Do the Olympic values influence the social capital and the in-game commitment? A case study of esports players

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study aims to explore and describe the structural relationships among player perceptions of (a) the Olympic values, (b) the social capital formation, and (c) the game commitment. A field study was conducted in Portugal, and data were collected from esports players (n = 408) through an online questionnaire to establish cross-sectional associations. Structural equation models (SEM) examined the relationships between the constructs and tested the existence of mediation effects. The results indicated that the perception of Olympic values can positively influence the social capital formation and the psychological attachment to the game. In addition, the findings also highlighted the predictive power of the in-game social capital on the gaming commitment, suggesting its inclusion in future models. Social implications focus on cultivating the Olympic values through esports as a way to strengthen the player community and to enhance a lasting psychological attachment to the game.