Git Gud!

.title[
# Git Gud!
]
.subtitle[
## The r/EldenRing Subreddit as a Window into a Self-Directed Learning Ecosystem
]
.author[
### Bret Staudt Willet, Jackson Anderson, & Wes Dorce | Florida State University
]
.date[
### February 19, 2026
]

---

# <svg aria-hidden="true" role="img" viewBox="0 0 576 512" style="height:1em;width:1.12em;vertical-align:-0.125em;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;font-size:inherit;fill:#fff;overflow:visible;position:relative;"><path d="M160 32c-35.3 0-64 28.7-64 64V320c0 35.3 28.7 64 64 64H512c35.3 0 64-28.7 64-64V96c0-35.3-28.7-64-64-64H160zM396 138.7l96 144c4.9 7.4 5.4 16.8 1.2 24.6S480.9 320 472 320H328 280 200c-9.2 0-17.6-5.3-21.6-13.6s-2.9-18.2 2.9-25.4l64-80c4.6-5.7 11.4-9 18.7-9s14.2 3.3 18.7 9l17.3 21.6 56-84C360.5 132 368 128 376 128s15.5 4 20 10.7zM192 128a32 32 0 1 1 64 0 32 32 0 1 1 -64 0zM48 120c0-13.3-10.7-24-24-24S0 106.7 0 120V344c0 75.1 60.9 136 136 136H456c13.3 0 24-10.7 24-24s-10.7-24-24-24H136c-48.6 0-88-39.4-88-88V120z"/></svg>

**View the slides:**

[bretsw.com/sdl26-elden-ring](https://bretsw.com/sdl26-elden-ring/)

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### A new level of challenges for players in the "Souls-like" genre

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### Most common advice: "Git gud!"

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### Rooms-of-possibility: Users decide how to fill

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### Affinity space for the Souls-like game *Elden Ring*

https://www.reddit.com/r/Eldenring/comments/1phgvbe/play_elden_ring_itll_be_fun/

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### Start (*Self-Motivation*)

1. <svg aria-hidden="true" role="img" viewBox="0 0 320 512" style="height:1em;width:0.62em;vertical-align:-0.125em;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;font-size:inherit;fill:#782F40;overflow:visible;position:relative;"><path d="M16 144a144 144 0 1 1 288 0A144 144 0 1 1 16 144zM160 80c8.8 0 16-7.2 16-16s-7.2-16-16-16c-53 0-96 43-96 96c0 8.8 7.2 16 16 16s16-7.2 16-16c0-35.3 28.7-64 64-64zM128 480V317.1c10.4 1.9 21.1 2.9 32 2.9s21.6-1 32-2.9V480c0 17.7-14.3 32-32 32s-32-14.3-32-32z"/></svg> Performance Objective

2. <svg aria-hidden="true" role="img" viewBox="0 0 576 512" style="height:1em;width:1.12em;vertical-align:-0.125em;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;font-size:inherit;fill:#782F40;overflow:visible;position:relative;"><path d="M575.8 255.5c0 18-15 32.1-32 32.1h-32l.7 160.2c.2 35.5-28.5 64.3-64 64.3H128.1c-35.3 0-64-28.7-64-64V287.6H32c-18 0-32-14-32-32.1c0-9 3-17 10-24L266.4 8c7-7 15-8 22-8s15 2 21 7L564.8 231.5c8 7 12 15 11 24zM352 224a64 64 0 1 0 -128 0 64 64 0 1 0 128 0zm-96 96c-44.2 0-80 35.8-80 80c0 8.8 7.2 16 16 16H384c8.8 0 16-7.2 16-16c0-44.2-35.8-80-80-80H256z"/></svg> Starting Context

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### Practice (*Self-Management*)

