The dynamics of problematic gaming in e-sports through the lens of FIFA gaming

Abstract

ABSTRACT- Purpose This research looks at the relationship between gamer roles, motivations, and their association with problematic gaming. Particularly, attitudes, flow, and sunk cost were explored within EA Sport’s FIFA, a popular eSports video game that features loot boxes. Loot boxes are purchases made within video games that yield random in-game items, akin to gambling. eSports are popular video games that have attracted fandom, spectators, and audiences often streamed online. Design/methodology This study conducted an online survey (n = 200) of FIFA gamers. Participants were screened to ensure they played FIFA’s Ultimate Teams game mode which features the predominant use of loot boxes. Findings Attitudes and flow predicted problematic gaming. Sunk cost was also found to be highly associated with problematic gaming. Importantly, two emergent gaming roles (manager and trader) were explored and discussed in this study. These roles that gamers adopt within the game are defined by gamer motivations. This provides knowledge regarding the impact of loot boxes and its association with problematic gaming. Practical implications The findings from this research suggest that the gamer roles of trader and manager in FIFA are dynamic, such that sunk cost is greater for those that lean more toward trading, which is associated with problematic gaming. Additionally, games like FIFA as an eSport may create a sense of normalcy for competitive online games that utilize gambling style mechanics.