University of the East – Caloocan

Basic Education Department

STEM – Science and Engineering Strand

Group #: ____1_____ Section: STEM 12-6 Date: 02/17/2022 Score: ___________/60

Jairo L. De Leon1
Lance Reginald G. Zambrano2 Althea Nicole M. Navalete3 Joana Marie C. Jocson4
Marinel Kate P. Calinog5 Ian Cedric L. Manilag6 Angelo Juan Paulo G. Cuaresma7 Arwen S. Valenton8

Written Task 1: RESEARCH PROSPECTUS

Brief references to
literature (Materials that
prompted you to choose
this research topic)
Summarize the
literature/studies that
explains why your
research topic is possible.
Cite the resources.
(3 pts)
Due to the emergence of COVID-19 pandemic, some Filipinos resorted to
Axie Infinity, a play-to-earn game, as an additional source of income.
40.53% of about 10 million Axie Infinity players are Filipinos, mostly
scholars, of the said game. A scholarship is when a manager (a player with
enough Axies) hires a scholar (a player who can't afford their own Axie
team) to play the game for them. Depending on their agreement, the
scholar's SLP will be split between the management and the scholar. It might
be 50/50, 60/40, or whatever their discussion turns out to be. Because of the
said agreement, scholars need to reach a certain quota of Smooth Love
Potion (SLP) earned in a day, which became a problem, because it is
becoming a strain and a source of stress for the players.
Meanwhile, the World Health Organization just identified a new type of
disorder called “Gaming Disorder” or GD, which is defined as a pattern of
gaming behavior characterized by a loss of control over gaming, a shift in
priority from other activities to gaming to the point where gaming takes
precedence over other interests and daily activities, and the continuation or
escalation of gaming despite negative consequences, by WHO.

[1] World Health Organization. (2020, October 22). Addictive behaviours:

Gaming disorder. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-

room/questions-and-answers/item/addictive-behaviours-gaming-

disorder

[2] Player Counter. (2021, August 11). Axie Infinity Live Player Count.

Retrieved from https://playercounter.com/axie-infinity/

[3] Elafros, B. (2021, August 25). Axie Infinity Scholarships: How Does It

Work and How to Join One? Retrieved from

1
 https://www.billelafros.com/axie-scholarships-how-does-it-work-

and-how-to-join-one/

de Jesus, S. B., Austria, D., Marcelo, D. R., Ocampo, C., Tibuan, A. J., &

Tus, J. (2022). Play-to-Earn: A Qualitative Analysis of the

Experiences and Challenges Faced By Axie Infinity Online Gamers

Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic. International Journal of

Psychology and Counseling, 12(1).

https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.18856454.v1

General topic of interest A quantitative psychological assessment of Axie Infinity players

(1 pt)

Gaps in knowledge The gaps that need addressing are: (1) There are no information on the
demographics of Filipino Axie Infinity players. (2) The role of their
demographics in the decision-making process to whether or not to play or
Base on your RRL/S, what invest in the game. (3) The relationship of their demographics to the stress
are the gaps that needs to they accumulate while playing the game, with consideration to the following
be addressed. factors: (a) market prices, (b) income dependency, (c) matchmaking rate

(2 pts)

My research question/s 1. What are the psychological challenges Filipino Axie Infinity players
face as they play the game?
Write three research
2. What are the environmental factors surrounding the game and;
questions
3. How does these factors affect their mental well-being?
(3 pts)
[1] Aliyari, H., Sahraei, H., Daliri, M. R., Minaei-Bidgoli, B., Kazemi, M.,
More literature review
(Initial reference list which
Agaei, H., . . . Dehghanimohammadabadi, Z. (2018). The Beneficial
you think will aid in the
conduct of your research)
or Harmful Effects of Computer Game Stress on Cognitive Functions

Cite 10 related studies. of Players. Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, 9(3), 177–186.

(3 pts) https://doi.org/10.29252/nirp.bcn.9.3.177

2
[2] Alloy Silverstein Accountants and Advisors. (2021, November 18).

