WoW's Toxicity: Anonymity, Avatars, and the Perception of Negativity
2025-05-08
This paper builds on Rubin and Camm's (2013) heuristic on online griefing and trolling, exploring how anonymity, avatar creation, and online identity shape perceptions of negative behavior in World of Warcraft. Ten WoW players (five men, five women) with extensive playtime were interviewed to understand what in-game behaviors, interactions, and social elements contribute to negativity. The study reveals that real-life aggression significantly impacts players' perception of in-game negative events, highlighting the subjective nature of perception and gender differences.