Rage in video gaming, characteristics of loss of control among gamers: A qualitative study.

Abstract

Online forums devoted to video games dedicate discussions to a phenomenon called “rage” that produces difficulties for gamers. Rage is described as expressing violent and impulsive reactions through excessive frustration or bad faith while gaming. The aim of this qualitative study was to describe rage as it occurs in online video games and to identify its etiology and consequences. A qualitative study included 24 gamers aged 18–30 years. Semidirective interviews were conducted, and participants completed an online survey. Two researchers rated each interview using the thematic analysis method and reported an agreement rate of 83%. The gamers described rage as a change in the manner of playing caused by a feeling of frustration during the game. Rage has components that are behavioral (aggressive behaviors), cognitive (poor decision making), and emotional (anger). Rage can be contagious among gamers and may result in the loss of the game and a “rage quit,” an abrupt cessation of the game. Rage appears of prime importance to regulate rage episodes and targeting emotion regulation, which can be used as a hook for the prevention of problematic gaming.

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.…”

“…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).…”