Drivers of Mobile Game Addiction and Its Impact on Game Loyalty and In-App Purchase Intention Among Gen-Z in Indonesia
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.20414/jed.v7i2.13120Keywords:
Game Addiction, Game Loyalty, In-App Purchase Intention, Generation Z, Mobile LegendsAbstract
Purpose: This study aims to analyze the influence of flow experience, escapism, and playfulness on mobile game addiction, and to examine how mobile game addiction affects game loyalty and in-app purchase intention among Generation Z in Indonesia.
Method: A quantitative research design was employed. Data were collected through an online questionnaire distributed to 210 respondents. The data were analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling-Partial Least Squares (SEM-PLS) with SmartPLS 4 software.
Result: The results show that flow experience and escapism significantly and positively influence game addiction. In contrast, playfulness has a significant negative effect, suggesting that enjoyment alone does not necessarily lead to addictive behavior. Game addiction positively influences both game Loyalty and in-app purchase intention. However, game loyalty does not have a significant effect on in-app purchase intention.
Practical Implications for Economic Growth and Development: These findings offer valuable insights for mobile game developers seeking to enhance user engagement and revenue. By leveraging flow experience and escapism, developers can increase both addiction tendencies and in-app spending. This approach contributes to the growth of Indonesia’s digital economy through strategic monetization.
Originality/Value: This study adds to the limited body of research examining psychological drivers of game addiction and their economic implications within the context of Generation Z in a developing digital market.
Downloads
References
Badan Pusat Statistik. (2020). Jumlah penduduk menurut wilayah, klasifikasi generasi, dan jenis kelamin, Indonesia, tahun 2020. https://sensus.bps.go.id/topik/tabular/sp2020/2
Balakrishnan, J., & Griffiths, M. D. (2018). Loyalty towards online games, gaming addiction, and purchase intention towards online mobile in-game features. Computers in Human Behavior, 87, 238–246. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2018.06.002
Barnett, L. A. (2007). The nature of playfulness in young adults. Personality and Individual Differences, 43(4), 949–958. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2007.02.018
Bhatiasevi, V., Rukumnuaykit, P., & Pholphirul, P. (2023). Online gaming addiction and quality of life among early adolescents in Thailand: An investigation from a SEM-Neural network approach. Human Behavior and Emerging Technologies, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/7898600
Blumler, J. G. (1979). The role of theory in uses and gratifications studies. Communication Research, 6(1). https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1177/009365027900600102
Brunborg, G. S., Hanss, D., Mentzoni, R. A., & Pallesen, S. (2015). Core and peripheral criteria of video game addiction in the game addiction scale for adolescents. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 18(5), 280–285. https://doi.org/10.1089/cyber.2014.0509
Carmona, J., & Whiting, J. B. (2021). Escaping the escapism: A grounded theory of the addiction and recovery process in online video gaming. Qualitative Report, 26(7), 2171–2188. https://doi.org/10.46743/2160-3715/2021.4643
Charlton, J. P., & Danforth, I. D. W. (2007). Distinguishing addiction and high engagement in the context of online game playing. Computers in Human Behavior, 23(3), 1531–1548. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2005.07.002
Chen, C., & Leung, L. (2016). Are you addicted to Candy Crush Saga? An exploratory study linking psychological factors to mobile social game addiction. Telematics and Informatics, 33(4), 1155–1166. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tele.2015.11.005
Cheung, M. L., Leung, W. K. S., Chang, L. M. K., & Shi, S. (2023). Driving loyalty intentions of mobile games: A motivation theory perspective. Quality and Quantity, 57, 657–682. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11135-021-01120-y
