The Appeal of MOBA Games

Abstract

Online multiplayer games are often rich sources of complex social interactions. In this paper, we focus on the unique player experiences (PX) created by Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA) games. We examine key phases of players' engagement with the genre and investigate why players start, stay, and stop playing MOBAs. Our study identifies how team interactions during play with friends or strangers affect PX during these phases. Results indicate the ability to play with friends is salient when beginning play and during periods of engagement. Teams that include friends support a wider range of play possibilities - socially and competitively -- than teams of strangers. However, social factors appear less relevant to those choosing to stop playing, who do so for a variety of reasons. This study contributes to the field by identifying a strategy to improve the wellbeing of players.