Conservatism and toxic masculinity in gamer culture: an approach to Magic: The Gathering

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.11606/issn.1982-8160.v15i2p251-277

Keywords:

Toxic masculinity, Conservatism, Games, Nerd culture, Magic: The Gathering

Abstract

Based on an ethnographic study conducted between 2016 and 2020, this article discusses the performance of toxic masculinity within social spaces related to the card game Magic: The Gathering. It suggests a relationship between the observed behaviors and the reinforcement of conservative values within the Magic community during the game experience, to further understand the social dynamics of gamer culture. Such observation stems from the assumption that the community of players formed during the game results from the articulation of two particular sociotechnical contexts: nerd culture and the mechanics inscribed in the design and experience of the game itself.

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Author Biographies

  • Thiago Falcão, Universidade Federal da Paraíba

    Professor of Digital Media at Universidade Federal da Paraíba (UFPB) and coordinator of the Programa de Pós-Graduação em Comunicação at UFPB.

  • Tarcizio Macedo, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul

    PhD student in Communication from the Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul. Master’s in Communication, Culture, and the Amazon at Universidade Federal do Pará, with periods at UFBA and Uneb.

  • Gabriela Kurtz, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul

    PhD in Communication and Information at Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul. Adjunct Professor at Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul.

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Published

2021-08-31

Issue

Section

Em Pauta/Agenda

How to Cite

Falcão, T., Macedo, T., & Kurtz, G. (2021). Conservatism and toxic masculinity in gamer culture: an approach to Magic: The Gathering. MATRIZes, 15(2), 251-277. https://doi.org/10.11606/issn.1982-8160.v15i2p251-277