Abstract

REIS, Leoncio José de Almeida  and  CAVICHIOLLI, Fernando Renato. Competition and simbolic violence in online games: reflections from World of Warcraft. Rev. Motriviv. [online]. 2021, vol.33, n.64, e83754.  Epub Nov 30, 2021. ISSN 2175-8042.  https://doi.org/10.5007/2175-8042.2021.e83754.

Among the modalities of digital games, the so-called multiplayer online games have grown, games in which several players compete, interact and socialize even if they are geographically distant. This paper is an excerpt from an ethnographic research that used one of these games, World of Warcraft, as a field of study. Based on approximations and analogies with sports practices, an attempt was made to problematize specific activities carried out in the virtual universe of the game, more related to competition. Issues related to symbolic violence, rationalization and quantification of performance were highlighted. It was noticed that public relations in the game universe are not necessarily harmful and that interaction is not always friendly, cordial or peaceful. Disgusting demands, name-calling and derogatory comments were frequently observed.

Keywords : Conflict; Symbolic violence; Competition; Games; Digital games.

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