What is our problem?
Hate and harassment in gaming impacts the bottom-line.
Looking at game players aged 13 – 25, researchers found that the average monthly amount of money spent on games deemed “non-toxic” as compared to “toxic” was a difference of 54%.
What details should I collect?
Role
User Researcher
Year
2022
Duration
14 Weeks
Behavioral Frameworks

Investigate how to improve players' emotional intelligence, relationships, and decision-making skills.

This should include identifying key principles and practices that can be adapted to gaming environments, with a focus on reducing toxic behaviors and promoting healthier social interactions within digital spaces.

Player Typologies

Develop a categorization of video game players based on their motivations, preferences, and playing styles.

By understanding these player typologies, we can tailor game features and community management strategies to better meet the needs of diverse player groups, ultimately enhancing their experience and reducing the likelihood of harassment and toxicity.

 ✨ Primary User Research

Conduct research that involves direct interaction with players to gauge their responses to proposed design changes.

This research should aim to foster a deeper understanding of how these changes impact their gaming experience, particularly in terms of social dynamics and their perceptions of community safety and inclusivity.

Social Dynamics 

Design systems that encourage desired social behaviors and meaningful engagement among players.

This involves creating features and mechanisms that not only discourage toxic behavior but also actively promote a culture of respect and cooperation, thereby improving the overall community atmosphere and the game's long-term success.

What requires more research?
How to introduce social skills
I started by designing a framework to integrate social behavioral and emotional learning methodologies with game design behavioral classifications, streamlining information gathering  and execution methodologies.
Current USER Views
To understand values informing design advocacy, I used quantitative research methods such as user interviews, surveys, and observation play sessions.
What did I learn?
What can we change, how, and why?
This project continues by implementing these ideas into a pre-existing a platform working towards understanding how might we help players understand each other's motivations and intentions before starting a game.