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Competition and Digital Game Design: a Self-Determination Theory Perspective.

Arlen C Moller1, Rachel Kornfield2, Amy S Lu3

  • 1Department of Psychology, Lewis College of Science and Letters, Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, IL, USA.

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Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Competition in digital games impacts player motivation and well-being. Self-determination theory (SDT) and the METUX model help explain how competition affects psychological needs, guiding future research on these popular interactive experiences.

Keywords:
METUX modelcompetitionintrinsic motivationself-determination theoryuser experiencewell-being supportive design

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Area of Science:

  • Psychology
  • Human-Computer Interaction
  • Game Studies

Background:

  • Competition is prevalent in digital games, yet its effects on player motivation and well-being are not fully understood.
  • Self-determination theory (SDT) provides a framework for examining psychological needs, but its application to competitive digital gaming requires further exploration.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To critically review how competition in digital games influences player motivation and well-being through the lens of SDT.
  • To apply cognitive evaluation theory (CET) and the Motivation, Engagement and Thriving in User Experience (METUX) model to understand these dynamics.
  • To identify key areas for future research on competition, motivation, and well-being in digital game contexts.

Main Methods:

  • Critical literature review synthesizing existing research on competition, SDT, and digital games.
  • Theoretical application of cognitive evaluation theory (CET) to predict outcomes of competitive elements.
  • Integration of the Motivation, Engagement and Thriving in User Experience (METUX) model to analyze multi-level influences.

Main Results:

  • Cognitive evaluation theory (CET) can predict whether competitive elements satisfy or frustrate basic psychological needs (autonomy, competence, relatedness).
  • The METUX model offers a framework for understanding how competition impacts motivation, engagement, and well-being at various levels.
  • Digital games present a unique and powerful context for studying the interplay of competition, motivation, and well-being due to their diverse nature and widespread adoption.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding the nuances of competition in digital games is crucial for enhancing player motivation and well-being.
  • Further research is needed to explore the conditions under which competition fosters or hinders psychological need satisfaction.
  • Digital games offer a rich environment for advancing theoretical knowledge on motivation and well-being in competitive contexts.