FROM GAME CREATORS TO SOCIETAL DESTROYERS AN EXPLORATION OF TOXICITY THROUGH CRITICAL DISCOURSE

Toxicity in online spaces has been plaguing humanity since the internet first became worldwide, but the toxicity within online gaming spaces has since become a dominant and destructive force. While many are worried about how toxic communities will affect profits, this study investigates how focus on profits and capitalistic tendencies may be a root cause of toxic moments in gaming due to their influence on game design. Through analyzing hundreds of hours of content from 10 popular Twitch streamers, this analysis finds strong links between capitalistic tendencies influencing game designs, and game designs directly causing toxic moments in gaming streamers’ gameplay. These findings provide insight on the dangers and powerful influence of game designs to impact discourse through a critical lens. From these insights new knowledge on the impact of game design and the gaming industry on toxicity is developed.