Online Gaming Forums and Discourse of Hacking

• In Event: Policing Hacking: Vulnerability, Securitisation, and Criminalisation

Abstract

This research delves into the discourse on hacking within online gaming forums, with aims to uncover the attitudes and perceptions of gamers in relation to this phenomenon. Using a mixed-method approach, this research examines discussions, narratives, and interactions among participants with a focus on the portrayal and normalization of hacking behaviors. The analysis explores the socio-cultural contexts shaping the discourse of hacking in gaming forums. In addition, the research investigates the impact of community norms and industry responses on the prevalence and acceptance of hacking practices within these online platforms. The findings offer insights into the complex dynamics of hacking activities in gaming communities, with implications for digital ethics and the cultivation of healthy gaming environments

Author

• Yi Ting Chua, University of Tulsa