Browsing by Author "Hämäläinen, Joel"

Previous studies on the interaction in digital games have mainly investigated the portions that make up the entire interaction in digital games. Aim of this study is to expand the concept of interaction in digital games and find out what the interaction in digital games is like and how the interaction in digital games can be influenced by game education methods. I collected the data for this study by interviewing six game educators who work with children and teenagers. As a data collection method, I used a semi-structured thematic interview, for which I had prepared the interview questions in advance based on the theoretical literature I had read. I analyzed the material using thematic analysis and highlighted key themes for this study and reported them. According to my interviewees, the interaction in digital games was versatile and consisted of different extremes. Interaction in digital games can be either positive or negative, with acquaintances or strangers, in the same space or over the network, related to the game or not, and through speech, text or in-game gestures. The interaction in digital games is therefore influenced by the game that is played, the company that is played with and the place where the game is played. According to my interviewees, the game education methods that can be used to influence the interaction in digital games were providing safe gaming environments for young people and teaching manners. Players who have learned good interaction skills through game education can intervene in toxic behavior in games and spread positivity and good behavior models forward.