PLAYER ETHOS: THE SOCIAL CONSTRUCTION IN ONLINE GAMING

Abstract

This study investigates how the practice of playing video games is transformed into a professional activity that is not only monetized but also fosters the construction of a distinctive ethos among players. The objective is to explore how online gaming cultures reinforce characteristics that shape a shared ethos characterized by honor, prestige, and competition. Using ethnographic methods, we delved into online gaming communities and analyzed player interactions within these platforms and associated social networks. Our approach involved participant observations and interviews with players, allowing for a deeper understanding of the dynamics and practices contributing to identity and status within the online gaming world. We found that, similar to traditional professions, there is an ethic of perseverance and self-improvement that challenges players to continually reinvent themselves. This practice enables individuals to stand out and gain recognition, not just locally, but on a global scale. We observed that online gaming platforms and associated social networks function as true social schools, providing a space for personal reinvention and identity construction that transcends anonymity or financial gains, fostering a form of social ascent within the virtual community.