SMU Guildhall Graduate Catalog Spring 2020 — Cohort 28 | Page 68

Helen Tang Production « “We Esports Now”? Cultural Differences Between the Fighting Games Community and Other Esports Communities The Fighting Games Community (FCG) cultures will lead to improved FGC-esports FGC feels they are culturally distinct other parties interested in competitive is a niche group within esports. The from the rest of esports, and as a result, they mistrust traditional esports models and have come into conflict with esports leagues in the past. Unfortunately, the FGC suffers from low profitability compared to other esports. Successful FGC-esports partnerships could allow the FGC to develop better avenues for profit gaming, like brands and media, understand fighting games and esports better so they can provide more effective sponsorships and media coverage. Additionally, because there are very few studies on esports cultures, I sought to establish a basis for future research. and grow. As a fighting games and esports Over the past year, I identified cultural investigate competitive gaming from an similarities and differences between the FGC and other esports communities using the GLOBE cultural scales. I believe a better understanding of the two groups’ 68 partnerships. My research may also help PRODUCTION enthusiast, my thesis allowed me to angle I have always been curious about. It also gave me valuable experience with survey design and statistical analysis.