influences the problem solving of real life problems. Therefore suggesting it's direction of alternative play means positive game simulation.

• Asia pacific journal of information systems
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.69-98
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• 2009

We investigated what factors motivate gamers to participate in a guild and why they continue to be engaged as members of the guild. We find that, based on the result of focus group interviews with MMORPG gamers, social support and self-esteem factors play important roles. Considering both prior research and the focus group interviews we have conducted, we define social support and character control as independent variables. Character identity, guild identity, and self-esteem are proposed as mediating variables while guild flow and game loyalty as dependent variables. Accordingly, we develop the research model and hypotheses, and verify them empirically. Based on our experiences of playing the WoW game, we proposed a research model and conducted focus-group interviews (FGIs). FGIs involve formulating a hypothesis and then collecting some relevant data. FGIs were conducted face-to-face with students of C University in Korea. We formulated structured interview schedules, and the questions were based on our research variables and personal experiences. The questions for the interviews encompassed the following areas: (a) the demographic characteristics of the focus group; (b) the number of years for which respondents had played online games; (c) the motive for starting a game; (d) the number of game-characters assumed by each gamer; (e) the type of game played; and (f) other issues such as the reasons for involvement in the play, the willingness to reuse the game in case new versions were released, etc. On average, it took two hours to interview each of three groups. A primary set of FGIs was conducted with three groups on the premise that there would be some differences caused by character race (Horde vs. Alliance) or by playable server (Normal vs. Combat). With respect to the manner of playing, we found that guild members shared information, felt a sense of belonging, and played computer games for quite a long time through the guild; however, they did not undergo these experiences when playing alone. Gamers who belonged to a specific guild helped other players without expecting compensation for that, freely shared information about the game, gave away items for free, and more generous with other members who made mistakes. The guild members were aware of the existence other members and experienced a sense of belonging through interactions with, and evaluations from, other players. It was clear that social support was shown within the guild and that it played an important role as a major research variable. Based on the results of the first FGIs, a second set of in-depth FGIs was carried out with a focus on the psychology of the individual within the guild and the social community of the guild. The second set of FGIs also focused on the guild's offline meetings. Gamers, over all, recognize the necessity of joining a community, not only off-line but also online world of the guild. They admit that the guild is important for them to easily and conveniently enjoy playing online computer games. The active behavior and positive attitudes of existing guild members can motivate new members of the guild to adapt themselves to the guild environment. They then adopt the same behaviors and attitudes of established guild members. In this manner, the new members of the guild strengthen the bonds with other gamers while feeling a sense of belonging, and developing social identity, thereby. It was discovered that the interaction among guild members and the social support encouraged new gamers to quickly develop a sense of social identity and increase their self-esteem. The guild seemed to play the role of socializing gamers. Sometimes, even in the real world, the guild members helped one another; therefore, the features of the guild also spilled over to the offline environment. We intend to use self-esteem, which was found through the second set of FGIs, as an important research variable. To collect data, an online survey was designed with a questionnaire to be completed by WoW gamers, who belong to a guild. The survey was registered on the best three domestic game-sites: 'WoW playforum,' 'WoW gamemeca,' and 'Wow invent.' The selected items to be measured in the questionnaire were decided based on prior research and data from FGIs. To verify the content of the questionnaire, we carried out a pilot test with the same participants to point out ambiguous questions as a way to ensure maximum accuracy of the survey result. A total of 244 responses were analyzed from the 250 completed questionnaires. The SEM analysis was used to test goodness-of-fit of the model. As a result, we found important results as follows: First, according to the statistics, social support had statistically significant impacts on character control, character identity, guild identity and self-esteem. Second, character control had significant effects on character identity, guild identity and self-esteem. Third, character identity shows its clear impact on self-esteem and game loyalty. Fourth, guild identity affected self-esteem, guild flow and game loyalty. Fifth, self-esteem had a positive influence on the guild flow. These days, the number of virtual community is rising along with its significance largely because of the nature of the online games. Accordingly, this study is designed to clarify the psychological relationship between gamers within the guild that has been generally established by gamers to play online games together. This study focuses on the relationships in which social support influences guild flow or game loyalty through character control, character identity, guild identity, and self-esteem, which are present within a guild in the MMORPG game environment. The study results are as follows. First, the effects of social support on character control, character identity, guild identity and self-esteem are proven to be statistically significant. It was found that character control improves character identity, guild identity and self-esteem. Among the seven variables, social support, which is derived from FGIs, plays an important role in this study. With the active support of other guild members, gamers can improve their ability to develop good characters and to control them. Second, character identity has a positive effect on self-esteem and game loyalty, while guild identity has a significant effect on self-esteem, guild flow and game loyalty. Self-esteem affects guild flow. It was found that the higher the character and guild identities become, the greater the self-esteem is established. Contrary to the findings of prior research, our study results indicate that the relationship between character identity and guild flow is not significant. Rather, it was found that character identity directly affects game players' loyalty. Even though the character identity had no direct effect on increasing guild flow, it has indirectly affected guild flow through self-esteem. The significant relationship between self-esteem and guild flow indicates that gamers achieve flow, i.e., a feeling of pleasure and excitement through social support. Several important implications of this study should be noted. First, both qualitative and quantitative methods were used to conduct this study. Through FGIs, it was observed that both social support and self-esteem are important variables. Second, because guilds had been rarely studied, this research is expected to play an important role in the online community. Third, according to the result, six hypotheses (H1, H5, H6, H7, H8, and H11) setup based on FGIs, were statistically significant; thus, we can suggest the corresponding relationships among the variables as a guideline for follow-up research. Our research is significant as it has following implications: first, the social support of the guild members is important when establishing character control, character identity, guildidentity and self-esteem. It is also a major variable that affects guild flow and game loyalty. Second, character control when improved by social support shows notable influence on the development of character identity, guild identity and self-esteem. Third, character identity and guild identity are major factors to help establish gamers' own self-esteem. Fourth, character identity affects guild flow through self-esteem and game loyalty. The gamers usually express themselves through characters; the higher character identity is, the more loyalty a gamer has. Fifth, guild identity, established within the guild, has clear effects on self-esteem, guild flow and game loyalty. Sixth, qualitative and quantitative methods are employed to conduct this study. Based on the results of focus group interviews and SEM analysis, we find that the social support by guild members and psychological factors are significant in strengthening the flow of guild and loyalty to the game. As such, game developers should provide some extra functions for guild community, through which gamers can play online games in collaboration with one another. Also, we suggest that positive self-esteem which is built up through social support can help gamers achieve higher level of flow and satisfaction, which will consequently contribute to minimizing the possibility for the players to develop negative attitude toward the guild they belong to.

