Towards a Hopeful Understanding of Masculinities in Gaming: An Autoethnographic Exploration through Kind Words

Abstract

This paper presents an exploration of masculinity in gaming through an autoethnographic engagement with Kind Words (lo fi chill beats to write to) (Popcannibal, 2019). Highlighting the shortcomings of the current understanding of men and masculinities in gaming, I identify a need to move towards a more hopeful understanding of masculinity in gaming. This autoethnographic exploration contributes to this in two ways. First, by highlighting masculinity as situated and relational, I put forward a direction that future researchers can take when studying men and masculinities in gaming. Second, I argue that scholarly engagement with gender and gaming requires researchers to more clearly situate themselves within their research practices. I argue these directions are necessary to imagine futures in which men contribute to positive social change in gaming.