Interpreting Para-social Intimacy among Players from the Perspective of Emotional Labor Theory: A Case Study of Sky: Children of the Light
Abstract
In the realm of game socialization, existing research on affective labor predominantly focuses on quantifiable, commercialized forms (e.g., paid game companionship), paying insufficient attention to non-commercial fields’ player-to-player interactions. This study investigates the jianhu-zaizai relationship (a mentor-apprentice bond) in Sky: Children of the Light through the lens of affective labor. Employing in-depth interviews with 10 experienced jianhu, the research reveals that jianhu are primarily driven by altruism, engaging in affective labor through teaching, companionship, and emotional support, which fosters a simulated intimacy governed by a gift economy rather than monetary exchange. Findings indicate that mentors employ both surface and deep acting strategies, incurring emotional costs such as time investment and emotional suppression. These dynamics and associated risks (e.g., emotional exhaustion) are further moderated by age and relationship duration. In this research, the jianhu's labor partially aligns with definitions of affective labor, the absence of clear exploitation and measurable surplus value challenges its classification under traditional paradigms. This study underscores the complexity of affective labor in non-commercial contexts and offers insights for game design and community management, suggesting that future research develop tailored metrics to capture immaterial investments and returns.
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