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Performing Identity through ProfileCustomization on Steam: A Study of Strategic Self-Expression and Audience Segregation
Malmö University, Faculty of Culture and Society (KS), School of Arts and Communication (K3).
2026 (English)Independent thesis Advanced level (degree of Master (Two Years)), 20 credits / 30 HE creditsStudent thesis
Abstract [en]

This Master’s thesis explores how Steam users use the platform’s profile customization features to construct their gaming identities through their profiles. This study uses a mixed-methodsapproach, surveying 54 Steam users and interviewing an additional 8 to learn about their preferences for self-expression on the platform and whether they filter their complex gamer identitydepending on the audience. Results showed that not only are Goffmanian impression management and audience segregation common practices among the participants, but the reason behindthose behaviors is to avoid association with negative stereotypes, negative emotions, or to ensure one's physical and emotional safety. These findings suggest that Steam users above all elsevalue their safety and emotional boundaries and place that before the aesthetics of their profilesor their authenticity with their real-life selves.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
2026. , p. 102
Keywords [en]
Steam, user profile, impression management, self-expression, customization, gamer stereotype.
National Category
Humanities and the Arts
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:mau:diva-85876OAI: oai:DiVA.org:mau-85876DiVA, id: diva2:2072736
Educational program
KS K3 Culture and Change
Supervisors
Examiners
Available from: 2026-06-23 Created: 2026-06-15 Last updated: 2026-06-23Bibliographically approved

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CiteExportLink to record
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Citation style
  • apa
  • ieee
  • modern-language-association-8th-edition
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Language
  • de-DE
  • en-GB
  • en-US
  • fi-FI
  • nn-NO
  • nn-NB
  • sv-SE
  • Other locale
More languages
Output format
  • html
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  • asciidoc
  • rtf