• Korean journal of communication and information
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• v.62
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• pp.51-73
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• 2013

This study is an attempt to find out the meaning of game to middle-aged women who enjoy internet web board game as part of the leisure. In order to discover the perceptions and emotions of middle-aged women regarding game, in-depth interviews with the five women of 48 to 63-year-old were conducted. The results are: First, the web board games to middle-aged women is an opposition of labor, but at the same time a part of day-long procedure of labor. Second, most middle-aged women are not in an autonomous environment where they can pursue active hobbies. Third, middle-aged women do not tolerate sacrificing money or housework on game because the web board games are regarded as a worthless activity. Finally, middle-aged women do not transform the existing social relationships into online relationships, nor form new social relationships through internet. Based on these results, we could draw a rough picture overviewing the gaming experience of middle-aged women, which has been more or less ignored in academic field. game experiences; middle-aged women; web board game; leisure/labor; game culture;

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.21 no.8
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• pp.195-204
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• 2020

The purpose of this study was to explore factors associated with smartphone dependence among adults in their 20s. The data were derived from the 2017 Survey on Smartphone Over-dependence conducted by the Ministry of Science and ICT and the National Information Society Agency. There were 3,684 participants. The data were analyzed by frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, independent t-test, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and weighted hierarchical multiple regression analysis. For the results, factors related with higher smartphone dependence of participants were duration (β=.18, p=.000) and frequency (β=.04, p=.000) of usage, gaming (β=.15, p=.000), watching videos (β=.09, p=.000), mobile shopping (β=.05, p=.000), working (β=.05, p=.010), e-mailing (β=.13, p=.000), and sports betting (β=.07, p=.000). Music (β=-.07, p=.000) and adult content (β=-.07, p=.000) significantly reduced their smartphone dependence. SNS (Social Networking Services) (β=.01, p=.358) and instant messengers (β=-.02, p=.330) were not factors related to smartphone dependence. However, instant messengers were the most used by participants and had a strong correlation with working (r=.55, p=.000). This study shows that smartphone usage patterns related with smartphone dependence among adults in their 20s are different from those of children and adolescents. These results could be used to more deeply understand smartphone dependence among adults in their 20s and plan early detection and prevention and care of dependence.

• Korean Journal of Culture and Social Issue
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.331-352
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• 2022

This study used a latent growth curve models(LGCM) to examine longitudinal changes in youth's game usage, self-control and the longitudinal mediation effect of adaptive game use in the relationship between game usage and self-control. A four-year longitudinal data of 863 adolescents from the Game User Panel Survey, provided through participation in the 2019 Game User Panel Research Conference hosted by the Korea Creative Contents Agency, was used to verify the longitudinal mediation effect of adaptive game use. SPSS 21 was used to verify the normality of variables from each wave, and to conduct correlation analysis. Mplus 6.12 was used to verify the longitudinal mediation effect. The results are as follows. First, game usage, self-control and adaptive game yielded linear temporal growth. Second, latent growth curve models showed that the direct effect of game usage on self-control was insignificant, but game usage had a significant indirect effect on self-control through adaptive game use. Continuous adaptive gaming increased self-control. Third, sobel test results showed that both the initial value and change rate of adaptive game use had a full-mediation effect, confirming the longitudinal mediation effect. This study verified the longitudinal change of self-control affected by change in game usage and adaptive game use.

• Korean Journal of Culture and Social Issue
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.275-304
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• 2023

This study aimed to examine the mechanisms underlying digital game usage behavior by applying the Theory of Planned Behavior and the Balance Theory. It investigated the influences of attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control on the intention to use digital games, as well as the differences in the application of the Theory of Planned Behavior model based on the balance state among individuals, significant others, and digital games. A total of 315 responses from adult PC game users were collected through an online survey conducted from October 21 to 25, 2021, and were analyzed using multiple regression analysis. The results revealed that attitude and perceived behavioral control had a significant positive impact on the intention to continue using digital games, while subjective norms did not exert a significant influence. By categorizing groups into balanced, unbalanced, and imbalance states based on the balance relationship, the application of the Theory of Planned Behavior model showed that in the unbalanced and imbalance groups, both perceived behavioral control and attitude had a positive impact on the intention to continue using digital games. However, in the balanced group, attitude only had a positive impact on the intention to continue game usage. This study contributes to understanding digital game users by examining both individual psychological factors and the influence of others on digital game usage behavior.

• Journal of Internet Computing and Services
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.79-92
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• 2024

ChatGPT, as a representative chatbot leveraging generative artificial intelligence technology, is used valuable not only in scientific and technological domains but also across diverse sectors such as society, economy, industry, and culture. This study conducts an explorative analysis of user sentiments and needs for ChatGPT by examining global social media discourse on Reddit. We collected 10,796 comments on Reddit from December 2022 to August 2023 and then employed keyword analysis, sentiment analysis, and need-mining-based topic modeling to derive insights. The analysis reveals several key findings. The most frequently mentioned term in ChatGPT-related comments is "time," indicative of users' emphasis on prompt responses, time efficiency, and enhanced productivity. Users express sentiments of trust and anticipation in ChatGPT, yet simultaneously articulate concerns and frustrations regarding its societal impact, including fears and anger. In addition, the topic modeling analysis identifies 14 topics, shedding light on potential user needs. Notably, users exhibit a keen interest in the educational applications of ChatGPT and its societal implications. Moreover, our investigation uncovers various user-driven topics related to ChatGPT, encompassing language models, jobs, information retrieval, healthcare applications, services, gaming, regulations, energy, and ethical concerns. In conclusion, this analysis provides insights into user perspectives, emphasizing the significance of understanding and addressing user needs. The identified application directions offer valuable guidance for enhancing existing products and services or planning the development of new service platforms.