Choi, C., Hums, M. A., & Bum, C. H. (2018). Impact of the family environment on juvenile mental health: eSports online game addiction and delinquency. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 15(12). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph15122850
Chou, T.-J., & Ting, C.-C. (2003). The role of flow experience in cyber-game addiction. Cyberpsychology & Behavior, 6(6). https://doi.org/10.1089/109493103322725469
CNBC Indonesia. (2024). Warga RI habiskan duit segini buat main game di HP, gokil! CNBC Indonesia. https://www.cnbcindonesia.com/tech/20240111113505-37-504737/warga-ri-habiskan-duit-segini-buat-main-game-di-hp-gokil
Costes, J. M., & Bonnaire, C. (2022). Spending money in free-to-play games: Sociodemographic characteristics, motives, impulsivity, and internet gaming disorder specificities. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(23). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192315709
Csikszentmihalyi, M. (2000). Flow: The psychology of optimal experience. http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/1511458
Dewi, I. R. (2024, January 12). Raja game mobile RI terbaru, Mobile Legends dan PUBG kalah. CNBC Indonesia. https://www.cnbcindonesia.com/tech/20240112142520-37-505163/raja-game-mobile-ri-terbaru-mobile-legends-dan-pubg-kalah
Etikan, I. (2016). Comparison of convenience sampling and purposive sampling. American Journal of Theoretical and Applied Statistics, 5(1), 1. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajtas.20160501.11
Hair, J. F. Jr., Hult, G. T. M., Ringle, C. M., Sarstedt, M., Danks, N. P., & Ray, S. (2021). Classroom companion: Business partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) using R. Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-80519-7
Hair, J. F., Risher, J. J., Sarstedt, M., & Ringle, C. M. (2019). When to use and how to report the results of PLS-SEM. European Business Review, 31(1), 2–24. https://doi.org/10.1108/EBR-11-2018-0203
Hsiao, K. L., & Chen, C. C. (2016). What drives in-app purchase intention for mobile games? An examination of perceived values and loyalty. Electronic Commerce Research and Applications, 16, 18–29. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.elerap.2016.01.001
Iradat, D. (2024, January 31). Survei APJII: Pengguna internet Indonesia tembus 221 juta orang. CNN Indonesia. https://www.cnnindonesia.com/teknologi/20240131152906-213-1056781/survei-apjii-pengguna-internet-indonesia-tembus-221-juta-orang
Kaczmarek, L. D., & Dra?zkowski, D. (2014). MMORPG escapism predicts decreased well-being: Examination of gaming time, game realism beliefs, and online social support for offline problems. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 17(5), 298–302. https://doi.org/10.1089/cyber.2013.0595
Keller, J., & Bless, H. (2008). Flow and regulatory compatibility: An experimental approach to the flow model of intrinsic motivation. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 34(2), 196–209. https://doi.org/10.1177/0146167207310026
Kiatsakared, P., & Chen, K. Y. (2022). The effect of flow experience on online game addiction during the COVID-19 pandemic: The moderating effect of activity passion. Sustainability (Switzerland), 14(19). https://doi.org/10.3390/su141912364
Kiverstein, J., & Miller, M. (2023). Special issue: Experiencing well-being playfulness and the meaningful life: An active inference perspective. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/nc/niad024
Li, M., & Hui, W. (2023). Investigating the moderating effect of massively multiplayer online (MMO) games on the correlation between flow and game addiction: A meta-analysis. Australasian Journal of Information Systems, 27. http://dx.doi.org/10.3127/ajis.v27i0.3995
Lu, H. P., & Wang, S. M. (2008). The role of Internet addiction in online game loyalty: An exploratory study. Internet Research, 18(5), 499–519. https://doi.org/10.1108/10662240810912756
Nabilah, M. (2023, June 15). Mayoritas konsumen game online main lebih dari 4 jam sehari. Databoks. https://databoks.katadata.co.id/layanan-konsumen-kesehatan/statistik/f84b9829c743733/mayoritas-konsumen-game-online-main-lebih-dari-4-jam-sehari
