Towards a Sociology of Digital Games: A Critical Exploration of an Emergıng Field.

Türkçe

Digital games have become a key cultural phenomenon of the 21st century and have started influencing social dynamics worldwide. This study critically examines the emerging field of the sociology of digital games and takes digital games as a cultural economy, where cultural practices intersect with economic mechanisms. In this respect, digital games are situated as commodities that reflect and shape societal values, norms, and conflicts, extending beyond simple entertainment to construct identities, communicate cultural narratives, and foster social discourse. It is argued that the dominance of industry leaders in production and distribution perpetuates economic hierarchies, influencing accessibility, cultural engagement, and representation. The study purports that digital games often perpetuate capitalist ideals such as consumerism and meritocratic success, while also exploring their potential to subvert or challenge these ideologies. The study also analyzes the gender dynamics revolving around digital games and how virtual gaming communities influence social interaction. Studies on the intersection of digital games and social capital, cultural exchange, skill development, social norms and governance, identity and representation, addiction and well-being as well as blurring boundaries of physical and virtual worlds are seen as important study areas of this emerging subfield of sociology. The article concludes by calling for future research on the intersection of gaming with issues such as race, disability, and global inequality, attempting to outline key research areas in the field of the sociology of digital games. It is thought that the study will contribute to the literature by means of highlighting the most glaring social issues in the world of digital games.