Passion Play: The Relationship between Passion and Motivation in On-Line Gaming

The study examined the relationship between massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) users’ motivations for playing and obsessive and harmonious passion. In the current study, data was gathered from 136 participants using the Passion Scale and the Users’ Experience Measurement in MMORPGs Questionnaire. Results showed that obsessive passion had a positive correlation with role play, challenge, competition, and fantasy. Further, harmonious passion was found to have significant positive relationships with all motivation factors except for competition. Clinical implications of the study may indicate that in dealing with patients who suffer from compulsive gaming, focusing on ways to meet psychological needs in the real world instead of through on-line gaming, via emphasis on need satisfaction may provide a helpful intervention method. Keywords: MMORPG; On-Line Gaming; Passion; Motivation; Gaming Addictio