Crystal Steltenpohl, MA, Psychology, College of Science & Health of DePaul University is conducting a survey of gamers who identify as part of the Fighting Game Community. The specific intent of the study is undisclosed, but transparently quizzes gamers on social aspects of gaming, user interaction, and gaming specifics.

What is the purpose of this research?
We are asking you to be in a research study because we are trying to learn more about fighting game communities. This study is being conducted by Crystal Steltenpohl, a graduate student at DePaul University, as a requirement to obtain her PhD. This research is being supervised by her faculty advisor, Dr. Christopher Keys. There may be other people on the research team assisting with the study. We hope to include up to 2000 people in the research.

What is involved in being in the research study?
If you agree to be in this study, being in the research involves filling out a survey about your experiences within the fighting game community as a whole and within game-specific communities you may be a part of. We will ask questions about your perceptions of others’ understanding of the community, your sense of community within the game-specific community you identify with most, and what makes a good/bad player, as well as some general demographic information, such as age, where you live, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, and disability status, among others. This study is not an experiment but rather a survey of your own honest experiences within the fighting game community.

The survey is estimated to take around 20-30 minutes and asks players to offer informative written responses. Participants who disclose their details will enter a draw to win one of five $20 Amazon vouchers for taking part. Steltenpohl hopes to receive 2000 submissions. Click here to learn more and take the survey.

Did you take the survey? Want to poke and prod Mortal Kombat Online users to find out what the heck is going on with them? Tell us about your study! We really want answers.