Komunikace mezi vývojáři a hráči na platformách Discord a Steam

• Thesis title in Czech: Komunikace mezi vývojáři a hráči na platformách Discord a Steam
• Thesis title in English: Communication between Developers and Players on Platforms Discord and Steam
• Key words: herní komunity, online komunity, Steam, Discord, komunitní manažeři, GaaS, relational labor, komunikace
• English key words: gaming communities, online communities, Steam, Discord, community managers, GaaS, relational labor, communication
• Academic year of topic announcement: 2023/2024
• Thesis type: diploma thesis
• Thesis language: čeština
• Department: Department of Media Studies (23-KMS)
• Supervisor: Mgr. Jan Švelch, Ph.D.
• Author: hidden - assigned by the advisor
• Date of registration: 04.10.2023
• Date of assignment: 04.10.2023
• Date and time of defence: 25.06.2024 08:00
• Venue of defence: Areál Jinonice
• Date of electronic submission: 28.04.2024
• Date of proceeded defence: 25.06.2024
• Opponents: doc. Mgr. et Mgr. Jaroslav Švelch, Ph.D.

References

Bonifacio, R., Hair, L., & Wohn, D. Y. (2023). Beyond fans: The relational labor and communication practices of creators on Patreon. New Media & Society, 25(10), 2684–2703. https://doi.org/10.1177/14614448211027961.

deWinter, Jennifer, Carly A. Kocurek, and Stephanie Vie. “Managing Community Managers: Social Labor, Feminized Skills, and Professionalization.” Communication Design Quarterly Review 4, no. 4 (March 27, 2017): 36–45. https://doi.org/10.1145/3071088.3071092.

Kerr, Aphra, and John D. Kelleher. “The Recruitment of Passion and Community in the Service of Capital: Community Managers in the Digital Games Industry.” Critical Studies in Media Communication 32, no. 3 (May 27, 2015): 177–92. https://doi.org/10.1080/15295036.2015.1045005.

Thorhauge, Anne Mette. “The Steam Platform Economy: From Retail to Player-Driven Economies.” New Media & Society, March 7, 2022, 14614448221081400. https://doi.org/10.1177/14614448221081401.

Zimmerman, J. J. (2019). Computer Game Fan Communities, Community Management, and Structures of Membership. Games and Culture, 14(7–8), 896–916. https://doi.org/10.1177/1555412017742308.

Preliminary scope of work

Hlavním tématem práce bude prozkoumat a porovnat způsoby komunikace (a community managementu) českých vývojářských firem se svými fanoušky. Hlavní platformy pro dané pozorování jsou Discord a Steam, mezi kterými proběhne i relevantní srovnání. Následně na to navážou také rozhovory s vývojáři samotnými a správci těchto komunit. Téma je důležité hlavně proto, že vývojáři se snaží o dosažení dalších zisků i po prodeji herního titulu. Jedná se o model „Games as a service“, který mění povahu her a vytváří kontinuální vztah mezi vývojáři a hráči. Takový vztah se udržuje právě na zmíněných platformách, kde herní společnosti a jejich představitelé pravidelně komunikují s fanoušky a informují je o novinkách, updatech a dalších relevantních událostech.

Preliminary scope of work in English

The main focus of the thesis will be to examine and compare the forms of communication (and community management) of Czech gaming companies with their fans. The main platforms for this observation are Discord and Steam. A relevant comparison between these platforms will happen as well. This will be followed by interviews with the developers and the community managers. The topic is important mainly because the developers are trying to make additional profits even after the game is sold. This business model is called "Games as a Service", which changes the nature of games and creates a continuous relationship between developers and players. Such a relationship is maintained mainly on the mentioned platforms, where game companies and their representatives regularly communicate with fans and inform them about news, updates, and other relevant events.