Role of self-efficacy and social appearance anxiety on gaming motivations of MMOFPS players

Abstract

This study investigated the gamer characteristics and motivations among the members of two massively multiplayer online first person shooting games (MMOFPS). Responses of 5380 garners were obtained through online administration of several measures on personal information, gaming motivations, social appearance anxiety, and self-efficacy. A structural equation model was proposed and confirmed in both games, which revealed that academic self-efficacy and general self-efficacy were highly related both of which predicted socialization, immersion and achievement motivations. Furthermore, social appearance anxiety influenced achievement motivations through the help of immersion. All motivation types were positively related. Additional analyses revealed statistically significant differences in playing time with regard to age and education, whereas the practical significance of these analyses required further research.