Community in Online Computer Games Why study Internet-based multiplayer computer games? While some may consider computer games a childish phenomenon or perhaps even profoundly evil, in reality, computer games, or electronic games in general, are an integral part of our contemporary culture, just like literature and film. Computer games are already a part of many people's everyday life, and their popularity continually grows. As a scholar of communication sciences, I'm interested in the social interaction evident in these games. My aim is to discover what possibilities for social interaction these games offer, and what the players make of those possibilities. My focus, therefore, is in the actions of the players, but I also look at the functionality of the game as a medium. The purpose of these pages is to operate as a window to my research. These pages are meant especially for the people who are somehow involved in the research I undertake. I'm also always open to feedback: just use the e-mail address provided in the contact information in the right column of this page. I'm working as a senior assistant, Ph.D. at the Department of Communication, University of Jyväskylä. My research interests concern social interaction in online multiplayer games, a topic of which I have written a doctoral thesis. I am currently interested in players' experiences and expectations concerning leadership communication. copyright 2004 - 2009 Marko Siitonen |
Contact information:
|