The Hidden Danger in Human Computer Interaction: A Research Based on Online Games and Cultural Values in Turkey

For most of human history, knowledge has been acknowledged as being objective. It has been something that most people can access, but not something that many can create. However, The Internet is changing this with the use of information technologies and Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) is also helping it. HCI is increasing the adaptability of knowledge as well as its adoptability. This situation leads to some radical changes that will have profound effects on societies. For example, virtual environments created by HCI-based techniques by considering cultural elements can leave irreversible traces on local cultures. This study aims to draw attention to the potential hidden dangers in HCI for local cultures by focusing on the cultural effects of online games. Hofstede's Individual Cultural Values Scale was applied to determine the changes in the cultural values of the players. Playing history of the players was also taken into account. In addition, the study tested the moderating effects of age and gender on the relationship between the cultural values and online games. Snowball, non-probability sampling technique was used in this study. Starter point for snowball technique was determined as 5 Turkish twitch broadcasters playing online games in their broadcasts. 486 data was collected in two weeks. Of these, 21 were initially eliminated because the participants stated that they were not Turkish citizens by birth. Therefore, the sample based on 465 units of analysis. The results show that while power distance and uncertainty avoidance perceptions of online game players are higher than non-players, long term orientation perception is lower and these differences change according to their playing history. In addition, it is found that age has a moderating effect on the relationship between power distance and online games. Final section of the study contains more detailed description of the results, limitations, cultural and managerial implications and some suggestions for future studies.