Power and nerves of steel or thrill of adventure and patience? An empirical study on the use of different video game genres

Abstract

This empirical study focuses on explaining the utilization of three video game genres first person shooters, strategy games and role-playing games and on whether different explanatory models can be established for the three genres. A model comprising the three explanatory components, gratifications sought (GS), gratifications obtained (GO) and subjective restrictions or capacities, operationalized by the skills that players have to have for the specific genres, serves as a theoretical basis. Data was collected by way of an online survey (N = 5,257). The results show that GO and the capacities are particularly suited to explaining the use of video games. While GO generally seem to offer a basis for explaining the use of video games, since the dimensions power and competition and thrill of adventure do influence the use of all three genres, there were considerable differences between the individual genres in terms of capacities. Gamers who have a high stress threshold and quick reactions, as well as a good sense of direction, tend to prefer first person shooters. The use of strategy games may be explained in terms of skills like logic and strategic thought. On the other hand, patient gamers prefer role-playing games. The explanatory power of GS, however, proves to be extremely low. Based on these results, approaches are discussed for further research in this field.