Interpersonal Communication Behavior Online Game Addict:

Case Study on Mobile Legends Bang Bang Online Game Addict in

South Tangerang, Indonesia

Arbi Cristional Lokananta

Universitas Budi Luhur

Keywords: Case Study, Interpersonal Communication, Behavior, Online Game Addict

Abstract: Technological advancements make everything grow, including game development. In the past, games could

only be played on computers in "internet cafes". However, it has now been developed proven by the existence

of online games that can be played by mobile. Addiction to online games also increases due to the ease of

playing games. According to WHO (World Health Organization) The first thing that can be measured from

people who are addicted to the game is from the frequency of playing. One of the games that is being loved

is Bang Bang's Mobile Legends. The researcher conducted a case study on addicts online game Mobile

Legends Bang Bang in South Tangerang, Indonesia using McClelland's Needs theory and also the

Interpersonal Communication by Tubbs. As the game changes, interpersonal communication also changes.

Communication interpersonal patterns that occur based on the results of observations and interviews with

informants are 5 All Channel Communication Networks or Patterns The All Channel pattern is a pattern that

has open channels, so this pattern allows everyone to communicate with anyone, this pattern is the most

flexible pattern.

1. INTRODUCTION

In today's modern era, the world is being hit by

developments in the fields of science and technology.

The development of science and technology that is

increasingly rapid turns to bring changes in all walks

of life. One result of the development of technology

is the internet. Along with the development of the

internet technology is growing rapidly, one of the

benefits is as a means of entertainment, for example

to play. Video game using the internet network are

known as online game. Online game are becoming a

new trend that is in great demand because someone

no longer plays alone (single), but allows playing

with dozens of people at once from various locations

(multiplayer). On adjacent computer networks (Local

Area Network). Now game players can play with

other players from different places, even between

nations and between countries. Various games that

are connected to the internet network (online game)

are apparently more in demand and have many

extraordinary fans. If we look at game rental places,

we will find places that have never been quiet, day or

night from game fans. Even at certain hours there are

many users who are willing to queue.

The types of games in the game are many kinds.

Starting from only being played on a PC or via a

smartphone. Smartphones also have games that can

be online or played offline. The ease that is happening

now as time goes on makes it easier for game fans

now. Once upon a time gamers could only play games

in internet cafes (warnet) but now mobile can be

played anywhere because the internet is increasingly

accessible. There are also many smartphones which

are cheap but with RAM and other applications.

Games in Indonesia are divided into several types.

There are adventures like Tree of Savior, cooking

cooking games like Dinner Dash, strategy games like

PUBG, and also like Bang Bang Mobile Legends

Mobile which can be accessed online and easy to use

on smartphones. Previously on PCs there were games

like SIMS City which even now have mobile games

on smartphones. This certainly makes gamers become

addicts and increasingly frequent in playing games.

The development of online games in Indonesia is

very rapid starting from online games that are genre

of action that puts action in games such as punches,

Lokananta, A.

Interpersonal Communication Behavior Online Game Addict: Case Study on Mobile Legends Bang Bang Online Game Addict in South Tangerang, Indonesia.

DOI: 10.5220/0008929200530056

In Proceedings of the 1st International Conference on IT, Communication and Technology for Better Life (ICT4BL 2019), pages 53-56

ISBN: 978-989-758-429-9

collisions, and games that are full of various traps.

Based on a survey conducted by APJII (Association

of Indonesian Internet Service Providers) at the end

of 2014, the online game genre that is widely played

is the MMOFPS game (Massively Multiplayer Online

First-person shooter. From this survey data obtained

is 50–60% of game users online playing MMOFPS

genre games and the rest followed by games that are

MMORPG genre (Massively Multiplayer Online

Role-playing games.) Many of these online game

users range in age from 12 to 34 years, including

children, adolescents and adults (Tekno Kompas,

2018)

Mobile Legends Bang Bang is a Moonton game.

Update several seasons and continue to improve the

character of the game. At the turn of the season there

will be a decrease in rank which makes the players

have to fight to increase the rank again. Add old

characters with new or existing updates. All the

characters, stories and activities in them are fictional.

2. LITERATURE REVIEW

Researchers use McClelland's Needs theory to see the

extent to which informants who play games are

addicted. However, the researcher chose to focus in

interpersonal communication as the subject using

Tubbs's theory of interpersonal communication.

Interpersonal communication is used by players in the

game Mobile Legends: Bang Bang when playing the

game. Communication has a pattern between players.

Communication pattern is defined as the form or

pattern of relations between two or more people in the

process of sending and receiving messages in the

right way, so that the message in question can be

understood (Harrel, 1984)

There are five types of communication networks,

patterns of human interaction Tubbs and Moss, which

consist of:

1. Wheel Interaction Patterns The pattern of

wheel interaction is centered on a central figure

that acts as an intermediary for communication

between group members. So in this network a

leader acts as the center of the group

communication flow. In this pattern the leader

becomes the center so he can freely

communicate with all members. But on the

contrary, members cannot communicate with

other members and must communicate through

leaders.

