Gamer Rage

Gamer rage refers to the loss of behavioral, emotional, and cognitive control that occurs while playing digital games. Gamer rage is familiar phenomenon among gamers, but in recent years, it has gained attention also in mass media, sparking debates about its causes and impacts. 
===Reasons for gamer rage===
There are many reasons for gamer rage. Main reasons for rage can be divided into four categories: in-game failures, other players' actions, technical problems, and out-of-game interruptions. 
# In-game failures: Own in-game failures are a major cause of gamer rage. This includes dying in the game, losing to other players in multiplayer games, and noticing one’s own mistakes. Especially repeated failures, failing at the final moment, and the failure of carefully planned tactics trigger rage.
# Other players' actions: The actions of other players can be perceived as enraging. Incompetent teammates in team-based games, lack of teamwork, team damage, and communication difficulties caused by a lack of common language are sources of rage. Cheating opponents who gain an unfair advantage through hacks or cheats also provoke rage.
# Technical problems: Technical issues such as a poor internet connection, lagging, and inoperable game software or hardware are frustrating and infuriating for gamers. Technical problems are seen as disrupting the gaming experience and causing failures or losses.
# Out-of-game interruptions: Interruptions from the real-world environment, such as parents ordering the player to quit a game session during important in-game events triggers gamer rage. These interruptions broke the player's immersion, cause frustration, and lead to a loss of concentration and good gaming mood.
In addition to these main reasons, many background factors predispose to gamer rage.
# Choice of game: Certain game characteristics such as difficulty, learning curve, pace, competitiveness, and human opponents are factors that could lead to rage. 
# Gaming environment: A toxic gaming community, characterized by toxic behavior from opponents or teammates, increase the likelihood of gamer rage. Additionally, a noisy gaming environment with distractions from other people which interfere with concentration contribute to rage.
# Daily life troubles: Upsetting events in daily life, such as a bad day at school, interpersonal problems, or neglecting physical needs (hunger, thirst, fatigue), are factors that increase chances of gamer rage. These troubles lower the threshold for rage and make it easier to trigger.
===Expressions and consequences of gamer rage===
Gamer rage is expressed through verbal expressions, physical expressions, or by quitting the game. Verbal expressions include crying, yelling, and cursing, while physical expressions involved throwing objects, hitting furniture, and sometimes causing material damage. Rage quitting, i.e., the immediate quitting of gaming due to frustration, often occurs together with verbal and physical expressions. The social context influences the extent and regulation of these expressions.
The consequences of gamer rage include a negative impact on gameplay, loss of control, and a contagious effect on other players' emotions. Rage often lead to the declined gaming performance, and a loss of pleasure or interest in playing the game. However, some players perceive a positive and liberating effect of venting their rage. 
To cope with gamer rage, gamers employ various regulation strategies. These include changing activities, rationalizing their anger by reminding themselves it's just a game, and seeking social support, such as playing with friends.
Category:Games
Category:Video games