Browsing by Author "Oinonen, Mirka"

This study aimed to examine the meanings that Finnish sexual and gender minorities give to games and playing, and the different ways games might be used as a part of identity construction. I collected written stories about the subject “my game history” from seven 20 to 35-year-old Finns and used them as the data. The study is qualitative in its nature and uses narrative and discursive reading approaches. Earlier studies show that games are a good space for trying out different identities, but they also show how gendered the identity of a “gamer” is. The results of this study show that the identity of sexual and gender minorities can greatly affect the ways a person is able to feel like a part of the gaming community and also the kind of experiences they have access to. The stories also brought up various narratives concerning games and playing, like the idea of a “right way of playing”. These narratives are a part of the context where these people construct their identities. Playing sets up different terms and conditions to the positions available to one’s identity depending on who’s playing and how. We can also say that the experiences of playing we hear from gender and sexual minorities are very diverse and they also vary depending on the answerer’s own identity and the type of games they play. It is clear, that the voices of these minorities are not heard enough, not in the studies concerning gaming or the public discussion around it. There is a need for more studies to be made and also for more public discussions to be had in the gaming industry and the medias surrounding it.