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Exploring Features of the Pervasive Game Pokémon GO That Enable Behavior Change: Qualitative Study
Jonne Arjoranta1, Tuomas Kari1,2, Markus Salo1
1University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland.
JMIR Serious Games
|May 26, 2020
Summary
Playing Pokémon GO can lead to significant behavior changes, including increased physical activity and social interaction. Key game features like location-based gameplay and Pokémon collection drive these positive behavioral shifts in players.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral Science
- Human-Computer Interaction
- Game Studies
Background:
- Digital games are a popular entertainment form with the potential to influence player behavior.
- Limited research exists on the specific types of behavior changes induced by games and the game features responsible.
- Understanding these dynamics is crucial for leveraging games for positive behavioral modification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the types of behavior changes observed in players of the pervasive game Pokémon GO.
- To identify the specific game features that drive these observed behavior changes.
Main Methods:
- A critical incident technique (CIT) questionnaire was administered to 262 respondents.
- Applied thematic analysis using ATLAS.ti software was employed to analyze the collected data.
Main Results:
- Eight distinct types of behavior changes were identified, including increased physical activity, enhanced social bonds, and greater exploration.
- Thirteen relevant game features were linked to these behavior changes, with "game location tied to physical location" and "catching new Pokémon" being most influential.
- These two features were connected to all identified behavior changes.
Conclusions:
- Playing Pokémon GO demonstrably alters player behavior.
- Players reported increased social engagement, heightened positive emotions, greater routine meaningfulness, and enhanced motivation for environmental exploration.
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