Goal-Directed Player Behavior in Computer Games

Abstract

This study applies a motivated action model to analyze the basics of goal-directed player behavior in computer games and uses a motivational framework to investigate the relation of various gaming situations with different player needs. The game selected for this study is an action-adventure game named Middle-earth: Shadows of Mordor. The first section attempts to find the relationship between psychological needs and game mechanics, showing that the restrictions imposed by the game mechanics significantly reduce the number of player needs satisfied by a game. The second section investigates the anatomy of choices made by players in different gaming situations. Each gaming situation from Shadows of Mordor is described with appropriate incentives, goals, motivations, actions, reinforcers, and punishers.