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Massively Multiplayer Online Roleplaying Gaming: Motivation to Play, Player Typologies, and Addiction

Lewis, Michael Scott
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1461232700

Abstract Details

2016, Doctor of Philosophy, Ohio State University, EDU Physical Activity and Educational Services.
Massively Multiplayer Role-Playing Games (MMORPG’s) have become increasingly common in the video gaming marketplace with conservative estimates of 19 million players worldwide. These games allow players to engage in a virtual world with hundreds of thousands of other players at the same time. The games have no definitive end and the game content continually grows by giving players more virtual world to explore creating an expanding alternate reality. For most, these games are a leisure activity or hobby, but for approximately 8-12% of MMORPG players the experience becomes problematic. As a result, online gaming addiction has become the fastest growing process addiction over the past two decades. Continued play creates real life problems such as relationship difficulties, vocational issues, health related complications, and in extreme cases, legal troubles or death from exhaustion or dehydration. Online gaming addiction is similar to chemical addiction in symptomology in areas of tolerance, withdrawal, difficulty stopping or controlling use, and negative consequences. Therefore, it is critical to more clearly understand the nature of online gaming, links to addiction, and possible underlying factors that contribute to addiction. There were several purposes underlying this study including an attempt to better understand the average MMORPG player profile, examine possible motivational factors that contribute to continued game play, and to recognize what aspects may predict online gaming addiction. Prior research conducted on understanding online gaming motivational factors includes a desire to be the best player (achievement), engaging with other players (social), and exploring the virtual world (immersion). Additionally, the model of dualistic passion is believed to help explain gaming motivation using the concepts of harmonious passion (controlled game play which does not interfere with life responsibilities) and obsessive passion (uncontrolled gameplay, linked to personal identity, often resulting in negative consequences). These five motivational components were the independent variables and the dependent variable was online gaming addiction. A sample of MMORPG players (N = 246) was surveyed using online portals and social media. Results indicate that the average MMORPG gamer in the sample was 28.69 years old (SD = 7.31), male (80.9%), educated with at least some college credit, and had an average income of approximately $30,000. These findings match previous research and challenges the many myths of the video gamer profile. All independent variables had a strong positive relationship with the dependent variable. A regression analysis model was significant and indicated that obsessive passion, achievement, and social were significant predictors (F(5, 240) = 63.977, p < .001; R2 = .66). Specifically, obsessive passion demonstrated the strongest correlation and prediction of online gaming addiction. Post hoc analyses highlighted gender differences and evaluated subcomponents of the independent variables. The significance of this study is that it extended the body of knowledge on motivational factors contributing to online gaming addiction and provided a significant model of predictors. Limitations of the study include generalizability, a small sample size, and potential sample bias towards more fanatical players. Future studies may benefit from expanding the sample size and including adolescents and children as participants.
Paul Granello (Advisor)
Darcy Granello (Committee Member)
Jerome D'Agostino (Committee Member)
171 p.
Behavioral Sciences; Clinical Psychology; Counseling Education; Mental Health
MMORPG; Addiction; Process Addiction; Online Gaming; Motivation; Passion; MMO; Massively Multiplayer; Roleplaying; Gaming; Video Games

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Lewis, M. S. (2016). Massively Multiplayer Online Roleplaying Gaming: Motivation to Play, Player Typologies, and Addiction [Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1461232700

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Lewis, Michael. Massively Multiplayer Online Roleplaying Gaming: Motivation to Play, Player Typologies, and Addiction. 2016. Ohio State University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1461232700.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Lewis, Michael. "Massively Multiplayer Online Roleplaying Gaming: Motivation to Play, Player Typologies, and Addiction." Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University, 2016. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1461232700

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

osu1461232700
3,367
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This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.