Interactive within Structures: Understanding Ethnicity, Esports Uses and Effects

Abstract

As esports aims to be an equal playing field for all, it is important to understand how and why Caucasians and minorities play and watch esports. This study represents one of the first empirical efforts to examine the role of ethnicity in esports uses and effects by conducting an online survey with 526 esports consumers in the United States. Using existing scales, this study measured dependent variables, such as esports gameplay, viewing, sense of community, and self-esteem, as well as independent variables, including both individual factors and structures. Independent t-test results indicated many similarities between Caucasians and ethnic minorities. Yet, Caucasian respondents self-reported playing esports significantly more, while minorities used interactive features and preferred fighting games more than Caucasians. In addition, regression analyses found that significant predictors differed for gameplay and viewing between Caucasians and minorities and most variables to explain a sense of community and self-esteem. Nonetheless, esports uses and effects were predicted by motivations and preferences as well as by structures of time, access, and cost across ethnic groups. Overall, this study suggests that esports hold power and possibility to promote fair play, community-building, and well-being. Future study should continue to pinpoint ways to increase participation for minority esports users to create more inclusive communities.