El uso de neologísmos en la comunidad virtual de Gamers: del cambio socio-técnico al socio-cultural de nuevas identidades de los usuarios

Abstract

This research analyzes the shift from sociotechnical to sociocultural through neologisms used in the gamer culture of the video game Valorant. The hypothesis suggests that neologisms act as representations of gamer identity, creating communication forms that shape the gaming culture in both online and offline contexts, affecting social interactions between players and non-players. To achieve the specific objectives, the most common neologisms in the online context of Valorant were identified, analyzed as forms of communication that configure the gamer culture, and their impact on offline social interactions was determined through a methodology combining netnography and focus groups. The netnography was conducted on Discord, specifically in the Valorant ESP channel, selecting five participants whose interactions included repetitive neologisms. The results show that neologisms not only facilitate technical communication within the game but also act as potent symbols of gamer identity, reinforcing group cohesion and establishing a sense of community. Additionally, using these terms in offline contexts can create comprehension barriers with people unfamiliar with gamer culture but also strengthen bonds among those who share this jargon. This study highlights the role of communication as a ritual in forming community identities within the context of video games.