Hello!
I’m conducting research on online identity formation in video game environment. I’m looking for World of Warcraft players who would be willing to fill out this short survey (5 mins) about character customization and social interactions in the game.
I would be very thankful if you could help me out!
Without wanting to sound negative do bear in mind that you are only addressing that part of the community that goes on forums (which is itself part of the player identity) and among the forum dwellers those who choose to participate in the survey.
So a specific part of the community as opposed to the community at large. That might affect any conclusion you make from your sample.
Very true, good point! I am also getting respondents through other means (friends, community discords, subreddits…), but survey results can never be fully generalized as participating in a survey itself shows some personality traits. I think as long as I keep that in mind, I can still conduct an interesting data analysis.
I’m not quite sure I understand the question.
I aim to identify behavioral patterns based on avatar customization choices. Previous research already confirmed that video game players act differently from their physical self when “hiding” behind an avatar (known as Proteus effect) – I hope to specify how this applies to the case of WoW.
People act differently online, period. It’s easy when there’s no direct consequences.
Most people wouldn’t dare say the stuff they say online to someone’s face in real life.
Anyway, filled it out.
Some questions struck me as a bit weird, but best of luck with your research!
I think pretty much everybody on the planet knows that people act differently on the net (or cocooned in the safety of a car for instance).
Maybe I’ll be surprised and this will be groundbreaking research proving the opposite but I’ll eat my hat if there is a link between appearance and behaviour.
However, I feel that many of the available answers are not nearly as nuanced as they should probably be and are too “black and white”, specifically for example in the Agree /Disagree /cant say section.
For example, on the gnome here, I´m just another person and treated as such.
My female blood elf warlock on the other hand used to be (and often still is) a free pass to anything You could possibly want… because at their core, most video gamers are still horny little teenagers that want to believe there´s a RL girl behind the avater, even if they´re >50 and should really know better
Another thing that I forgot to mention is that I think you make the assumption that we have 1 main character. The data I filled in the survey are indeed based on the character I post on these forums as, who coincidentally is my main character as well, but it wasn’t always the main character nor are my main characters in other games created following similar logic as in WoW.