Understanding the World of NFTs. Retrieved from

https://alloysilverstein.com/understanding-the-world-of-nfts/

[3] Bonheur, K. (2021, August 29). Axie Infinity Review: Pros and Cons.

Retrieved from https://www.profolus.com/topics/axie-infinity-

review-pros-and-cons/

[4] Cohen, S., Kamarck, T., & Mermelstein, R. (1983). Perceived Stress

Scale. American Sociological Association, (24), 386–396. Retrieved

from

https://das.nh.gov/wellness/docs/percieved%20stress%20scale.pdf

[5] Covalent HQ. (2021, December 1). Axie Infinity Growth Pt. 1 -

Approach to 10M Players. Retrieved from

https://www.covalenthq.com/blog/axie-part-one/

[6] de Jesus, S. B., Austria, D., Marcelo, D. R., Ocampo, C., Tibuan, A. J.,

& Tus, J. (2022). Play-to-Earn: A Qualitative Analysis of the

Experiences and Challenges Faced By Axie Infinity Online Gamers

Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic. International Journal of

Psychology and Counseling, 12(1).

https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.18856454.v1

[7] Dufner, S., Gangamarani, H., Giannetti, R., Kelly, K., Kenline, C.,

Plunkett, K., & Satterfield, B. (2015, February 19). Trading on

3
 Stress. Retrieved from https://www.gensler.com/gri/trading-stress-

for-wellness

[8] Elafros, B. (2021, August 25). Axie Infinity Scholarships: How Does It

Work and How to Join One? Retrieved from

https://www.billelafros.com/axie-scholarships-how-does-it-work-

and-how-to-join-one/

[9] Encyclopedia of Survey Research Methods. (2010). Reference Reviews,

24(1), 26–27. https://doi.org/10.1108/09504121011011879

[10] Harvard Business Review. (2021, November 19). How NFTs Create

Value. Retrieved from https://hbr.org/2021/11/how-nfts-create-value

[11] Hayward, A. S. G. (2022, February 2). What is Axie Infinity? The Play-

to-Earn NFT Game Taking Crypto By Storm. Retrieved from

https://decrypt.co/resources/what-is-axie-infinity-the-play-to-earn-

nft-game-taking-crypto-by-storm

[12] Heffernan, I. (2021, June 1). Dealing with the Stress of Trading Crypto.

Retrieved from https://www.livetradingnews.com/dealing-with-the-

stress-of-trading-crypto-211263.html

[13] Kircaburun, K., Pontes, H. M., Stavropoulos, V., & Griffiths, M. D.

(2020). A brief psychological overview of disordered gaming.

Current Opinion in Psychology, 36, 38–43.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.copsyc.2020.03.004

[14] LaMagna, M. (2018, January 21). How trading bitcoin could actually

ruin your mental health. Retrieved from

4
 https://www.marketwatch.com/story/how-trading-bitcoin-could-

actually-ruin-your-mental-health-2018-01-18

[15] PhD, E. B. J. (2020). The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook (Seventh

Edition, Revised ed.). Oakland, CA: New Harbinger Publications.

[16] Player Counter. (2021, August 11). Axie Infinity Live Player Count.

Retrieved from https://playercounter.com/axie-infinity/

[17] Servando, K., Sayson, I., & B. (2021, August 26). The jobless turn to

crypto video game for financial relief. Retrieved from

https://fortune.com/2021/08/25/crypto-video-game-axie-infinity-

crypto-traders-unemployed/

[18] Sisley, C. (2017, May 24). Are you killing your personal productivity?

Retrieved from https://www.workflowmax.com/blog/are-you-killing-

your-personal-

productivity#:%7E:text=Your%20personal%20productivity%20ratio

%20%3D%20Hours,divided%20by%20total%20hours%20worked.

