Playing for fun or for profit: how extrinsically-motivated and intrinsically-motivated players make the choice between competing dual-purposed gaming platforms

Esko Penttinen (), Merja Halme (), Pekka Malo (), Timo Saarinen () and Ville-Matias Vilén ()
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Esko Penttinen: Aalto University School of Business
Merja Halme: Aalto University School of Business
Pekka Malo: Aalto University School of Business
Timo Saarinen: Aalto University School of Business
Ville-Matias Vilén: Accenture Finland

Electronic Markets, 2019, vol. 29, issue 3, No 4, 337-358

Abstract: Abstract An online poker site is a good example of a dual-purposed information system that is used for both fun and making money. In this study, we address the platform selection problem associated with online poker sites by investigating the features online gamers value when selecting a platform. We test the differences in preferences for online gaming platforms between two types of users: primarily extrinsically-motivated and primarily intrinsically-motivated players. Surprisingly, when comparing the importance scores of the features (usability, enjoyment, functionalities, poker network, loyalty program, and reputation), we observe very little difference between the two user groups. The only difference was that loyalty programs were valued considerably more by extrinsically-motivated players. One would have expected that features such as functionalities, poker network, and reputation would dominate the choice calculus for extrinsically-motivated players and that features such as usability and enjoyment would dominate the choice calculus for intrinsically-motivated players. We interpret this surprising finding as providing support to the claim that utilitarian and hedonic values are becoming increasingly intertwined. In this article, we provide alternative interpretations for this surprising result and discuss its theoretical and managerial implications. Because this is an exploratory study, we also note several avenues for future research.

Keywords: Extrinsic and intrinsic motivation; Platform selection; Dual-purposed information systems; Online gaming; Conjoint analysis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C11 C44 C83 M00 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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DOI: 10.1007/s12525-018-0298-1

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