Review Article

Overviewing Gaming Motivation and Its Associated Psychological and Sociodemographic Variables: A PRISMA Systematic Review

Table 1

Instruments used by the papers in this PRISMA systematic review with all the dimensions and their Cronbrach’s alpha.

Motivation typeMeasure (references)Studies using itReliability

EscapeMotive for Online Gaming Questionnaire (MOGQ; [22])5.94
Escapism (immersion)Motivation to play in Online Games Questionnaire (MPOGQ; [26])9.65
EscapismPokémon Go Motives scale [48]1.86
EscapeReason for playing videogames (RPVG, [49])1.83
EscapismGaming attitudes, motivations, and experiences scales (GAMES; [34])2.82
EscapeComputer Gaming Motivation Scale [37]1.846
EscapingMotivation to play [36]1Not reported
EscapismDigital Games Motivation Scale (DGMS; [35])2.881
EscapismGaming attitudes, motivations, and experiences scales (GAMES; [34])2.82
EscapismAd Hoc questionnaire about MMORPGs’ motivations [25]1.62
CompetitionMotive for Online Gaming Questionnaire (MOGQ; [22])5.95
Competition (achievement)Motivation to play in Online Games Questionnaire (MPOGQ; [26])9.75
Competition (social motives)Gaming Motive Scale [38].1.76
CompetitionMotivation questionnaire created by authors [39]1.74
CompetitionVideogaming Motives Questionnaire (VMQ, [28])2.76
CompetitionVideo Game Uses and Gratifications Scale [29]2.86
CompetitionSmartphone Gaming Motivations [40]1.868
CompetitionAd Hoc Uses and Gratification Questionnaire [47]1.75
CopingMotive for Online Gaming Questionnaire (MOGQ; [22])5.94
CopingElectronic Gaming Motive Questionnaire (EGMQ, [41])1.794
CopingMotivation questionnaire created by authors [39]1.64
CopingVideogaming Motives Questionnaire (VMQ, [28])2.87
FantasyMotive for Online Gaming Questionnaire (MOGQ; [22])5.92
Fantasy (ego-centered motives)Gaming Motive Scale [38]1.66
FantasyVideogaming Motives Questionnaire (VMQ, [28])2.82
FantasyVideo Game Uses and Gratifications Scale [29]2.88
FantasySmartphone Gaming Motivations [40]1.911
FantasyAd Hoc Uses and Gratification Questionnaire [47]1.91
SocialMotive for Online Gaming Questionnaire (MOGQ; [22])5.94
SocialMassively Multiplayer Online Motivations Inventory (MMI, [42])5.76
SocializationComputer Gaming Motivation Scale [37]1.857
SocialElectronic Gaming Motive Questionnaire (EGMQ, [41])1.699
Socializing (social)Motivation to play in Online Games Questionnaire (MPOGQ; [26])9.80
Teamwork (social)Motivation to play in Online Games Questionnaire (MPOGQ; [26])9.71
Relationship (social)Motivation to play in Online Games Questionnaire (MPOGQ; [26])9.74
RelationshipAd Hoc questionnaire about MMORPGs’ motivations [25]1.76
Community (social motives)Gaming Motive Scale [38]1.71
Social capital (social motives)Gaming Motive Scale [38]1.81
Team play (social motives)Gaming Motive Scale [38]1.87
SocialOnline Gaming Motivations Scale [27]5.77
SocializationMassively Multiplayer Online Games Motivation Scale (MMO-MS, [33])3.819
SocializingMotivation to play [36]1Not reported
SocialDigital Games Motivation Scale (DGMS; [35])2.891
SocializingMotivation questionnaire created by authors [39]1.84
SocialMassively Multiplayer Online Motivations Inventory (MMI, [42])1.76
Social interactionGaming attitudes, motivations, and experiences scales (GAMES; [34])2.83
Social interactionVideo Game Uses and Gratifications Scale [29]2.81
Social interactionAd Hoc Uses and Gratification Questionnaire [47]1.92
Social external regulationsGaming Motivation Scale developed by authors [43]1.93
Social interactionSmartphone Gaming Motivations [40]1.849
Social interactionVideogaming Motives Questionnaire (VMQ, [28]);2.79
SocializersGamification User Types Hexad Scale [44]1.838
Skill developmentMotive for Online Gaming Questionnaire (MOGQ; [22])5.94
RecreationMotive for Online Gaming Questionnaire (MOGQ; [22])5.92
RecreationVideogaming Motives Questionnaire (VMQ, [28]);2.84
Intrinsic motivationGaming Motivation Scale (GAMS, [32])5Above .75
Intrinsic motivationGaming Motivation Scale developed by authors [43]1.90
Intrinsic hedonicGaming Motivation Scale developed by authors [43]1.94
Integrated regulationGaming Motivation Scale (GAMS, [32])5Above .75
Identified regulationGaming Motivation Scale (GAMS, [32])5Above .75
Identified regulationGaming Motivation Scale developed by authors [43]1.94
Introject regulationGaming Motivation Scale (GAMS, [32])5Above .75
External regulationGaming Motivation Scale (GAMS, [32])5Above .75
Game external regulationGaming Motivation Scale developed by authors [43]1.90
AmotivationGaming Motivation Scale (GAMS, [32])5Above .75
AmotivationGaming Motivation Scale developed by authors [43]1.83
Self-gratificationElectronic Gaming Motive Questionnaire (EGMQ, [41])1.842
