影态身份:电竞青训选手的劳动实践研究

Shadow Identity:A Study of the Labor Practices of Young Esports Trainees

本文采用田野调查、半结构化访谈与大数据分析三种方法,以数字劳动为理论视角对电竞青训选手的劳动实践进行研究。研究发现,“宝宝锁”,即防未成年人网络游戏沉迷政策出台后,对电竞产业产生了一定的影响,游戏资本一方面为了表面遵守“宝宝锁”,一方面因逐利性而保持自身电竞模块的发展,便将对电竞青训选手的培育模式从“可见”转变为“不可见”。由此,电竞青训选手的劳动身份具备了影态性;而影态的身份致使电竞青训选手劳动主体性日渐消弭,对其劳动过程产生了较大的负面影响。本质而言,电竞青训选手身份的转变说明了“宝宝锁”、游戏资本与青训选手三者之间的关系相互排斥、具有张力。因而,对电竞青训选手的保护需要各方共同发力。

This article employs three research methods-fieldwork,semi-structured interviews,and big data analysis-to examine the labor practices of esports trainee players from the perspective of digital labor theory.The study reveals that the implementation of the"Parental Controls"policy,intended to prevent minors from becoming addicted to online games,has had a notable impact on the esports industry.On the one hand,game companies appear to comply with the policy;on the other hand,driven by profit,they continue to support the industry's growth.Consequently,the training model for esports trainees has shifted from"visible"to"invisible,"resulting in a hidden or"shadow"labor identity for these trainees.This shadow identity gradually erodes trainees'labor agency,significantly affecting their labor experience.Ultimately,the shift in esports trainees'identity underscores the complex and tension-filled relationship between the"Parental Controls"policy,game capital,and the trainees themselves.Protecting esports trainees requires coordinated efforts from all stakeholders.