Game Dynamics Preferences Are Connected with Experiences Derived from First-Person Shooters

Individual differences in game dynamics preferences may affect the way players react to different types of games. In the present study, 40 inexperienced players played a violent first-person shooter game. The players' preferences for violent game dynamics were scoped before playing. Moreover, the players self-reported their sense of curiosity, vitality and self-efficacy in life in general and during playing. The results show that players who do not like violent game dynamics experience a lower sense of curiosity, vitality and self-efficacy during playing rather than in real life. Instead, there is no evidence for such difference for players who express a neutral or mildly positive preference for violent dynamics, with the exception of a slightly worse sense of self-efficacy in playing versus real life. Those who disliked the dynamics also showed less positive emotion after playing than before playing. Game dynamics preferences also correlated with perceived difficulty of the game and using the gaming pad. The results point out that players who report disliking violent dynamics do not get emotional and motivational benefits from playing and consider playing difficult. For research focusing on games user research, the results indicate game dynamics preferences and their compatibility to the game contents as a relevant measure that may affect players' sense of curiosity, vitality and self-efficacy during playing.