• Proceedings of the Korean Operations and Management Science Society Conference
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• 2005.10a
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• pp.133-164
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• 2005

Mobile games have emerged as the most innovative entertainment technology, adding new revenue streams, taking advantage of the potential of wireless applications and service offerings. Mobile games, like any other types of computer game, offer a unique value for users in providing an exciting digital experience in virtual worlds. Players can become empowered through the development of new characters and strategies within games to achieve rewarding successes against the computers and other players. The overall trend for mobile games is towards bigger, more colorful, more involving and exciting contents, which will build upon the developing capabilities of mobile phones and networks in order to bring new styles, concepts and experiences of game play to the users. In this paper, we attempt to investigate the demographic factors which play critical roles in determining the level of playing times; classify mobile gamers based on their motives for playing games; and empirically test differences in their demographic factors and mobile game usage. Statistical results show that significant differences in playing times exist, depending upon their age, gender, mobile device, mobile phone usage, mobile game experiences, and preferred games genres. Applying Factor analysis, we have identified Escape, Social interaction, Challenge and Competition, Fantasy, Diversion and Relaxation, Ease of Accessibility as key motivators for playing mobile games. Additional cluster analysis shows that the categorization of gamers, according to their usage habits and the key motivators for playing, can be made as follows: M-gamers, Multi-gamers and Communication-focused gamers. Further correlation of these grouping with socio-economic data shows the significant differences in gaming habits and patterns of mobile phone use.