3. <svg aria-hidden="true" role="img" viewBox="0 0 320 512" style="height:1em;width:0.62em;vertical-align:-0.125em;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;font-size:inherit;fill:#782F40;overflow:visible;position:relative;"><path d="M160 48a48 48 0 1 1 96 0 48 48 0 1 1 -96 0zM126.5 199.3c-1 .4-1.9 .8-2.9 1.2l-8 3.5c-16.4 7.3-29 21.2-34.7 38.2l-2.6 7.8c-5.6 16.8-23.7 25.8-40.5 20.2s-25.8-23.7-20.2-40.5l2.6-7.8c11.4-34.1 36.6-61.9 69.4-76.5l8-3.5c20.8-9.2 43.3-14 66.1-14c44.6 0 84.8 26.8 101.9 67.9L281 232.7l21.4 10.7c15.8 7.9 22.2 27.1 14.3 42.9s-27.1 22.2-42.9 14.3L247 287.3c-10.3-5.2-18.4-13.8-22.8-24.5l-9.6-23-19.3 65.5 49.5 54c5.4 5.9 9.2 13 11.2 20.8l23 92.1c4.3 17.1-6.1 34.5-23.3 38.8s-34.5-6.1-38.8-23.3l-22-88.1-70.7-77.1c-14.8-16.1-20.3-38.6-14.7-59.7l16.9-63.5zM68.7 398l25-62.4c2.1 3 4.5 5.8 7 8.6l40.7 44.4-14.5 36.2c-2.4 6-6 11.5-10.6 16.1L54.6 502.6c-12.5 12.5-32.8 12.5-45.3 0s-12.5-32.8 0-45.3L68.7 398z"/></svg> Exploration and Practice

4. <svg aria-hidden="true" role="img" viewBox="0 0 512 512" style="height:1em;width:1em;vertical-align:-0.125em;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;font-size:inherit;fill:#782F40;overflow:visible;position:relative;"><path d="M0 256a256 256 0 1 1 512 0A256 256 0 1 1 0 256zM288 96a32 32 0 1 0 -64 0 32 32 0 1 0 64 0zM256 416c35.3 0 64-28.7 64-64c0-17.4-6.9-33.1-18.1-44.6L366 161.7c5.3-12.1-.2-26.3-12.3-31.6s-26.3 .2-31.6 12.3L257.9 288c-.6 0-1.3 0-1.9 0c-35.3 0-64 28.7-64 64s28.7 64 64 64zM176 144a32 32 0 1 0 -64 0 32 32 0 1 0 64 0zM96 288a32 32 0 1 0 0-64 32 32 0 1 0 0 64zm352-32a32 32 0 1 0 -64 0 32 32 0 1 0 64 0z"/></svg> Maintenance of Difficulty Level

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### Assess (*Self-Monitoring*)

5. <svg aria-hidden="true" role="img" viewBox="0 0 640 512" style="height:1em;width:1.25em;vertical-align:-0.125em;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;font-size:inherit;fill:#782F40;overflow:visible;position:relative;"><path d="M64 64a64 64 0 1 1 128 0A64 64 0 1 1 64 64zM25.9 233.4C29.3 191.9 64 160 105.6 160h44.8c27 0 51 13.4 65.5 34.1c-2.7 1.9-5.2 4-7.5 6.3l-64 64c-21.9 21.9-21.9 57.3 0 79.2L192 391.2V464c0 26.5-21.5 48-48 48H112c-26.5 0-48-21.5-48-48V348.3c-26.5-9.5-44.7-35.8-42.2-65.6l4.1-49.3zM448 64a64 64 0 1 1 128 0A64 64 0 1 1 448 64zM431.6 200.4c-2.3-2.3-4.9-4.4-7.5-6.3c14.5-20.7 38.6-34.1 65.5-34.1h44.8c41.6 0 76.3 31.9 79.7 73.4l4.1 49.3c2.5 29.8-15.7 56.1-42.2 65.6V464c0 26.5-21.5 48-48 48H496c-26.5 0-48-21.5-48-48V391.2l47.6-47.6c21.9-21.9 21.9-57.3 0-79.2l-64-64zM272 240v32h96V240c0-9.7 5.8-18.5 14.8-22.2s19.3-1.7 26.2 5.2l64 64c9.4 9.4 9.4 24.6 0 33.9l-64 64c-6.9 6.9-17.2 8.9-26.2 5.2s-14.8-12.5-14.8-22.2V336H272v32c0 9.7-5.8 18.5-14.8 22.2s-19.3 1.7-26.2-5.2l-64-64c-9.4-9.4-9.4-24.6 0-33.9l64-64c6.9-6.9 17.2-8.9 26.2-5.2s14.8 12.5 14.8 22.2z"/></svg> Supplementing with External Guides