[19] Sky Mavis. (2021). Axie Infinity - Axie Infinity. Retrieved from

https://whitepaper.axieinfinity.com/

[20] Sternlicht, A. S. L. (2018). Staring at Charts: Bitcoin and

Cryptocurrency Addiction: Family Addiction Specialist: Addiction

Counselor. Retrieved from

https://www.familyaddictionspecialist.com/blog/staring-at-charts-

bitcoin-and-cryptocurrency-addiction

5
 [21] Whitener, S. (2021, December 10). Anxiety Vs. Relaxation: Relabeling

Anxiety As Excitement. Retrieved from

https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescoachescouncil/2021/04/07/anxi

ety-vs-relaxationrelabeling-anxiety-as-excitement/?sh=20c3ec2f7afd

[22] World Health Organization. (2020, October 22). Addictive behaviours:

Gaming disorder. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-

room/questions-and-answers/item/addictive-behaviours-gaming-

disorder

Theoretical Framework A Brief Background of NFTs

(introduces and describes A Non-fungible Token or NFT, is a unique, one-of-a-kind digital item. They
the theory that explains are stored on “blockchains,” which are public-facing digital ledgers. This
why the research problem means that any NFT’s ownership can be traced. Moreover, it’s easy to
under study exists.) transfer NFTs from one person to another—it works just like a bank account
This can be in paragraph transaction– and it’s very hard to counterfeit them. Because of these factors,
or graphic organizer form. NFTs are used to create markets of varied goods (Harvard Business Review,
2021).
(3 pts)
Now, NFT technology is used to certify ownership of digital assets. Digital
assets can include a piece of music, a piece of digital art, or a token for a
video game (Alloy Silverstein Accountants and Advisors, 2021).
Because of all the hype around NFTs, several companies took notice of this
opportunity to create blockchain-based games, one of which is the Vietnam-
based Sky Mavis—which gave birth to the crypto game Axie Infinity.
Axie Infinity
Axie Infinity is a game universe filled by fascinating animals known as
Axies, which players can collect and keep as pets. The goal of the game is
for players to battle, breed, collect, grow, and establish kingdoms for their
Axies. Players can actually own, purchase, sell, and trade commodities
earned in the game through smart gameplay and contributions to the
environment in the universe's player-owned economy. For Axies, there are
and will be many different game experiences. Many of them will pit players
against one another in complicated strategies and tactics in order to achieve
top ranks or gain access to sought resources. Others will require them to
perform missions, beat bosses, and get access to in-depth narratives. (Sky
Mavis, 2021)
Because of the financial opportunity Axie Infinity offers, the number of
daily active users on Axie Infinity increased from 30,000 in April to over 1
million in August 2021, with the majority of users coming from poor nations
hit hard by COVID, such as the Philippines, Brazil, and Venezuela
(Servando, et. al., 2021).

