Generations in Love: An Introspection on Gaming Culture and Communities

Abstract

Through an analysis of linguistic practices, this paper explores the shared and reinforced norms and standards of skill, identity, and membership that divide participants in the gaming community who have played games for most of their lives. Through the collection of ethnographic data, in the form of an interview and survey, this paper explores the emotional connection and patterns of engagement players experience with games and the gaming community. Participation in the gaming community is positioned by participants as all-encompassing- something that permeates participants’ relationships, culture, and community online and offline. Moreover, expert mastery of game mechanics was found not to be a determinant of in-group and out-group division formation. These perspectives of participants are held in contrast to online movements, such as GamerGate, and their outdated metrics for membership.