Forging a more masculine self online: demonstrating skill and sovereignty in the playing of first-person shooter games

ABSTRACT

This paper explores how and why first-person shooter games can enable players to forge a more masculine sense of self. In doing so, it advances an understanding of the interconnected nature of players’ online and offline worlds, and their “actual” and “ideal” selves. Whilst existing masculinities research has explored how technological mastery can lead to expressions of “geek” masculinity, it does not consider the beneficial effects of online competition and collaboration. Similarly, whilst research has considered the triggers and effects of toxic playing behaviors within online gamespaces, lacking is an understanding of how these behaviors intersect with the formation of more masculine subject positions. Addressing these lacunae, this paper draws on in-depth interviews conducted amongst male players of first-person shooters to explore how the hyper competitive, skill-based, and team-oriented characteristics of online gamespaces provide opportunities for them to experiment with, and develop, a more integrated sense of the masculine self.

KEYWORDS:

• First-person shooters
• masculinity
• toxicity
• kinesthetic intelligence
• online games

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1. All names have been changed to ensure anonymity.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Lee Kong Chian Fellowship, Singapore Management University.

Notes on contributors

Orlando Woods

Orlando Woods is Associate Professor of Humanities and Lee Kong Chian Fellow at Singapore Management University. His research spans digital technologies, mobile games, and urban spaces in Asia.