A experiência dos(as) jovens gamers: repensando paradigmas

Abstract

In order to offer entertainment and fun, one of the technological innovations are electronic games. Each game establishes its construction by characteristic elements of this device, such as plot, gameplay, graphic quality etc. Among the games created, those of violent genre are socially frowned upon, as they are associated with aggressive behaviors, in which a cause and effect relationship is established. The definition of violence by the World Health Organization brings details that include classifying violence in several contexts. Seeking to understand the relationship of players with games, and with violent games, it is pertinent to understand what game is for the human being and for society. Game is configured in several social fields, in many activities, such as theater staging, resembling game practices or even a child's play can be used as a game. So game is a very old practice. Electronic games are part of these actions that can be classified as games in society, but with their own characteristics that can be used by young people, mostly since childhood. During adolescence, hormonal changes increase, along with the construction of identity, the self, the experimentation of roles, the exploration of professions, the control of emotions and the increase of autonomy, being present until an emerging period of adulthood, from 18 to 29 years. These changes in the construction of the self configure a view from a systemic perspective, in different contexts and relationships. This research aims at understanding the experience of players in the practice of playing video games, highlighting violent games, the construction of the self (identity) and the relationship with emotions in this process. With a qualitative methodology, this study is configured as exploratory, with semi-structured interviews with players aged 22 to 29, five men and five women, totaling 10 interviews. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed using the Content Analysis method. The players’ reports present electronic games as an auxiliary tool in the construction of the self and identity, in addition to helping the emotions regulation experienced in the game and in life. None of the players pointed out violent games as responsible for aggressive behavior among young people, but they pointed out competition as a variable related to aggression due to the anger caused by frustration at losing in the game. Based on this research, we can consider that games can help in the healthy development of those who play, but further studies on the topic are needed.