• Information Systems Review
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.15-39
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• 2007

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. 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: Multi-gamers, Communication-focused gamers and Mobile active-gamers. Further correlation of these grouping with socio-economic data shows the significant differences in gaming habits and patterns of mobile phone use.

• Journal of Information Technology Services
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.149-164
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• 2014

The laws and policies governing Korea's game regulations are becoming more and more topics for debate as we enter the Age of Internet. The nature of the basis for Internet regulations and policies are not rooted in freedom of speech or fundamental values of democracy, but rather focused on solving real-world problems such as protection of the youth. Furthermore, the reality is that regulatory devices for keeping the social order such as regulating gambling are being applied directly to games without consideration on the characteristics of Internet gaming, raising concerns that the expansion of constitutional values and innovative empowerment inherent to the Internet are being weakened. The Geun-Hye Park Administration which succeeded Myung-Bak Lee's Administration, even went so far as to implement the so-called "Shutdown Policy", which prohibits access to Internet games during pre-defined time zones and also instigated a time zone selection rule. In order to curb the gambling nature of Internet games, government-led policies such as the mandatory personal identification and prohibition of player selection or in other words mandatory random player selection are being implemented. These institutions can inhibit freedom of speech, which is the basis of democracy, violate the right of equality through unreasonable discrimination between domestic and foreign service providers, and infringe upon the principles of administrative law, such as laws, due process in policies, and balance in among policies and governmental bodies. Going forward, if Korea's Internet game regulations and polices is to develop in a rational manner, regulatory frameworks will need to be designed to protect the nature of the Internet and its innovative values that enable the realization of constitutional values; for example, the Internet acting as the "catalytic media for freedom of expression as a fundamental human right ", which has already been acknowledged by the Korea's Constitutional Court. At the same time, transparent procedures should be put into place that will allow diverse participation of stakeholders including game service providers, game users, the youth and parents in the legislation and enforcement process of regulatory institutions; policies will also need to be transformed to enable not only regulatory laws but also self-regulation system to be established. And in this process, scientific and empirical analysis on the expected effects before introducing regulations and the results of enforcing regulations after being introduced will need to be strengthened.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.104 no.4
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• pp.657-667
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• 2015

This study examined the effectiveness of 'Forest Therapy (FT)' from the biological, neurocognitive and psychosocial perspectives. Adolescents who were classified as potential internet addicts took part in a FT program for two (once or twice) or three days. Before and after participating the program, Serum Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), Comprehensive Attention Test (CAT), Children's Depression Inventory (CDI), and State Anxiety Inventory (STAI) were measured. It was found that FT led to positive consequences, indicated by increased serum BDNF, improved CAT performance, reduced internet use desire, greater resilience, and better social relationship. In addition, FT was partially effective in alleviating state anxiety level, when the participants were classified in accordance with FT exposure lengths. Overall, this study provides evidence that FT reduces symptoms related to internet addiction and promotes various qualities required for well-being.

• Cartoon and Animation Studies
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• s.20
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• pp.75-86
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• 2010

Recently, as the number of female players has increased rapidly, the electronic gaming industry has begun to look at ways to appeal to the largely untapped female market. According to the latest game market investigative report by China Internet Network Information Center (CNNIC), the total number of game players in China increased by 24.8% in 2009, reached 69,130,000 people, and 38.9% of them are female players. This growth in the number of female player is corroborated by a series of investigative reports from IResearch Company in Shanghai, China: from 2003 to 2009, the number of female players grew from 8% to more than 49%. Therefore, no matter how much attention the game production companies have given to male players or how they have ignored the female players before, the companies would be sensible to face up this reality and adjust their marketing policy a bit more. This article analyzes gender preferences in video games which shows that male players are more likely to be attracted to elements of aggression, violence, competition and fast action in electronic game-playing, while female players are drawn to emotional and social aspects of the games such as an understanding of character relationships. The literatures cited indicates that female players also show apparent preference for games with familiar environments, games that allow players to work together, games that have more than one way to win, and games in which characters do not die. It also discusses the characteristics of female-friendly games from the aspect of emotion, pointing out that the simulation games involving pet, dressing-up, and social simulation games are very popular with female players. Because these are the most suitable game types to fill with emotions of love, share, jealousy, superiority, mystery, these are absolutely attractive to female players. Finally, in accord with the above, I propose some principles of designing female-oriented games, including presenting a good-looking leading character, making the story interesting with "live" NPCs(Non-Playing Characters), and finding ways to satisfy female nature instincts such as taking care of others and the inborn interest of classifying and selecting.