Effects of a local multiplayer cooperative game club for the development of children's social skills

Abstract

Digital games have become a popular form of entertainment, especially for primary school children. While most gaming is social, the nature and quality of it can vary, sometimes including exclusionary behavior. Studies show that online cooperative games can develop social skills, but local multiplayer games with strangers are rarely studied, particularly with younger children. This preliminary study examines a local co-op multiplayer game for up to 8 players, played weekly in a game club by 7-12- year-olds over four weeks. To measure the club's aptitude to support children's social skills, three quantitative surveys (measuring social experience, peer relationship problems and social problems) were completed by game club instructors and approximately 50 children at the beginning and after the period. The paired samples t-test showed a high social experience as well as a significant decrease in peer relationship problems, however, changes in social problems were not significant, suggesting the need for further investigations.