2. Networks or Interaction Patterns A chain of

chain interaction patterns is a pattern in which

three people can only communicate with the

person next to them. The chain pattern rigidly

follows the formal chain of command.

3. Y Communication Networks or Patterns Y

communication pattern is a pattern that adheres

to a system that is almost the same as a chain

interaction pattern, but in a communication

pattern Y has a middle position that mediates,

but the middle position cannot reach all

members.

4. Networks or Circle Communication Patterns

Circle communication patterns are more

dynamic communication patterns in the

dissemination of messages, because each

person is connected and can communicate with

each other with two people next to him.

5. All Channel Communication Networks or

Patterns the All Channel pattern is a pattern that

has open channels, so this pattern allows

everyone to communicate with anyone, this

pattern is the most flexible pattern.

The process of communication patterns is an

interaction process. Each player interacts with each

other at the time before starting the game, during the

game, and after the game. (Littlejohn, Foss, 2009)

According to Bales, analysis of the interaction

process consists of six categories namely:

1. If each group member does not provide enough

information to each other, then the group will

experience "communication problems".

2. If each group member does not give each other

opinions, the relevant group experiences an

"evaluation problem".

3. If each group member does not ask each other

and give advice, the group will experience

"supervision problems"

4. If each group member cannot reach an

agreement they will get a "decision problem"

5. If there is not enough dramatization there will

be a "tension problem" 6. If group members are

unfriendly and friendly, there will be

"reintegration problems", which means that the

group is unable to rebuild "our feelings" or

cohesiveness.

Many game players today are in the category of

game addiction. Addiction or addiction is a physical

dependence on an anesthetic. In general, this

addiction increases tolerance to anesthetic, physical

and psychological dependence, and also adds to the

symptoms of seclusion from the community if the

drug is stopped. But Keepers said that the definition

of addiction then began to shift by including some

behaviors that did not contain intoxicants such as

video game play, compulsive gambling, overeating,

and television viewing. Online game addiction is one

ICT4BL 2019 - International Conference on IT, Communication and Technology for Better Life

type of addiction caused by internet technology,

better known as Internet Addictive Dissorder. As

stated that the internet can cause addiction, one of

which is Computer Game Addiction (excessive

playing games) (Doktersehat, 2019)

Social motives are important to get an idea of the

behavior of individuals and groups David McClelland

(in Robbins, 2001) in his theory McLelland's

Achievement Motivation Theory or McClelland's

achievement motivation theory suggests that

individuals have potential energy reserves, how this

energy is released and developed depends on the

strength or motivation of individuals and situations

and opportunities available. This theory focuses on

three needs, namely the need for achievement

(achievement), the need for power (power), and

affiliate needs. Each individual has their own needs

according to their character and mindset. In its

implementation, someone who tends to have one of

the high needs on the three diastas needs will be more

suitable for one particular position in a job.

According to WHO (World Health Organization)

the first thing that can be measured from people who

are addicted to the game is from the frequency of

play, even the duration can be increased day by

day.(“5 Ciri Kecanduan Game,” n.d.) These addicts

cannot control their habit of playing games. Online

game addicts over time experience changes in

communication. The pattern of interpersonal

communication also changes. Initially

communication was carried out directly in "internet

cafes" but now communication patterns are carried

out through chat rooms. Starting from making game

tactics, choosing playmates, and conveying

everything about the game through other apps.

3. CONCLUCION

Communication patterns that occur based on the

results of observations and interviews with

informants are 5 All Channel Communication

Networks or Patterns the All Channel pattern is a

pattern that has open channels, so this pattern allows

everyone to communicate with anyone, this pattern is

the most flexible pattern. Each other is free to express

what they choose to be heroes. They fight each other

in the chat room if they are having trouble facing the

enemy. They are also free to comment on the skills

and tactics used by each other. So, no one is the most

powerful or most in control in terms of interpersonal

communication. Before playing they first do

interpersonal communication by apps like Whatsapp

or Line Group. Then, when the war starts, personal

communication is carried out in the chat room. The

chat can be disabled or turned on depending on the

game's initial agreement. Can be arranged for

communication only through chat, or by voice. So the

interpersonal communication they do is an agreement

at the beginning. If according to them there is a "toxic

people" they immediately agreed to turn it off.

However, it is possible to be revived. Only then will

they continue to communicate no longer through the

chat room but through Whatsapp ori Line Group.

The study was conducted through interviews and

observations to informants. The motivation stage is

the initial stage and the factors that exist in someone

who moves and directs their behavior to meet certain

needs. In this case the individual seeks to improve the

ability that is in them to meet the needs of those in an

online game. In this motivation stage, the informants

had different experiences in terms of the initial

decision as to why they started and chose to play

online games, especially Mobile Legends Bang Bang

game. Based on the results of observations and

interviews conducted at each informant, on average

they started playing online games from an early age

when they were in school.

