Gaming motives (MOGQ)

A research-backed map of why people play games. Developed in 2011 by Zsolt Demetrovics and colleagues, the Motives for Online Gaming Questionnaire (MOGQ) grew out of a survey of more than 3,800 players whose answers, under factor analysis, sorted the pull of play into seven distinct motives: socialising with others, escaping from reality, competing to win, coping with stress and difficult feelings, developing skills and concentration, living out a fantasy as someone else, and simple recreation and fun. Rather than naming a single type, it captures the mix of reasons that draw you to the screen — most players feel several at once. This asks which motives pull at you the hardest.

The Motives for Online Gaming Questionnaire (MOGQ) is a validated instrument developed by Demetrovics, Urbán, Nagygyörgy and colleagues (2011) from a factor analysis of 3,818 online gamers. It identifies seven motives for play — social, escape, competition, coping, skill development, fantasy and recreation. A reflective self-report of motivation, not a clinical test or a measure of problem gaming. (Motives for Online Gaming Questionnaire (Demetrovics, Urbán, Nagygyörgy et al., 2011))

Groups

• Social — I play to be with others — making friends, teaming up, and meeting new people through the game.
• Escape — I play to get away from reality — to forget unpleasant things and leave everyday problems behind for a while.
• Competition — I play to compete — to test myself against others, win, and prove how good I am.
• Coping — I play to steady myself — to relax, ease stress and tension, lift a low mood, and work off frustration.
• Skill development — I play to get better — sharpening my coordination, concentration, and mastery.
• Fantasy — I play to live another life — to be someone else and explore worlds I couldn't reach in reality.
• Recreation — I play for fun — entertainment, relaxation, and a good way to pass the time.

References

• Demetrovics, Z., Urbán, R., Nagygyörgy, K., Farkas, J., Zilahy, D., Mervó, B., Reindl, A., Ágoston, C., Kertész, A., & Harmath, E. (2011). Why do you play? The development of the motives for online gaming questionnaire (MOGQ). Behavior Research Methods, 43(3), 814–825

Related topics

• D&D moral alignment
• D&D class
• Pokémon type
• Which chess piece are you
• Chess playing style
• Player type (Bartle)

All topics on ArtaQuest