Online Gaming Communities As A Resource For Forming The Civic Identity Of Russian Youth[Игровые Онлайн-Сообщества — Ресурс Формирования Гражданской Идентичности Российской Молодежи]

Introduction. The article describes the phenomenon of online gaming communities in terms of their communication potential for forming civic identity. The authors proceed from the assumption that the gaming industry has a significant impact on modern youth’s perception of Russia’s images, the Russians, national cultural values and traditions. The aim of the article is to assess the capabilities of online gaming communities as a tool for shaping the civic identity of Russian youth. Methods. The authors combine the analysis of Russian scientists’ scientific works with marketing research of Western analytical centers, and also consider the practical activities of Russian gamers’ online communities. Scientific novelty of the research: The scientific novelty of the study consists in considering online gaming communities as social groups of a new type, which not only carry their own unique ideas, but also have the potential to broadcast them. Conclusions. The authors come to the conclusion that it is necessary to consider the phenomenon of online games as an important element of modern digital culture that forms civic identity. The authors justify the necessity of developing and implementing technologies of interaction between the state and society with online gaming communities.