Research Diary 2: Statement of Intent

My Research questions are “How does Identities form in the sub-culture of “Dungeon and Dragons”? And to what extent does the in-game character share similarities with the players in real life?”

Due to the increased popularity of social media, people have become warier and obsessive with how they are presented and they do what they can to strategically manipulate their presentations. But role-playing games like Dungeons and Dragons give the opportunity to form a new identity and somewhat start anew in a fantasy realm with unrealistic things like magic skills and twists in the story with the toss of dices, with few limitations from the player’s handbook. It is questionable if such in-game character can become accurate representations of the gamer even in an offline community.

The aim of my research is to examine the formation of imagined identities, both communal and self-identity, through the subculture of the offline role-playing game of Dungeons and Dragons and how much they identify with the in-game persona they have created, if it is an entirely different person that they are able to freely control or a personification of what they believe or wish themselves to be.

For my methodology I intend to conduct In-depth interviews with around 8 gamers who are involved in the role-playing game community in Hong Kong and they have played “Dungeons and Dragons”. I will also be doing some field study by sitting-in some sessions. Furthermore, I will join one of the community of Dungeons and Dragons and record my experiences of how my finding differ or align with my original expectations. Due to the popularity of the game Dungeons and Dragons not being widespread in Hong Kong, I believe that quantitative analysis will not be effective for my research.

Tentative Questions include;

·         To what extent do you think the in-game character is an extension of yourself?
·         What aspects do you usually take in consideration when choosing creating your character?
·         Do you pay attention to how your character is represented with the equipment or attitude that you give?
·         Do you believe you will be able to get along with a person in real life if you’re in-game characters’ work well together?
·         To what extent do you believe that a female in-game character is played by a female player?

I have contacted 2 groups, with around 6 members in each group, of ‘dungeons and dragons’ gamers in the Wan Chai district though the use of a social networking site that meet on a weekly basis. We will be going into a Pacific Coffee Branch or have a room in the Baptist Oi Kwan Social Service Centre if permitted by the abilities of the host.

http://www.meetup.com/Hong-Kong-Tabletop-Gaming-Group/events/227358959/

Name: Harina Rachel Anne Aristan