Need frustration in online video games

Abstract

Self-determination theory posits that satisfaction of basic psychological needs is essential for wellbeing. Empirical evidence for the distinction between need frustration and need satisfaction has been growing within the last decade. However, research on player experience of need frustration is lagging behind. This paper investigates whether player experience of need frustration is distinct from need satisfaction in the online video games context. In addition, it examines whether in-game need frustration is a stronger predictor for negative outcomes such as problematic gaming, escapist motivations, real-life stress and exit intentions and whether ingame need satisfaction is a stronger predictor for positive outcomes such as satisfaction, concentration, subjective vitality and voice. We collected survey data from online video gamers. Path analyses showed that in-game need frustration is a distinct construct, predicting negative outcomes uniquely and more strongly than in-game need satisfaction, whereas in-game need satisfaction was more strongly associated with positive outcomes. The findings suggest that assessing both need satisfaction and frustration in gaming research could prove valuable.

Animal Crossing and COVID-19: A Qualitative Study Examining How Video Games Satisfy Basic Psychological Needs During the Pandemic

“…Consistent with BPNT, participants revealed that their motivation to play the game would drop when they encountered needs-frustrating experiences ( Przybylski et al, 2010 ; Kosa and Uysal, 2021 ). This may manifest when the feeling of agency gets threatened instead of being reaffirmed.…”

Using Case Studies to Explore Need Satisfaction and Frustration in Puzzle Video Games

“…If these psychological needs are frustrated a person will experience ill-being. Needs frustration is when needs are actively thwarted and is a separate construct from the absence of needs satisfaction (Chen et al, 2015; Kosa & Uysal, 2021; Vansteenkiste & Ryan, 2013). Table 1 describes the differences between needs satisfaction and needs frustration.…”

“…Kosa and Uysal (2021) are one of the only papers directly investigating needs frustration in video games. They found needs frustration was a strong predictor for escapist motivations, problematic gaming, exit intentions and perceived daily stress (Kosa & Uysal, 2021).…”

“…Kosa and Uysal (2021) are one of the only papers directly investigating needs frustration in video games. They found needs frustration was a strong predictor for escapist motivations, problematic gaming, exit intentions and perceived daily stress (Kosa & Uysal, 2021). Interestingly, when players’ needs were satisfied, players approached problems constructively trying to overcome them rather than quitting (Kosa & Uysal, 2021).…”

“…They found needs frustration was a strong predictor for escapist motivations, problematic gaming, exit intentions and perceived daily stress (Kosa & Uysal, 2021). Interestingly, when players’ needs were satisfied, players approached problems constructively trying to overcome them rather than quitting (Kosa & Uysal, 2021). But, players who experienced high needs frustration in video games were ‘more likely to quit the game when they experience problems’ (Kosa & Uysal, 2021, p. 7).…”