Coping Strategies and Motivation to Play as Predictors of Behavioral Patterns Within Pay-to-Win Games

Background: The aim of the study was to identify psychological predictors of particular patterns of playing pay-to-win games: coping strategies and motivation to play. Methods: The article presents the results of the online cross-sectional study conducted among online pay-to-win gamers (n = 868), defined as those who have made payments in online games in order to gain an advantage over gamers who refuse to pay. Results: The patterns of P2W gaming differed in their predictors; the pattern of larger contributions is associated with self-enhancement motivation, and the pattern of small frequent contributions is associated with social motivation and coping directed to escape from problems. Conclusions: Behavioral patterns of gaming are associated with different gaming motivations and strategies. The social factor seemed to differentiate between the most distinct types of players. Recognition of these specific patterns can be an essential factor in the adequate understanding of P2W gaming behavior.