Fractured Gaming Cultures - Emerging Insights Into Esports by Christine Tomlinson Hardcover

About the Book

Christine Tomlinson demonstrates how embracing and engaging with personal identity-both positively and negatively-has led gaming culture to evolve past the monolith of the stereotypical "gamer" image that exists within the popular imaginary to offer marginalized players safety and community online.

Book Synopsis

Christine Tomlinson demonstrates how embracing and engaging with personal identity-both positively and negatively-has led gaming culture to evolve past the monolith of the stereotypical "gamer" image that exists within the popular imaginary to offer marginalized players safety and community online.
In light of the dichotomy between the hegemonic ideals of who a "gamer" should be-stereotypically young, heterosexual white boys and men-and the reality of diverse gaming audiences, Tomlinson observes how marginalized players have formed their own communities grounded in shared identity and experience. These communities, she contends, allow players to produce new individual and shared gaming identities and cultures as acts of resistance and resilience, through which they can reclaim a position in an often-hostile environment and a slowly changing industry.
Ultimately, Tomlinson argues that while these alternative communities should not need to exist, they have paved the way for a fracturing of gaming culture that provides marginalized players with safe and productive outlets for discussion and community.

Review Quotes

"Toxicity has become synonymous with online gaming, yet we know little about how these behaviors impact already marginalized players and communities. Fractured Gaming Cultures by Christine Tomlinson fills this critical gap by examining how these groups navigate and experience toxic gaming cultures. While toxicity's evolving nature is alarming, this book also reveals hope: even in hostile environments, players are creating spaces where they build meaningful identities and communities. This book provides a clear-eyed look at some of today's most pressing cultural challenges in games and sheds light on possibilities for cultural change, from game players and the industry that shapes these worlds." --Rachel Kowert, Visiting Researcher at University of Cambridge, UK, and Founder of Psychgeist

About the Author

Christine Tomlinson is Assistant Professor of Games and Esports in the GAME School at Arizona State University, USA. She is also a games user experience researcher, having worked in both industry and academic settings.