Presentation Points

• I am studying the impact of volunteering and prosocial behaviour on communities - specifically gaming communities, and gaming conventions.

• I want to understand why people volunteer at conventions, and how it impacts the in-groups of the community, but also those that do not associate themselves with the community too.

• Speak of experience volunteering at The Games Expo and Dreamhack over the past 2 months. The people I met, both volunteers and attendees - the ingroups inside of the communities, and how they shape the way an event turns out (TGX - new event), (Dreamhack - passion for esports, content creators)

• What is prosocial behaviour? What is volunteering?

Prosocial behaviour refers to any voluntary action that is intended to benefit others or promote the well-being of individuals or a society/in-group as a whole. The concept of prosocial behaviour is rooted in the belief that humans have an innate tendency to care for others and contribute positively to their well-being. It is influenced by a combination of personal characteristics (e.g. empathy), and situational factors (socioeconomic status, social norms), as well as cultural values. Prosocial behaviour plays a fundamental role in fostering positive relationships and creating a sense of community.

• Sense of community and belonging is what I wish to hone into during my studies as a volunteer

• Ingroups and outgroups (e.g. workers of the olympic parks - giving out wristbands - workers taking them to take home and give to their children), (in groups - giving them to those who know the context, hence further enhancing their experience at the conventions)

• TGX - the volunteer group

• Dreamhack - the volunteer group

• What were the differences? Yes there were familiar faces, but how did the events run differently that provided me with a different experience? DH - more professional environment, more chaotic, running around and more things to do as a volunteer (HQ/Subs)

• Age groups at the conventions, and the experiences available

• Psychology studies:

The studies mentioned across the sociocultural level related to prosocial behaviours and as mentioned throughout the discussion, it can be concluded that the degree and the level of prosocial behaviours can differ within separate cultures, ingroups, and a variety of social norms across the globe. However, prosocial behaviours may be different in every culture. Due to this very reason, it can be troubling to conclude cross-culturally, whether the culture within the gaming community does influence prosocial behaviour, rather than looking at individual cultures, and whether the societies within these cultures are individualist or collectivist. As the degree of prosocial behaviours vary across cultures, it is also important to note that bystanderism may decrease when positive social normalities can be observed within cultures. (Levine et al, 2001)

• The importance of teamwork in video games, in esports competitions - wanting to be a part of a team to help others.

• One reason why gamers should consider volunteering in gaming communities is the potential for these activities to provide a sense of belonging. Many gamers report feeling isolated or disconnected from their peers, particularly if they do not have access to local gaming groups or events. By getting involved in volunteer work within gaming communities, individuals can connect with like-minded individuals who share similar interests and create meaningful relationships that extend beyond just playing games together.

• Studies have shown that volunteering can have a positive effect on mental health and well-being (Clary et al., 1998). Individuals who volunteer often report feelings of satisfaction and happiness from helping others, which can lead to decreased stress levels and improved overall health. Volunteering within gaming communities allows individuals to connect with others of similar interests

• My findings are that volunteer groups maintain positive impacts on communities, regardless of whether they are ingroups and outgroups. That volunteering and prosocial behaviour creates new opportunities and a space for ingroups and outgroups to flourish (causational impact)

MAIN POINTS

INGROUPS AND OUTGROUPS

Fostering Community Engagement

• Volunteers create a welcoming and inclusive environment/atmosphere, promoting social interactions and connections amongst attendees

• Volunteer-led activities facilitate networking opportunities and encourage collaboration, fostering a sense of belonging within the gaming community

Enhancing the Convention Experience

• Volunteers play a vital role in ensuring a smooth and enjoyable experience for attendees

• Well-organised and knowledgeable volunteers positively influence an attendees’ perception of the convention, leading to higher levels of satisfaction and repeat attendance (engagement levels in the community - volunteering for a community you are in yourself = easier to connect with those you are volunteering for. You are working for your own ingroup and want to have as much fun as them).

Promoting Career Development in the Gaming industry

• Volunteering at gaming conventions provides opportunities for networking with industry professionals

• Volunteers can showcase their skills, build a professional reputation, and explore job opportunities in the community they are passionate about (games), which in hand contributes to the progression and development of the gaming industry

Strengthening Community Bonds

• Volunteering at gaming conventions strengthens social connections not only within the volunteering community, but also the attendee, and staff community.

• Shared experiences, teamwork, and collaboration foster a sense of community and camaraderie, creating long lasting bonds and connections.

At first, it was us crowd controlling and handing out wristbands as we saw people.

• The aim was to get rid of all the wristbands we had. This was because all the wristbands were the leftovers from the giveaway bags I had packed the day before, and were all League of Legends themed. Saturday was the last day for all of the League of Legends Esports tournaments, which meant that all of the League of Legends wristbands had to be distributed out into the crowd - every. single. one. It got to the point where it was kind of ridiculous, and we were giving wristbands to people that had become familiar faces. Not to mention all of the cleaners, and the workers of the Olympic Park Arenas that we had given wristbands out to, (even though majority of them had no idea about League of Legends, and what the game even is). We had bags upon bags of wristbands, and there were only two types of them that we had, both related to League.

Clary, E. G., Snyder, M., Ridge, R. D., Copeland, J., Stukas Jr, A. A., Haugen, J., & Miene P.A (1998). Understanding and assessing the motivations of volunteers: A functional approach. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 74(6), 1516–1530. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.74.6.1516. Last Accessed 20/05/2023