"Getting More Immersed the More You Play"... Also Expressing Desire to Communicate with Others

Survey of Over 200 Online Game Users in Their 20s

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Sehee] A study has found that the more people play games, the more likely they are to fall into a state of game over-immersion.

On the 21st, according to the Korea Game Society, Professor Jang Yebit of the Department of Cultural Contents at Ajou University claimed this in a research paper on online game usage motivation and online game over-immersion during the COVID-19 situation.

The study surveyed 256 online game users in their 20s living in Seoul and the metropolitan area around March last year about their gaming motivations and degree of over-immersion.

Among the main gaming motivations, the biggest factor related to over-immersion was escapism. It was also confirmed that motivations such as communication, social connection, and passing time had a strong correlation with game over-immersion. The more people seek games to escape reality and connect with others, the more likely they are to fall into a state of game over-immersion.

In particular, there was also a tendency to focus on gaming alone without communicating with others. Professor Jang explained that this effort also includes defensive attempts to feel less loneliness and deprivation.

Regarding the cause of such avoidant gaming motivations, Professor Jang stated, "Due to the pandemic, the proportion of encountering social changes and issues through digital media has increased, providing more opportunities to compare others' lives with one's own." She added, "Measures are needed to prevent the connection between escapism/avoidance motivations and over-immersion."

In the paper, Professor Jang noted, "It is a natural motivation reflecting the need for communication that people in their 20s, who are the most socially active game users, used online games as a means of escapism or social interaction due to COVID-19."

She further explained, "Since these usage motivations can unintentionally lead to online game over-immersion, understanding why people use games during the pandemic will help in preparing specific usage guidelines."