Toxic Geek Masculinity in Media

Salter, Anastasia; Blodgett, Bridget

doi:10.1007/978-3-319-66077-6

Cited by 161 publications

(61 citation statements)

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“…Our finding is consistent with other scholarship identifying sexist beliefs among gamers (Fox and Tang, 2014) and links between gamer culture and toxic masculinity (e.g. Braithwaite, 2016; Consalvo, 2012; Salter and Blodgett, 2017). Furthermore, embracing this salient identity and engaging in hostile behavior within an MMO is consistent with the predictions of SIDE (Lea and Spears, 1991).…”

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 92%

“…Indeed, several studies have found negative social interaction to be common within online games (Ballard and Welch, 2017; Cote, 2017; Fox and Tang, 2017; Gray, 2012) and more broadly in gamer culture (Braithwaite, 2014; Consalvo, 2012; Salter and Blodgett, 2017). Researchers have adopted several terms to cover the scope of negative social interaction, which may include hostile comments, exclusion, and interfering with the target’s goals (Gray, 2012; Kuznekoff and Rose, 2013; Tang and Fox, 2016).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Player experiences in a massively multiplayer online game: A diary study of performance, motivation, and social interaction

Fox¹,

Gilbert

Tang

2018

New Media & Society

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Video game researchers have struggled to capture players’ personal experiences in natural gaming contexts. We used longitudinal diary methods to examine the everyday experiences of new and experienced players within a massively multiplayer online game, Team Fortress 2. Participants (N = 38) completed diaries about gameplay and negative social interactions such as trash-talking and harassment. Themes included frustrating play and performance as motivator, as well as six themes regarding social interaction: skill disparagement, fairweather friends, toxic masculinity, vicious cycles, “kicking” players, and reporting differences. Some findings supported existing research; others challenge previous research using other methods. We discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using diary methods in video game research.

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Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 92%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Player experiences in a massively multiplayer online game: A diary study of performance, motivation, and social interaction

Fox¹,

Gilbert

Tang

2018

New Media & Society

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“…Indeed, the masculinist gaming community has been hyper self-conscious of its cultural identity, and with the advent of #GamerGate, online forums and social media such as Twitter have fueled a discourse rife with the cultural work of attempting “status, power, or stigma management” (Jones, 2012, p. 96). Such concern for power and stigma management derives from how masculinity in gaming pairs traditionally masculine topics (sports, death, and violence) with technical mastery and hacking skill previously maligned as part of nerd culture (Burrill, 2008), a point also elaborated by Salter and Blodgett (2017, p. 47). In this geek culture, technology itself is fetishized, thus privileging technological knowledge and proficiency in a way that “places video games within a wider sphere of masculinist discourse,” according to Newman and Vanderhoef (2016, p. 382).…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

One Year of #GamerGate: The Shared Twitter Link as Emblem of Masculinist Gamer Identity

2019

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Since the #GamerGate controversy erupted in 2014, anti-feminist gamers continue to lash out at feminists and supporters of progressive and inclusive gaming content. A key strategy in this discourse is the sharing of content via links on Twitter, which accompany messages positioning the sender on either side of the debate. Through qualitative analysis of a data set drawn from 1,311 tweets from 2016 to 2017, we argue that tweeted links are a salient tool for signaling affiliation with gaming communities. For anti-feminist gamers, the tweeted link defines masculinist gamer identity and constructs social boundaries against the increasing diversification of video game culture reflected in higher overall rates of feminist tweets. Links can be construed as revelatory of boundary work and thus can help shed insight on the extent to which #GamerGate discourse was intended to defend gaming culture as an exclusively masculine space.

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“…The tenets, challenges, and consequences of masculinity have, in recent times, become a popular topic of discussion concerning the culture industries, especially the toxicity of “geek masculinity” (Nicholas & Agius, 2017; Salter & Blodgett, 2017) within digital games. From analysis on the relationship between technology and masculinity (Kocurek, 2015), to performances of masculinity in player communities (Skolnik & Conway, 2017), and the contemporary irruption of GamerGate (Chess & Shaw, 2015), commentators have ruminated upon the various catalysts which can turn masculinity toxic.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Poisonous Pantheons: God of War and Toxic Masculinity

Conway

2019

Games and Culture

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Kratos, protagonist of God of War (2005–current), is an archetypal representation of toxic masculinity. For much of the series, his rage drives much of the narrative and game dynamics, as Kratos destroys the entire Greek pantheon. The latest iteration of the series moves Kratos into Norse mythology and introduces a son. This father–son relationship allows the developers to ruminate upon the toxic masculinity that has defined much of the series’ past. Kratos’ trajectory moves from the flatness of one defining characteristic, rage, to an introspective consideration of this emotion and its consequences. A parabolic supporting cast set the stage, each illustrating an aspect of toxicity; as explored, the mother–son relationship between Freya and her son, Baldur, is given a poignant twist. Overall, this article investigates how God of War articulates characteristics of toxic masculinity, explores its repercussions, and offers lessons for its rehabilitation.

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Toxic Geek Masculinity in Media

Cited by 161 publications

References 0 publications

Player experiences in a massively multiplayer online game: A diary study of performance, motivation, and social interaction

Player experiences in a massively multiplayer online game: A diary study of performance, motivation, and social interaction

One Year of #GamerGate: The Shared Twitter Link as Emblem of Masculinist Gamer Identity

Poisonous Pantheons: God of War and Toxic Masculinity

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