Work

Trouble in virtual heaven: Origin and consequences of social conflict in online consumption communities

Year: 2022

Type: article

Abstract: This paper analyzes social conflicts among amateur computer gamers who are playing online multiplayer games. Whereas prior research tends to focus on the passion and fun of consumption community, or negative individual consequences of gaming, our research contributes with theorization of the role of social conflicts within and across gaming communities. The empirical data consists of two data collecting phases. We develop our understanding of gaming communities and culture through virtual ethnography and netnography. Then we conduct interviews with young adult gamers who belong to six communities. Our findings show four types of social conflicts; those between casual versus competitive logics, depending on skills and power, immoral behavior, and troubles of team alignment, which are related to routinized, prerogative or transgressive conflict cultures. We discuss how the study contributes with new knowledge on consumption-mediated social conflicts and suggest a model of the relationship between conflict cultures, conflict types and implications.

Source: Journal of Consumer Culture

DOI: 10.1177/14695405221127347

Authors: Adrian Kristiansen, Frank Lindberg, Anders Tempelhaug

Institution: Nord University

Language: English

Topic: Digital Games and Media

Subfield: Sociology and Political Science

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Peace, justice, and strong institutions

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,500