EnhancementElectronic Gaming Motive Questionnaire (EGMQ, [41])1.672
StoryGaming attitudes, motivations, and experiences scales (GAMES; [34])2.92
NarrativeDigital Games Motivation Scale (DGMS; [35])2Not reported
Violence catharsisGaming attitudes, motivations, and experiences scales (GAMES; [34])2.91
Loss-aversionGaming attitudes, motivations, and experiences scales (GAMES; [34])2.81
Grinding/completionGaming attitudes, motivations, and experiences scales (GAMES; [34])2.79
CustomizationGaming attitudes, motivations, and experiences scales (GAMES; [34])2.88
CustomizationVideogaming Motives Questionnaire (VMQ, [28]);2.88
Customization (immersion)Motivation to play in Online Games Questionnaire (MPOGQ; [26])9.74
ChallengeVideo Game Uses and Gratifications Scale [29].2.80
Challenge (ego-centered motives)Gaming Motive Scale [38].1.64
ChallengeSmartphone Gaming Motivations [40]1.811
ChallengeAd Hoc Uses and Gratification Questionnaire [47]1.72
ArousalVideo Game Uses and Gratifications Scale [29].2.85
ArousalSmartphone Gaming Motivations [40]1.896
ArousalAd Hoc Uses and Gratification Questionnaire [47]1.83
DiversionVideo Game Uses and Gratifications Scale [29].2.89
DiversionSmartphone Gaming Motivations [40]1.889
DiversionAd Hoc Uses and Gratification Questionnaire [47]1.81
Discovery (immersion)Motivation to play in Online Games Questionnaire (MPOGQ; [26])9.73
Role playing (immersion)Motivation to play in Online Games Questionnaire (MPOGQ; [26])9.87
Advancement (achievement)Motivation to play in Online Games Questionnaire (MPOGQ; [26])9.79
Mechanics (achievement)Motivation to play in Online Games Questionnaire (MPOGQ; [26])9.68
Mechanics (content-related motives)Gaming Motive Scale [38]1.64
AchievementOnline Gaming Motivations Scale [27]5.74
AchievementMassively Multiplayer Online Games Motivation Scale (MMO-MS, [33])3.816
AchievementMassively Multiplayer Online Motivations Inventory (MMI, [42])1.66
AchievementMotivation to play [36]1Not reported
AchievementAd Hoc questionnaire about MMORPGs’ motivations [25]1.67
AchieverGamification User Types Hexad Scale [44]1.759
EngagementVideoGame play [45]1.96
ImmersionOnline Gaming Motivations Scale [27]5.75
ImmersionMassively Multiplayer Online Motivations Inventory (MMI, [42])1.62
ImmersionMotivation to play [36]1Not reported
ImmersionAd Hoc questionnaire about MMORPGs’ motivations [25]1.63
Violent rewardVideogaming Motives Questionnaire (VMQ, [28])2.93
Violent rewardGaming attitudes, motivations, and experiences scales (GAMES; [34])2.86
Cognitive developmentVideogaming Motives Questionnaire (VMQ, [28])2.81
ConcentrationComputer Gaming Motivation Scale [37]1.744
EntertainmentComputer Gaming Motivation Scale [37]1.959
LearningComputer Gaming Motivation Scale [37]1.922
PresenceThe Player Experience of Need Satisfaction (PENS, [30])5Not reported
RelatednessThe Player Experience of Need Satisfaction (PENS, [30])5Not reported
RelatednessUbisoft Perceived Experience Questionnaire (UPEQ, [46])1.84
AutonomyThe Player Experience of Need Satisfaction (PENS, [30])5Not reported
AutonomyUbisoft Perceived Experience Questionnaire (UPEQ, [46])1.86
Autonomy/explorationGaming attitudes, motivations, and experiences scales (GAMES; [34])2.78
Exploration (ego-centered motives)Gaming Motive Scale [38]11
ExplorationMassively Multiplayer Online Games Motivation Scale (MMO-MS, [33])3.750
CompetenceThe Player Experience of Need Satisfaction (PENS, [30])5Not reported
CompetenceUbisoft Perceived Experience Questionnaire (UPEQ, [46])1.82
Competence (ego-centered motives)Gaming Motive Scale [38]1.71
Intuitive controlsThe Player Experience of Need Satisfaction (PENS, [30])5Not reported
NarrationGaming Motive Scale [38]1.60
Low costMotivation questionnaire created by authors [39]1.76
DissociationMassively Multiplayer Online Games Motivation Scale (MMO-MS, [33])3.833
Moral self actionDigital Games Motivation Scale (DGMS; [35])2.793
AgencyDigital Games Motivation Scale (DGMS; [35])2.791
PastimeDigital Games Motivation Scale (DGMS; [35])2.886
PerformanceDigital Games Motivation Scale (DGMS; [35])2.875
HabitDigital Games Motivation Scale (DGMS; [35])2.930
RelaxingMotivation to play [36]1Not reported
PhilanthropistGamification User Types Hexad Scale [44]1.893
Free spiritGamification User Types Hexad Scale [44]1.723
DisruptorGamification User Types Hexad Scale [44]1.738
PlayerGamification User Types Hexad Scale [44]1.698
Hi-techAd Hoc Uses and Gratification Questionnaire [47]1.81
EgoAd Hoc Uses and Gratification Questionnaire [47]1.89
RealismAd Hoc Uses and Gratification Questionnaire [47]1.84
ManipulationAd Hoc questionnaire about MMORPGs’ motivations [25]1.73