Why Are Players Attracted to Counterstrike Clans? The Role of Need Satisfaction Perceived in Clan-Life and Perceived in Daily Offline Life

• In Event: ICA Plenary Interactive Paper/Poster Session II
  In Interactive Paper Session: Game Studies Interactive Poster Session

Abstract

POSTER PROPOSAL: In reference to studies on causes and consequences of using interactive media like the Internet (Shen et al., 2013) and computer games (e.g. Ryan et al., 2006), the current study applied Self-Determination Theory (SDT) to the context of first-person shooter clans. Based on a sample of 585 Counter-Strike clan players, structural equation modeling shows that clans could help players to satisfy their needs for competence, relatedness and autonomy and that need satisfaction in clan-life is positively connected to clan engagement and short-term well-being after spending time with clan-life. Considering need satisfaction perceived in offline life as a background factor, the study further shows that players with problems in satisfying psychological needs in offline life more highly engage in clan-life, but less likely experience positive psychological effects when spending time with clan-life. These results are discussed against the background of existing SDT-based studies on games and excessive media usage.

Author

• Felix Reer, University of Muenster