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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.
Interacting with Computers
|September 8, 2025
Summary
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.
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.
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