Abstract
Research in toxic behaviors in online video game spaces has revealed factors influencing their frequency, but specific communication features’ effect on toxicity remains to be investigated. This work explored relationships between multiplayer online game features, online disinhibition, and toxic behaviors; and introduced Communication Restriction Types (CRT), a new categorical system that qualifies barriers of entry and usage requirements for communication features in games. Surveying 306 players across five different games, this study measured self-reported tendencies to exhibit toxic behaviors and individual levels of online disinhibition. Regression analysis supported research that toxic disinhibition affects toxic behaviors. Additional analysis on toxic behaviors on a per-feature basis revealed that pings specifically are abused for toxic behaviors above most other communication feature methods.
Degree Date
Spring 2024
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
M.I.T.
Department
Production
Advisor
Elizabeth Stringer
Second Advisor
Mario Rodriguez
Format
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 4.0 License
Recommended Citation
Ramirez, Alejandro, "Multiplayer game features and how they influence online disinhibition and toxic behaviors" (2024). Production Theses and Dissertations. 4.
https://scholar.smu.edu/guildhall_production_etds/4