Ohno, S. (2016). Internet escapism and addiction among Japanese senior high school students. International Journal of Culture and Mental Health, 9(4), 399–406. https://doi.org/10.1080/17542863.2016.1226911
Oka, T., Kubo, T., Murakami, M., & Kobayashi, N. (2024). The relationship of game genres, in-game purchases, and playing duration with probable gaming disorder in two independent, large-scale online surveys of Japanese adults. Journal of Behavioral Addictions, 13(1), 205–214. https://doi.org/10.1556/2006.2023.00076
Park, S., & Hwang, H. S. (2009). Understanding online game addiction: Connection between presence and flow. In LNCS (Vol. 5613). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-02583-9_42
Pratnyawan, A., & Rachmanta, R. D. (2021, August 12). Sebaran pemain Mobile Legends Indonesia, terbanyak di pulau ini. Suara.Com. https://www.suara.com/tekno/2021/08/12/142903/sebaran-pemain-mobile-legends-indonesia-terbanyak-di-pulau-ini
Prinsen, E., & Schofield, D. (2021). Video game escapism during quarantine. Computer and Information Science, 14(4), 36. https://doi.org/10.5539/cis.v14n4p36
Putra, Y., Maminiaina Heritiana Sedera, R., & Maminirina Fenitra, R. (2024). Investigating the influence of mobile game addiction on in-app purchase intention in PUBG mobile: The mediating roles of loyalty, negative e-WOM and perceived risk. Cogent Business and Management, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/23311975.2024.2328317
Quan-Haase, A., & Young, A. L. (2010). Uses and gratifications of social media: A comparison of Facebook and instant messaging. Bulletin of Science, Technology & Society, 30(5), 350–361. https://doi.org/10.1177/0270467610380009
Sledgianowski, D., & Kulviwat, S. (2009). Using social network sites: The effects of playfulness, critical mass and trust in a hedonic context. Journal of Computer Information Systems, 49(4), 74–83. https://doi.org/10.1080/08874417.2009.11645342
Van Vleet, M., & Feeney, B. C. (2015). Play behavior and playfulness in adulthood. Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 9(11), 630–643. https://doi.org/10.1111/spc3.12205
Wang, J. L., Sheng, J. R., & Wang, H. Z. (2019). The association between mobile game addiction and depression, social anxiety, and loneliness. Frontiers in Public Health, 7(SEP). https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2019.00247
Wang, S., Li, J., Wang, S., Mi, C., Wang, W., Xu, Z., Xiong, W., Tang, L., & Li, Y. (2022). Escapism-based motivation affected the psychological performances of high-risk internet gaming disorder individuals. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2022.855631
Widodo, N. G., & Balqiah, T. E. (2020). The effect of addiction, playfulness, and good price on purchase intention of in-app features: Role of perceived values and loyalty to PUBG Mobile. http://dx.doi.org/10.2991/aebmr.k.201222.002
World Health Organization. (2020, October 22). Addictive behaviours: Gaming disorder. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/addictive-behaviours-gaming-disorder
Wu, T. C. (E.), Scott, D., & Yang, C. C. (2013). Advanced or addicted? Exploring the relationship of recreation specialization to flow experiences and online game addiction. Leisure Sciences, 35(3), 203–217. https://doi.org/10.1080/01490400.2013.780497
Xu, Z., & Yuan, Y. (2008). The impact of motivation and prevention factors on game addiction. AIS Electronic Library (AISeL), 15. http://aisel.aisnet.org/sighci2008/15
Xu, Z., Turel, O., & Yuan, Y. (2012). Online game addiction among adolescents: Motivation and prevention factors. European Journal of Information Systems, 21(3), 321–340. https://doi.org/10.1057/ejis.2011.56
Yee, N. (2006). Motivations for play in online games. Cyberpsychology & Behavior, 9(6). https://doi.org/10.1089/cpb.2006.9.772
Zhou, X., & Xing, J. (2021). The relationship between college students’ online game addiction, family function and self-control. Health, 13(09), 910–919. https://doi.org/10.4236/health.2021.139070
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Miftah Mahardhika Airlangga, Lizar Alfansi
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
1. Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
2. Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
3. Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).
