Article (Scientific journals)
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
Billieux, Joël; Van Der Linden, M.; Achab, S. et al.
2013In Computers in Human Behavior, 29 (1), p. 103-109
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Keywords :
Internet addiction; Longitudinal; Massively multiplayer online role-playing games; Motivation; Virtual worlds; World of Warcraft; Role-playing game; Interactive computer graphics; Social networking (online); Virtual reality; Human computer interaction
Abstract :
[en] 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 8 months. 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. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Disciplines :
Social & behavioral sciences, psychology: Multidisciplinary, general & others
Identifiers :
eid=2-s2.0-84868210866
Author, co-author :
Billieux, Joël ;  University of Luxembourg > Faculty of Language and Literature, Humanities, Arts and Education (FLSHASE) > Integrative Research Unit: Social and Individual Development (INSIDE)
Van Der Linden, M.;  Cognitive Psychopathology and Neuropsychology Unit, Psychology Department, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland, Cognitive Psychopathology Unit, Psychology Department, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
Achab, S.;  Addictology Division, Department of Mental Health and Psychiatry, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland, EA 481 Neurosciences Laboratory, Franche-Comté University, Besançon cedex, France
Khazaal, Y.;  Addictology Division, Department of Mental Health and Psychiatry, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
Paraskevopoulos, L.;  Cognitive Psychopathology and Neuropsychology Unit, Psychology Department, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
Zullino, D.;  Addictology Division, Department of Mental Health and Psychiatry, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
Thorens, G.;  Addictology Division, Department of Mental Health and Psychiatry, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
External co-authors :
yes
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
Publication date :
2013
Journal title :
Computers in Human Behavior
ISSN :
0747-5632
Volume :
29
Issue :
1
Pages :
103-109
Peer reviewed :
Peer reviewed
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