6. <svg aria-hidden="true" role="img" viewBox="0 0 512 512" style="height:1em;width:1em;vertical-align:-0.125em;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;font-size:inherit;fill:#782F40;overflow:visible;position:relative;"><path d="M.2 468.9C2.7 493.1 23.1 512 48 512l96 0 320 0c26.5 0 48-21.5 48-48l0-96c0-26.5-21.5-48-48-48l-48 0 0 80c0 8.8-7.2 16-16 16s-16-7.2-16-16l0-80-64 0 0 80c0 8.8-7.2 16-16 16s-16-7.2-16-16l0-80-64 0 0 80c0 8.8-7.2 16-16 16s-16-7.2-16-16l0-80-80 0c-8.8 0-16-7.2-16-16s7.2-16 16-16l80 0 0-64-80 0c-8.8 0-16-7.2-16-16s7.2-16 16-16l80 0 0-64-80 0c-8.8 0-16-7.2-16-16s7.2-16 16-16l80 0 0-48c0-26.5-21.5-48-48-48L48 0C21.5 0 0 21.5 0 48L0 368l0 96c0 1.7 .1 3.3 .2 4.9z"/></svg> Evaluation

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# <svg aria-hidden="true" role="img" viewBox="0 0 512 512" style="height:1em;width:1em;vertical-align:-0.125em;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;font-size:inherit;fill:#fff;overflow:visible;position:relative;"><path d="M40 48C26.7 48 16 58.7 16 72v48c0 13.3 10.7 24 24 24H88c13.3 0 24-10.7 24-24V72c0-13.3-10.7-24-24-24H40zM192 64c-17.7 0-32 14.3-32 32s14.3 32 32 32H480c17.7 0 32-14.3 32-32s-14.3-32-32-32H192zm0 160c-17.7 0-32 14.3-32 32s14.3 32 32 32H480c17.7 0 32-14.3 32-32s-14.3-32-32-32H192zm0 160c-17.7 0-32 14.3-32 32s14.3 32 32 32H480c17.7 0 32-14.3 32-32s-14.3-32-32-32H192zM16 232v48c0 13.3 10.7 24 24 24H88c13.3 0 24-10.7 24-24V232c0-13.3-10.7-24-24-24H40c-13.3 0-24 10.7-24 24zM40 368c-13.3 0-24 10.7-24 24v48c0 13.3 10.7 24 24 24H88c13.3 0 24-10.7 24-24V392c0-13.3-10.7-24-24-24H40z"/></svg> <br><br> Method

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### r/Eldenring subreddit

**993 posts, October 9-16, 2025**

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# <svg aria-hidden="true" role="img" viewBox="0 0 448 512" style="height:1em;width:0.88em;vertical-align:-0.125em;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;font-size:inherit;fill:#fff;overflow:visible;position:relative;"><path d="M192 64v64c0 17.7 14.3 32 32 32h64c17.7 0 32-14.3 32-32V64c0-17.7-14.3-32-32-32H224c-17.7 0-32 14.3-32 32zM82.7 207c-15.3 8.8-20.5 28.4-11.7 43.7l32 55.4c8.8 15.3 28.4 20.5 43.7 11.7l55.4-32c15.3-8.8 20.5-28.4 11.7-43.7l-32-55.4c-8.8-15.3-28.4-20.5-43.7-11.7L82.7 207zM288 192c-17.7 0-32 14.3-32 32v64c0 17.7 14.3 32 32 32h64c17.7 0 32-14.3 32-32V224c0-17.7-14.3-32-32-32H288zm64 160c-17.7 0-32 14.3-32 32v64c0 17.7 14.3 32 32 32h64c17.7 0 32-14.3 32-32V384c0-17.7-14.3-32-32-32H352zM160 384v64c0 17.7 14.3 32 32 32h64c17.7 0 32-14.3 32-32V384c0-17.7-14.3-32-32-32H192c-17.7 0-32 14.3-32 32zM32 352c-17.7 0-32 14.3-32 32v64c0 17.7 14.3 32 32 32H96c17.7 0 32-14.3 32-32V384c0-17.7-14.3-32-32-32H32z"/></svg> <br><br> Results

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To what extent, if any, does the integration of user-defined metadata improve the automated classification of SDL?

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**Figure 1.** Top Terms Included in r/Eldenring by Post Flair

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**Figure 2.** Prevalence of Self-Directed Learning by User Flair

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**Figure 3.** Progression of Machine-Learning Classifier Model Efficacy

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How is SDL distributed across different community-defined discourse categories?

