Pay for play – Behavioural patterns of pay-to-win gaming

Abstract

The article presents the results of two studies on the involvement of Pay-to-Win games – a type of video games in which it is possible to pay to advance in the game. The first study was conducted on a representative sample of adult Poles (N = 2000), and the second among Pay-to-Win gamers (N = 1702). Among Pay-to-Win gamers, a subgroup of gamers who made payments to gain an advantage in the game was identified (N = 1012). The research aimed to assess the involvement in Pay-to-Win games in Poland and to identify factors associated with the use and excessive use of such games and making payments in them. Besides, P2W gaming patterns and their relationship to the manifestations of problem gaming were identified. The survey showed that 1.7% of adult Poles played Pay-to-Win games, and 20% of them made payments in them. These games were played more often by men, but payments were made more often by women. This study is the first devoted to the practice of Pay-to-Win games in Poland. Five patterns of involvement in the game have been identified among Pay-to-Win gamers, distinguished by frequency of play, frequency of in-game payments, amounts of payments and duration of a single game session. Results revealed that gaming patterns differentiated the level and type of gaming problems.