Exploring the relationships between psychological variables and loot box engagement, part 1: pre-registered hypotheses

Close, James; Spicer, Stuart Gordon; Nicklin, Laura Louise; Uther, Maria; Whalley, Ben; Fullwood, Chris; Stiff, Chris; Parke, Jonathan; Lloyd, Joanne; Lloyd, Helen

Abstract

Loot boxes are purchasable randomized rewards in video games that share structural and psychological similarities with gambling. Systematic review evidence has established reproducible associations between loot box purchasing and both problem gambling and problem video gaming, perhaps driven by a range of overlapping psychological processes (e.g. impulsivity, gambling-related cognitions, etc.) It has also been argued that loot box engagement may have negative influences on player financial and psychological wellbeing. We conducted a pre-registered survey of 1495 loot box purchasing gamers (LB cohort) and 1223 gamers who purchase other, non-randomized game content (nLB cohort). Our survey confirms 15 of our 23 pre-registered hypotheses against our primary outcome (risky loot box engagement), establishing associations with problem gambling, problem gaming, impulsivity, gambling cognitions, experiences of game-related ‘flow’ and specific ‘distraction and compulsion’ motivations for purchase. Results with hypotheses concerning potential harms established that risky loot box engagement was negatively correlated with wellbeing and positively correlated with distress. Overall, results indicate that any risks from loot boxes are liable to disproportionately affect various ‘at risk’ cohorts (e.g. those experiencing problem gambling or video gaming), thereby reiterating calls for policy action on loot boxes.

Citation

Close, J., Spicer, S. G., Nicklin, L. L., Uther, M., Whalley, B., Fullwood, C., …Lloyd, H. (2023). Exploring the relationships between psychological variables and loot box engagement, part 1: pre-registered hypotheses. Royal Society Open Science, 10(12), 231045. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsos.231045

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Nov 27, 2023
• Online Publication Date: Dec 20, 2023
• Publication Date: 2023-12
• Deposit Date: Jun 17, 2024
• Journal: Royal Society Open Science
• Electronic ISSN: 2054-5703
• Publisher: The Royal Society
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 10
• Issue: 12
• Pages: 231045
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1098/rsos.231045
• Keywords: video gaming, digital harms, addictive behaviours, wellbeing, loot boxes, gambling
• Public URL: https://keele-repository.worktribe.com/output/850385