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The Toxic Cost of Cheap Usernames: Re-Applying Friedman and Resnick's Framework in Competitive Video Game Networks

Published: 08 August 2024 Publication History

Abstract

Toxicity in video games, acting in a rude, abusive, bullying, or deliberately losing manner, ruins competitive team-based video game experiences for everyone involved. Companies are experimenting with the detection, regulation, and bans of toxic players. Regulation attempts are foiled by the ease with which players can switch accounts by creating new profiles to evade consequences.
This article applies the framework of Friedman and Resnick (2001), “The Social Cost of Cheap Pseudonyms”, to address the reputational and repetition cost of online pseudonyms in the niche environment of video game toxicity. Four potential solutions are discussed in the context of modern video game regulation: resource-intensive account set-up, paid dues, real-world identification, and a once-in-a-lifetime identification system that creates a permanent, traceable record of toxicity. The article covers the strengths, weaknesses, feasibility, implementation challenges, and player impact of the potential implementation of these solutions in video game networks.

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  • (2024)Ethical Games: Toward Evidence-Based Guidance for Safeguarding Players and DevelopersGames: Research and Practice10.1145/36852072:2(1-11)Online publication date: 29-Jul-2024

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cover image Games: Research and Practice
Games: Research and Practice  Volume 2, Issue 2
June 2024
149 pages
EISSN:2832-5516
DOI:10.1145/3613575
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Association for Computing Machinery

New York, NY, United States

Publication History

Published: 08 August 2024
Online AM: 03 June 2024
Accepted: 09 May 2024
Revised: 03 May 2024
Received: 26 September 2023
Published in GAMES Volume 2, Issue 2

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  1. Video games
  2. toxicity
  3. game cooperation
  4. usernames

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  • (2024)Ethical Games: Toward Evidence-Based Guidance for Safeguarding Players and DevelopersGames: Research and Practice10.1145/36852072:2(1-11)Online publication date: 29-Jul-2024

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