A Study on Playful Attributes of Mobile Messenger

Focused on KakaoTalk applying the play theory of Huizinga / Gadamer

Abstract

Mobile Messenger is not just a communication tool for modern people; it provides a space to freely express desires and pursue fun and pleasure free from daily life, even for a short while. Based on the play theory of Huizinga, mobile messenger has attributes of play space which has a discontinuous continuity with reality and serves as a temporary virtual space where different rules from daily life are applied. In this space, users can pursue their free activity by their own free will, and the origins of such playfulness are derived from the media attributes of the interface. The structural and playful elements of mobile messenger are as follows: mobile messenger is a virtual space separated from reality that has ‘temporal restriction’ and ‘spatial isolation,’ which is a characteristic of the play space mentioned by Huizinga. Moreover, the interface of mobile messenger generates interactivity through the exchange of the speech bubble among the users, which is the play’s oscillating movement referred to by Gadamer. This is the fundamental attribute of play movement that shows the unique play spirit and the world of play. In addition, mobile messenger has playful attributes such as manipulability, interaction, audiovisual and esthetics, and these factors can enhance mobile messenger’s playfulness by increasing immersion and interest in mobile messenger.