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**Figure 2.** Prevalence of Self-Directed Learning by User Flair

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What conceptual subdomains are evident in SDL discourse?

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**Figure 4.** Distribution of Conceptual Subdomains within Self-Directed Learning Discourse

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To what extent, if any, does SDL discourse occur in r/EldenRing?

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**Figure 5.** Intensity of Top Terms Used in r/Eldenring Posts with Exhibiting Self-Directed Learning vs. Not

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**Figure 6.** Prevalence of Top Terms Used in r/Eldenring Posts with Exhibiting Self-Directed Learning vs. Not

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**Figure 7.** Top 15 Linguistic Bigram Predictors of Self-Directed Learning

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# <svg aria-hidden="true" role="img" viewBox="0 0 320 512" style="height:1em;width:0.62em;vertical-align:-0.125em;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;font-size:inherit;fill:#fff;overflow:visible;position:relative;"><path d="M16 144a144 144 0 1 1 288 0A144 144 0 1 1 16 144zM160 80c8.8 0 16-7.2 16-16s-7.2-16-16-16c-53 0-96 43-96 96c0 8.8 7.2 16 16 16s16-7.2 16-16c0-35.3 28.7-64 64-64zM128 480V317.1c10.4 1.9 21.1 2.9 32 2.9s21.6-1 32-2.9V480c0 17.7-14.3 32-32 32s-32-14.3-32-32z"/></svg> <br><br> Implications

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### *Feedback loops* make challenges manageable

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### *Tagging* serves as a metacognitive anchor

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### *Threads* reinforce that learning is a social byproduct

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### *Linguistic scaffolding* provides path for specialized vocabulary

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# <svg aria-hidden="true" role="img" viewBox="0 0 640 512" style="height:1em;width:1.25em;vertical-align:-0.125em;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;font-size:inherit;fill:#fff;overflow:visible;position:relative;"><path d="M32 64c17.7 0 32 14.3 32 32l0 320c0 17.7-14.3 32-32 32s-32-14.3-32-32V96C0 78.3 14.3 64 32 64zm214.6 73.4c12.5 12.5 12.5 32.8 0 45.3L205.3 224l229.5 0-41.4-41.4c-12.5-12.5-12.5-32.8 0-45.3s32.8-12.5 45.3 0l96 96c12.5 12.5 12.5 32.8 0 45.3l-96 96c-12.5 12.5-32.8 12.5-45.3 0s-12.5-32.8 0-45.3L434.7 288l-229.5 0 41.4 41.4c12.5 12.5 12.5 32.8 0 45.3s-32.8 12.5-45.3 0l-96-96c-12.5-12.5-12.5-32.8 0-45.3l96-96c12.5-12.5 32.8-12.5 45.3 0zM640 96V416c0 17.7-14.3 32-32 32s-32-14.3-32-32V96c0-17.7 14.3-32 32-32s32 14.3 32 32z"/></svg> <br><br> Future Research

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- SDL in other subreddits and other affinity spaces

- SDL by quiet observers (lurkers)

- Predictive bigrams to suggest tags/flair

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### Start + Practice + Assess

**Viable machine learning approach to identifying SDL**

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# <svg aria-hidden="true" role="img" viewBox="0 0 320 512" style="height:1em;width:0.62em;vertical-align:-0.125em;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;font-size:inherit;fill:#fff;overflow:visible;position:relative;"><path d="M80 160c0-35.3 28.7-64 64-64h32c35.3 0 64 28.7 64 64v3.6c0 21.8-11.1 42.1-29.4 53.8l-42.2 27.1c-25.2 16.2-40.4 44.1-40.4 74V320c0 17.7 14.3 32 32 32s32-14.3 32-32v-1.4c0-8.2 4.2-15.8 11-20.2l42.2-27.1c36.6-23.6 58.8-64.1 58.8-107.7V160c0-70.7-57.3-128-128-128H144C73.3 32 16 89.3 16 160c0 17.7 14.3 32 32 32s32-14.3 32-32zm80 320a40 40 0 1 0 0-80 40 40 0 1 0 0 80z"/></svg> <br><br> Questions

**What would you like to know more about?**

<hr>

**Bret Staudt Willet | Jackson Anderson | Wes Dorce** <br><br> Florida State University