Paper Info
Title
Why do you play World of Warcraft? An in-depth exploration of self-reported motivations to play online and in-game behaviours in the virtual world of Azeroth
Abstract
Massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs) are video games in which players create an avatar that evolves and interacts with other avatars in a persistent virtual world. Motivations to play MMORPGs are heterogeneous (e.g. achievement, socialisation, immersion in virtual worlds). This study investigates in detail the relationships between self-reported motives and actual in-game behaviours. We recruited a sample of 690 World of Warcraft players (the most popular MMORPG) who agreed to have their avatar monitored for 8months. Participants completed an initial online survey about their motives to play. Their actual in-game behaviours were measured through the game's official database (the Armory website). Results showed specific associations between motives and in-game behaviours. Moreover, longitudinal analyses revealed that teamwork- and competition-oriented motives are the most accurate predictors of fast progression in the game. In addition, although specific associations exist between problematic use and certain motives (e.g. advancement, escapism), longitudinal analyses showed that high involvement in the game is not necessarily associated with a negative impact upon daily living.
Year
DOI
Venue
2013
10.1016/j.chb.2012.07.021
Computers in Human Behavior
Keywords
Field
DocType
Massively multiplayer online role-playing games,Motivation,Longitudinal,Virtual worlds,Internet addiction
Social psychology,Metaverse,Teamwork,Daily living,Virtual reality,Role playing game,Psychology,Socialization,Avatar,Escapism
Journal
Volume
Issue
ISSN
29
1
0747-5632
Citations 
PageRank 
References 
44
1.51
9
Authors
7
Name
Order
Citations
PageRank
Joël Billieux1926.71
Martial Van der Linden217213.28
Sophia Achab3451.92
Yasser Khazaal4753.33
Laura Paraskevopoulos5441.51
Daniele Zullino6753.33
Gabriel Thorens7753.33