Authors

• Karhulahti, Veli-Matti (University of Jyväskylä)
• Chen, Yingrong
• Nerg, Henri (University of Jyväskylä)

Keywords

COVID-19, bacterial and virus diseases, digital games, hobbies, leisure time activities, time budgets

Abstract

The survey charted different digital gaming cultures. Questions examined digital gaming and related phenomena, such as livestreaming games and following e-sports and sports, during the coronavirus pandemic in Finland and China.

First, the respondents were asked how often they had played digital and non-digital games in the past year and which games they had played the most. The types of digital games the respondents played (e.g. action and role-playing, sports games) were also surveyed. Following e-sports was examined with questions on, for example, how often the respondents watched online esports matches or livestreams of professional gamers, followed esports news sites or discussions, or bought esports merchandise. The respondents were also asked whether they played esports on a competitive level. Some questions also examined the respondents' habits regarding following and watching traditional sports.

Next, the respondents' content producing was charted regarding whether the respondents had livestreamed their gaming. Finally, the survey examined the effects of the restrictions and exceptional circumstances caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The respondents were asked how the restrictions of movement and gathering had affected their life regarding gaming, following and watching esports and gaming livestreams, and following and watching traditional sports, as well as their own physical exercise, reading habits, and TV watching.

Background variables included the respondent's age, gender and mother tongue (Finnish or Chinese).