Application of expectancy violation theory in understanding negative teammate perception in online multiplayer gaming

Abstract

Team-based online multiplayer games are faced with a pervasive challenge of within-team conflicts. We apply the Expectancy Violation Theory (EVT) framework to explore how negative violations of players' expectations towards their teammates' performance contribute to within-team conflict. The study employs a between-subjects survey methodology to measure expectancy and its subsequent impact on emotional and attributional perceptions. Our research reveals that players struggle to align their pre-interaction expectations set by rank. Additionally, regardless of how expectations are violated, players experience heightened negative emotional responses towards their teammates. The findings contribute to the understanding of player expectations in team-based gaming contexts, highlighting the challenges in proper expectation setting. The study suggests implications for game designers and developers to address these issues and enhance the overall gaming experience in team-based online multiplayer games.