Flow and mobile gaming : the effects of in-game purchases and screen size

Abstract

The current study seeks to investigate the effects of in-app game purchases, device screen size, and particular personality traits on the flow experience during mobile game play. It also aims to assess the impact of flow on the potential success of a game in terms of enhancing attitudinal loyalty among players. Flow can be understood as a psychological state marked by a deep immersive level of engagement and enjoyment in an activity that becomes intrinsically rewarding. While flow has been studied extensively in the context of video games, little research has sought to examine this topic in the field of mobile games. 202 participants between the age of 18-30 played a mobile game before completing a questionnaire covering their game play experience and personality traits. The game was manipulated to be played with or without in-game purchases and on an iPad Air with a larger screen or an iPhone 4s with a smaller screen. Participants were randomly assigned to one of these four conditions. Results show that in-game purchases and a larger screen size have no significant effects on flow. However, particular personality traits did have a significant influence on flow. In-game purchases were found to evoke a greater experience of flow for participants reflecting a higher need to compete and a higher need for activity. Notably, flow was found to have a positive relationship with the degree of attitudinal loyalty toward the game. Details of the variables and implications of the results are discussed further in the report.