6
According to Player Counter (2022), 40.53% of the Axie Infinity player base
are from the Philippines, with 60% to 70% of players coming from southeast
asia.
As of December 2021, Sky Mavis’ Axie Infinity attracted a swarm of 8.3
million players, and is expected to cross the 10 million mark before the end
of the year. The game has more than a million active daily users, making it
the most widely used blockchain game (Covalent HQ, 2021).
This swell in numbers is brought by Axie Scholarships. A scholarship is
when a manager (a player with enough Axies) hires a scholar (a player who
can't afford their own Axie team) to play the game for them. Depending
on their agreement, the scholar's SLP will be split between the management
and the scholar. It might be 50/50, 60/40, or whatever their discussion turns
out to be (Elafros, 2021).
It is, without a doubt, a play-to-earn game. It is not, however, free. One of
the most significant downsides of Axie Infinity is the high upfront cost.
There was a time when purchasing at least three Axies required a $500
investment. However, the price has already risen to above USD 1000. To
begin, a player must own at least three Axies (Bonheur, 2021).
Because of the said agreement, scholars need to reach a quota of Smooth
Love Potion (SLP) earned in a day. According to de Jesus et al. (2022), most
of the challenge from the game comes from players trying to reach their
quota for the day. With most players being students, a lot of their time goes
to playing the game instead of utilizing it to rest or to study. The players
described the game as both a blessing (because it provides income) and a
source of stress (because it adds pressure and strain) to their lives.
Stress in the Cryptocurrency Industry
According to Crypto.com, the estimated number of crypto traders around the
world is north of 220 million, 1 out of 35 people on the planet have been
trading cryptocurrency. In line with this, according to Shiller (2018), as
stated in LaMagna (2018), the cryptocurrency craze is a “marvelous study”
of human behavior. This is due to the sheer amount of information about
how millions of people process stimuli coming. Whether it’s a euphoric all-
time high, or devastatingly intense lows, cryptocurrency trading can be
highly stimulating, mood altering, and addictive (Sternlicht, 2018). This is
due to the fact that financial trading, such as conventional market trading or
cryptocurrency trading, are one of the most stressful and high-pressure
knowledge occupations. With success or failure relying on the traders’
ability to make quick decisions and analyzations, and react to a fast stream
of information, huge amounts of stress and debilitating burnout rates are a
normal work environment for traders (Dufner et. al., 2015).
Gaming-induced stress and anxiety
Video games are an interactive medium that is a product of novel technology
innovations and is quick expanding all over the world. Neurologists and
researchers are interested in video games due to its high stimulant output to
its users that results into the activation of the several parts of the brain. The
particular parts of the brain highly affected are those who are responsible for
the cognitive reaction of the user resulting into stress. The stress levels,
however, vary depending on the game style (Aliyari et.al., 2018).
As for Axie Infinity, its game style is very exciting. Many elements, one of
which is a move timer that puts up pressure on the players makes the PVP

7
 mode very, very exciting. Aside from that, the fact that Axie Infinity is
somehow similar to a game with card mechanics, it creates an element that
makes the players figure out which maneuvers to use (Gonzales, 2021).
While joy is associated with excitement, anxiety is associated with a distinct
emotion: fear. It's vital to distinguish between the two because when we live
in fear, we're functioning from a survival mode rather than a mode where we
can take advantage of opportunities and possibilities, as we are when we're
delighted. Although there is a clear difference between the two, the
physiological effects of anxiety and excitement can be hard to distinguish
for some people (Whitener, 2021).
Gaming disorder
Gaming Disorder (GD) was recognized as an official diagnostic entity in the
most recent World Health Organization (WHO) International Classification
of Diseases (ICD-11) revision. GD is defined by the World Health
Organization as a pattern of gaming behavior characterized by a loss of
control over gaming, a shift in priority from other activities to gaming to the
point where gaming takes precedence over other interests and daily
activities, and the continuation or escalation of gaming despite negative
consequences. (World Health Organization, 2020; Kircaburun, et. al., 2020)

Conceptual framework Identification of the problem is the first step in any research study, the
(way ideas are organized researchers have identified the problem to be what causes Axie Infinity
to achieve a research Players more stress.
project's purpose; The Stress Perceived (dependent variable) of Axie Infinity Players, and how
schematic diagram of the
other variables such as the gaming characteristics (independent variable),
steps/process in doing the market forces (moderator variable), and demographics (moderator variable)
paper) of the Axie Infinity players are identified to be the variables. With this, a
corresponding online survey questionnaire would be formulated using
combined instruments and tools, with respect to the sample size. After the
Diagram/ flowchart form
formulation of questionnaire, the researchers would look for informants on
on a separate page
Axie Infinity social media groups (Facebook Groups) and administer the
survey to them. Once data has been gathered, it would undergo several
(3 pts) statistical treatments including Analysis of Variance, and Linear Regression.
A conclusion would be made based from the statistical results.

