Between a Troll and a Hard Place: The Demand Framework’s Answer to One of Gaming’s Biggest Problems

Abstract

The demand framework is commonly used by game scholars to develop new and innovative ways to improve the gaming experience. However, the present article aims to expand this framework and apply it to problematic gaming, also known as trolling. Although still a relatively new field, research into trolling has exploded within the past ten years. However, the vast majority of these studies are descriptive in nature. The present article marries theory and trolling research by closely examining interdisciplinary empirical evidence from a single platform—video games—and applying the various forms of demands to propose a testable, dual-route model of trolling behaviour. Within the video game context, I argue the presence of two primary causal mechanisms that can lead to trolling: 1) Demand imbalance between players and the game; and 2) demand imbalance between players. The article discusses how these two types of imbalance can lead to trolling, which kinds of demands can be imbalanced, and how future researchers can use the demand framework to expand our understanding of trolling.

The toxicity of our (virtual) cities: Prevalence of dark participation in games and perceived effectiveness of reporting tools

“…There are only a handful of studies on toxic gamer cultures and many of them have been atheoretical [32]- [34]. This is further confounded by the multiplicity and diversity inherent to gaming; different types of toxicity can exist in different gaming genres [35], [36], over and above the various affordances of consoles, computers, and mobile phones [37]. With all this variety, it has been difficult for researchers trying to pin down a hard and fast definition of toxicity and the precise actions that constitute toxic behavior.…”

“…Personal insults can also fall under this category of negative online interaction, and the specifying a possible repetition criterion for trolling overlaps with the criteria used to classify something as cyberbullying [38]. Altogether, though this gives researchers plenty of resources with which to discuss and categorize online interactions as trolling or otherwise, it has left the field of trolling research largely amorphous and disjointed, spread across fields, disciplines, platforms, and populations [36].…”

Dark Participation in Games

“…There are also factors to consider relating to game play itself. Specifically, Cook (2019) notes that imbalance between the skill levels of the players and the challenge of the game (the game is too easy or too frustrating) may be a driving force for toxic behaviors.…”

Streaming into the Void: An Analysis of Microstreaming Trends and Behaviors Utilizing a Demand Framework

“…Finally, beyond the mere presence effects of streaming audiences, Cook [50] suggests that trolling behaviors are especially prevalent in online gaming environments, of which microstreaming could be included. While professional streamers might be more accustomed to being harassed by audiences (akin to professional athletes who are regularly face hostile fans), microstreamers more personally invested in their activities might struggle to cope with the social and emotional demands of hostile audiences-especially of hostilities directed at marginalized groups online [51].…”