The Spheres of Player Motivation: Understanding Players of Digital Games

Abstract

Understanding player motivations is crucial for the games industry, as it empowers developers to improve how their games are designed. Each player is different and possesses their own motivations to play. Motivations can vary greatly, ranging from socializing with friends to the challenge of overcoming a difficult boss. Many studies have tried to quantify these desires into models to allow game developers to better understand what drives players to play their games. As the industry evolves, so too must these models in order to account for emerging motivations of play. This research will explore the development of a new typology, extending the outcomes of the last three decades of player motivation research.