You Too “Proteus !’’ The Proteus Effect On Character Creatıon Choıces In Fc24

Öz

Abstract: Video games offer important virtual environments that enrich digital experiences. In these environments, avatars personalize gaming experiences by representing users' online presence. In particular, how avatar characteristics, such as physical attractiveness, affect users' online interactions is an important research topic. In the rapidly growing gaming industry, platforms such as FC24 (formerly named FIFA) offer personal and interactive experiences. However, studies on FC24 players’ motivations for avatar customization in the context of the Proteus Effect are scarce in the literature. The main purpose of this study is to understand players’ interactions and experiences in character creation processes within the framework of the ‘Proteus effect’ and ‘identification theory’ by identifying the reasons why the FC24 game developed by EA sports players customize their avatars and the motivations behind these customizations. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 adults (10 men, 5 women) who played the FC24 game, identified through purposive and snowball sampling methods commonly used in qualitative research. Purposive sampling, which is widely used in qualitative research, was used, and the determination of the sample size was based on data saturation, which was underlined by Creswell (1998). The data obtained in the study conducted within the framework of grounded theory (Charmaz, 1983) were analyzed with the thematic analysis method proposed by Braun and Clarke (2006). The coding process was carried out within the framework of open, axial and selective coding stages (Strauss and Corbin, 1990) and the constant comparative analysis method was applied while coding each transcript (Charmaz, 1983). The criteria suggested by Creswell (1998) were used for validity and reliability. The main reasons for user-avatar customizations in the ''FC24'' game are categorized under five main themes: ''Individual Purpose'', ''Physical Appearance'', ''Aesthetic Appearance'', ''Self'' and ''Personalization''. This study explores the dynamics between virtual identity and self-perception by examining FC24 players' avatar choices in the context of the Proteus effect. The findings showed that players shape their avatars not only based on their physical characteristics, but also taking into account strategic, social and motivational factors. It has been determined that the Proteus effect is a dynamic process and virtual identities interact with individuals' real self-perceptions. Practically, these findings highlight the importance of personalization options in game design, while theoretically they offer a deepening understanding of the relationship between virtual identity and self-presentation.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• FC24
• Avatar Customization
• Proteus Effect
• Identification Theory

Sen De Mi ‘’Proteus!’’ Fc24 Oyununda Karakter Oluşturma Tercihlerinde Proteus Etkisi

Öz

Video oyunları, dijital deneyimleri zenginleştiren önemli sanal ortamlar sunar. Bu ortamlarda avatarlar, kullanıcıların çevrimiçi varlıklarını temsil ederek oyun deneyimlerini kişiselleştirir. Özellikle fiziksel çekicilik gibi avatar özelliklerinin, kullanıcıların çevrimiçi etkileşimlerini nasıl etkilediği önemli bir araştırma konusudur. Hızla büyüyen oyun endüstrisinde, FC24 (eski adı ile FIFA) gibi platformlar kişisel ve interaktif deneyimler sunar. Ancak, literatürde Proteus Etkisi bağlamında FC24 oyuncularının avatar özelleştirme motivasyonlarına dair çalışmalar yok denecek kadar azdır. Bu çalışmanın temel amacı, EA Sports tarafından geliştirilen FC24 oyunundaki oyuncuların avatarlarını özelleştirme nedenlerini ve bu özelleştirmelerin ardındaki motivasyonları belirleyerek, “Proteus etkisi” ve “özdeşleşme teorisi” çerçevesinde oyuncuların karakter yaratma süreçlerindeki etkileşimlerini ve deneyimlerini anlamaktır. Nitel araştırmalarda yaygın olarak kullanılan amaçlı ve kartopu örnekleme yöntemiyle belirlenen, FC24 oyununu oynayan 15 (10 erkek, 5 kadın) yetişkinle yarı yapılandırılmış görüşmeler gerçekleştirilmiştir. Örneklem büyüklüğünün belirlenmesinde Creswell (1998) tarafından ifade edilen veri doygunluğu esas alınmıştır. Gömülü teori (Charmaz, 1983) çerçevesinde gerçekleştirilen çalışmada elde edilen veriler Braun ve Clarke (2006) tarafından önerilen tematik analiz yöntemi ile analiz edilmiştir. Kodlama süreci açık, eksenel ve seçici kodlama aşamaları çerçevesinde gerçekleştirilmiş (Strauss ve Corbin, 1990) ve her bir transkript kodlanırken sürekli karşılaştırmalı analiz yöntemi uygulanmıştır (Charmaz, 1983). Geçerlik ve güvenirlik için Creswell (1998)’in önerdiği kriterler kullanılmıştır. ‘’FC24’’ oyunundaki kullanıcı-avatar özelleştirmelerinin temel nedenleri beş ana tema altında sınıflandırılmıştır: ‘’Bireysel Amaç’’, ‘’Fiziksel Görünüm’’, ’’Estetik Görünüm’’, ‘’Benlik’’ ve ‘’Kişiselleştirme’’. Bu çalışma, FC24 oyuncularının avatar seçimlerini Proteus etkisi bağlamında inceleyerek sanal kimlik ve benlik algısı arasındaki dinamikleri ortaya koymuştur. Bulgular, oyuncuların avatarlarını yalnızca fiziksel özelliklerine göre değil, stratejik, sosyal ve motivasyonel faktörleri dikkate alarak şekillendirdiğini göstermiştir. Proteus etkisinin dinamik bir süreç olduğu ve sanal kimliklerin bireylerin gerçek benlik algılarıyla etkileşim içinde olduğu belirlenmiştir. Pratik olarak, bu bulgular oyun tasarımında kişiselleştirme seçeneklerinin önemini vurgularken, teorik olarak sanal kimlik ve benlik sunumu arasındaki ilişkiye dair derinleşen bir anlayış sunmaktadır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• FC24
• Avatar Özelleştirme
• Proteus Etkisi
• Identification Teorisi

Kaynakça

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