Variations in gaming experiences, time, and spending across genres

Abstract The study investigates the impact of different game genres on gaming behavior among students from 4th grade to 12th grade. Previous research often focused on isolated aspects of gaming without considering genre-specific influences. This study aims to fill that gap by examining how genres affect challenge and achievement, social interaction, flow, gaming time, and spending. Using ANOVA and Sidak post-hoc tests, the analysis included a sample size of 49,569 respondents. The findings indicate significant differences across genres: Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA) games foster higher levels of challenge, achievement, social interaction, and flow compared to other genres. Players of MOBA games also exhibit the highest engagement in terms of gaming time and financial investment. Role-Playing Games (RPG) and First-Person Shooter (FPS) games also show notable engagement levels but to a lesser extent. These results suggest that game genre significantly shapes gaming behaviors and experiences, highlighting the importance of genre-specific design and marketing strategies. For scholars, this study emphasizes the need for more granular research into game genres. For practitioners, including game developers and service providers, the findings offer insights into enhancing player engagement and tailoring game features to specific genres.