Motivational Pull of Multiplayer Online Games: A Review and Theoretical Framework for Self-Integration

Abstract

Multiplayer online games are highly structured, socially interactive, competitive, immersive and enjoyable. The players are mostly adolescents and young adults who are in their identity formation stage. Extreme engagement in these games has been reported to have addictive behavioural implications. However, it has also been viewed as a positive thriving environment for them. Analysis of the motivation and maintenance in the game is important to devise strategies to tap potential of youth and resolve the negative effects of online games. Established motivation and identity theories can be merged and applied to explain how identity is formed due to the motivational pull of these games. The current study provides a comprehensive outlook of merging self-determination theory, acquired needs theory of motivation and social identity theory to explain the motivating factors of massively multiplayer online games. A theoretical framework has been proposed which comprises of three Cs, namely, choices, challenge and camaraderie in massively multiplayer online games. This can explicate the reasons for their popularity in adolescent lives.