Your browser does not support the PubReader view.
Go to this page to see a list of supporting browsers.
Research in Dance and Physical Activity
[ Article ]
Research in Dance and Physical Activity - Vol. 7, No. 2, pp.51-69
ISSN: 2951-4770 (Online)
Print publication date 31 Aug 2023
Received 26 Jun 2023 Revised 29 Jul 2023 Accepted 31 Jul 2023
DOI: https://doi.org/10.26584/RDPA.2023.08.7.2.51

Exploring the Current Status of e-sports Participation among People with Disabilities in South Korea

Ye Hoon Lee1 ; Wonsang Shin2, * ; Jaeyeong Park3 ; Sihyeon Noh4 ; Juhee Hwang5
1Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, Republic of Korea, Associate professor
2Korea Paralympic Committee, Republic of Korea, Manager
3Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, Republic of Korea, Undergraduate student
4Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, Republic of Korea, Undergraduate student
5Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, Republic of Korea, Undergraduate student

Correspondence to: *Email address: mc0881@koreanpc.kr

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the current state of E-sports for people with disabilities and provide suggestions for future development in this field. A total of 243 people with disabilities completed a paper-pencil questionnaire, which assessed their participation in E-sports and experiences during participation. The results showed that 44.6% of the respondents participated in e-sports activities. The main reasons for participating were 'fun' and 'to relieve stress'. Respondents mostly played in their own facilities, followed by public and school facilities, with PC games being the most popular genre. The favorite e-sports events were 'Nintendo Wii', 'GoStop', 'FIFA Online', and others. Respondents mostly played 1-2 times a week.This study proposes the cultivation of inclusivity, prioritizing enjoyment and entertainment as primary motivators, and augmenting the accessibility of gaming facilities and equipment through the integration of assistive technologies for future advancements. Overall, the study provides insights into the current status of e-sports use by people with disabilities and offers tangible directions for future improvements, aiming to make e-sports participation more accessible and inclusive.

Keywords:

accessibility, disabled individuals, e-sports, inclusion, participation, PC games

References

  • Beeston, J., Power, C., Cairns, P., & Barlet, M. (2018). Accessible Player Experiences (APX): The Players. In K. Miesenberger & G. Kouroupetroglou (Eds.), Computers Helping People with Special Needs (pp. 245-253). Springer International Publishing. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, Vol. 10896. [https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-94277-3_40]
  • Choi, K., & Hwang, O. (2021). Survey and development direction of e-sports awareness for the disabled. Korean Journal of Sports Science, 30(6), 425-436. [https://doi.org/10.35159/kjss.2021.12.30.6.425]
  • Conception, H. (2017). Video game therapy as an intervention for children with disabilities: Literature review and program protocol. Therapeutic Recreation Journal, 11, 221-228. [https://doi.org/10.18666/TRJ-2017-V51-I3-8416]
  • Cunningham, G., Fairley, S., Ferkins, L., Kerwin, S., Lock, D., Shaw, S., & Wicker, P. (2018). eSport: Construct specifications and implications for sport management. Sport Management Review, 21(1), 1-6. [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smr.2017.11.002]
  • Hallmann, K., & Giel, T. (2018). eSports – Competitive sports or recreational activity? Sport Management Review, 21, 14-20. [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smr.2017.07.011]
  • Heere, B. (2018). Embracing the sportification of society: Defining e-sports through a polymorphic view on sport. Sport Management Review, 21, 21-24. [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smr.2017.07.002]
  • Jenny, S., Manning, D., Keiper, M., Olrich, T. (2017). Virtual(ly) athletes: Where esports fit within the definition of “sport”. Quest. 69(1), 1-18. [https://doi.org/10.1080/00336297.2016.1144517]
  • Kim, J. (2022). Perception of female gamers in Esports players. Research in Dance and Physical Activity, 6, 61-74. [https://doi.org/10.26584/RDPA.2022.04.6.1.61]
  • Kim, Y., Choi, M. J., & Cha, Y. S. (2012). A study on the impact of e-sports participation by students with mental retardation on their self-confidence and social skills. In Uniquitous and Future Networks Conference Proceedings (pp. 471-475), 1-6 July. Piscataway, NJ: IEEE.
  • Kline, R. B. (2005). Principles and practices of structural equation modeling (2nd ed.). New York: Guilford Press.
  • Korea Creative Content Agency. (2011). Basic ideology of e-sports and social and cultural values. Jeolla, KOCCA.
  • Korea Creative Content Agency. (2022). 2022 survey on the Korea e-Sports industry. Jeolla, KOCCA.
  • Kwon, E. (2020). Designing the physical activity program for children with disabilities. Research in Dance and Physical Activity, 4, 17-25. [https://doi.org/10.26584/RDPE.2020.6.4.1.17]
  • Kwon, H. (2004, October 27). StarCraft competition will be held for the deaf. iNews, 24.
  • Lee, J., Maeng, H., & Yang, H. (2022). Parental support and concerns about physical activities of their children with autism spectrum disorder during COVID-19. Research in Dance and Physical Activity, 6, 19-31. [https://doi.org/10.26584/RDPA.2022.08.6.2.19]
  • Lee, M. (2018). Social, cultural and leisure activities of people with disabilities: Current state and policy implications. In Health and welfare policy forum (pp. 73–88). Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs. [https://doi.org/10.23062/2018.09.7]
  • Mosely, S., Anderson, R., Usmanov, G., Morris, J., & Lippincott, B. (2022). Video game trends over time for people with disabilities. Journal on Technology and Persons with Disabilities, 10, 232-248.
  • Newzoo. (2021). Newzoo global games market report 2021. Retrieved from https://newzoo.com/insights/trend-reports/newzoo-global-games-market-report-2019-light-version/, (accessed on 24 December 2022).
  • Park, S., Jung, Y., & Lee, Y. (2019). A Study on the Development of e-sports for the Disabled. Korean Journal of Adapted Physical Activity, 27(4), 113-130.
  • Park, S., Jung, Y., Lee, Y., & Kim, B. (2019). A study on the status and actual condition of e-sports for the disabled. Journal of the Korean Physical Education Association for Girls and Women, 33(4), 147-164. [https://doi.org/10.16915/jkapesgw.2019.12.33.4.147]
  • Raggiotto, F., & Scarpi, D. (2023). It’s not just a game: Virtual edgework and subjective well-being in e-sports. Journal of Interactive Marketing, 58, 185-197. [https://doi.org/10.1177/10949968221127897]
  • Taylor N. (2016). Play to the camera: Video ethnography, spectatorship, and e-sports. Convergence, 22, 115–130. [https://doi.org/10.1177/1354856515580282]
  • Thompson, N. A., Ehrhardt, N., Lippincott, B. R., Anderson, R. K., & Morris, J. T. (2021). Survey of user needs: eGaming and people with disabilities. Journal on Technology and Persons with Disabilities, 9, 157-169.