Table 2.
STORY | |
1. | Video game stories aren't important to me. [R] |
2. | Stories in video games just get in the way. [R] |
3. | In video games, it's hard for me to identify with my character. [R] |
4. | It's hard for me to play a game if I can't relate to my character. |
5. | The feeling of immersion is important to me. (Immersion is feeling like you are really there.) |
6. | I really do my best to put myself into the main character's shoes. |
7. | I'm interested in learning the lore or history of video game worlds. |
8. | I love to learn about the backstories of the characters in video games. |
9. | I feel emotionally attached to the characters in my favorite games. |
10. | Some of my favorite stories are in video games. |
11. | I mostly play video games for their stories. |
12. | I'm excited to find out what happens next in the story. |
VIOLENCE CATHARSIS | |
13. | I play violent games to act out my anger without really hurting anyone. |
14. | I play violent games when I'm angry or upset to avoid arguing with people I know. |
15. | Violent games allow me to release negative energy. |
16. | Being violent in a game helps me “get it out of my system.” |
17. | Playing violent video games helps me be less violent in real life. |
18. | I express my anger in violent video games so I don't act angry in real life. |
19. | Video game violence makes me feel better when I'm frustrated. |
VIOLENT REWARD | |
20. | Killing things in the game makes me feel powerful. |
21. | Sometimes I'll hack up or shoot enemy corpses, just for fun. |
22. | I like violence in my video games - the more violent the better. |
23. | Video game violence is exciting and rewarding. |
24. | Shooting someone in the head in a game is deeply satisfying. |
25. | It feels good to shoot or slice parts off of enemies. (e.g., shooting a head off, or cutting an arm off.) |
SOCIAL INTERACTION | |
26. | When I play video games, I don't feel connected to the other players. [R] |
27. | I make more friends by playing video games. |
28. | My friends and I use video games as a reason to get together. |
29. | Often, a group of friends and I will spend time playing video games. |
30. | I enjoy playing video games with a group of my buddies. |
31. | I like playing with a group, online or in the same room. |
ESCAPISM | |
32. | Games calm me down when I'm feeling nervous. |
33. | I like to do something that I could not normally do in real life through a video game. |
34. | I play video games because they let me do things I can't do in real life. |
35. | I play video games to keep my mind off my problems. |
36. | I play video games because it allows me to escape real life. |
37. | Video games allow me to escape from the problems associated with everyday life. |
LOSS-AVERSION | |
38. | Even when I lose, I still have fun. [R] |
39. | If I could, I would only play games against weaker players, so I could win more often. |
40. | It makes me mad if there are consequences when I mess up in a game, like losing points or getting a bad ending. |
41. | I get upset when I lose to other players. |
42. | Losing a game always makes me mad - what a waste of time! |
43. | Winning is fun; losing isn't. |
44. | Losing is frustrating and detracts from my experience. |
CUSTOMIZATION | |
45. | I like making things in video game, like houses or outfits. |
46. | I'll put considerable time into designing my character's appearance (e.g., clothes, face). |
47. | I like to personalize and customize my character. |
48. | I really like to customize my character's outfit. |
GRINDING/COMPLETION | |
49. | I rarely complete collections of in-game items. [R] |
50. | I don't mind grinding for an hour or two to get an item I want. (Grinding is doing the same thing over and over). |
51. | I'm excited to unlock achievements or earn trophies in games. |
52. | I will often level up my characters until they reach the level cap (i.e. they can't level up any further). |
53. | I'll play a game until I get a 100% on it, completing everything in the game. |
54. | I like taking the time to pick up every single collectible item in the game. |
AUTONOMY/EXPLORATION | |
55. | I like games that offer different ways to get to the next level or area. |
56. | I like having a choice of several different places or levels to try. |
57. | I like games that offer you a lot of options and choices. |
58. | I like games that do not put a lot of constraints on the player. |
59. | I prefer games that allow me to play however I want. |
Items marked with [R] are reverse-scored. Items 28, 29, 33, 34, and 41 are adapted from Sherry et al. (2006).