Layers of my Online Self - Exploring Identity in Team-based Online Gaming Environments

In light of the exponential growth of the gaming market, with an estimated 3 billion active gamers, it is imperative that research examines how individuals identify through gaming. A research model was constructed based on existing literature to examine the influence of different forms of identity on IT identity. The present study, which focuses on League of Legends, examines the role of avatars, roles, teams, and communities in the formation of identity within the context of IT. A total of 125 players were analysed, and it was found that community identity has a significant impact on IT identity in online gaming, with team and role identities also playing a crucial role. IT identity was identified as a predictor of players’ weekly engagement with the game. These findings elucidate the complex interrelationships between identity and gaming and provide insights into the creation of a supportive gaming environment.