Possible research Research Methodology: Quantitative Research

methodology
Research Design: Correlational Design
(Total 10 pts) Sampling Procedure: With the time allotted and the resources the
For Descriptive, Causal- researchers have, especially in the current pandemic, Convenience Sampling
comparative, or is the ideal procedure.
Correlational Design Variables to be studied: Demographics of Axie Infinity Players, Stress
answer the following: Perceived by Axie Infinity Players, Market Forces surrounding Axie
- Research Methodology: Infinity, and Axie Infinity Players’ Gaming Characteristics.
Quantitative Research Data Analyzation Methods: Analysis of Variance for SOP 1, Analysis of
- Research Design (1pt): Variance for SOP 2, and Linear Regression Technique for SOP 3.
- Sampling Procedure
(1pt): Strategies for ensuring ethics in research: Study procedures would be
- Variables to be studied carried out in accordance to university guidelines. Shall there be any
(2pts): changes in the methods, the research advisers and the university would be
immediately notified. The researchers would reach out to the Local
8
- How will you analyze
the data? Each SOP
should have one. (3pts)
- Strategies for ensuring
ethics in research. (2pts)
- Target participants (1pt)
Data Collection Methods:
For Descriptive, Causal-
comparative, or
Correlational Design
answer the following:
- How will you
quantitatively measure
each variables?
(Instruments to be used
if any) (5pts)
Significance of my study
(3pts)
Working Title
(2 pts)
Resources:
Government of Caloocan City for permission in conducting the research.
Participants would be asked to sign appropriate consent forms prior to any
data collection processes.
Target Participants: Axie Infinity Players of Caloocan City
For Variable 1 (Demographics of Axie Infinity Players): A simple
demographics survey consisting of Age, Employment, Location, and Level
of Income.
For Variable 2 (Gaming Characteristics): Game MMR, hours played, and
level of earnings in-game
For Variable 3 (Stress Perceived by Axie Infinity Players): The
Perceived Stress Scale by Sheldon Cohen OR Symptom Checklist for Stress
by Edmund J. Bourne, PhD.
Cohen, S., Kamarck, T., & Mermelstein, R. (1983). Perceived Stress Scale.
American Sociological Association, (24), 386–396. Retrieved from
https://das.nh.gov/wellness/docs/percieved%20stress%20scale.pdf
PhD, E. B. J. (2020). The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook (Seventh Edition,
Revised ed.). Oakland, CA: New Harbinger Publications.
For Variable 4 (Market Forces surrounding Axie Infinity): This variable
is a moderator variable.
With the still growing numbers of Axie Infinity Players in the Philippines,
this study is significant as:
1. It spearheads the engagement of study regarding NFT games—
particularly Axie Infinity—and;
2. provides the academe’s prospective researchers initial information
about this area of research.
3. It gives soon-to-be players prior information about potential stress
levels they can acquire while playing the game.
Axie Stressfinity: An Assessment of Perceived Stress of Axie Infinity
Players in Caloocan City
9
[1] Aliyari, H., Sahraei, H., Daliri, M. R., Minaei-Bidgoli, B., Kazemi, M., Agaei, H., . . .

Dehghanimohammadabadi, Z. (2018). The Beneficial or Harmful Effects of Computer Game Stress

on Cognitive Functions of Players. Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, 9(3), 177–186.

https://doi.org/10.29252/nirp.bcn.9.3.177

[2] Alloy Silverstein Accountants and Advisors. (2021, November 18). Understanding the World of NFTs.

Retrieved from https://alloysilverstein.com/understanding-the-world-of-nfts/

[3] Bonheur, K. (2021, August 29). Axie Infinity Review: Pros and Cons. Retrieved from

https://www.profolus.com/topics/axie-infinity-review-pros-and-cons/

[4] Cohen, S., Kamarck, T., & Mermelstein, R. (1983). Perceived Stress Scale. American Sociological

Association, (24), 386–396. Retrieved from

https://das.nh.gov/wellness/docs/percieved%20stress%20scale.pdf

[5] Covalent HQ. (2021, December 1). Axie Infinity Growth Pt. 1 - Approach to 10M Players. Retrieved

from https://www.covalenthq.com/blog/axie-part-one/

[6] de Jesus, S. B., Austria, D., Marcelo, D. R., Ocampo, C., Tibuan, A. J., & Tus, J. (2022). Play-to-Earn: A

