Multiverse ethnography: A qualitative method for gaming and technology use research. Issue 1 (1st April 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Karhulahti, Veli-Matti; Kauraoja, Valtteri; Ouninkorpi, Olli; Perttu, Soli; Perälä, Jussi; Toivanen, Vilma; Siutila, Miia
• Is Part Of: Journal of gaming & virtual worlds. Volume 14:Issue 1(2022)
• Page Start: 85
• Page End: 110
• Publication Date: 2022-04-01
• Subjects: Virtual reality -- Periodicals; Electronic games -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; Electronic games -- Evaluation -- Periodicals; Electronic games -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; 303.4834
• DOI: 10.1386/jgvw_00053_1
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1757-191X

Abstract

This article introduces multiverse ethnography as a systematic team-based qualitative method for studying the mechanical, structural and experiential properties of video games and other technological artefacts. Instead of applying the ethnographic method to produce a single in-depth account, multiverse ethnography includes multiple researchers carrying out coordinated synergetic ethnographic work on the same research object, thus producing a multiverse of interpretations and perspectives. To test the method, 41 scholars carried out a multiverse ethnography on two video games, Cyberpunk 2077 and Among Us. Explorative thematic findings regarding both titles are reported and methodological implications of multiverse ethnography are discussed.