Interviews show that informant has participated in

playing games since the first season or second season,

which is around 2017 until 2019 now. Starting from

campus friends and even home friends who

introduced Mobile Legends Bang Bang to the

informants so they became addicted to the game. The

informants play using their own internet quota and

there are also those who use free hotspots just for the

game is not lag. They are interested in Mobile

Legends Bang Bang games for several reasons, some

are interested in existing heroes as well because their

friends are even interested because without removing

real money informants can get all the heroes by using

points in the game.

Informants feel happy when playing games.

According to them, it felt like it was very exciting

when they first downloaded the game, when they

downloaded it immediately invited their friends to

play and set the strategy. Making the strategy is a

satisfaction for the informants. Strategies must be

made precisely by communicating through chat

menus between team members when choosing what

type of hero to use, mage, assassin, tank, marksman,

fighter, or support. Then after that communication is

also done to determine what hero to use from these

types. Heroes including Tank types include Tigreal,

Franco, Minotaur, Akai, Hylos, Hilda, Grock, and

Lolita. Some of the heroes including the Marksman

included Bruno, Clint, Layla, Miya, Moskov, Roger,

Irithel, and Yi Sun-shin. Heroes included in the types

Interpersonal Communication Behavior Online Game Addict: Case Study on Mobile Legends Bang Bang Online Game Addict in South

Tangerang, Indonesia

of tanks are Balmond, Bane, Yun Zhao, Alucard,

Freya, Chou, Sun, Alpha, and Ruby. Hero Mage

consists of Nana, Eudora, Karina, Gord, Alice, Zhask,

Pharsa, and Kagura. Support heroes include Estes,

Diggie, and Rafaela, and hybrid Support heroes such

as Minotaur, Lolita, and Nana. Hero which includes

assassin types namely Alucard, Fanny, Hayabusa,

Karina, Natalia, Helcurt, Saber, and Yun

Zhao.(Esportnesia, 2019)

The purpose of informants playing online games

is to entertain when they are free and fill their free

time immediately after work. Their duration play time

starts from one hour to six hours a day. The reason

they are addicted is because they are required to set

the strategy when playing. The brain is used when

making a strategy so it's not just playing normally.

Besides that because the game can be used together

with friends and this game if you lose, the rank will

drop. Therefore, the tactics of informants are needed

in playing so that they continue to have a safe rank.

Even as much as possible the rank must go up

continuously to feel their achievement as a player.

Communication patterns that occur based on the

results of observations and interviews with

informants are 5 All Channel Communication

Networks or Patterns the All Channel pattern is a

pattern that has open channels, so this pattern allows

everyone to communicate with anyone, this pattern is

the most flexible pattern. Each other is free to express

what they choose to be heroes. They fight each other

in the chat room if they are having trouble facing the

enemy. They are also free to comment on the skills

and tactics used by each other. So, no one is the most

powerful or most in control in terms of interpersonal

communication. Before playing they first do

interpersonal communication by apps like Whatsapp

or Line Group. Then, when the war starts, personal

communication is carried out in the chat room. The

chat can be disabled or turned on depending on the

game's initial agreement. Can be arranged for

communication only through chat, or by voice. So the

interpersonal communication they do is an agreement

at the beginning. If according to them there is a "toxic

people" they immediately agreed to turn it off.

However, it is possible to be revived. Only then will

they continue to communicate no longer through the

chat room but through Whatsapp or Line Group.

Mobile Legends Bang Bang can be a medium of

interaction according to informants because they can

add friends from online games, besides that there are

also chat facilities. Some people from informants

even arrived at a community or special Mobile

Legends Bang Bang group. In the community,

discussing among other things, build a hero, how to

play, the latest updates Mobile Legends Bang Bang.

They begin the interaction with members in the online

community with an agreement to play together

between teams or between squads. That way the way

to familiarize yourself with members in the online

community in addition to playing games with them

also gathered together to chat with each other about

games and also about other things.

There are terms in Mobile Legends Bang Bang

which are commonly used in games to interact like

noob, ez, and newbie. Even the terms in the Mobile

Legends Bang Bang game are also used in everyday

life so not only when online. Those who are members

of the squad have also met members in the online

community before. In addition to discussing

strategies, they play other games and observe through

social media such as youtube, exercise, work, and

help their parents. So they also continue to interact

with the real world, not only when playing games and

not just playing games. The way they familiarize

themselves with the environment outside the game is

by drinking coffee together, discussing, and gathering

together by ordering food together.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Finally, thanks to my parents, my lovely husband, my

kids, for their continuous support and encouragement

for this paper.

REFERENCES

Harrell, A. M./Stahl, M. J. (1984): McClelland’s

Trichotomy of Needs Theory and the Job

Satisfaction and Work Performance of CPA Firm

Professionals. Accounting,

Organizations and Society. Volume 9, Issues 3–4, 1984,

Pages 241–252

Littlejohn, S W. Foss, K A. 2009. Jakarta: Salemba

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https://tekno.kompas.com/read/2018/06/21/13001047/

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Website https://doktersehat.com/fenomena-candu-game-

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Website https://esportsnesia.com/game/mobile-

legends/apa-itu-mobile-legends/

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