Qualitative Analysis of the Experiences and Challenges Faced By Axie Infinity Online Gamers

Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic. International Journal of Psychology and Counseling, 12(1).

https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.18856454.v1

[7] Dufner, S., Gangamarani, H., Giannetti, R., Kelly, K., Kenline, C., Plunkett, K., & Satterfield, B. (2015,

February 19). Trading on Stress. Retrieved from https://www.gensler.com/gri/trading-stress-for-

wellness

[8] Elafros, B. (2021, August 25). Axie Infinity Scholarships: How Does It Work and How to Join One?

Retrieved from https://www.billelafros.com/axie-scholarships-how-does-it-work-and-how-to-join-

one/
10
[9] Encyclopedia of Survey Research Methods. (2010). Reference Reviews, 24(1), 26–27.

https://doi.org/10.1108/09504121011011879

[10] Harvard Business Review. (2021, November 19). How NFTs Create Value. Retrieved from

https://hbr.org/2021/11/how-nfts-create-value

[11] Hayward, A. S. G. (2022, February 2). What is Axie Infinity? The Play-to-Earn NFT Game Taking

Crypto By Storm. Retrieved from https://decrypt.co/resources/what-is-axie-infinity-the-play-to-earn-

nft-game-taking-crypto-by-storm

[12] Heffernan, I. (2021, June 1). Dealing with the Stress of Trading Crypto. Retrieved from

https://www.livetradingnews.com/dealing-with-the-stress-of-trading-crypto-211263.html

[13] Kircaburun, K., Pontes, H. M., Stavropoulos, V., & Griffiths, M. D. (2020). A brief psychological

overview of disordered gaming. Current Opinion in Psychology, 36, 38–43.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.copsyc.2020.03.004

[14] LaMagna, M. (2018, January 21). How trading bitcoin could actually ruin your mental health.

Retrieved from https://www.marketwatch.com/story/how-trading-bitcoin-could-actually-ruin-your-

mental-health-2018-01-18

[15] PhD, E. B. J. (2020). The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook (Seventh Edition, Revised ed.). Oakland, CA:

New Harbinger Publications.

[16] Player Counter. (2021, August 11). Axie Infinity Live Player Count. Retrieved from

https://playercounter.com/axie-infinity/

[17] Servando, K., Sayson, I., & B. (2021, August 26). The jobless turn to crypto video game for financial

relief. Retrieved from https://fortune.com/2021/08/25/crypto-video-game-axie-infinity-crypto-

traders-unemployed/

11
[18] Sisley, C. (2017, May 24). Are you killing your personal productivity? Retrieved from

https://www.workflowmax.com/blog/are-you-killing-your-personal-

productivity#:%7E:text=Your%20personal%20productivity%20ratio%20%3D%20Hours,divided%2

0by%20total%20hours%20worked.

[19] Sky Mavis. (2021). Axie Infinity - Axie Infinity. Retrieved from https://whitepaper.axieinfinity.com/

[20] Sternlicht, A. S. L. (2018). Staring at Charts: Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency Addiction: Family Addiction

Specialist: Addiction Counselor. Retrieved from

https://www.familyaddictionspecialist.com/blog/staring-at-charts-bitcoin-and-cryptocurrency-

addiction

[21] Whitener, S. (2021, December 10). Anxiety Vs. Relaxation: Relabeling Anxiety As Excitement.

Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescoachescouncil/2021/04/07/anxiety-vs-

relaxationrelabeling-anxiety-as-excitement/?sh=20c3ec2f7afd

[22] World Health Organization. (2020, October 22). Addictive behaviours: Gaming disorder. Retrieved

from https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/addictive-behaviours-gaming-

disorder

12
Attachment:
Separate copy of conceptual framework (20 points)

13