Gamer rage—Children’s perspective on issues impacting losing one’s temper while playing digital games

Young video game players’ self-identified toxic gaming behaviour

“…Intense positive and negative emotional reactions will often occur during competitive games, and for many players they are a key part of gaming's appeal (e.g., Meriläinen & Ruotsalainen, 2023). These reactions can sometimes manifest as aggressive cognitions and conduct (Kahila et al, 2022;Moreau et al, 2023) which, assuming that they are expressed in a manner that is not hurtful to others or oneself, are not particularly problematic and can sometimes be argued to be morally justified and even empowering, such as when pushing back against discrimination. Both emotional reactions and aggressive conduct are distinct from intentionally malicious behaviour, although they might often appear together.…”

“…As the quotes below demonstrate, emotional outbursts could be a cause for regret, whether for crossing personal lines (Kirsti) or for spilling out of the game (Petja). Petja's story is also a reminder of how, with the player serving as a conduit and simultaneously occupying a space in both the digital and the physical world, games can reach beyond their immediate digital environment (see also Kahila et al, 2022). A common factor in both examples is that the interviewee acts before conscious thought, and immediately regrets it.…”

“…Negative affective encounters on the other hand are the kind that diminish a player's capacity to act in a game in ways that often make them feel frustrated. Studying young people's experiences of "gamer rage", Kahila et al (2022) found that, for example, repeated or unexpected failures, comparison to others, interruptions, and technical problems could serve as acute reasons for outbursts of rage, while game characteristics, the social and physical gaming environment, and daily life troubles contributed as background factors. This highlights how behaviour in games is not reducible to game design but is constructed by the different factors that make up an instance of gaming.…”

“…Verbal channelling was not the only option but releasing the affect could also take physical forms. For example, Erik mentioned that he had smashed his mouse due to (in his words) overreacting to in-game events (see also Kahila et al, 2022;Moreau et al, 2023).…”

“…Online gaming environments can be extremely affectively charged, and our interviewees almost unanimously brought up the need for self-regulation, self-reflection, and empathy. As some negative outbursts are near-automatic reactions to in-game frustrations (see also Kordyaka et al, 2020), or stem from existing causes such as having a bad day (e.g., Kahila et al, 2022), the skills to explore and regulate intense emotions brought on by gaming situations are important in preventing hostile actions.…”