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Influence of competition-outcome feedback in video games on players’ flow experience

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Abstract

Competition is a fundamental feature of video games. However, the influence of competition-outcome feedback on players’ flow experience is not clearly understood. This study aims to examine this effect and explore its mechanisms and boundaries. In the experiment, 108 male participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups (based on the condition of receiving winning feedback, losing feedback, and no feedback) in competitive video game playing. The results showed that receiving continuous winning feedback enhanced the players’ flow experience, while receiving losing feedback impaired the players’ flow experience. In addition, moderated mediation model analysis revealed that the relative effect of receiving winning feedback was mediated by anxiety that was further moderated by trait competitiveness. Only in those with high trait competitiveness can receiving winning feedback relieve their anxiety and facilitate the flow experience in turn. These results develop our understanding of the role of competition in video games and provide insights into video game design.

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Data Availability

The datasets generated during and analyzed during the current study are available in the OSF repository, https://osf.io/j8n32/.

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    Authors and Affiliations

    1. Department of Psychology, School of Social Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100083, China

      Yongfa Zhang, Qiongdan Liang & Fei Wang

    2. Tsinghua Laboratory of Brain and Intelligence, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100083, China

      Fei Wang

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    1. Yongfa Zhang
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    2. Qiongdan Liang
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    Zhang, Y., Liang, Q. & Wang, F. Influence of competition-outcome feedback in video games on players’ flow experience. Curr Psychol 42, 17583–17594 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-022-02935-0

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